Re: Stress at the vets Thank you Julie, I know you've got enough to worry about at the moment, so your knowledge and understanding is very much appreciated. I'll prepare myself properly for tomorrow and go with a list of questions. I think I was too upset today to get my brain to function :
Re: Stress at the vets Debs, if I can do anything - at all - and if I can it'll be tiny anyway, just drop me a line. But you might get answers tomorrow with a hopeful outlook for Maisie if things become clearer - Best of luck, let us know.
Re: Stress at the vets [quote author=JulieT link=topic=10757.msg160271#msg160271 date=1430424142] Debs, if I can do anything - at all - and if I can it'll be tiny anyway, just drop me a line. But you might get answers tomorrow with a hopeful outlook for Maisie if things become clearer - Best of luck, let us know. [/quote] Thank you.
Re: Stress at the vets It is really hard to know what to ask when you are in the heat of the moment. It's good that you can go back now and ask as much as you want. I hope they are patient and extremely helpful.
Re: Stress at the vets Write down all the questions you want to ask so you don't forget anything. If you don't understand something ask them to explain it again - it is hard to take in all the information as the brain tends to freeze when there is a problem with our pups, and we focus on just one or two words.
Re: Stress at the vets Aw no....so sorry to hear this. I hope you get the answers you need tomorrow. If not, you need to think about your vetrip :-\ Wishing you both well.
Re: Stress at the vets OK, back from the vets and I've had a look at the x-rays which so show a very tiny tear in both ligaments. I asked the vet why we were on rest and restricted exercise, when I had information telling me that the tears would only get worse over time. The vet says that the tears are very small and as Maisie is able to bear weight on her legs, she needs to see what improvement can be made in the next two weeks before deciding to refer me to an orthopedic vet. So, it looks like a waiting game.
Re: Stress at the vets It's good to hear that the tears are only small but my main worry is how the vet will assess whether the tears are better after the rest and restricted exercise. Is she planning to take more x-rays? I think I would prefer to see the orthopaedic vet sooner rather than later so you can have a plan to move forward in the longer term. Hope Maisie is feeling better this evening
Re: Stress at the vets [quote author=Debs link=topic=10757.msg160539#msg160539 date=1430503918] OK, back from the vets and I've had a look at the x-rays which so show a very tiny tear in both ligaments. I asked the vet why we were on rest and restricted exercise, when I had information telling me that the tears would only get worse over time. The vet says that the tears are very small and as Maisie is able to bear weight on her legs, she needs to see what improvement can be made in the next two weeks before deciding to refer me to an orthopedic vet. So, it looks like a waiting game. [/quote] Debs, it is not possible to see tears in ligaments on an x-ray. Ligaments don't show up on an x-ray. You can see the outline of inflammation from cruciate damage on a very high resolution digital x-ray (so you can magnify it many times) but that is all you can see in terms of cruciate damage. Cruciate damage is determined by a physical examination to test the degree of laxity in the joint. I feel I'm being really negative in the things I'm saying about this - and I'm sorry for that, I don't mean to undermine your confidence in the vet but at the same time I don't want to not speak up in case I should and it would be helpful to you - if your vet is showing you tears in a ligament on an x-ray you need to reconsider the advice you are getting.
Re: Stress at the vets I've not personally dealt with cruciate injuries but I can only echo Julie's advice to see a specialist. It can make a world of difference to the eventual outcome. Think about it this way - if you had a damaged knee ligament/joint you wouldn't just stick with your GP, you would see an orthopaedic specialist.....
Re: Stress at the vets Don't have any doggy experience of cruciate damage (thankfully) but my daughter tore her cruciate last year ( ). Julie is right about X-rays, they can't show cruciate damage. My girl was diagnosed by the physiotherapist which was confirmed by the specialist sports physio, both times by manipulating the joint. She never had one X-ray or MRI to diagnose it, it wasn't necessary. So...I would also recommend a specialist so you can get a better picture of what is going on. Sorry you are having this trouble, I hope you can get to the bottom of it soon. :'(
Re: Stress at the vets I was thinking this exact thing last night too. In humans is diagnosed by examination. With dogs I think (!) That sometimes they need to be sedated to allow other muscles to relax enough to test the cruciate ligament. Often xray are done at the same time. MAYBE an xray will shower greater joint separation but not the tear. I would highly recommend an ortho vet sooner rather than later like the other guys.
Re: Stress at the vets Thank you. Sorry for not getting back to you earlier, it's been a mad few days. Maybe I got confused at the vets (vet is Spanish!) and didnt understand her prooerly. I'm so confused. She was adamant that rest for 10 days would show if the inflammation had improved. But, you are all right, and everything I have read up says tears don't heal. We are only on day three of restricted exercise, and she is like a puppy possed! Yesterday I let her into the garden while I was getting her lead and she was so excited she was tearing around like a loon. She never does this! My hubby is working at home Wednesday, so I think I will get him to come with me to the vets and go through everything with her again.
Re: Stress at the vets It maybe the case that she wants to see Maisie again once the inflammation has reduced to be sure of the diagnosis - and it may also be the case that she thinks the damage is so slight it's not worth operating (but in which case you need a plan to manage her without surgery). Best of luck for more clarity when you return. Sympathies about the rest thing - Charlie can be off lead in the garden now (before his op) because I can stop him if he starts to run round, but I couldn't when he was younger, and he had to go out on a lead. It's very boring for them.
Re: Stress at the vets I'm just getting ready to allow Juno into the garden without her lead following her surgery seven weeks ago and am fully expecting a mad few minutes at some point when she realises she has freedom, and am crossing my fingers that she doesn't end up making herself limp..... but she has been on lead at all times when out of the house on vet orders as a precaution.
Re: Stress at the vets [quote author=MaccieD link=topic=10757.msg160925#msg160925 date=1430655794] I'm just getting ready to allow Juno into the garden without her lead following her surgery seven weeks ago and am fully expecting a mad few minutes at some point when she realises she has freedom, and am crossing my fingers that she doesn't end up making herself limp..... but she has been on lead at all times when out of the house on vet orders as a precaution. [/quote] Oh good luck, hope she keeps herself under control! I can't believe how quickly Maisie has become frustrated and is showing lots of crazy puppy traits!
Re: Stress at the vets [quote author=Debs link=topic=10757.msg160928#msg160928 date=1430657950] [quote author=MaccieD link=topic=10757.msg160925#msg160925 date=1430655794] I'm just getting ready to allow Juno into the garden without her lead following her surgery seven weeks ago and am fully expecting a mad few minutes at some point when she realises she has freedom, and am crossing my fingers that she doesn't end up making herself limp..... but she has been on lead at all times when out of the house on vet orders as a precaution. [/quote] Oh good luck, hope she keeps herself under control! I can't believe how quickly Maisie has become frustrated and is showing lots of crazy puppy traits! [/quote] I was just working out that it's 13 weeks since Juno has been allowed off lead on walks due to her limping and of course 7 weeks since she had any freedom in the garden so I know how you're feeling with Maisie, but they do seem to be able to adapt to the restrictions, it just takes a little time.
