Problem with Hind legs.

Hey everyone looking for some advice from some experienced handlers,
About 3 weeks ago my 18 month old apbt developed a limp in the left hind leg, the limb subsided in about 3 4 days. I'm pretty keen on noticing small knacks and I've been realizing that something still didn't seem right. So I took her to the vet and had her checked out by a professional and he indicated that there was no problems and he ran a blood test and everything came back perfectly healthy. He put pressure on the paw and stiffened the hock and also pulled back left hind to full extension with no exhibition of discomfort from the dog from either movements. So feeling relieved I was on my way. I still notice small discomforts in movements and she was sitting alot more often now, also I had her stand on the back legs and now she is no longer able to remain on the hind legs for more then 2 seconds without falling back or having to come back down on fours. So my question is, what could be the problem or the origin of it, I'm speculating a low back problem or joint discomfort at the hind attachment possibly a muscle tear. Also do you have a specfic thing you do with your animals to ease the hind legs/ strengthen them. Ive limited her to running around the yard, Im reluctant take her on a walk and have it become worse from pulling on the leash. I'm planning on heading back to the vet if it doesnt get better.
To summarize does anyone have steps they take in strengthen the hind specifically and im assuming the whole musculature of the rear is used in standing on 2s. Sorry for making this so long just trying to give you a picture of the problem, I've put her on a multi-vit, and a joint supplement in hopes of easing the problem
Thanks for any replies!

 

Could be an ACL tear

 

I am not a vet. Supplements for Bone and Joint Health
.1 Glucosamine and chondroitin. These two supplements are from substances naturally found in healthy cartilage. Research suggests that glucosamine sulfate - alone or in combination with chondroitin sulfate - appears to relieve pain, improve joint mobility, and slow osteoarthritis-related damage to the joints. If you weigh between 120 and 200 pounds, take 1,500 mg of glucosamine and 1,200 mg of chondroitin daily and expect to wait up to two months to see results. These supplements may interact with drugs.
Does the dog limp when it walks? If it does place your hand on its hips, thumb on one side index on the other while you dog is walking and feel for poping.ive notice aome dogs show sighs of weak hips when young and turn out fine when they where, or are adults. I would take it easy for a few days ,of course depending on the level of injury. Then start easy walks if possible then slowly build the dog back up. I would avoid hard play for awhile.
You can also feed to help with recovery i will post a link to information about omega 3 to omega 6 ratio. This is not something i studied myself i read this on the internet so as some say take it with a grain of salt.

 

Nevermind can't find the link

 

Taken from The Healthy Bulldog .....

Overview:
Glucosamine and chondroitin are two different supplements, and yet each are consistently found together, made by many manufacturers, to promote healthy joint function. Healthy joint function is critically important to top-flight sporting dogs, as well as it is critically important in the graceful aging of our geriatric dogs as they advance in their autumn years.

Not too many people really stop to think about how their dogs feel as they get old. This is a sad, but true commentary on the “thoughtfulness” of most dogmen. However, most people at least care about their money, and when one’s money is on the line in an athletic event, involving optimally-conditioned sporting dogs, he really ought to think about strengthening his charge’s joints, both before and during the rigors of an intensive exercise regimen. Healthy cartilage requires four things. They are:

1. Water for lubrication and nourishment.
2. Proteoglycans to attract and hold water.
3. Collagen to hold proteoglycans in place.
4. Chondrocytes to clean away old proteoglycans and collagen, while producing new ones.

When any one of these elements is missing, cartilage can deteriorate and osteo-arthritis (bone and joint inflammation) will begin to develop. However, with effective nutritional supplements, and an adequate diet, much of this can be prevented (and also rehabilitated) if your dog is currently suffering from osteoarthritis or any sort of joint lameness.

Glucosamine:
One of the most effective supplements for osteoarthritis is a compound called glucosamine. Glucosamine is an amino sugar produced from the shells (chitin) of shellfish and it is a key component of cartilage. Glucosamine works to stimulate joint function and repair. It has been proven effective in numerous scientific trials for easing osteoarthritis pain, aiding in the rehabilitation of cartilage, renewing synovial fluid, and repairing joints that have been damaged from osteoarthritis.

Each animal (or person) produces a certain amount of glucosamine within its body. When an animal grows older, its body loses its capacity to make enough glucosamine for itself. Having ample glucosamine in the body is essential to producing the nutrients needed to stimulate the production of synovial fluid, the fluid which lubricates cartilage and keeps joints healthy.

Without enough glucosamine, the cartilage in the weight-bearing joints (such as the hips, stifles, and wrists) deteriorates. The cartilage then hardens and forms bone spurs, deformed joints, with resulting limited joint movement. This is how the debilitating disease of osteoarthritis develops. In an over-worked, and under-supplemented animal, the joints also “age” due to a workload that rapidly puts a toll on unprepared joint structures. In either case, this is where glucosamine supplementation figures in. So how does glucosamine figure into healthy cartilage?

 

re: supplements..........^^^omega 3 etc

These are supplements that are helpful for good health, but do not store well or maintain integrity in commercial diets or they are found less often in fresh diets. These supplements are listed below:

B Vitamins
B vitamins are important for healthy nerves, skin, liver and good tone in the digestive tract. They are also important for the metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. It is important to take a B complex, as the B vitamins need to be taken together. If you increase one type, they compete with the others for absorption in the digestive tract. It is important to supplement with B Vitamins because refining and processing, storage and packaging removes much of the B vitamins from foods.

Vitamin C with Bioflavanoids
Vitamin C is an essential antioxidant and immune builder. It has many functions, including collagen building (present in connective tissue), adrenal gland functioning, it stimulates the production of lymphocytes, it fights bacteria and viruses, enhances the ability of chemotherapy drugs, helps prevent high blood pressure and serum cholesterol, aids in the healing of wounds and the production of anti-stress hormones.
Vitamin C is water soluble and is flushed from the body quickly. This vitamin is also susceptible to losing its potency during packing and exposure to air.
Bioflavonoids, although not exactly a vitamin, are found in the rinds of citrus fruits. When taken with vitamin C, they help with the absorption rate and are also an antioxidant. They help to strengthen capillary walls and prevent hemorrhages and bruising. They are also helpful with inflammatory conditions and arthritis. Bioflavonoids may also be helpful in the treatment and prevention of cataracts.
Vitamin E
This vitamin is also an antioxidant and an anti-carcinogen. It is quite fragile as it is destroyed by heat, light or air. It helps to protect vitamin C and vitamin A from oxidation. It aids circulation, healing of wounds, aids in arthritis, helps with normal functioning of the nervous system, improves athletic performance and prevents cell damage and may prevent aging.
These vitamins can be given separately, or together. Both the Bertes Daily Blend and Bertes Immune Blend contain these ingredients.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
The essential fatty acids most often talked about are Omega 6 and Omega 3. The Omega 6 fatty acids are found in most foods, including vegetables, grains and meats. Omega 3 fatty acids are much more difficult to find. They are found in cold-water fish and marine animals. Keeping a good balance of these two essential fatty acids is important. Since Omega 6 fatty acids are plentiful in most foods, it is only necessary to supplement with Omega 3 fatty acids.

Omega 3 fatty acids are important for the central nervous system, hormone regulation, and the development of the brain and eyes in neonates. They also help fight inflammation. Additionally, it is renal protective; helps support the liver and the heart. More recent studies also show it is one nutrient cancer cannot use for energy and helps fight weight loss in this disease.Good sources include salmon and fish body oils. Daily recommended amounts are 1,000 mg per 20-30 lbs in healthy dogs.
Generally, between the Bertes Daily Blend, salmon oil, or fish oil capsules, the bases are covered for what might be missing from the daily diet!
Minerals
It is not recommended to add synthetic minerals to a dog's diet, unless it has been recommended by your veterinarian. Kelp and alfalfa are whole foods and a health choice. Most foods, including commercial and homemade diets, contain enough minerals. It is important to keep these in balance.
The only time a mineral supplement may be needed is with home made diets that are devoid of bone. Then calcium needs to be added to keep the calcium/phosphorus balance in correct ratio. Generally 800-900 mg of calcium is needed in a home cooked diet that does not contain a calcium source. In this case an easy solution is to save eggshells and dry them overnight. Grind them in a coffee grinder and add to the diet at 1/2 teaspoon per pound of meat served.

 

Did the vet take any x-rays? I don't know where you're located, but by me w/have an amazing veterinary chiropractor. However, if you're looking at a soft tissue injury like back2basics suggested, then neither of those things would help anyway.

 

Had her on glucosamine/chondroitin with msm for about 5 days starting to see slight improvements in stance and now she willing started to stand on her hind legs for much longer.

 

No x-rays were taken, the dog was examined by hand(mobility of the limbs, stretching it back etc.) and he determined there was no need and that she was fine, although symptoms got worse later on but went away as soon as they appeared(1-2 days).

 

If you see this lameness appear again, I'd consider using a different vet, maybe an orthopedic specialist.

 

Here you go...no copy, & paste cross post bullshit here, only first hand experience on something that works!!!

Go to GNC, & ask for USP Labs Supercissus...this is the best bone, joint, cartilage, tendon, & ligament supplement there is, & will heal ligament injuries among other injuries, I know first hand from my own sports injuries(wrestling, Muay Thai, Boxing, grappling), & we have also used it for dogs! 1 dog in particlar with a ligament tear needed a $3,000 surgery, but we healed it naturally with Supercissus, & the dog was her normal self in 1 month!

Dosage for dogs is 1 pill a day with their meal...this is no BS, & I really think it will help you!!!
SuperCissus RX & Usplabs & Cissus | Super Size Health

 

Thank you I was looking for some firsthand from people who had symptoms with their dogs similar to what I'm having. Been about a week and a half on triple strength glucosamine with chondroitin and msm. Improvements are really good, eager to play, dashes everywhere she can, and greater hind stability has come as well which was my biggest concern. I will definetly put her on some of that Supercissus for a bit to help with any possible remaining recovery. Thank you for the suggestion!

 

no copy and past bs lol...you wanker, do ya think it really matters if it may help somebody, dipshit

 

sorry Leslie H that comment was @ dipshit ford, that obviously cant grasp the fact that maybe the info i copy and pasted may help someone out.

 

Sorry you chose to jump the gun for no reason, & feel that way about me but my post was not directed at you, or anyone else on this thread...ALL I was saying was what I'm posting is first hand experience, & not something I heard, or read!!!
AGAIN "copy, & paste bs" was refering to my own experiences, & NOT DIRECTED to ANYONE on this thread!!!!

 

Yes I think it would really help her along with the glucosamine with chondroitin and msm that your using, but if you can add a lil fish oil as that works well with the Supercissus...this Supercissus really is some no BS good stuff! :-)

 

.....best thing to do is give the dog time to heal....instead of pokeing+pulling the leg an imagineing there something wrong.......stop getting a young dog to stand on a sore leg would be a good start ,,,,"time to heal"

 

That was what I did, it was after about 2-3 weeks I checked on it and it was still not fully healed.

 

Depending on what type of condition it is, it could take months to heal, if it heals at all. These dogs can take pain very well and hide injury.