10737 Venice Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90034
(310) 559-3770
Center-Sinai Animal Hospital
Serving the Los Angeles Community since 1969
10737 Venice Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90034
(310) 559-3770
Full
range of pet care and emergency veterinary services available
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you and your pet have been pondering!
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check our pet care articles and stories, too. Please note: if you
believe your pet's situation is critical, Dr. Baum urges you to contact
your vet ASAP.
HELP, DR. BAUM!
MY LAB/PIT BULL MIX
IS DRAGGING HIS REAR AND BITING HIS TAIL...
Dear Dr. Baum --
My dog is half lab and half pit bull. He is 5
years old. He has recently been favoring his hind legs. For example,
not putting all of his weight down, and having trouble jumping on
the bed. And he does not play as much as he used to. But the big
problem that has me very worried is the fact that he has for the
last 3 days been chewing on his tail and it is swollen. I took him
to the vet. They said he has arthritis in his back and is chewing
because of the pain. Does this make sense, and what can I do?
Rhonda, Cullman, AL
Dear Rhonda:
It sounds as if there is a combination of problems. The chronic
problem of not jumping, not bearing full weight and lethargy could
very well indicate a musculoskelatal problem such as arthritis in
the hips or at the lower spine. If the weight bearing problem is in
one leg, he may have injured himself.
Chewing on the base of the tail is not likely to be caused by
arthritis- it may be a reaction to flea exposure- a flea allergy
dermatitis, or a hot spot of unknown causes. A cortisone injection
would most likely provide relief of the skin problem and would also
alleviate most arthritic problems or minor muscle strains or
ligament strains.
If he hasn't been x-rayed, I would suggest that diagnostic procedure
to enable you to best deal with the problem over the longer term.
Dr. B
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