Beach, rest, then limping.

[Abulafia]

Ok, we're back down at the beach again, and Hoku has come back from the beach, laid down to rest for a bit, and then gets up with a limp on her rear leg. This happened last time as well. The limp lasted a few hours, then went away. She didn't have the limp coming back from the beach—only after she'd rested for a bit.

I don't think it's a trauma injury (that is, not a big jump and fall), but it definitely hurts her. Obviously if it continues, we'll take her to the vet, but I've searched this on some other sites (just "Lab limping after exercise"), and some joint supplements have been suggested.

It's her foot, not her hip. There's nothing stuck in it—I think it's a soft tissue pain.

Any thoughts?

[Labradorks]

She is young, but too old for any type of growing pains (I think).

Might be soft tissue.

Could be more of like a ligament strain.

Did you check her pads for sensitivity? Some dogs get raw pads from hot sand.

Probably take her in. I thought Sam had a ligament issue last summer when he went three-legged lame. Turned out to be a cut in the pad that was really hard to see and so clean that it didn't even bleed. Even my vet was stumped until the dog was relaxing as we were chatting before I left and he started licking his paw. Vet got the headlamp on, got on his belly and started really spreading the toes and getting in there hard. And, there it was!

[Abulafia]

I think it's soft tissue or ligament. I don't *think* it's anything worse, like a blown ligament or anything. I did check her pads, but the sand here isn't hot. I was wondering about a puncture or something, but there's nothing like that.

But we'll watch her, and likely take her in. Until then, we are keeping her quiet.

[Tanya]

eek sending good thoughts it's something that just needs rest!

[Abulafia]

She woke from a long snoring nap and is limping less. I rewarded this with little bits of local cheese and some leftover ribeye. No more activity tonight, and an easy day tomorrow. And looking into it; will talk to the Vet.

I just love her so much it kills me.

[POPTOP]

No other suggestions. Oh, maybe a thorn or foreign body with a very tiny entry wound that's hard to see?

Sending good thoughts.

[Tanya]

you may want to consider a longer spiel of no activity. It may be overkill but if this happened before I'd consider a solid week of short leash walk outings only and crate rest (non running around, jumping, playing). Definitely consider it if she bounces back from this and then goes thru this again, it means whatever it is isn't getting enough time to heal and look at 7-10 days full rest (again maybe not this time but if it happens again).

[Abulafia]

Yes, I think that sounds like a plan. She's fine this morning, was fine by the end of the night. But whatever it is, I want it to fully heal.

[windycanyon]

Could be she overextended a toe on a rock.... or it's just a muscle pull/ strain. Do you give MSM? It'd be a good idea...

[Abulafia]

I don't give MSM, but think I should. Any particular brand your recommend? Dosage?