How long to wait to bring the dog to the vet?

[blazer]

My hunting buddy is showing signs of rear leg problems.  She is a 2 and a half year old golden retriever/lab mix.  Last night I noticed her wincing a little when she climbed stairs.  When I put a little pressure on her hips she winces.   I am wondering if she possibly pulled something while out running and jumping out of the truck, or do you think I am facing bigger problems.  Right now my plan is to wait a few days to see if this clears up on its own, if it doesn't I'll bring her in.  Do you guys think I should bring her in sooner or I am okay if I wait a few days?  Thanks is advance

[jigglestick]

Blazer, if you just noticed it, you may want to give it a couple days to see how it comes around. at home or afield, any of a thousand things can happen from stepping in a hole while in hot persuit, to jumping in or out of the truck and landing wrong.
they are not to disimilar to us in that the joints and ligaments can be strained or stretched if you will. some times it is worse, like a tear in a ligament, or the begining signs of a degenerative condition.
when granny gets a little gimpish we give her ibuprofin and massage the joint. she responds quite quickly.
talk to your vet, but a regimine of fish oil and condroitin couldn't do her long term joint health any harm.
if the condition worsens, or if you feel the need, then by all means take her in. even if it was nothing, you will have peace of mind and it might have cost you a few bucks, but for all they do for us........
good luck

[shakey legs 2]

You can get deramaxx from on-line vet suppliers for joint/tendon pain or from your vet.  I would not give your dog Tylenol or ibuprofen - only aspirin.  If you have a big dog like a lab 1 Bayer regular strength/day will do.  If you have a smaller dog like a springer go with 1/2 tablet.  My vet says that there have been some dogs react negatively to Tylenol and/or ibuprofen and in some cases died.

[jigglestick]

good point shakey legs, that is why I mentioned that is what "I" did as a matter of fact it was my wife who administered it and it very well may have been buffered aspirin. I just knew we gave her something like that for comfort and it worked.
as stated, I would talk to your vet first.
dead puppies arent much fun.

[shakey legs 2]

Blazer, another thought is you might want to have the vet check for hip displyasia.  Labs and other large breeds seem to have more trouble with this than smaller breeds.  If the pain is in the leg area it might be a strained ligament but if it is in the hip area, I would get this checked out.

[vickieschessies]

NEVER GIVE DOGS TYLENOL OR IBUPROFEN IT WILL KILL DOGS!!!!!!
Only Asprin,  buffered is preferred as it is easier on the stomach. You can give 1 every 6hrs for pain but 1 a day I think is plenty. More than likely if you have not seen this limp or pain before he has pulled or strained something. Keep us posted

[blazer]

Thanks for all the advice.  I've kept my eye on her since I noticed the problem and she is doing much better.  I think she may have just pulled a muscle in her back leg.  As of today she is back to nearly 100% and is running around like a pup again.  I figure I rest her during the deer season and once rifle closes, I resume my quest for pheasants.

[vickieschessies]

Blazer
Glad to hear your pup is doing better!