So today is the 7th day of bed rest and we're back at the vet's tomorrow. I don't reckon we'll get signed off. :-\ The anti-inflammatory drugs and bed rest have clearly had an effect, which is good of course. But he: On the good side Shows no sign of a limp when walking Walks up stairs normally Doesn't hold up his leg at all like last Sunday when it was clearly at its worst On the bad side Protects his right hind leg when he jumps down from sofa and armchairs by raising it so it doesn't impact on the floor Shows some stiffness early in the morning and after long periods of rest Is a little more reluctant to get up once he is lying down Has a bunny hop when running (we let him off his lead on a flat field for 5 minutes this morning) So, I'll see what the vet thinks tomorrow, but even I think, at best, this points to another week of bed rest and lead walks. Hope she doesn't think it's more serious...
Re: Charlie's limp Julie, I have had a similar scare with Caddie this week. She was out with me on Tuesday working very hard on shoot day and was very, very lame the next day. She couldn't put any weight on her left hind leg. So I completely rested her for the day with all sorts of horror visions going through my head. :-\ A friend's springer recently tore a cruciate ligament out working and needed reconstructive surgery so all I could think of was that Caddie had done the same thing. Anyway the next day she was getting a little better but I had already booked her in to see my vet. The vet examined her and didn't think the injury came from he knee but that she had probably pulled something lower down in her hock. So Loxicom and a few day's rest was prescribed and this morning I can't see any lameness at all. Try not to worry too much, I know it is so hard to do when it comes to our animals' health. It is a very good sign that the medication and rest have made an improvement.
Re: Charlie's limp Thanks Heidrun, Hope Caddie continues to improve - it's such a worry. I keep telling myself that all the signs - it occurred suddenly, anti-inflammatories and rest have improved it - all point to something that will heal up soon. It's difficult not to worry though!
Re: Charlie's limp I hope all goes well at the vets tomorrow and that Charlie continues to get better. Harley sends Charlie big licks
Re: Charlie's limp [quote author=JulieT link=topic=3502.msg38575#msg38575 date=1385891086] I keep telling myself that all the signs - it occurred suddenly, anti-inflammatories and rest have improved it - all point to something that will heal up soon. It's difficult not to worry though! [/quote] Yes, they are all signs that suggest he WILL be fine with some more quiet time. I do appreciate though that when you say it's difficult not to worry, you really mean it's impossible not to... just keep listening to your logical voice! Oh, and wine... Must have been a real fright for you too, Heidrun, with Caddie. But if you were out shooting with her, I'm assuming that you are now feeling much, much better? Hope so, Clare
Re: Charlie's limp Cant add to whats been said Julie , except to say that I hope like mad that all goes better than you think tomorrow , give the chocolate drop a hug from me
Re: Charlie's limp Even if the vet doesn't sign him off complete bed rest perhaps he will be allowed increased gentle exercise, longer walks etc. from what you've said it's obviously improving. Fingers crossed Jen
Re: Charlie's limp Oohhh everything crossed for you and Charlie here! Big hugs, I'm sure all will be well x
Re: Charlie's limp Got everything crossed for you Julie....it's looking good but doesn't stop you worrying I know! Sorry Caddie was laid low Heidrun but great news that you are both feeling better and out doing what you train all year to do ,take care Angela x Reread ....sorry Julie! I called you Lisa!
Re: Charlie's limp Back from the vet. Saw a different vet this time. He said well, it's good that it has improved but (as expected) another week of restricted exercise is in order. But no medication and see whether he gets any worse without it. He did examine him very carefully - as much as he could with Charlie bouncing round the room like a super charged whacked squash ball :. He said the stiffness in the morning is a bit concerning, as that points more to joint damage than soft tissue damage. So that's all we can conclude at this stage. The vet said give it another week, and if he is not better, then we'll do x-rays. But even if it does get better, we'll never know what caused it or whether there is an underlying problem or not. We'd have to wait for Charlie to limp again and go through the whole thing again. The vet said that we can only tell more with x-rays. So here's the thing. They have an Orthopaedic specialist on site and if I want, they will do a full set of x-rays tomorrow and they will x-ray every joint two or three times. Then I will know exactly the state of all of Charlie's joints. Plus, there will be a full record for the future so if he every develops another limp, we have more information. And if he ever has joint damage in the future there is a record from when he was young to compare. The disadvantage is the general anesthetic that is required. But the vet said that the risk of this is very, very small in a young healthy dog. So, putting Charlie through a procedure that might not be strictly necessary - but Charlie is unlikely to be distressed by the handling or staying at the vet's for the day. I know some dogs would be, but Charlie thinks going to the vet is the biggest, most exciting, adventure ever (he thinks that about absolutely everything). Plus the small risk of the anesthetic itself. Vs my peace of mind, possibly for years into the future. Or knowing now there is something wrong. Hmmm....this is tricky. If I want it done tomorrow I have to call back soon...
Re: Charlie's limp i would definitely get the x ray done,.....jasper had x rays and he was fine from the anaesthetic,.... julie i will advice you not to allow him upstairs or jumping off the sofa,......wishing charlie well
Re: Charlie's limp [quote author=lynnelogan link=topic=3502.msg38820#msg38820 date=1385978317] julie i will advice you not to allow him upstairs or jumping off the sofa [/quote] That's not terribly helpful Lynne - right at this point.
Re: Charlie's limp I'd definitely go with the x-rays. The risk from an anaesthetic is so tiny I wouldn't even give that aspect of it a second thought. The x-rays will give you the info you need to manage this in the best, most targeted way.
Re: Charlie's limp Hhhmmmmm always tricky but I think if it was me I'd xray so I knew what I was dealing with (or not!) Let us know how you get on xxx
Re: Charlie's limp X-rays. Because as you say, if they show nothing significant now, then you have a baseline set of x-rays for the future. Not just this joint. All of them. Clare
Re: Charlie's limp Julie, I agree and would also go for X-Rays or you are going to worry so much about Charlie, knowledge is power. I hope you are OK Julie, sending big hugs to your lovely boy {{{xxx}}} . xxxxx
Re: Charlie's limp julie i have been through it with jasper, rest means rest, no going upstairs, no jumping around until you no exactly what is going on with charlie,.....i am sorry i cant be of more help,...i am just suggesting you have the x rays done, even if its only for peace of mind
