My little 4 lb. 7 year old Maltese is recently making a clicking/poping sound when she walks. It is similar to the sound made when cracking nuckles. However, she is walking, running. playing, and seems to be in no pain. I can touch her feet without her flinching at all. I called the vet and it will cost a fortune for x-rays and she JUST went to the vet last week for her yearly ($150+). Does anyone have any idea what it is? Any vets out there? Any suggestions?
2007-07-05 14:48:05 · 19 answers · asked by LS's wife 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Hi. I forgot. Her nails were cut last week. She had a complete grooming.
2007-07-05 15:07:16 · update #1
Not just on tile . . . carpet too.
2007-07-05 15:07:51 · update #2
If I were to venture a guess (and I know everyone is asking about nails - I'm going to assume you're not that dense, lol) I'd guess there's some sort of dislocation or luxating patella (knee joint acting up). Can you move her legs without causing her pain? Can you make the click or popping noise when YOU gently manipulate the joint? If it's not causing her pain, it's most likely not too serious (like hip dysplasia - THAT causes a click on the hip bone that is painful for the dog)
Has she been jumping on furniture lately (if ever)? She might've sprained something that didn't heal properly and is clicking... (I have an ankle like that, LOL- I'm not a dog or anything, but hey, injuries have a funny way of sticking around like that :D) Perhaps it's an old injury.
I'm old school in my attitude. If she's not in pain, I wouldn't bother with the vet - especially if she was just in for her annual. If she were suffering in her mobility, showing signs of pain like limping and that, I would take her in to rule out something serious like bone cancer, or a break or something.
Best of luck!
2007-07-05 15:06:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, checking her nails will be quick and easy, so I am sure you will do that quick and easy check.
sigh... it's a hard call... BUT
since she's not in pain, I'd adopt a wait and see attitude.
Noises like that could be a hip joint problem or an ACL injury, but in both cases he should be limping and having pain.
I think you should join one or two yahoo groups and ask your question there... these groups are excellent, and may have some good ideas of what you can do to deal with it without going to the vet and possibly reversing whatever is going on.
Orthodogs deals with dogs that may need surgery.
ConservativeManagement deals with dogs that you want to avoid having surgery. THEY will have excellent suggestions you can follow even if you don't get a definitive vet diagnosis.
Another thing to do is go to one of the good vet websites where you can ask a vet your question.
2007-07-05 15:09:20 · answer #2 · answered by Nedra E 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This size of dog and the fact that she still plays and runs around makes me concerned that she may have either torn her cruciate or popped her 'knee cap', also refered to as a luxating patella. At the clinic I work at, there is surgery to fix it, this is in canadian funds, $800 - 1200 depending on the amount of damage, and the severity of the joint. The sooner you get it looked at, the better the prognosis is for her. The longer you wait, there is potential for arthritic changes in the joint that make the surgery less sucessful. Think of this as a cost for maintanence that you didn't expect, but it is completely recoverable. If you thought you would just leave it and not get it fixed, consider that the longer you leave it, the more painful it will become and once the joint has seized up most vets don't want to do surgery because of the low recovery rate. 7 years is not very old for a Maltese, they can commonly live to 12-15 when they are well cared for and it sounds like you do if you just had her in for a yearly physical. Good for you and your family for keeping her tuned up every year. Call your vet and set up an appt for radiographs, if a bone fragment has chipped, it will get worse quickly and it is worse to make a decision based on money in a hurry than it is to plan it. Good luck.
2007-07-05 15:02:30 · answer #3 · answered by Wildbane 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would check really simple things first like her nails clicking on the floor. If that's not it, I would try to see if the sound was coming from her hips. Because she is seven, it is probably the starting of arthritis somewhere in her legs. She may not hurt yet, but her age may be catching up with her. Lots of older people crack and pop in the joints.
As long as she isn't in pain, I wouldn't spend several hundred dollars on xrays either. It is a waste of time unless the problem reveals itself. And with it being a problem of aging, xrays are not going to help or change anything. The treatment would be the same with or without them---- Pain killers and anti-inflamatories to make her comfortable as needed. Since she doesn't need them yet, then just give her time. She is 7. She has a few years left. Age creeps up on everyone. As long as she feels well and is spunky, just let her age gracefully.
2007-07-05 14:59:42 · answer #4 · answered by mama woof 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's not her toenails is it? They've been trimmed recently? If they get too long they can cause problems. If they are black and you hate to do it you can pay the vet or petsmart to do it. If they are white you can see the pink in her nail. The pink spot means blood so don't cut that far. :O)
You can also just clip or file a small part off once a week. Check those first then any gear she may have on eg. collar to make sure it's not making odd noises.
2007-07-05 14:53:51 · answer #5 · answered by nevynsfool 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She could have a luxating patella,which is basically when the knee joint in the back leg pops in and out of the socket because it's not set deep enough.It's a common problem in toy breeds,but usually doesn't cause any problems.Does she ever skip,or lift one hind leg? If she does,then that's probably what it is.I wouldn't worry unless she seems to be in pain.Just have it checked next time you take her for shots.
2007-07-05 14:56:24 · answer #6 · answered by Dances With Woofs! 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There is probably air that is being released from the cartilage between your dogs joints. There is probably nothing wrong with your dog but if it gets any worse such as she starts to limp contact the vet immediately.
2007-07-05 15:01:54 · answer #7 · answered by youranswerguru93 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take it to the vet. At the very least let the vet feel the leg. Sometimes they can get a good idea of what they're dealing with by feeling the leg and then you can decide if you want X-rays or not.
2007-07-05 14:52:45 · answer #8 · answered by altaira 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It could be her toenails. They often make a clicking noise. I suggest you check her toenails. They are probably to long. If they are cut them... Good luck!
2007-07-05 14:53:28 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
it is probably her toenails clicking on the hard wood floor doent worry. If she starts having pain then take her to the vet
2007-07-05 14:55:08 · answer #10 · answered by Emily U 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋