Dog Community

Rocky is hurt...maybe...shadowsgin

Posted : 1/9/2012 12:57:55 PM

When I got home Friday after work Rock was waiting in the drive like usual. He went into the pasture so he could run beside me, like usual.

He circled around, met me at the van door, Hot was welcoming me from the fenced in yard...like usual. Hot came down the sidewalk, Rock went up the sidewalk we walked to the door, like usual. Then it is always "who is gonna open the door for Mommy". This time it was Rocky, but they both went thru the door together...like usual. Then they usually welcome me with wagging tails and barks and squeeky noises. Same thing going on but Rock's squeeking was much louder than usual and he didnt stop and he kept going to his favorite places to lay but would lay and still loud whining. It took me just a minute to realize that this was not the usual..hi mom I been a good boy what for eats kinda whine.

We looked him over, no blood no knots no swelling that we could see. He was very uncomfortable and it seemed to be in the rear right side. He didnt want to eat his dinner but did take a weiner with some valerian capsule in it. The next day he was kinda twitchy in the right rear, but was eating and drinking just fine. He wasnt actually very active but did go outside with me and walked around. He is not laying on that side. We gave him valerian just to relax him on Sunday as well. He is drinking/eating/peeing ok. Not sure what it could be. He is hobbling some but he is putting weight on his leg. Ron tried again last night to check where the soreness is. He yelped when he touched his hind quarter near the tail.

Rocky has been a chewer/scratcher for a few years. We have never found the reason for it. He is not scratching or chewing in the area where he seems to have pain.

I felt like maybe he and Hot got to close and he got stepped on. I did see him dodge out of the way so maybe he strained something. I know he is not feeling right cause last evening he let a squirel run up the tree without paying any attention.

Ideas anyone????

JackieG

Posted : 1/9/2012 2:18:05 PM

I usually restrict activity when I think a dog has pulled a muscle or has some sort of soft tissue injury. If three or four days of truly restricted activity don't bring improvement, off to the vet I go. Hope Rocky's problem is minor and heals without issue.

calliecritturs

Posted : 1/9/2012 2:18:25 PM

Unless it is impossible for them, typically a dog will choose TO lie on the "sore side" -- it's a protective thing -- particularly so they have the strong leg to get up ONTO.

Honestly? I'd think a vet visit was warranted -- it could be a lot of things -- from sciatica to a sore knee or back.

The other thing is to run you hand over the entire area almost but not quite touching him -- simply concentrate on feeling for 'hot' or 'cold' places -- sometimes you can identify the area that is inflamed or hurt that way.

kpwlee

Posted : 1/9/2012 3:32:55 PM

Oh poor Rocky!! I totally agree with what Jackie said. Rest him as best as possible but if in a few days there is no improvement take him to the vet. Sometimes they can spot something in the gait that tells them where it is sore. I know you say it seems to be higher up in his hind quarters but did you check his feet well? In between the toes and all?

Give him some loving for me!!

shadowsgin

Posted : 1/9/2012 4:33:03 PM

Thanks guys. I have been having him rest over the weekend. I didnt do much outside cause he insists on going everywhere I go or at least be in the area where he can see what I am doing. I spoke with Ron about an hour ago and he said he is moving better and even crawled up on the chair with him. He hasnt been wanting to climb up on his normal chair sitting spots. I am not opposed to taking him to the vet but there have been a few times when the boys have hurt themselves and it just took a few days for them to bounce back. We did check his paws and nails, he didnt seem bother by that. It was just odd that he was fine until they walked in the door then he was hurt. He may have gotten "tail whipped" by his big brother, he has got a very powerful tail.

ETA: Callie I will try looking for warm spots tonight, I never thought of that. Actually started to call you cause I wasnt sure if I should use Calms or Valerian to keep him quiet. I opted for the valerian cause I have used it before for storms and knew how he does with it. I know it's not a pain killer but it seemed to help keep him still.

calliecritturs

Posted : 1/10/2012 12:12:25 AM

shadowsgin

ETA: Callie I will try looking for warm spots tonight, I never thought of that. Actually started to call you cause I wasnt sure if I should use Calms or Valerian to keep him quiet. I opted for the valerian cause I have used it before for storms and knew how he does with it. I know it's not a pain killer but it seemed to help keep him still.

either or both -- they work in concert well together. And sometimes to keep them quiet you gotta stack the deck a bit in your favor. Neither of those will "sedate" them -- it just helps ease them to do what they oughta do

FrisbyPI

Posted : 1/10/2012 7:33:45 AM

How is Rocky doing?

shadowsgin

Posted : 1/10/2012 9:56:56 AM

FrisbyPI

How is Rocky doing?

He did much better yesterday. He was outside when I got home and although he didnt run to me he did come to the van door to greet me. He seemed much more comfortable last night. This morning he was a little restless, heard a few whines, but after he came in from outside (shorter time than usual in the mornings) he seemed much better. He is drinking and eating fine, his gums are nice and pink, he is not hobbling as much as a few days ago but he is still not quite back to normal.

iluvjamison

Posted : 1/10/2012 10:01:50 AM

I'm glad he's starting to feel a little better !!

Deb W.

Johnny&Tessy

Posted : 1/10/2012 10:19:31 AM

Aw Rocky....don't you be scaring your mommy like that. I sure hope she's been spoiling you the last couple days.

Glad to hear he's better Ginger. Give him some hugs and a big cookie for me! :)

rwbeagles

Posted : 1/10/2012 10:59:23 AM

glad all seems to be well now or headed that way. Since Rocky is at least partly Lab? I think? I would have watched his tail to see how that was doing Labs can get cold tail or tail issues. The base of the tail gets inflamed and movement is painful. Since dogs tend to wag when happy or being interacted with it tends to worsen when owners get home or give them affection. If that was what it was you could give buffered kiddo aspirin apropos to his weight. Sully had cold tail just from waking up in a crate after sleeping wrong...and it lasted about 2 weeks.

shadowsgin

Posted : 1/10/2012 11:20:58 AM

Gina, this is what I was wondering about I remembered when Sully had his tail problem. I also remember reading something about Harry or Sammy???, I think, tail end problem. It seemed to happen that day coming home and nothing was out of the ordinary. He has a bad habit of chewing the base of his tail and will occasionally scab over where he has been chewing. I keep it clean and it heals quickly. His tail is wagging but just a little wag compared to his usual wag. That is the area where he yelped when Ron was trying to find the problem. He does seem to be a bit slower in the morning and better by later in the day. What other symptoms might he have. Did you just give him Bayer?

rwbeagles

Posted : 1/10/2012 11:37:46 AM

Sully was very VERY sore. He tried really hard not to wag...but that is tough when you're a Beagle pup! :) I just gave him aspirin twice a day and let him sit on me while I put a heating pad on the area. Sometimes as the pain lessened I would massage it gently. His really came from just a bad night sleep. Since Rocky has a somewhat chronic issue with that spot tho? I might just x ray to rule out any sort of bone spur or maybe have someone from a horse background go over the area to feel for heat or nerve problems. Dogs with heavy tails can really get some issues there at the base. Have you ever completely shaved that area to see what's under there?

shadowsgin

Posted : 1/10/2012 12:21:46 PM

rwbeagles
Dogs with heavy tails can really get some issues there at the base. Have you ever completely shaved that area to see what's under there?

No I havent. He tends to lick and chew certain spots regularly. We thought maybe some allergy...we did do the whole take things away and add them back about a year ago without finding anything. I just keep those areas clean and try to keep him from chewing and licking.. odd thing is, when he used to pond hop as a pup he didnt chew and lick, since he has gotten older and stays closer to home he isnt so much a mud puppy and that's when I noticed the chewing and licking. Not sure if any of this is related to the recent events.

shadowsgin

Posted : 1/24/2012 12:10:24 PM

Well all Rocky is feeling much better for the most part, As I described in earlier post once he started feeling better he started scratching and chewing. Took him to the Doc last Saturday a week ago and he has a yeast infection where he has been licking and chewing. I have been giving him benedryl 2x's a day. Doc gave me some shampoo to bathe him with once a week. He has been bathed 2x's now. Doc also had me put lamisil on the chewed raw area. Problem is now the original area has started healing he has started another spot. This scratching chewing thing has been going on for a while and I havent figured it out yet. It has gotten worse since the "injury" or whatever it was. The bath helps some, he is better after the benedryl but I cant put lamisil on his whole body although it really helps also. So now we are trying to clear up a yeast problem but ..... I am not so sure that there is some other stuff that is causing this itchy thing. No rash no bumps no bugs. Is it a Lab thing??? or can dogs develope a habit like humans and he just does this cause its a habit?