Strange limping / hopping

Looking after the health and welfare of your Schnauzer can be a full time job. You will find information on neutering, spaying, vaccinations, vet visits, upset tummies, Schnauzer bumps and much more here. Ask a question and someone will have had a similar experience. We also appreciate updates on how your Schnauzer is recuperating. A separate section is dedicated to our older Schnauzers.
idickie
Posts: 2
Joined: 27 Jan 2015, 19:39
First Name: Ian
Dog #1: Dougie
is a: P/S Mini Dog
Location: North London

Strange limping / hopping

Post by idickie »

Hi

About 6 weeks ago Dougie, our two and a half year old miniature schnauzer, started to exhibit something between a limp and a hop with his rear right leg. You can see a short video of him doing it here:

He only does it at walking pace and it's intermittent (although he does it to some extent every day). When trotting or running his movement is completely natural.

We took him to the vet (of course we couldn't get him to demonstrate the limp while we were there). The vet examined him very thoroughly and could find nothing wrong, either with his pads, nails etc. or with his leg. He prescribed a course of anti-inflammatory tablets and we restricted Dougie to lead walks for a week. This made no difference and the limp / hopping continues.

He has never shown signs of being in any pain. He has never licked the leg or paw or paid it any attention. He can run like a greyhound and jump and play just as he always has. He doesn't extend or stretch the leg, other than his usual stretching (of both front and rear paws in turn) which he does first thing in the morning or when waking up from a long sleep.

We are totally mystified as to what it could be, and while he's not in any distress, I'm worried it could get worse or affect his other legs.

Does anyone recognise the hopping movement in the video or have any idea as to what could be causing it?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Ian & Dougie

User avatar
Morgana99
Member
Posts: 1516
Joined: 18 Nov 2013, 21:45
First Name: Alison
Dog #1: Alfie
is a: P/S Mini Dog
Born: 12 Dec 2007
Dog #2: Duke
is a: P/S Mini Dog
Born: 12 Dec 2007
Location: Herefordshire
Contact:

Re: Strange limping / hopping

Post by Morgana99 »

Hi there

We had/have exactly this situation with Duke, except it's his rear left.
When we first noticed it, we tried restricted exercise, etc., before going to the vet. At first he didn't seem to be in pain, but we then went through a period when he most definitely was. On return from a walk, he would bite at his leg, suddenly turn to look at it, or scurry across the floor to where we were, sit down, then refuse to walk anywhere else.

Vet first thought luxating patella, ruled that out through exam & X-ray, then suspected a hip or back issue. To cut a long story short, he went through 3 lots of X-rays and an MRI scan. The main vet declined to prescribe any pain killers because she thought they could mask the problem & Duke might have made things worse by trying to do too much. A second vet did give us Metacam, which we found did help. We also went through some physio, acupuncture and deep massage, which all seemed to help ease his discomfort.

In the end, after months of investigation, seeing a specialist orthopaedic vet and only vague possibilities of a disc problem, we gave up. By then, the physio who was brilliant, seemed to have got him to the point he was still hopping/limping but wasn't experiencing discomfort. So, over a year on, there is no change. We keep an eye on him and think we would know if he was in pain. I'm a bit concerned as the physio said the irregular gait would cause Duke to overcompensate on his front right shoulder (I think that was it), which makes sense. It doesn't stop him running like a gazelle, like you said with Dougie, it only happens walking or trotting slowly.

Sorry I dont have any answers. I'd be very interested to hear if you find out any more.
Horace, Bearded Collie X, rescued 1984, left us 1993, aged 15 approx
Eric, Bearded Collie, left us 2002, aged 15.5
Elsie (Vowchurch Belinda Black), Beardie, rescued 1988, left us 2000, aged 13.5
Monty, Patterdale Terrier X, rescued 2003, left us 2012, aged 12 approx
Always in our hearts
User avatar
Al T
Member
Posts: 523
Joined: 13 Jul 2010, 19:45
Location: South Cumbria

Re: Strange limping / hopping

Post by Al T »

Airing on the 'over cautious side', I'd be tempted just try to limit over exertion in the form of jumping, especially into / out of high vehicles, on & off high furniture etc, just at least till you get an accurate diagnosis...just in case there is a problem with a disc...
Good luck with it, hope it clears soon, please keep us posted...
Al.
Schnauzers turn you soft in the head!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/organize/ ... ab=new_set

Al.

"If a man speaks in the forest & there is no woman to hear him.....is he still wrong"..?? !!
Cat M
Member
Posts: 1691
Joined: 09 May 2012, 15:28
First Name: Cat
Dog #1: Lola
is a: B/S Mini Bitch
Born: 13 Mar 2012
Dog #2: Pixie
is a: P/S Mini Bitch
Born: 21 Feb 2014
Location: Birmingham

Re: Strange limping / hopping

Post by Cat M »

Lola does exactly this. I first took her to the vets as I thought it was luxating patella, but through feel, the vet ruled this out. I was given Metacam and told to rest her. Well, I didn't give the Metacam as it doesn't agree with her and after a weeks rest carried on as normal, although the skip was still there. A month later she woke up one morning and couldn't sit or stand properly and went to bite me (only time she's ever done it) as she was in so much pain. Back at the vets. This time suspected lumbosacral joint problem. She was x-rayed just to rule out Luxating Patella and Hip Dysplasia or obvious disc problem - none of the above. She was given painkillers, anti-immflams and total rest except for going to the loo. After a couple of weeks we started with 5 min walks that then slowly built up 5 mins each week. When we got signed off from the Ortho vet, the skip was still there but not the pain. The vet said the skip was a learned behaviour, which I disagreed with. I thought the skip would never go, but it did. It just makes a reappearance on long walks, especially schnauzer group walks when she is zooming around more. I have always lifted her in and out of the car, but we put a stair gate up at home and carried her up and down stairs.
I am a pilates rehab teacher so I watched carefully Lola's alignment. She does have a tendency to have her pelvis swung a bit over to the right (it's the right back leg she skips) which makes sense as that side of her back is over working/contracting on a skip. I have recently started doing rear end awareness exercises with her and make sure she does thinks on both sides (even lead walking). I am also doing strengthening work by getting her to sit on a wobble cushion and wave with each front leg in turn & working on sit-stand-sit on the w.cushion too.
We have had a flare up with the icy weather. I think she slipped and skidded chasing her sister. Now as soon as the skip becomes more obvious (first thing on lead walk) she is back on short lead walks only for a week or so until it settles.
Very interested that Duke's had an MRI Alison, as I keep wondering if it's worth pushing for one with Lola. I think at the moment the strength work seems to be doing the trick. I looked for a physio near us - no joy. Fantastic that you seem to have found a good one.
When Lola was first discharged from the vets I put her on Green Lipped Muscle extract (Yumove), but saw no difference. I read about Bone Broth last month, so I think I might have a go at making some of this. Even if this helps protect the other joints through the altered gait it will be worth it.
User avatar
Morgana99
Member
Posts: 1516
Joined: 18 Nov 2013, 21:45
First Name: Alison
Dog #1: Alfie
is a: P/S Mini Dog
Born: 12 Dec 2007
Dog #2: Duke
is a: P/S Mini Dog
Born: 12 Dec 2007
Location: Herefordshire
Contact:

Re: Strange limping / hopping

Post by Morgana99 »

Hi Cat
The main reason we went for the MRI was to rule out the possibility of something nasty like a tumour or other growth pressing on the spine, since the X-rays had ruled out a bone issue. The physio was recommended through word of mouth in the village & it turned out he worked with our vets, so even better we had a referral that meant we could claim on insurance too!
We were very relieved, if baffled, when thie MRI also didn't show anything. Btw, we took him to a specialist animal hospital near Chester for that, staff there were brilliant.
I am always looking at how he walks and moves and there is a bit of a 'skew' around the hips/lower back.
I also tried various joint supplements, but no difference.
It does worry me, especially about the long term effects, but the next options suggested by the vets were very invasive, with no guarantee of success, so as the discomfort side seemed to have gone, we decided to live with it and monitor in case of change.
I didn't realise you'd had this with Lola too :ymhug:
Horace, Bearded Collie X, rescued 1984, left us 1993, aged 15 approx
Eric, Bearded Collie, left us 2002, aged 15.5
Elsie (Vowchurch Belinda Black), Beardie, rescued 1988, left us 2000, aged 13.5
Monty, Patterdale Terrier X, rescued 2003, left us 2012, aged 12 approx
Always in our hearts
User avatar
BeeBee
Member
Posts: 7576
Joined: 18 Dec 2010, 08:09
First Name: Janetta
Location: France
Contact:

Re: Strange limping / hopping

Post by BeeBee »

Cat M wrote:. I read about Bone Broth last month, so I think I might have a go at making some of this. Even if this helps protect the other joints through the altered gait it will be worth it.
Can you tell us more about bone broth, Im interested in anything that might help with Susie-Belle's worn out little legs and hips.
Jasmine (RIP) Renae b.01.11.10, sister to Susie-Belle (RIP), Twinkle (RIP), Cerise & Albert Claude puppy farm rescues, my muses
Creator of Schnauzerfest a good thing made possible by 1000s of good people & dogs
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Susie-Be ... 0289434936
http://www.janettaharvey.com/
Cat M
Member
Posts: 1691
Joined: 09 May 2012, 15:28
First Name: Cat
Dog #1: Lola
is a: B/S Mini Bitch
Born: 13 Mar 2012
Dog #2: Pixie
is a: P/S Mini Bitch
Born: 21 Feb 2014
Location: Birmingham

Re: Strange limping / hopping

Post by Cat M »

Hi BeeBee

Here's some info on Bone Broth. I think it was Danika who mentioned it in another post who put me onto it.
http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/re ... one-broth/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
User avatar
Nika C
Member
Posts: 1349
Joined: 21 Aug 2013, 18:28
First Name: danika
is a: P/S Mini Dog
Born: 0- 1- 0

Re: Strange limping / hopping

Post by Nika C »

We love a bit of bone broth here! AND did you know it's not just for the pooches? It's quite beneficial for us too! I may be becoming a teensy bit fanatical....
User avatar
bilbo
Puppy
Posts: 47
Joined: 09 May 2013, 18:34
First Name: philip
Dog #1: bilbo
is a: P/S Mini Dog
Born: 20 Mar 2013
Location: widnes cheshire

Re: Strange limping / hopping

Post by bilbo »

Bilbo did this last winter and we took him to the vets. He prescribed a week of rest and metacalm. I'd did improve the condition but not fully cure it - how do you give a 9 month old puppy complete rest. Any way after the schnauzer walk in May it went. Well it has come back. After looking at his paws I have found his pads are cracked so have been putting "Shaws paw wax" on them and this seems to be making a huge difference.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Bilbo (Toniks time for you)
User avatar
buxcey
Puppy
Posts: 34
Joined: 14 Mar 2011, 09:18
First Name: Sylvia
Dog #1: Bailey
is a: Black Std Dog
Born: 20 Oct 2010
Dog #2: Jess
is a: Black Std Bitch
Born: 30 May 2011
Location: Cambridge

Re: Strange limping / hopping

Post by buxcey »

Hi
My black standard Jess has developed a stiff slow walking gait, she skips ,and lifts her back right leg when she goes to trot mode. Been to the vet today and she is due to have an X-ray on Friday to check for cruciate ligament issues and hip dysplasia. She was 4 in May. We went on a schnauzer walk yesterday and she almost needed carrying the last kilometre bless her. She is on doggie ibuprofen now so if she is in pain I hope that will help. She is also on lead only walking and nothing too energetic.
I wondered if any of the previous posts had an update on how things are as none seemed to have been given any real answers from the vets.
No need to say I am worried to bits. I am trying to remember when this slow walking gait started, I think it was in July. I have videos of her in May and she seemed ok then. She walks very slowly next to me and if I speed up she does a little skip and trots but then she slows down to the slow walking gait again. Last night after a long snooze she got up and had a problem putting her right leg onto the floor as if it was too stiff but after a couple of hops she walked on it.
The vet thought she could detect fluid on her knee. In any event they said they would refer me to a specialist and the X-rays are to rule out hip issues but they will anesthetise her and check the ligaments as its too painful to do this while they are awake!
I hope your pooches are all oK and would love to hear how you all got on.

Thanks
Sylvia
Bailey's & Jess's Mum
Bailey Black Standard b.20.10.10
Jess Black Standard b 30.5.11 left us aged 9 10.08.20
Abbi X Schnauzer left us 27.2.10 aged 13 http://www.imorialpets.com/abbibuxcey/ Waiting at the rainbow
User avatar
GaryThomlinson
Moderator
Posts: 1148
Joined: 25 Mar 2013, 18:23
First Name: Gary
Dog #1: Penny
is a: P/S Mini Bitch
Born: 20 Mar 2013
Dog #2: Daisy (Rescue)
is a: P/S Mini Bitch
Born: 28 Aug 2006

Re: Strange limping / hopping

Post by GaryThomlinson »

Penny does exactly this. It comes and goes. We too have tried all sorts so it's interesting to hear about sore pads as its one option we've not looked into.
Gary
Cat M
Member
Posts: 1691
Joined: 09 May 2012, 15:28
First Name: Cat
Dog #1: Lola
is a: B/S Mini Bitch
Born: 13 Mar 2012
Dog #2: Pixie
is a: P/S Mini Bitch
Born: 21 Feb 2014
Location: Birmingham

Re: Strange limping / hopping

Post by Cat M »

So sorry to hear about Jess :(
Lola doesn't walk slowly, just in trotting phase she can skip. I have been doing some conditioning exercises with her and it has made a difference, but the skip never completely disappears. When Lola had her first bad flare up I was told not to walk her at all. Put on lead for loo and that was it. I would try to rest Jess as much as possible at least until Friday and your next vet visit.
This video might give you some ideas of how to tire Jess out mentally without her walks.
http://youtu.be/YfL99xcEpXc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Let us know how you get on :ymhug:
User avatar
Maty
Member
Posts: 11040
Joined: 10 Sep 2011, 21:27
First Name: Kate
Dog #1: Isaura Lucidus
is a: P/S Mini Dog
Born: 10 Aug 2011
Dog #2: Darksprite Finn Mac
is a: P/S Mini Dog
Born: 17 Mar 2013
Location: Hertfordshire
Contact:

Re: Strange limping / hopping

Post by Maty »

Oh no Sylvia :( Sorry to hear about Jess. Let us know how you get on with the vet.

Bog hugs for you and Jess xx
Maty

Rodders the Mini Pup, born 10/08/11, came home on 09/10/11
Creggan the Mini Pup, born 17/03/13, came home on 01/06/13

Proud of my Scottish Heritage
User avatar
jacdales
Member
Posts: 889
Joined: 18 Jul 2013, 13:07
First Name: Jackie
Dog #1: Hamish
is a: P/S Mini Dog
Born: 28 May 2013
Dog #2: Suzi
is a: P/S Mini Bitch
Born: 13 Jun 2017
Dog #3: mahri
Born: 20 May 2006
Location: Peterborough

Re: Strange limping / hopping

Post by jacdales »

MY little welsh does this as well and we had all sorts of tests done one vet said it was a jack Russell trait and unusual in a welsh I will try to see if I can find the thing he was talking about on google,
redalert
Member
Posts: 927
Joined: 05 Apr 2012, 22:58
First Name: Sue
Dog #1: Fizz
is a: Black Std Bitch
Born: 09 Jan 2010
Dog #2: Bo
is a: Black Std Bitch
Born: 16 Jan 2012
Location: Nr Bath, Somerset

Re: Strange limping / hopping

Post by redalert »

Hi, my standard Fizz did this and it turned out to be her Cruciate ligament which she had operated on when she was just 1. I hope this isn't the problem with Dougie :(
Post Reply