Hop skip and a jump.

[BennyBear]

I just really wanted to make that the title.


Since Sunday, Ben has been doing a really strange thing i've not noticed before. We were walking around the building- for our normal nightly walk.  And,  upon turning a corner, he picked up his left hind leg and skipped sideways like it hurt to put it down. 

On instinct i checked for any sticks (the sticks ALWAYS cling to his coat and poke him) and i found a large one which i removed.  However, he did another hop on that leg going up the stairs, and again in the house. Just ONE skip.   walking normally, and then just skips one step with that back leg.

Now, i know that this is very common with Luxating Patellas (which i checked first, and found nothing) and soon forgot about it while he was running normally again. The next day - ONE skip all day.   (well, i don't know if he did it for my husband for their walk because he doesn't really pay attention)   
Tuesday... one skip.
Wednesday. One skip.
Yesterday -one.
This morning- three skips.


I talked to a vet yesterday (not our normal vet because both of them were unavailable) and she showed me the knee thing they show clients, and told me how to test for myself if it was a patella, because that's what it sounds like. 

I said that's what i thought, and this morning, i tested again.

Nothing. His knees feel fine. I can't find anything wrong.   Maybe i wasn't manipulating right- but as far as i can tell, nothing. Anyone else have any skipping issues? random weird skips?

[Peter]

Nothing like that. But boy, when Scout or Muka get a twig or something stuck on the hair of their leg that's exactly what they do. Kinda like a person walking with a rock in their shoe.

Peter

[Akvile]

hmm im not sure. I havent had any experience with this. i would say try to test him out again with it and then call the vet if it gets worse of persists another week. sending positive vibes that he will be ok!

[BennyBear]

Hilarious-  he does it EVERY time i take him around the block. At least once.   

However, this weekend he and i did some super cool hiking-  as here it's the perfect weather so we can walk and he won't over heat-  through the woods- two days in a row. The first day on sat, he walked maybe 2 miles.  Something like that. No skips.   

Then, yesterday, i took him for another long one- about a mile and a half.   No skips. 


This morning, we walked around the block- 5 minutes.  Skip.


I think he's messing with me.

I did take photos but our internet is slightly out of service and it was hard enough to log on here- but i do hope to have some photos soon to show you!

[Dotty]

Hey there bear...is it any particular spot?...do you walk on cement or asphalt?....your hike sounded fun...yesterday was nice around here but my laundry had stacked up to the ceiling and it doesn't wash itself so I was stuck doing that so I would have something to wear this week... 

[BennyBear]

We walk on cement, and grass and mulch and everything.   My husband stayed home and did the laundry while i took ben for the walk!    He did all the housework.   He isn't really a nature person, so it worked out. I asked him to come but he would rather wash his car!!    Sad for ben, but, we had tons of fun without him!   And we were only gone a few hours, i could've done the laundry when we got home.   

[Dotty]

Wanna trade husbands?....just kidding...I get to do the laundry and other domestic duties...walk doggies...groom doggies....AND wash the truck..(I don't wash his car).... 

[BennyBear]

lol- sometimes he's really good with things.  But I walk ben every morning.  He walks him when he gets home from work, and usually does the night walk. Because i walk him all the time on the weekends.   He tried to  make me do the night walk too- but that didn't fly. 

Because you know what? I get up half hour early since we've had him. I'm getting up at 540, to take a shower, walk ben, come in, feed him, the cats, have a few minutes to drink coffee and relax, then clean the litter boxes (he won't touch those) make sure everyone is doing well & there are no hazards, and THEN i go to work. He gets up and takes a shower, gets dressed, and leaves.   

And i work 10.5 hours a day.   So, he gets home first, makes lunches for the next day, cooks dinner, and does laundry so i can relax. Because you know what- being a vet tech, i do more physical labor in one day, then tons of people do in their lifetime!!  All he does is sit at a desk. Sorry man, you've got another thing coming! 


at least he gets it and understands.