My 6 month male berner puppy just started limping a day ago he seems to do it more when he wakes up ive tried feeling for pain but he shows no signs of pain other than limping how long should i wait before i take him to the vet

sorry its on his right front leg

Bella started limping on and off about the same age and we were told by vet that it was probably just growing pains. By about 10 months of age she started limping on the front right leg more often and it turned out she had two cartilage fragments that had broken off in her elbow and needed surgery. $4,500 later and a lengthy rehab she is like a new dog. We kick ourselves for not pushing the vet to do more tests to find out what was wrong with her sooner. Hopefully nothing is wrong with yours and it is just growing pains.

In this breed, as with all large breeds, I always recommend new owners get x-rays done to understand what you have. If a pup starts limping, all the more reason to get x-rays done ASAP, as many ortho conditions are best treated the younger the puppy is.

For example, the optimal hip dysplasia procedure can only be done if the owners diagnose the hip dysplasia before 6 months of age....after this, the procedures get much more costly, and with a lower recovery rate.

You will never be able to palpate orthopedic pain and so this is not telling. To distinguish growing pains from an orthopedic issue, keep in mind that growing pains (pano) typically show as vascillating, and rotating pain among the limbs (the limping will shift from leg to leg). Growing pains affects all the limbs.

Specific limping on one leg indicates an issue. Keep in mind that regular vets are NOT trained in reading orthopedic films and not trained in diagnosing orthopedic issues so it is important to have you vet submit x-rays to the OFA for orthopedic radiologist review. This is the gold standard and what BMDCA breeders utilize.

Orthopedic Foundation for Animals

You can get the OFA application here - and ask your vet if he will submit the films, or you and just ensure application is with them.

You can also go straight to a Board certified Ortho specialist who is trained in viewing and diagnosing.

You can find a certified specialist here:

ACVS - Diplomate Directory

Good luck and let us know how it goes...Remember - the sooner the better!

get exrays!!!!! I can not state this any harder.

Storm was 6 months when he was diagnosed with elbow dysplasia. He had a 5000 dollar surgery and many dollars for exrays ect.

his vet and I are both upset that we didn't push for exrays earlier. we thought it was growing pains.

storm will never walk right, always have to deal with arthritis of the elbows now. he will never be able to run at great lengths.

He is much better since the surgery. It has been 2 yrs now and still has a happy life. we have to monitor his exercise and weight and meds. He is a special needs dog.

listen to your puppy!!!

Fynn had this problem ! we had X-rays which showed slight elbow dysplasia but after the problem started moving to different legs we had more X-rays whis showed 'Pano' we managed this with pain killers and now luckly he has had no problems for at least 5 Months so I think we are over the worst,he also shows no sighn of problems with his elbows either .

I would recommend a trip to your vets quite quickly as in other replies the sooner you find out the better.

I know this is a worrying time for you I spent lots of sleepless nights worrying about Fynn but as soon as we knew what we were dealing with things got a little easier and if you get the right treatment you Baby will also be a lot happier.

Good luck and please keep us posted on how you get on.

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Rowan

Durham UK