Could the Simplest Answer Be the Correct One? Suzie's Limp

When Suzie first started limping, her foot was red and sore.

This is the best-case scenario when it concerns lameness. Very obvious, clear, nonscary reason--a booboo on the foot.

The vet gave Suzie a shot of Convenia, the redness cleared up, and Suzie stopped favoring the leg.

However, a couple of weeks later, the lameness returned.

Suzie started the day off with no problems, fit as a fiddle. She had a busy day running and playing. It wasn't until later in the evening when she got off her bed and limped on her way to potty and back.

This time, examination of the foot, toes, and nails didn't reveal anything suspicious.

I know how frustrating this can feel. You think you identified and fix a problem just to have it bounce back. Provided, that it's the same problem in the first place.

What is this?

Could it be a recurred issue with the foot even though there are no outward signs this time? Is it a different problem? Has it been a different problem all along with the raw foot being just a coincidence or a consequence?

What can be behind lameness? Anything starting with lesions, cuts, spider or snake bites, stings, broken nails, foreign bodies, infections, inflammation, injuries, orthopedic issues, neurological issues, cancer ...

Thinking back to Cookie's similar problem, my money were on a foreign body.

In Cookie's case, her returning lameness was caused by a piece of a porcupine quill fragment embedded in the flesh between her toes. It was by far not the only possibility, but it was certainly the best-case-scenario one.

Sometimes the simplest answer is the hardest to find.

The vets couldn't find anything wrong. Suzie's toes, foot, ankle, all checked out. After much searching and trial and error, a tiny cut with a tiny rock embedded at the end of it was finally discovered. Once the rock was removed, the limp was gone just like that.

Things are not always that simple, but sometimes they are.

Jasmine's mysterious front leg lameness was far from this straightforward. Eventually, it turned out, that in her case it was neurological pain. But sometimes the simplest explanation is the right one.

When dealing with your dog's lameness, don't jump to any conclusions. Start with the simplest and investigate until the true cause comes to light.

Related articles:
Symptoms To Watch For In Your Dog: What Is That Limp?
Understanding and Diagnosing The Limping Dog, Why To Probe The Paw 

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Your story can help others, maybe even save a life!

What were the first signs you noticed? How did your dog get diagnosed? What treatment did/didn't work for you? What was your experience with your vet(s)? How did you cope with the challenges?

Email me, I'll be happy to hear from you and publish your story!