Sorry to dredge up an old thread.
Does anyone have experience with a very young dog with an Iliopsoas strain? Any videos of what the gait looks like? I’ve been watching my new girl Faith in the yard. When she is walking or full out running her gait appears normal. However trotting, I can see a bit of a hitch in her giddyup (rear left leg). She will occasionally miss a step or you can just barely notice that she is not fully extending the leg. We are going to the vet on Monday. But in the meantime I am obsessing. I dread Faith needing long term rehab and keeping an 11 month old quiet for four months. I especially dread getting my husband on board. Grrrr…
PS- Since I’ve noticed the odd gait I’ve been limiting her activity. I don’t want an injury today to plague her for the rest of her life.
Thanks!!
I don't think you should overly concern yourself that this is due to any one particular thing until you are able to see the vet and let him/her thoroughly exam Faith to try and find out what is causing the irregularity in gait. These dogs are very stoic and one reason you may not be seeing a problem at the run is that they will often exert themselves or work right through pain. When my Celt was experiencing his torn ACL, you could not tell if he was "occupied" either with working the cattle or playing hard. You could see that he was "off" in his gait when he was not exerting himself (walking or trotting or even standing).
So, first, I'd suggest you get a diagnosis and a plan from your vet before you overly worry about it being any one particular injury. How you will deal with this is going to be dependent on what it actually is. Between now and then, I would suggest leash walks only, restricted movement in the house (crating, use of an xpen) and avoidance of playing or any opportunity for "explosive" movements. I would think that, if she isn't in too much discomfort, that a good bit of walking might be very good for her, keeping her occupied and exercised but in a low-key, low-impact way. Remember, too, that keeping her mentally occupied is just as or more important than physically exercised.
The use of frozen/stuffed Kongs in her crate will keep her busy; gentle training exercises like loose-leash walking and heeling; games (like a doggie version of the shell game, for instance); and other activities that will help her stay gently exercised and mentally exercised.
Very best wishes!
PS - The sooner you can have her seen, the better, since the vet will not only endeavor to diagnose the problem and outline a treatment plan, but may also determine to use an anti-inflammatory medication that will help her feel more comfortable and may also promote healing.
PPS - A friend, whose dog also had a TPLO for a torn ACL (like my dog, Celt, did) explained the need for following the rest and rehab protocol to her husband in this way - "If she gets hurt because you let her overdo it, you are going to have to pay for it." She received his total cooperation once she'd explained that to him.
Sue Rayburn - Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult, but not the brightest firefly in the jar.
Celt, Megan, and Dan
"When the chips are down, watch where you step."
"The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything." - author unknown
