Sue Strohecker

In the last couple weeks, when my almost 3 yr old Skye, gets up, she stretches then puts her front legs straight out and walks about 5 feet before she will walk standing staight up. Almost like avoiding weight on her front end. Once she works this out, she walks, runs etc like she always does. I have noticed in the past couple days her middle knuckes on her toes are larger, not sore to the touch or red, I called the vet a couple days ago, said give her a few days. Going to try and get her in this Friday. It just looks so painful to me. Anyone else know what this could possibly be?

DogsR4Life

Could you post pictures? When she stretches does she keep stretching as she walks? Some dogs do that, it's quite entertaining

Does she look like she is walking on stilts? Does she lower her head as she puts weight on her front legs?

Either way, if your concerned, a vet check is in order.

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Sage

My dog does this all the time after resting. I think its normal.

dobebug

It really just sounds like the kind of extended stretch a lot of dogs do.

But since it's not going to be something your vet can observe at an appointment (I'd bet) if you can do a short video so you can show him what she does he can then offer an explanation.

Have him look at the toes--I have no idea what that would be.

Sue Strohecker

I know they like to stretch , but her stretching is like she doesn't want to stretch her back legs out, only front. She just started this weird thing and the fact her toes(knuckles) are bigger worries me. Today she was better about getting up and going, smell of turkey day must have been a plus. Hubby says I pamper her too much and she needs to lay/sleep/walk whatever on harder surfaces. Must be a guy macho thing as our other reacue retriever/setter is so bendable and will lay anywhere, jump off anything,. But he has also admitted Danny Boy is as dumb as Skye is smart! DUH I have a vet appt in a couple weeks, only so long as they have a new female vet that is avaliable once a week and Skye is partial to women and would be more reseptive to her. My next choice is my other vet 3 hrs away I really like, she has done acupuncture on my past Dobe.. Again thanks for the help, but i will go with what my heart feels I should do.

Sue Strohecker

Skye is doing better, her "knuckles" are still big, but she is more active. She has been on "super joint" suppliments I bought from 1800petmeds, for 2 weeks. GOd do our Dobes put us thru Hell, or are we over protective?

EmilyB

Swelling of multiple joints can be a sign of a tick borne illness, so if that's a possibility in your area, I'd make sure to have that ruled out.