Q:  I have a 10 month old male Mini Schnauzer. About 5 weeks ago, I noticed that he would limp after getting up. Exercise seems to make it worse, so I have not been taking him to the park to run. I took him to the vet and she did an x-ray of his leg but not the hip. My vet said it could be hip dysplasia, but she wanted me to wait and see if it goes away before we x-ray his hip. I know hip dysplasia is not common in schnauzers. What do I do? Could it just be a soft tissue injury and, if so, how do I know without a hip x-ray? If it is dysplasia, what would you recommend? He is not on any medication. Thank you!

A:  You are right the Mini Schnauzer is not the typical breed you associate with hip dysplasia. However, it is still possible, and you can read all about hip dysplasia diagnosis and treatment by clicking here. Especially if you are in Lyme or other tick prone area, I would want to check your dog for the possibility of Lyme or other tick diseases that can cause polyarthritis (multiple joint inflammation). And, of course, it is possible that he may have a soft tissue injury (tendon or ligament) and this would not show up on an x-ray. In the event that your vet runs a battery of diagnostic tests and does not find anything, then I would likely think that your dog would be put on an anti-inflammatory medication and strict rest for a couple of weeks.

Your question has been answered by the following veterinarian:
Daniel Lauridia, DVM

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