Ozzy is lame again (cruciate ligament injury + update)

We are taking Ozzy to the vets on Tuesday to have his legs examined. He has had intermittant lameness for a while now, but it is very spasmodic and we thought if we rested him for a time he would be okay.

It hasn't worked though He just seems to be getting worse and even the smallest of walks sets him off limping again,so we are resting him again. Poor lamb is not 3yrs old until February next year, he is too young to be lame. It is getting increasingly worse now though.

At first I thought it was a cruciate ligament injury but now am doubtful as today for the first time I heard his leg 'clicking' but the noise wasn't from his hip joint it was from the hock end, very strange. Both his parents have brilliantly low hip scores and the rest of the lines were good scores too - so I don't think it is a hip problem, of course you never know. It seems to be the hock area that is the problem, he doesn't put full weight on it and doesn't bend it fully either.

I don't care what it takes to make him better, I just want him fit again - it breaks my heart seeing him limp like this.

We have full insurance so are okay that way - it just makes me so sad seeing him limping. I do hope he will be okay - will know more of course on Tueday. Keep your fingers crossed for us - will give further update after our visit.

I hope every thing will be ok can you let us know how you get on with the vet

could it be arthritis? One of my dogs got this at about 4 years old, and the other developed it for the first time at 10. Both responded really well to medication. It only seems to be a problem in the coldest weather and vanishes over summer.

My first dog snapped his crucuate ligament. That makes the knee joint click as you described. Again, he recovered completely after a small operation.

Oh dear I do hope everything will be ok. Fingers and paws crossed here xx

Thank you for your kind replies.

That is very interesting that your dog had a snapped ligament and it 'clicked' the same way. I was presuming because of the clicking noise that perhaps it was a joint problem of some sort?

I hadn't considered arthritis because of his age, am shocked to hear your dog had it as young as four, that is so sad . His lameness doesn't seem to correlate to the weather, he was also lame in summer on and off - it is strange as until recently he would be sound for a number of weeks, then just start limping again. It is only recently he has been limping predominantly.

At least (I hope) we will get to the root of the problem soon.

Thanks

That sounds a lot like Teagan when she hurt her leg.
In the end, after opening her leg up, it turned out to be 'Bursitis' - which is inflammation of the Bursa.
It could be the ligament that goes over the hock (can't remember the name, but it is the same ligament as our Achillies tendon).
It has a tendancy to 'slip' to the side in larger breeds of dogs.
The way to correct it is to stitch it into place - they did this to Teagan, just in case. (The Bursa is the cusioning underneath this ligament).

If you a4re worried, ask your vet to refer you to an orthopedic specialist.
Thats what I did, and Teagan was diagnosed and treated within 3 days.

Good Luck!

EDITED to add: Teagan has arthritis in her hips and elbows. She is 20 months old.
it is very possible to get it this young, but it's better to know, to be able to help treat it, before it progresses.

Thanks Hevvur, I hadn't heard of Bursitis before this post!

It does sound like it could be this - it is strange isn't it?

I will of course update everyone as to what it is when we eventually find out!

This is the name of the ligament that runs over the hock - superficial digital flexor tendon

Wow, you are well informed!!

Many thanks

I feel so sorry for you both Anne Marie.

Like Heather said,it could be arthritis as Abe started getting it at around 5 years old,but fortunately-Metacam is pretty effective for treating it.

I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you both.