PDA

View Full Version : Cracking sound when my dog stands up.


oscarfelix
03-18-2007, 11:44 AM
I have been trying to figure out where the sound is coming from by manually manipulating all of his joints when he is lying down, but I cannot seem to figure it out.

Basically, whenever he stands up from laying down for lets say more than 5 minutes, I hear two distinct cracks. I have suspected it was his rear legs, and fear a bit that it is his hips.

When doing research about hip problems though, it sounds like most the time the sound is constant while walking, whereas this is a "crack, crack", he stretches a bit, and then is fine.

He is a five year old lab mix, and is quite large at around 85-90 lbs.

He does not seem to be in any pain, and over his life he has limped a bit here and there, but that seemed to be when he was playing and possibly tweaked his leg a bit. The limping always stopped within a few hours of "injuring" himself, and is not an ongoing thing. It has happened maybe 2-3 times over his 5 years.

Has anyone else experienced this? In my searches of google, I always find people complaining of the dogs joints constantly cracking when walking, but none just when standing up.

My knees make the same exact sound if I go from kneeling on the floor for a length of time and then stand up, it makes a crack crack. My doctor said that this is not because I necessarily have a knee problem, but it's my tendon getting "out of place" and then snapping back in place when I stand up.

I highly suspect that it is the toes of the rear legs cracking, as the sound doesn't seem to happen until he takes a few steps, not as he is rising.

rstowe
03-19-2007, 07:02 AM
Welcome to Petlovers.

The sound could be anything from his hips, toes or any joint. Have you had hip displaysia ruled out (via xrays)? If it doesn't seem to be causing him any paiin and no area is sensitive to touch (hips, paws etc) or he doesn't seem to favor one leg/side when it happens I wouldn't be too concerned. If you are concerned you can have your vet rule out hip displaysia, arthritis etc.

oscarfelix
03-19-2007, 08:22 AM
I have not had it X-rayed, or even mentioned it to the vet since it happened after his last annaul. I was watching him get up in the morning today and listen for the pops. By watching his back legs and feet, I am almost positive it is his toes. His annual check up is coming up in a few months, and I will ask about it and have him X-rayed at that point if need be.

From what I have read hip displaysia generally starts to manifest itself in a grinding sound, and mostly whenever they walk. This is a crack when he stands up, and then never again till he lays back down and stands up.

Thanks

rstowe
03-19-2007, 08:24 AM
Definitely talk to the vet next time you are in there. It probably is just his toes, so I wouln't be too concerned.

Let us know how it goes.