Sudden rear leg lameness in your dog

The most common reasons for sudden rear leg lameness in your dog are fractures, muscle tears and torn ligaments.

Fractures (broken bones) generally only happen with major injury such as when a dog gets hit by a car. However, in some toy breeds with fine leg bones, fractures can occur when the dog jumps down off a high object like furniture. We even saw a dog recently who got his foot stuck in a hole---the dog moved but the leg did not, creating a fractured tibia in the lower part of the leg. Stepping on a small dog can also break bones, but it would be unlikely in a large breed such as a lab or golden.. Dogs that have broken bones will be very lame---usually not putting their foot on the ground at all. Sometimes, if a small bone such as a toe is broken, the dog will bear some weight on the foot. Since dogs are four legged, they get around pretty readily on three legs, so will typically manage to be able to get up and move if only one leg is broken. With major injuries from trauma such as car accidents, multiple breaks can occur, causing greater difficulty getting up. This is especially true for a fractured pelvis. When I was a child, our boxer was hit by a motorcycle. He broke his pelvis and walked on his front legs only for several weeks. It is good for him that he was able to balance so well!

Fractures take a minimum of 6 weeks to heal. In older pets or severe fractures, healing can take even longer----up to 8-12 weeks. Broken bones cause severe pain and lack of function.  Most fractures need a splint or even bone surgery for proper healing and prolonged pain medication. Bone surgery is most often done by a specialist in veterinary orthopedic surgery. University veterinary teaching hospitals and specialty clinics are the best places for bone surgery.

Muscle tears, sprains and strains are typically much less severe than fractures & heal much more quickly. Radiographs (Xrays) are used to help differentiate fractures from soft tissue injury. Most dogs with muscle tears and strains should be rested to allow the area to heal. Ice can be applied for 10 minute intervals to the affected area, if your dog tolerates it. Many dogs with this type of injury benefit from a short course of muscle relaxants or anti-inflammatories.

Rest is also important for proper healing of breaks and strains. Many dogs will only rest if confined to a small area such as a kennel.

Like fractures, torn ligaments heal slowly and may require surgical correction. The most common ligament tear in the dog is the torn anterior cruciate ligament. This ligament crosses inside the knee joint---when injured it causes sudden and often severe rear leg lameness.

Next time, we will talk specifically about the ACL in the dog and options for treatment.

Tips, Tricks and Thoughts From All-Pets Hospital: Help! my dog won't use his back leg!

Tips, Tricks and Thoughts From All-Pets Hospital: Help! my dog won't use his back leg!: A common scenario we are presented with is a limping dog. A dog that holds his leg up completely & won't put his foot down, is defin...

Help! my dog won't use his back leg!

A common scenario we are presented with is a limping dog. A dog that holds his leg up completely & won't put his foot down, is definitely cause for concern. A dog that just hikes his leg, but will bear weight on it, should also be seen by a veterinarian.

Most lame dogs should be seen by your veterinarian within 1-2 days of when the lameness starts. If the lameness is sudden and severe, your dog should be seen immediately---an emergency visit may even be necessary.

For most lamenesses, the first step is an examination and radiographs (Xrays) of the lame area. The exam can help your vet pinpoint the location that should be Xrayed. Sometimes a tentative diagnosis can be made with only an exam.

Things that can cause lameness include: broken bones, torn ligaments, muscle tears or pulls, tumors, and inflammation of the bone or joints. Arthritis is a common cause in old dogs and can be seen with developmental problems such as hip or elbow dysplasia.

In most cases of lameness, pain medication is recommended. Dogs, just like people, handle non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs well. Rimadyl is a brand commonly used. Cats don't handle these types of medications wells & are more commonly treated with steroids for inflammation and opioids like buprenorphine for pain.

Next time, we will talk more about different problems that cause lameness & need for surgical correction.

How long should I give my pet heartworm preventive?

How long should I give my dog heartworm or flea preventive?

At All-Pets, we recommend monthly parasite preventive. The exact type of preventive & duration of use should be discussed individually for your particular pet.

Here in Iowa, we usually can stop flea & tick preventive in November. Ticks are common early in the summer & fleas late in the summer. If you are fighting fleas or have seen fleas on your pets this fall, you should treat monthly all through the winter.

Heartworm preventives should be continued 6-8 weeks after the last hard frost, typically in Iowa no earlier than December 1. The medication works 6-8 weeks after the dog is bit by a heartworm carrying mosquito. Heartworm preventive can also be given year round---to help prevent intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms & whipworms.

Cat also get parasites & should be on parasite prevention. Luckily these are readily available in a topical or chewable tablet for cats.

Call us if you have any questions about pet parasites! Preventive for dogs & cats are available at either of our locations (Second & Forest or East 6th & Walnut).

Dogs & allergies!

Allergies are still a problem this fall for dogs & cats.

We have had a very warm September & heat, humidity and pollens all contribute to itchy pets. This time of year many dogs itch & scratch from flea and pollen allergies. Fleas are much easier to prevent than to eradicate. Frontline or Trifexis should be used monthly until November or December this year, even if you don't have a flea problem. The best way to keep fleas away is monthly prevention on all pets in the household (including the indoor cats). If you get fleas, then you have a bigger battle: the house is the nidus for the flea infestation & treatments such as sprays or bombs are needed to kill flea eggs & larva. The pets may need additional treatments with Frontline or Capstar to break the cycle.

Dogs also itch this time of year from tree pollens & other inhaled allergens. We can't eradicate pollen from their lives, but we can limit exposure with less trips outside and frequent baths to remove topical exposure. Many dogs with pollen allergies must see the vet for antihistamines or steroids to stop the itching. Pets often get secondary infection & need treatment with antibiotics or antifungals. In most cases, we need to collect material from the pet's skin & check it under the microscope to find out the most effective medications.

So, if your dog or cat is itching like crazy, call us for an appointment! 515-262-8535.

Food & Pets Welcome

We are enjoying the fall & have some fun things happening at All-Pets this weekend.

We are looking forward to this weekend's World Food & Music Festival on Locust St.  near our East Village office. Imagine being able to walk one block for lunch & get any foods you want from around the world! Reasonably priced food vendors will be selling all types of delicious eats from Friday to Sunday.

Luckily parking or access to our East Village office won't be impacted. If you need a place to park, let us know: stop & say hello (or better yet, buy something!) & use our two hour parking garage access. Well behaved dogs are welcome at this open air venue.

Our other big event is a wedding! All-Pets' certified veterinary technician, Rachel, will be tying the knot on Saturday afternoon. Her dogs, Breeze, Cloud & Lexi, will all be in the wedding. Needless to say, we will be in attendance, so will have some changes in hours on Saturday. The East Village office will be closed and the Second Ave office will be open from 8 to noon. Call us at 515-262-8535 if you have questions. We are all very excited fro Rachel & Matt.

Fun weekend for dog fanciers!

Anyone interested in dogs that reads this blog? I hope so or else you won't appreciate these posts!

For those of you that are interested in dogs and live in Des Moines, a few fun events are coming up this weekend.

A big American Kennel Club show is being held at the Varied Industries Building at the State Fairgrounds. It's a great place to see a huge variety of breeds & types of dogs, all AKC registered, groomed and shown to emphasize the best characteristics of their particular breed.

Both conformation (the beauty contest) and obedience (for the brainy dogs) trials will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Saturday and Sunday are all breed shows. Most breeds are shown before noon, and best in group (distinct categories of dog breeds) and best in show competitions occur between 2 and 4 pm. Friday's activities are specialties for specific breeds only--goldens, shelties, and American cocker spaniels to name a few.

An all breed dog show is a great place to look for your next breed, talk to quality breeders, or just enjoy the lengths people go to when grooming a show dog. Plus, there are unique booths selling everything from obedience jumps to high end jewelry featuring your favorite breed. Unfortunately, unentered dogs are not allowed at the AKC show. For more information check out:   http://www.desmoineskennelclub.com/shows.htm

Also on Saturday, is the Puppy Up! Walk raising funds for Canine Cancer. This walk is sponsored by Iowa Veterinary Specialties and the 2 Million Dogs Foundation. The 2 Million Dogs Foundation is committed to discovering the link between canine and human cancers through comparative oncology research. The 2 mile walk starts at 11:30 am at Greys Lake Park and of course, dogs are welcome.  There will be a free bottle of water in each participants bag, courtesy of All-Pets Hospital. For more information check out: http://2013puppyupdesmoines.kintera.org

So, go out and have some doggy fun this weekend!