boxer, somtimes have right front stiff leg

by Dean
(Arcadia, CA)

I just got my boxer/ mix from the shelter for about a week. He is around 3 years old. Once a while his front right leg would stiff up and he limps around in a circle, and then about minute later he's back to normal.

This happened both just after laying around the yard or after running; just unpredictable when it acts up.

I've gotten a free check up for the dog from the vet sponsored by the City before I took him home,and he was suppose to be a healthy dog.

I would appreciated for any comments.
Thanks,
Dean






Hi Dean
As this problem seems to be intermittent and appears at unpredictable times, if it wasn't present during an exam there's no way the veterinarian would know about it.

It's impossible to say what's causing the problem as it could be a response to an old injury, or new one, arthritic changes, a hereditary problem or several other things. He's too old for it to be 'growing pains' and a bit young for arthritis, so I'd tend to think this leg has been injured at some time and gets stiff and painful now and then.

The only way to find out for sure what's going on is to have him examined by a vet again, and let them know about this stiffness so that the joint can be examined more closely. If your dog doesn't seem to be in pain, and it's short-lived discomfort, hopefully it won't be a big problem and may even improve or disappear if the injury was fairly recent. However, only a vet can make an accurate diagnosis.

I wish you the best of luck with your new dog and hope this improves soon.