Unkown lameness in back left leg

[Concerned-siberian]

The dog is a german shepard, golden retriever, and pitbull mix and about 7 years old. The doctors ran an MRI and a Spinal tap and a neurologist looked at her and they still cant figure out why her leg is lame. she is in alot of pain, and cannot stand or run properly.

If any of you have had an animal with similar problems please help me, if they cannot figure this out we will have no choice but to put her down.

Thank you all in advance

[GabrielDeafBlindPupFamily]

It is not a soft tissue issue which may be hard to spot? Can you give some crate or expen rest and with some meds see if there is improvement?
Odd that the MRI did not pick up anything.
You don't have to destroy for a gimpy leg, anymore. There are options now, so if doc says that is your only option, you may want to consider getting a second opinion.
My St.JudeMiracleDog had crushed hips and a shot and fractured front leg. He lives with limps, but the operative word is, he LIVES. He is a delight and he delights in life.
So, we had our course of rimadyl and OTC pain relievers and joint therapies. Please try that before doc pulls his plug.
Others will be along shortly and have some more ideas about what it might be.
I am so sorry you are going through this...
WELCOME

[CarolC]

I imagine the answer to this question is yes, but you didn't mention it: did they do imaging of the foot/leg/knee/hip?

There was a case here of unexplained lameness and they never got a firm diagnosis. They did all the expensive tests and were leaning toward thinking it was a nerve sheath tumor but could not find it. Gradually the dog simply got better and became able to use the leg again. Here are some of the messages:

http://www.handicappedpets.com/cgi-bin/ ... read=21383

http://www.handicappedpets.com/cgi-bin/ ... read=21465

http://www.handicappedpets.com/cgi-bin/ ... read=22637

http://www.handicappedpets.com/cgi-bin/ ... read=24687

http://www.handicappedpets.com/cgi-bin/ ... read=25567

http://www.handicappedpets.com/cgi-bin/ ... read=25680 (good message)

http://www.handicappedpets.com/cgi-bin/ ... read=25735

I think taking the leg would be a better option than putting the dog down, I wouldn't do that. But I would wait as long as possible on that. In the case of Jan and Astro (above) they waited and it improved.

[Cindidoxiemom]

Oh my...Yes...I agree with Carol here...before I would ever put a pup down, I would amputate the leg that was so painful.

What medications? therapy have you tried? Have you tried long term crate rest?

My dog has NO use of his two back legs, but he sure lives a great happy life.

Lets see if we cant get that pain under control before you consider PTS.

Have they considered nerve damage?
Cindi