Hi Va. it’s hard to say as it doesn’t sound exactly like any of the common causes. Cruciate disease isn’t normally intermittent so you should get a vet to take another look and perhaps X-rays too.

Hi Dee. While I can’t give specific advice, in general the TPLO is a very forgiving surgery with fast recovery. I have done over 60 in dogs of all states of health, age and infirmity and it has so far helped them all greatly. It sounds like if you don’t do it you have to accept the status quo, and so I would continue on the plan. Arthodesis can be performed later if the brace isn’t sufficient.

Hi Holly. What could be wrong will depend a lot on the age of your dog. However, as a general comment, if a lameness has been going on this long without improvement, it’s worth reevaluating the original diagnosis. Probably the most effective thing you can do is have either a second opinion or a vet with a fresh mind have a look and possibly repeat the x-rays.

Hi, my female Rhodesian ridgeback started limping on her left frt leg almost 1 yr ago. I took her to our vet about 8 mths ago. They prescribed anti inflammatories but there was little improvement. She has been on green lipped supplement for about 1yr. She has had X-rays that showed arthritis and a cortisone injection, laser therapy for a couple of mths. Injections to improve muscle waste. Gabapentin for pain for the past couple of mths. She is still lame and hardly puts weight on that side. In general she is happy but lays in her bed most of the day. If I walk her it makes it worse.
She has about four more laser therapy treatments booked but there really is hardly any improvement.
Any advice would be appreciated

Hi Michelle. Your situation is the same as many other dog owners: until they get their dog checked they’ve done a bit of googling and have a horrible diagnosis in their mind. I can’t understand why it will cost you $300 to get your dog checked over (it’s $70 in our clinic), and most of the time this should be sufficient for a tentative diagnosis. That’s what must be done before trying to decide what the problem could be.

Hi Ken. You are in a difficult situation without an MRI. However, you shouldn’t have to wait long for a radiologist review – even in Covid times, they usually work from home and provide rapid turnarounds. If there’s a high degree of suspicion of a spinal lesion, it’s possible that a CSF tap would assist with the diagnosis, but in many cases the results are inconclusive.
Please also look at the list of possibilities on our page on hind limb weakness, as many of these are also relevant to the forelimbs.

X-rays show a small lesion on or near the spine, but we can’t get an appointment (or afford) an MRI for at least six months. We’re paying extra to have a radiologist review it more, but that may be months as well.

We’re really getting concerned. She’s lost a little weight since this started a month or so ago, and we help her with a harness on the stairs and keep her inactive otherwise as best we can.

No idea what else to look into — not knowing is hard. 🙁