Prancer - limping - torn cruciate ?

• 11-15-2007 11:38 AM

  JoAnnDe Joined on 01-16-2007 Clearwater, FL Posts 1,211 Points 0

  Prancer - limping - torn cruciate ? Reply Contact I'm nauseous here.  I took Prancer out back yesterday to run and play for a little while - we were out there for less than 5 minutes and hadn't even started playing yet when I noticed her limping.  I thought that maybe she got stung by a fire ant.  I took her in, checked her foot (nothing), touched her all over her foot, knee, hip - no reaction to anything.  She only occassionally points the foot down.   I kept it in an ice pack for a few hours.   I prayed that this morning she'd be fine -- she was still limping. Took her to the vet - he couldn't feel anytihng obvious but said that sometimes there's swelling so its hard to tell.  Said she may have a torn cruciate.  Prescribed Rimadyl.   We talked about Tramadol but he said that because of her size the Rimadyl was a better idea (Tramadol comes in 50mg tablets and would need more splitting ???).    Prancer is 13 lbs. I'm reading about torn cruciates and rimadyl and I'm FREAKING OUT !!!!    He said he'd do the Tramadol if I signed a waiver ..... should I go do that ???   I'm so scared.  And I hope its just a sprain - I can't imagine having to crate her for 6 wks People ask me if I think dogs go to heaven. I respond: Of course they do ! Heaven could only BE heaven if dogs are there Prancer: June(ish) 2006 - 13# poodle mix - rescue Michelle: 1994 - 2007. English Cocker Spaniel - shelter. RIP sweetheart - I'll see you again someday

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• 11-15-2007 12:04 PM

  In reply to JoAnnDe

  houndlove Joined on 08-28-2006 Pittsburgh, PA, USA Posts 4,054 Points 995

  Re: Prancer - limping - torn cruciate ? Reply Contact I am very very far from being an expert but....did your vet check her back? Conrad had something very similar going on over the summer. It started with one incident just like you described, he was outside walking around and all of a sudden yelped like he'd been stung and began limping. I was also terrified of a cruciate tear. When I took him in they couldn't find anything wrong with the leg but what they did find is that he's got a bad back. He tweaked his back and that's what set off the pain and the limping he was experiencing. He's on glucosamine/chondroitin for his back now and is doing better, though I can tell his back still is ouchy sometimes, and very clearly if you press on a certain vertebrae, he flinches, so that's definitely what is is.  Cressida and her best friends:

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• 11-15-2007 12:13 PM

  In reply to houndlove

  JoAnnDe Joined on 01-16-2007 Clearwater, FL Posts 1,211 Points 0

  Re: Prancer - limping - torn cruciate ? Reply Contact He poked and proded but she's definitely keeping the foot up 95% of the time, so it almost certainly looks like the foot / knee / (hip ????).    My poor baby - and I'm getting myself sick over it.   She's sleeping in her crate right now but I'm really scared People ask me if I think dogs go to heaven. I respond: Of course they do ! Heaven could only BE heaven if dogs are there Prancer: June(ish) 2006 - 13# poodle mix - rescue Michelle: 1994 - 2007. English Cocker Spaniel - shelter. RIP sweetheart - I'll see you again someday

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• 11-15-2007 12:54 PM

  In reply to JoAnnDe

  janet_rose Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW area, Texas Posts 3,748 Points 330

  Re: Prancer - limping - torn cruciate ? Reply Contact I suggest you add a holistic vet to your medical team.  Acupuncture or massage may help.  Locator:  http://www.tcvm.com Also, there are compounding pharmacies that should be able to help with the Tramadol.  Try giving this one a call:           http://www.drsfostersmith.com/general.cfm?N=3001&gid=270 To get pain relieving ideas, search for "pain" on this site:           http://www.dogaware.com/arthritis.html You can do massage yourself. Use White Flower Oil or Wood Lock oil ("massage" oil - lots of places online carry them). Gives "heat" similar to Ben Gay (not as severe) and doesn't gunk up the fur. (Not to be eaten.)    Fox, Michael, The Healing Touch for Dogs: The Proven Massage Program for Dogs, Revised Edition, 4/2004 http://tinyurl.com/725p4

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• 11-15-2007 1:14 PM

  In reply to JoAnnDe

  janet_rose Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW area, Texas Posts 3,748 Points 330	Re: Prancer - limping - torn cruciate ? Reply Contact JoAnnDe: My poor baby - and I'm getting myself sick over it.   Please try to relax!!  Prancer is able to sleep and is not crying in pain.  Her vital organs are working fine and she is not critically ill. This problem could be as minor as a pulled muscle, so please try not to let your imagination run wild!!
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• 11-15-2007 1:34 PM

  In reply to janet_rose

  JoAnnDe Joined on 01-16-2007 Clearwater, FL Posts 1,211 Points 0

  Re: Prancer - limping - torn cruciate ? Reply Contact janet_rose: Please try to relax!!  yeah - I have a problem in that area - big time !   It does help to keep things in perspective.  I really DO try not to "pre worry" but when it comes to my pets I haven't mastered that yet, as you can tell.   Sometimes I'm really grateful I never had "skin kids" - I'd probably be in a mental institution ! LOL I actually did find an integrated vet in my area and was there when Prancer had her tummy issues (but saw the traditional vet they have in their practice DUH).  I was going to take her there today but opted to go to the guy who's close.  If she's not better later I'll make an appt with them for tomorrow or Saturday. The little fluffernutter is in my office in her crate (occassionally trying to break out).  I have an icepack on her leg just in case it helps takes down any inflammation.   I have "Four Paws, Five Directions" by Dr Cheryl Schwartz and she does talk about accupressure and massage in there - I'll study the relevant chapters later today (I'm SUPPOSED to be WORKING right now LOL). How bad is 5 days of Rimadyl ?   That has me more upset then the leg right now. People ask me if I think dogs go to heaven. I respond: Of course they do ! Heaven could only BE heaven if dogs are there Prancer: June(ish) 2006 - 13# poodle mix - rescue Michelle: 1994 - 2007. English Cocker Spaniel - shelter. RIP sweetheart - I'll see you again someday

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• 11-15-2007 2:51 PM

  In reply to JoAnnDe

  janet_rose Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW area, Texas Posts 3,748 Points 330

  Re: Prancer - limping - torn cruciate ? Reply Contact JoAnnDe: How bad is 5 days of Rimadyl ?   That has me more upset then the leg right now. Sorry, I am really not qualified to answer that question.  The age, health, and kidney/liver function of the individual dog are all factors here.  Some breeds (like Labs) are more sensitive to it than others. Some dogs do great on Rimadyl and it really improves their quality of life. http://www.srdogs.com/Pages/rimadylfr.html Cautions about Administering Rimadyl Veterinarians are advised to pre-screen a dog before prescribing Rimadyl and then to re-test and closely monitor the dog for possible toxic reactions at periodic intervals. The Senior Dogs Project has had repeated reports from people who have discussed Rimadyl with their vets and found that their vets were not aware that pre-screening and regular monitoring were suggested (but not required) by Pfizer. In many cases, the vets were not aware of the side-effects of the drug, or the period during which the side-effects might occur. (Note: Although originally this period was thought to be two to six weeks, adverse reactions have been reported after a matter of hours.) Carprofen is not recommended for animals with known bleeding disorders and should not be used if a dog has pre-existing liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or a known tendency towards gastrointestinal ulceration. Rimadyl should never be given along with any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as aspirin, or along with any corticosteroids such as prednisone, prednisolone, or dexamethasone. The University of California at Davis recommends a two week "rest" period when changing from any NSAID to carprofen or from carprofen to another NSAID. If Carprofen is used concurrently with phenobarbital, it is especially important that appropriate liver monitoring be performed.  (Mar Vista Animal Hospital recommends bile acids testing every 6 months for dogs on phenobarbital.) ACE inhibitors such as enalapril or captopril may not be as effective in the presence of carprofen. (ACE inhibitors are used in the treatment of hypertension or heart failure.) It is also advised that the drug not be given to pregnant or nursing females because it has not been tested with them. In cases where dogs have had toxic reactions and recovered, continued monitoring over an extended period (perhaps as long as a year) may be advisable because the long-term effects of liver or other organ damage are not yet known.

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• 11-15-2007 3:15 PM

  In reply to janet_rose

  JoAnnDe Joined on 01-16-2007 Clearwater, FL Posts 1,211 Points 0

  Re: Prancer - limping - torn cruciate ? Reply Contact I've been reading so much my head hurts.   From what I've been reading just about any NSAID has the same issues.   I'm watching her VERY closely and I think I'm going to try the other vet tomorrow.  She's resting very nicely (she's not bothered by the closed crate - until I leave her sight - still has a bit of SA).   Hopefully this will all turn out to be just a "little ouchy" and nothing to get upset over. People ask me if I think dogs go to heaven. I respond: Of course they do ! Heaven could only BE heaven if dogs are there Prancer: June(ish) 2006 - 13# poodle mix - rescue Michelle: 1994 - 2007. English Cocker Spaniel - shelter. RIP sweetheart - I'll see you again someday

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• 11-15-2007 3:28 PM

  In reply to JoAnnDe

  SalemsMom Joined on 10-19-2007 Western Maryland Posts 787 Points 100	Re: Prancer - limping - torn cruciate ? Reply Contact Poor Prancer! Salem knows how she feels. I hope she just sprained something and she will be back to herself soon. I know how you feel too. It's scary when our babies get hurt. I don't have skin kids either (yet at least). I will probably be awful when I do. Feel better soon Prancer (and Prancer's mom)
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• 11-15-2007 8:02 PM

  In reply to JoAnnDe

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 7,283 Points 1,975	Re: Prancer - limping - torn cruciate ? Reply Contact Nope get her in to the acupuncture vet NOW.  You'll learn that's the place to go for an injury FAST because the faster they can needle it the more good it will do in healing.  Get in absolutely as fast as you can.  If you got x-rays done at the other place take them ... but get her in absolutely as quick as you can.
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• 11-15-2007 8:03 PM

  In reply to calliecritturs

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 7,283 Points 1,975	Re: Prancer - limping - torn cruciate ? Reply Contact And tell Dr. Rimar Billy said to tell her HI!!!!
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• 11-15-2007 11:18 PM

  In reply to calliecritturs

  JoAnnDe Joined on 01-16-2007 Clearwater, FL Posts 1,211 Points 0

  Re: Prancer - limping - torn cruciate ? Reply Contact She seems to be doing better - even putting pressure on the leg.  Of course it could be the NSAID but I'm hoping it means that there is nothing major going on.    She been in her crate all day - but she's taking it well.   The few times she was out to potty she was her normal spunky self -- and I think she's learning the meaning of the word SLOW !  (goodness knows I've said it enough today !!).   I'll be sure to tell Dr Rimar that Billy says hi ! People ask me if I think dogs go to heaven. I respond: Of course they do ! Heaven could only BE heaven if dogs are there Prancer: June(ish) 2006 - 13# poodle mix - rescue Michelle: 1994 - 2007. English Cocker Spaniel - shelter. RIP sweetheart - I'll see you again someday

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