Dog not using hind leg: Is it just tender or a serious injury?

Question

My dog isn't leaning on her hind leg. When I take her for a walk after a while she starts lifting it up. At the end of 2018 my mum took her to the vet 3 seperate times, every time they said it was just tender, I stopped walking her, etc but its now several months later and she's still not using that leg. My mum wont take her to the vet again because its expensive and I'm worried that if I save up and take her myself that they'll just tell me the same thing. Do you think she's just tender or... Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | unspayed | 55 lbs

Dr. Strydom, DVM · Accepted Answer

`No, I doubt the leg is just "tender". Based on your description it is most likely a tear of the cruciate ligament that is located in the knee or a luxating patella (knee cap not staying in place). Both are very common orthopedic conditions. I suggest you take her back to the vet and ask them to check for these two things. If you are not happy with the previous vet maybe you should get a second opinion from another vet. ( https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952244 ) ( https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952566 ) Between the two conditions, I suspect the problem is the cruciate ligament but without examining her myself it is difficult to say for sure.

Dog not using hind leg: Is it just tender or a serious injury?

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