RE: Dachshund with intermittent left fore lameness

Claire Godfrey — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 19:43:57 GMT

Thank you Malcom.

I appreciate your comments re ga. It does seem to be left shoulder, although she is now much better.

She doesn't walk but scrambles, which makes it quite difficult, even with owner walking her outside she just wanted to get back to the car.

RE: Dachshund with intermittent left fore lameness

Malcolm Ness — Sat, 02 Jan 2021 09:39:10 GMT

The starting point for this case is a careful and methodical clinical examination. Watch the dog walking and trotting for yourself before palpating and manipulating ALL joints of both forelimbs. Include all toes, pads and nails in your examination. 'Over-extend' and 'over-flex' each joint in turn looking for evidence of discomfort which might help localise the lameness. The only potentially significant clue I can infer from the history as reported is the stiffness on rising which is consistent with, though not definitively diagnostic of, OA .

Dachshunds are an orthopaedic challenge as 'Dachshund Normal' and 'Dog Normal' are not the same thing! Your radiographic study is unhelpful. To be of use, we need accurately positioned, properly centred orthogonal views of each joint - shoulder, elbow, carpus and then paw. General anaesthesia will be necessary - I always advise GA for such studies.

At this stage, you might consider an extended course of NSAID - six weeks or so - before withdrawing medication and if lameness remains at that stage, repeat the radiographic study along the lines described above.