For the past 6 months or so, my 5 year old Border Collie has been limping when she gets up from laying on the floor for a length of time. Most of the time she lays on the wood or tile floor...she doesn't like to lay on carpet. Could her foot or leg be "falling asleep" as humans' do? Or maybe her leg is just stiff?

She limps on either front leg (depending on which side she was laying on). We've tried putting throw rugs in her favorite spots, but she just pushes them aside and won't lay on them. I'm kind of worried about the limping because I know that Border Collies are prone to joint/hip problems. I'll ask my vet about this at her next checkup... I just want to get some thoughts from LVTs or experienced pet owners before then. Thanks!

Hi Sarah,
I'm willing to bet she's limping from getting stiff joints. My dog is an 11 year old beagle mutt who's just started this behavior. Since your dog is a purebred (I assume from your post) chances are she's having the same issue, only earlier on.
I don't claim to be an expert on this sort of thing, but that's my take on it.

Have you ever tried one of those pleather/plastic bean bags as a dog bed? It might be cooler for her on that (assuming that's why she's laying on tile as opposed to carpet) and won't be so hard on her joints.

Sarah, Border Collies are often listed as suffering "joint problems", which is far too vague and could cover so many things! The most common "joint problems" syffered by the breed are Hip Dysplasia(HD) and Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD). Hip Dysplasia affects the hind legs and I've never heard of this causing lameness on just the front ones! Osteochondritis Dissecans (a shoulder lameness, though it has been known to occur in the elbow) develops between the ages of 4 - 12 months; so should have shown itself before now.

Elbow Dysplasia is sometimes listed under Border Collie problems. It is actually a general term for four diseases known to affect one or both elbows in medium and large sized breeds. Click here for a site that I've found that explains them.

There are of course many other joint problems that could be the cause of your dogs lameness, or it could be something else entirely. It needs a vet to examine her to be sure of the cause.

Good luck. Do update us when you've seen the vet.

My 11 year old doberman does the same thing with the front right leg. It seems worse when cold and/or wet. One of my clients is a Vet. and she told me to give her "Glucosamine", it makes a big difference. My dog even like to eat the pills!(that helps) These pills lubricate the joints, it makes my dog feel better. They work right away.

Try to keep your pet warm.
Good luck, Chris

Most likely it is a joint problem as mentioned above.

With Ebony our passed on Black Lab Ridgeback mix she got arthritis in her hips, the Vet prescribed over the counter "children's pain relievers" ones that are adjusted for lower weights. And that worked well for many years. You can figure 7 years to a human year for dogs and get a biological age. 5 years old is about 35. Humans tend to start "feeling" their age in their mid to late thirties so do dogs.

The preference for hard floors is not due to the comfort of softness it is more due to comfort of heat.

Dogs have few sweat glands in their skin (a few, but not enough to actually matter). They regulate heat through panting and through laying on cool surfaces. Most dogs who dig outside do so to make a "den" digging down to the cooler soil to lay in. If possible you might want to cool a favorite area with a fan, see if she will lay on a soft "bed" if it is kept cooler.

Collies tend to have long, thick hair which works well out in the cold but doesn't work well in warm houses. Grooming might help, no not a shave, but groomers can use a type of shear that thins out the hair leaving it long but not as dense leading to a little more cooling. If the Dog spends most of her time out doors that would not be a good idea. Usually just daily brushing will thin out the fur sufficiently to lead to noticeable (for the dog) cooling.

The human varieties of most medication can be taken by animals, thus OTC pain relievers, antihistamines (dogs get allergies too) and the other remedies can be used (in most cases) with animals. However you have to adjust for their mass.

Of course speak to your vet. S/he can runs tests, take x-rays, blah to see what really is the problem.