WHY Is My WESTIE DOG Skipping On His Back Leg? Sharing my experience with Sami's leg problems

Рет қаралды 9,247

Күн бұрын

Sami recently started skipping on his back left leg and this is our journey trying to find out what the problem is ❤️ We went to the vet for checkups, did X-Rays and ruled out potential causes. Here is what we found out and what we are doing about it.
LINKS to videos mentioned:
Dog Steps Video:
• Westies Leg Issues! Wh...
Dog Boots Video:
• 3 Reasons Why I Got Sh...
PRODUCTS we show in this video:
Dog Stairs and Ramp
Amazon USA www.amazon.com/MEWANG-Wooden-...
Amazon UK www.amazon.co.uk/MEWANG-Woode...
Amazon Germany www.amazon.de/-/en/Pawhut-Sta...
Sami's Dog Bandana
westievibes.com/store/
Sami's Wagwear boots (Sami wears the blue XS) - Use the LINK below to get a 10% discount!
wagwear.com/discount/SAMI10?r...
Sami's TeePee Dog Tent
Amazon USA www.amazon.com/Teepee-Cushion...
?tag=westievibes-20
Amazon UK www.amazon.co.uk/Sunnykud-Str...
Amazon Germany www.amazon.de/-/en/Sunnykud-T...
TIME STAMPS
00:00 - INTRO
01:50 - CHECKUP AT THE VET
02:37 - LUXATING PATELLA
04:04 - HIP DYSPLASIA
07:05 - LIMITED MOBILITY
Thanks for watching!
❤️ WHO ARE WE?
I am Miruna and, together with Sami, my 4-year-old West Highland White Terrier, I make videos about life with a Westie dog!
✨ SUPPORT OUR VIDEOS!
Join our Patreon! / westievibes
Shop Sami's Dog Bandanas westievibes.com/store
🐶 COME SAY HI!
Blog: westievibes.com/
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Facebook: / westievibes
TikTok: / sami_westievibes

Пікірлер: 61

@WestieVibes Жыл бұрын

Sami's Wagwear boots (Sami wears the blue XS) - Use the LINK below to get a 10% discount! wagwear.com/discount/SAMI10?rfsn=6859602.ab1c1c0

@01.Allegra 2 ай бұрын

Hi, my Westie also has a left paw that slightly twists when he walks, not when he runs. I also took him to the vet and had x-rays done and consulted a specialist, but they told me it was congenital: he was born like that. The important thing is that he doesn't feel bad, he just gets tired a little earlier than the others. I'll tell you this little "flaw" gives him a curious and funny gait... so I love him even more! I too, like you, bought a ladder for you to get on and off the bed, because especially the jump to get off... is a hard impact! I hope it's curable for Sami and that you find a good solution! I see that the video is from a year ago... maybe in the meantime it's already better!! Best wishes to Sami, a kiss goodbye, Allegra.

@cherylhaffner5028 Жыл бұрын

I have a Westie about the same age as Sami. This is my first pet so I really appreciate your informative (and entertaining) videos! Thanks so much!

@WestieVibes Жыл бұрын

It makes me SO happy to hear this! 🥰 Thanks for your comment. If there's anything you want to see in a future video, let me know! I'm still learning too, but I've got a lot to share from these past almost 4 years with Sami and I'm always looking for ideas for new videos ☺

@melissahardesty3168 Жыл бұрын

First I just want to say Sami is ADORABLE! While we didn't have a Westie, we did have a Carin Terrier which I'm sure you know is in the same family. We had our Lexi for over 16 years and only lost her this past April. I love watching Sami's videos because it so reminds me of our Lexi. Blessings to you both!

@WestieVibes Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for your kind message! I am sorry for your loss. Cairns are Westies' cousins! I love them, this breed was on our list before we chose a Westie 🥰 Sending much love!

@sentatsantilis2591 Жыл бұрын

My Pomeranian had the same symptoms when walking as Sami, but her vet barely offered what yours did. Thankfully, the skipping didn’t progress to anything worse. I’m very happy to hear that Sami is in such a good, caring hands with his vet & nothing serious appears to be happening. Thank you very much for this informative, helpful video!! I learn a lot from you & hope you will keep sharing all the types of vids you do & precious Sami with us!! 🙏🏻🧚🏻💜

@WestieVibes Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for your comment! 🤗 I am glad to know that it helped. And I am happy that your pup is well and has no other issues.❤ This is probably a common thing in small doggos! I kept investigating because I was afraid there would be something serious causing this, and I guess the vet just got used to me being an obsessive dog mom, haha! 😅In the beginning she was not like this, she was offering the easiest solution (like meds), because people don't usually have the time (and money) to spend doing tests for their dogs to find the cause. With time we developed a great relationship and she got used to my style, so she now tells me all the possibilities and then we make a decision 😁 But it took some time and patience.

@elbb1 Ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing. My dog is doing the skip so needed to see others experiences.

@marciamatos480 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for this new video! It shows great advice. I hope Sami gets better and enjoys his walks the way he likes them. 🐾🐾🐾❤️❤️❤️

@WestieVibes Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much, Marcia! ☺🧡💛

@elainehoffman7709 Жыл бұрын

Hi Miruna, Great video on Sami's skipping problem. I had Lilly a few times when she was alive hold up one leg and run or walk like that, but I found the problem was a bur from walking in the park both times that was stuck in between her pads on her feet. Poor baby and when we took it out it bled. She was much better afterwards. I really love the idea of Westies wearing the dog shoes so this does not happen to them. I hope he is feeling much better. I use to give Lilly Cosequin for dogs that you can find over the counter. It helped tremendously with our Lilly because she was a race car after squirrel and she had a very strong prey drive. She would see a squirrel and scale 5 steps down off of our deck and hit the pavement and keep going and going and going. I owe it all to the Cosequin for her joints being so strong all of those years. It might be cheaper than your Vet's meds.

@WestieVibes Жыл бұрын

Hi Elaine, thank you for the advice. I will look into Cosequin, see if I can find it here and I will ask the vet about it as well. The way Lilly was with squirrels, that's how Sami is with cats 😅 Crazy!

@deborahswanson8457 Жыл бұрын

My Westie , who I named Skipper even before I knew he “skipped” we took him to the vet and he was thoroughly also, just like Sami. But the vet checked him as bd said he was fine. Skipper also walks with Kia back leg knee joints twist outward but again no pain or any discomfort on his part. Skipper is 10 years old. I don’t have stairs so I’m not sure about that. Thankfully Skipper is doing well and I’m glad Sami is as well!

@rookandpawn Жыл бұрын

We have a senior westie who just started exhibiting this thank you so much for the video it was really helpful for us much appreciated thank you

@brendathompson2503 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for another great video! So glad Sami doesn’t have anything seriously wrong. He is absolutely adorable 😘

@WestieVibes Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Brenda! 🥰

@astridm.baecker8752 Жыл бұрын

Hi😊👍That's very interesting because I've noticed it with Linus my Yorkie lately. He doesn't always do it either, but at intervals. I don't have the feeling that he's in pain either. Thank you for this very informative video. All the Best for Sami 🐾💙🙋🏻‍♀️🙌

@aurorabosques8017 3 ай бұрын

Poor Sami he is gorgeous ❤

@KALINARIA 9 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for the ideas to use on my puppy. She is very little but having all this information on Westies is super helpful. Fiona and I (Stacee) are very thankful.

@anndawson Жыл бұрын

Great video as always!!

@WestieVibes Жыл бұрын

Thank you! 😍

@marvinwhisman3333 7 ай бұрын

I have some experience with the luxating patella as our female Westie developed it around 3-4. Fortunately it never got beyond stage 1 so she lived a normal life until she was a little over 14 and passed from other causes. Now our male Westie who just turned one a few weeks ago has started the "bunny hop" on his left rear leg which at first he did only on his walks but is now doing it in the house. Vet visit scheduled for next week. :) One additional suggestion is to look into a dog ramp rather than steps. We have one and it really saves him putting the pressure from jumping on the leg. They are more expensive but in my opinion well worth the cost. 3 Westies in our lives and two of the three have had rear leg problems. Just an issue with the breed and small dogs I guess. Good luck with Sami. I know you will do everything you can to keep him well and happy.

@judithhickey6936 Жыл бұрын

so happy Sami s skipping isn't serious!!.

@maryfalzone7587 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this informative video. I wish Sami all the best. I may be prejudice, but Westies are the best!! We have our 3rd one now and she's great!!

@WestieVibes Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much! Aww, enjoy her! I think anyone who has a Westie would agree with you 💕

@robertbishop2078 7 ай бұрын

I have a 3 year old Maltipoo (Lulu) that will sometimes skips on her back leg like Sami. She is shorter than Sami so she has always "bunny hopped" up stairs, and does not seem to favor either side when sleeping. Thank you for the video, I am considering getting her Dog crocks, that was a great idea. Thanks for the videos.

@Brenda-jf2pe Жыл бұрын

Your a good dog mom🥰

@WestieVibes Жыл бұрын

Aww, thank you Brenda ❤

@mapatterson173 Жыл бұрын

✨💖✨Thank you for this wonderfully informative video. Our 1st westie didn’t have these issues; however, we did have a little rescue dachshund/mix who did. Though Sami is obviously fit, our little beast was a bit tubby. First thing the doctor ordered was weight loss. That helped for years. But we did give all three rescues supplements. Now we share our home with a six month old westie, and a one year old dachshund. Thank you for the exercises and advice. We’ll be doing the exercises on both, as doxies are quite prone to problems.

@jkkuma Жыл бұрын

Our toy poodle has exact same symptom and I have checked numerous times with vet if he has any patella issue but he doesn't have any. According to our vet, hip may cause the skipping but not very likely. Our dog is only one and 5 months old and it was frustrating for us to seem him skipping every now and then. Thank you so much for your video. I really appreciate for the valuable information. I will definitely need to look into mobility exercise.

@danmccoy6707 Жыл бұрын

My Ben is 5 and when he was around 3 he was doing the same skipping action when walking fast. All the same things Sami is doing. In Ben’s case he seems to have come out of it. He hasn’t been skipping at all over the past year or so. However when he is lying beside me on the couch and his leg is cramped he will favour one leg for a minute or so and he is fine. Hopefully Sami’s muscles will strengthen and he gets older and he will come out of it. B

@DrArleezahMarrah Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the video. My toy poodle is dealing with the exact same issue with her right hind leg. We’ve done X rays (nothing found), rest days, and nothing has changed and she is not in any pain. No patella issues either. It’s frustrating. I’m going to try PT next to help strengthen her core and leg muscles. I also purchased some winter shoes and will need to purchase shoes for the summer. Thank you again for your video and God Bless. ❤

@WestieVibes Жыл бұрын

I decided to investigate this further and scheduled Sami for an MRI. Apparently there is a chance of a herniated disc so we want to check it out. I think doing doggy training is amazing! I wish we had this here, dog therapy, but I don't think we do. Thanks for sharing! ❤️

@Kindthai 5 ай бұрын

My Westie has a funny walk like your until last week we went to the dog park and he snapping he’s knee and now he had a acl surgery btw he is 7 year old, we live in canada so at the dog park we went that day snow was kind of pack and slippery, I notice that hard wood floor may cause that issue as well as he always active and running free spinning on he’s leg, watch out for that as well just an fyi, btw the shoe look great for Westie I will buy him one once he’s recovered and doing all the rehap program. Hope that help 🙂

@jeffyboii112211 10 ай бұрын

wow i have a westie also named sammy!!! and i’m on tbis video bc he just started limping out of no where and it’s gotten to the point he can’t poop without help

@anyajunge3159 Жыл бұрын

My first thought was shoes. The hard surface in Greece is burning hot 🔥. We avoid that kind of surface when it's hot outside.

@WestieVibes Жыл бұрын

Yes, so hot! We used to pick Sami up on the sunny portions to avoid the hot ground. Now since he wears the shoes, no need (although we still avoid going out in hot temp as much as possible) ☺

@traceyallen8286 Жыл бұрын

Our 31/2 y.o. Westie girl sometimes skips and friends of ours have her uncle (he's 5) and he also skips sometimes. Both of them only do it on one leg. We've had knees checked and they are 100% OK. I was thinking of getting shoes because we are coming into the Australian summer and there are a lot of bindiis (a very prickly weed) and they HURT if stepped on - not skipping might be another benefit. Thanks for another informative and entertaining video.

@WestieVibes Жыл бұрын

I think shoes is a good idea to try, it will protect them from this weed and maybe they will also stop skipping. I'm glad you enjoyed the video! 😍

@Lysander-Spooner Жыл бұрын

Ask your vet. I understand that "over-walking" a Westie can damage the rear leg growth plates and this causes them to skip.

@sarahpageau573 Жыл бұрын

Where did you buy your dog step? Is it expensive? I think it would help my 13 years old westie :) he has the same problem as your dog for more then 10 years. He moves like other dog, still running and jumping. Somedays his legs are more stiff but a massage and a walk help… he is old so it’s normal at this point. Don’t worry about your little Samy ;) it didn’t get worst or cause major pain to my dog.

@tonycicarella876 Жыл бұрын

Hi, my westie, (Tia) seems to have this issue to. She is 12 years old though, so much older than Sami. She won’t climb the stairs any more, I have to carry her up them when she wants to come up and instead of letting her jump on to my lap which is where she loves to be, I pick her up, she thanks me with lots of kisses. LOL. I’ve been giving her a supplement as well as I don’t think there is really much they can do for her. My vet did a lot of the checks yours did and couldn’t find anything either. I guess is good but bad in that they can’t really diagnosis a fix. I like the idea of the Croc shoes. I live in FLorida so in the summer the pavement gets extremely hot. Because of this I only walk her in the early morning and evening after the pavement cools. I wouldn’t walk barefoot on blistering hot pavement so I sure would want her too! Love your videos with Sami, Great to compare notes on how Sami is doing compared to my experiences with Tia!

@WestieVibes Жыл бұрын

Hi Tony, thanks so much for your comment! I'm sorry to hear that Tia is having these issues too. I think supplements help a little, and you picking her up makes a great difference, of course she is thankful 💕 She is clearly very loved! Before having the doggy crocs, I also avoided walking Sami during the day - and even with the shoes, I still prefer to wake up earlier and walk him longer and avoid the heat. Give Tia a kiss from us!

@janahedlund508 6 ай бұрын

Any other news on the skipping or it's the same ? Thanks 💕

@lindaf1817 Жыл бұрын

We have an eight pound mini schnauzer that does the same thing. She started almost 2 years ago on her right leg, routinely skipping on that leg. (She will be 4 on Sept. 15.) We have dones sedated xrays two times, had her to 3 vets in our vet office, a specialist, a physical therapist and have been doing acupuncture for a little over a year. A few months ago she started skipping on her left leg also, which is leading me to believe that it is not in her legs, but in her back or her brain. I cannot see her skipping when she is running, but one of the vets said that we may just not be able to see it when she is running. She does agility (only 4" jumps) but wears out very quickly. When she is walking slowly she does not skip, but skips when she walks at a little faster rate. If you find anything out, please let me know. It is a puzzle and not knowing if there is pain and if it will get worse is the problem. I am going to order the shoes and try them!! Thanks! Linda Ferry

@WestieVibes Жыл бұрын

Hi Linda, she is the same age as Sami! Happy birthday 🎂🧡 Thanks for telling me, this is interesting... and if it is in her brain, is there any danger? Someone also suggested to me it could be his back and not legs. But I suppose in your case if it was the back, the specialists would have found it. About the running, you could try to get it on video and play it in slow motion. I did that and he is definitely not skipping when running.

@yangkey4478 Жыл бұрын

I have severe problems with my low back,sometimes My leg is so painful that I even can’t walk,at the same time I feel my low back is fine. However for this situation,my doctor said the main reason is my low back, although it seems not painful,but this causes me leg’s pain. I think this can be an example for Sami（although it is a human’s 😆 anyway for this kind of problem,swimming is always a good choice I think even for a dog

@WestieVibes Жыл бұрын

I'm sure it can be the same with dogs too! ☺ I know about this situation, sometimes we have a muscle pain that actually comes from another area that we are not aware of. I saw many dogs doing swimming as therapy. It could be a good idea for Sami. I will look into it💛 Thank you!

@duartnadia Жыл бұрын

I would bring him for a swimming twice a week since it helped me with my back

@WestieVibes Жыл бұрын

I thought about it too. I would have to see if there are any therapy places with swimming for dogs, where we live. Sami hates water, haha, but it would be good for him for sure.

@uxkatya Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the video! As we are on the medical subject, I would be also interested to know if Sami is spayed and what’s your opinion on spaying a westie considering their temperament, physiology etc 👀 I’m on the fence

@WestieVibes Жыл бұрын

Thank you! 🧡 Ah this is interesting and a great idea for a video. Sami isn't spayed and we did have the same dilemma. After doing research and talking to Sami's trainer, I came to the conclusion that he doesn't need spaying in terms of behavior change. The trainer says that a spayed dog can be just as aggressive and dominant, while a trained dog, even if intact, will be well behaved because of training. And it was true. Sami does have some dominant and even reactive tendencies towards certain other dogs, but it isn't guaranteed that after castrating he will be any different (some opinions even say he can get worse 🤦🏻‍♀). We will castrate him anyway sometimes in the next 2 years, for health reasons. It is advised to do this before they reach a certain age. I hope this helped somewhat 😃

@standunitedorfall1863 Жыл бұрын

Spaying is only done on females. Since Sami is a male he would be neutered.

@tracyhoward8228 Жыл бұрын

I adopted a dog from the shelter a few years ago I just found out I got a westie

@WestieVibes Жыл бұрын

Lucky! 🥰

@outtravel8539 Жыл бұрын

What was ur vet's comment on SAMI's blue shoes?

@WestieVibes Жыл бұрын

She encouraged it (both the vet and the orthopedist), they said it can reduce the impact of the feet on hard surfaces and it protects the joints and back.

@outtravel8539 Жыл бұрын

@@WestieVibes oh wow, i need to get those shoes for my dogs then