Dog Community

Abby's Leg

Posted : 7/29/2013 3:35:06 PM

I am posting this here, because they don't know yet what it wrong.

They mentioned Patellar luxation or Torn Cruciates. Abby showed no signs of pain all the while they were moving her leg and trying to get a reaction. She won't relax enough that the vet could get a good look at the joints. So, they gave her previcox for four days, and kennel rest, if she is not better by Thurday night, I have to take her back in on Friday am for xrays, they are will give her something to calm down so they can check her out better. That means an all day stay at the vet.(I will take a day of vacation and keep Freida company -boy, I need to do something about that situation, I may have to see if she is old enough to leave loose in the house while I am gone in cases like this.)

They can't believe she didn't show signs of pain during the exam, so it could be a pulled tendon, that is why we are waiting.

Other than that, the trip was awful, I had to take Ms Freida and she is hard to handle esp with me trying to protect poor little limping Abby. Next time I may leave Freida home alone, loose in the house. I feel like I have a few extra gray hairs after today. (thank goodness my DH works right next door to the vet and he came over and took Freida while I went in the room with Abby) Freida is just all puppy and in a strange place to boot.

But we are home now and everyone is taking a nap. And I am having a cup of coffee. I am hoping this is just a pulled tendon. (I hate the thought of surgery if it is something else.) Think positive thoughts.

Mare

Freedom

Posted : 7/29/2013 6:22:59 PM

Mydogs

They mentioned Patellar luxation or Torn Cruciates. Abby showed no signs of pain all the while they were moving her leg and trying to get a reaction. She won't relax enough that the vet could get a good look at the joints.

If it was a loose kneecap, the vet would have been able to feel that as he manipulated the leg. It would not necessarily cause her pain.

Sounds like the best case is a sore tendon, so let's pray that is it. Rest for a few days should show big improvement!

kpwlee

Posted : 7/29/2013 7:38:20 PM

Hoping its a pulled tendon and that's all. Unfortunately I know more about canine knees (&shouders and elbows) than I would like. Many dogs are completely stoic so not showing pain isn't really significant. I highly recommend they do a 'drawer test' which is best done when they are at least mildly sedated. That test shows how much movement is in the joint. The X-ray can help too, when Bugsy tore his CCL, the X-ray showed some fluid in the joint. If she has a partial tear its best to fix it before it gets bad. Not sure what type of dog she is or what size but there are several options. BUT hopefully she's pulled a muscle and is fine. Sadly if its a partial tear, she may stop limping but it won't heal on its own.

Can Freida be crated?

Mydogs

Posted : 7/29/2013 7:45:47 PM

"Can Freida be crated?"

I Freida is crated without Abby around she will destroy her kennel (last time she pulled one of her own teeth out). So, no. I have to work on letting them loose while we are gone, but Freida is kinda of young for that yet.

Thanks for the info on the knee.

calliecritturs

Posted : 7/29/2013 11:51:29 PM

Just a couple of my own thots --

A -- I never like it when a vet palpates and **assumes** that the dog has to show pain for it to mean anything. What both Sandie and Karen said -- many dogs are stoic -- they are not about to show "weakness" by letting that strange human hurt them just to get a reaction.

B -- There's a big difference between "crating" and "Loose in the house". Try barricading a room or area off -- leave on "white noise" or music so external noise doesn't ramp her up and ... some valerian root (or passionflower) can often help take the edge off the "OMG I'm ALONE" thing

rufftie

Posted : 7/30/2013 6:36:39 AM

it took 3 vets and over 6 mons for twitch's torn cruciate ligament to be properly diagnosed.

2 vets manipulated and tested and because of twitch's lack of reaction, assumed it was a sprain or arthritis. he was put on pain meds, joint supplements and therapeutic massages. we even tried adaquan- a series of shots for joint repair.

I was put off 2 times when I asked for x-rays, told they wouldn't show anything (in a sense correct since ligaments do not show up on x-ray).

finally found a 3rd vet who was suspicious when she manipulated the leg and recommended x-rays, explaining that tho they won't show a torn ligament there are other "tells" that point to a ligament tear. for twitch, it was showing the amount of inflammation around the joints. it also showed his hips were great, so not part of the problem. we chose surgery almost immediately ( 4 days after the x-ray). he had surgery fri july 19th. he will get his stitches out on thurs. the first 2 or 3 days were the worst, probably more-so for me than him. he is now putting weight on it reliably and getting around pretty good. I see getting him back to 90%+ his old self in a couple months!

kpwlee

Posted : 7/30/2013 9:26:52 AM

Great news for Twitch! But I am sorry he and you went through so much. CCL tears are fairly common, unfortunately, so I am surprised a bit that the vets put you off so many times. Its true that an xray doesn't show the ligaments but someone proficient in reading them can indeed tell if its CCL issues. As I said in our case, a pocket of fluid was clearly visible and for the orthosurgeon the location told him all he needed to know. I was skeptical at first but so glad that we had the surgery done fairly quickly and while it was still a partial tear.

I hope that Twitch has a problem-free recovery. Err on the side of overly conservative over the weeks and months ahead. Depending on the surgery type you chose it is a minimum of 8 wks of very controlled activity and with the TPLO or TTA its another two months before they have more freedom. The muscles really atrophy during those first 8 weeks so initially its a slow process. If you did the traditional surgery or suturing that takes 6 months of controlled healing

For you and for Mydogs this group is very helpful - although it can be full of the problem cases I found it good to see what others were doing

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/orthodogs/

they also have a Facebook page now

https://www.facebook.com/groups/469832443089113/

For Mydogs - sorry didn't know about Freida's issues with crates

PS I am going to move this thread to Health/Injuries

rufftie

Posted : 7/30/2013 5:15:59 PM

thank you for all your advice. I will look into that group. twitch is taking to relaxing very well! I hope I can get him active again when he's ready :-).

kpwlee

Posted : 7/30/2013 6:32:16 PM

I am sure he'll return to full activity - Bugsy sure did Big Smile And he wasn't into relaxing LOL