Facts  (R=relevant; I=irrelevant)

9-month-old Ð R --young dog-growing quickly-active-prob. Not chronic since this is a 
puppy-points more toward congenital or trauma or growth abnormality
 
FS  - I
Rottweiler Ð R--large breed dogs (Rottweilers) have genetic predispositions for many 
congenital joint or bone abnormalities

Lame in both hind legs Ð R--bilateral lameness, so not likely to be an injury (unless HBC 
or compensatory lameness in one leg); back problem? Neuro? Hip? Pelvis?

Awkward gait developed a few weeks ago Ð R Ðprogressive, so not chronic; not healing, 
so probably not inflammatory

Primarily in rear legs; right leg seems to be worse than left Ð R--localization to R leg? 

Dog uncomfortable when sits down Ð R--suggests hips or back pain

Worse am and after running  - R--activity increases pain-possible wearing or rubbing of 
joint?  Dislocation of joint?

Owners carry dog up and down stairs past 1-2 wks since dog reluctant to climb stairs Ð R-
-range of motion compromised; reluctance to bear weight on hind limbs suggests pain

Rimadyl 10 mg/kg given when painful; owners didnÕt note obvious response to drug-
RÑnot primary inflammatory response since did not respond to NSAID

No history of trauma Ð RÑmakes possibility of trauma less likely (lower on R/O list)

Vaccinations current Ð RÑprobably not viral origin

On Frontline tablets Ð RÑprobably not tick-borne disease process

Lives inside; leash walks Ð R--moderate activity level, so probably not an injury (sprain, 
strain, bruise, self-inflicted, etc.)

Eats Iams Lg Breed free-choice Ð R--dietary factors involved in lameness? Accelerated 
growth a problem in large breed dogs; excessive weight is a problem on developing 
bones; excess calcium problematic in large breed dogs.

Physical Exam

Musculoskeletal:  

Disprop amt wt carried on forelegs Ð RÑreluctance to be weight-bearing on hind limbs 
(abnormal gait)

mild lameness, grade 1 of 4 in right hind leg  - R--barely perceptible, but indicates R hind 
limb problem

mild clicking in elbow jt (no pain, no reduced range of motion, or crepitance) Ð R? Could 
be separate problem, or is excess wt on front legs causing elbow jt problem?  

no muscle pain or atrophy Ð RÑnot neuro problem-probably not severe trauma since 
muscles not affected

no neuro deficit Ð RÑsuggests joint or ligament problem

stable, non-painful hock and stifle jointsÑRÑisolates to hip; not ligament or meniscal 
rupture 

no cranial drawer-RÑnot ligament or meniscal rupture

no joint effusion ÐRÑno inflammation, probably no trauma to stifle or hock 

Hips: 

palpation produces pain reaction, more on R than L, more on extension than flexion Ð 
RÑlocalizes pain to R hip; pain on extension suggests possibility of subluxation 

range of motion reduced to about 100 degrees Ð R--decreased range of motion by about 
10 degrees (normal approx 110 degrees for hip joint) 

ortalani sign positive on L hip; unable to eval on R due to pain Ð RÑindicates hip joint 
laxity; positive sign or hip dysplasia; L hip not as painful as R, so L probably not as 
degenerated as R