Register a SA Forums Account here!
JOINING THE SA FORUMS WILL REMOVE THIS BIG AD, THE ANNOYING UNDERLINED ADS, AND STUPID INTERSTITIAL ADS!!!

You can: log in, read the tech support FAQ, or request your lost password. This dumb message (and those ads) will appear on every screen until you register! Get rid of this crap by registering your own SA Forums Account and joining roughly 150,000 Goons, for the one-time price of $9.95! We charge money because it costs us money per month for bills, and since we don't believe in showing ads to our users, we try to make the money back through forum registrations.
 
  • Locked thread
Spermy Smurf
Jul 2, 2004
My 10 year old chocolate lab slipped on some grass playing ball and did something to her ankle. Vet didn't see any fractures on the x-rays, and it's not her ACL or knee or anything. It's really swollen, and she's on Medicam for pain/inflamation, but will be put on something that starts with a T as soon as I can get to the vet to grab the meds as well since she hasnt put weight on that foot in like 3 days now.

Anyone had this before? I have pics of her foot and the X-rays if anyone is curious.

The vet said it was basically like a really bad sprain he thinks. It might take a few weeks before it's not tender.

Adbot
ADBOT LOVES YOU

a life less
Jul 12, 2009

We are healthy only to the extent that our ideas are humane.

Did the vet advise how much to limit her activity? Crate rest only? Leashed bathroom breaks? I would buy a bunch of long lasting chews and prepare loads of stuffed, frozen Kongs to help her pass the time. Maybe do some trick training where she doesn't have to get up or move much, like paw, balancing stuff on her nose, etc. Keep her weight down (which might be tough, considering that you may be using a lot of food to keep her busy) and just generally keep her quiet while she recovers. If she's still limping in ~4 weeks, you may need to bring her back to the vet.

Spermy Smurf
Jul 2, 2004
They said just let her lay around the house like she always does. Not crating, the dog only wants to play ball or sleep. If she's inside she's asleep. I carry her up and down the steps to pee. Tried supporting her back with a towel but she didn't like that and does her business without my assistance.

I have a bunch of marrow bones, and 8 kongs in the freezer right now.

I can't do training with her, she's just so incredibly dumb that nothing works. I spent 2 weeks trying to get her to shake and would still have to forcibly lift her arm up at the end of it while she looks at me with those empty eyes. Her eyes would be locked on the treat in my hand or the ball or whatever, but she'd never realize that if she just lifts the drat paw an inch I would throw the ball or treat for her. Just the absolute dumbest animal I've ever known. I know cows that are smarter than her.


Her weight is down, she's a small lab at 60lbs anyway and she runs for hours after I get done work. Well, she used to. Already cut back her meals, I know she'll get tubby otherwise.

Spermy Smurf
Jul 2, 2004
Got her some Tramodol and she is currently sleeping like the dead.

Spermy Smurf
Jul 2, 2004
Updating this so if someone else is in the same boat maybe it'll help them with a timeline or something.

Medicam and Tramodol didn't help anything. Ankle was still swollen to poo poo and she couldn't use it.


Her other back leg was so sore from doing all the work that she could barely stand (fell down a lot when trying and just laid there instead mostly), and I had to carry her up and down the 2 or 3 steps outside so she could do her business. She couldn't even stand up to eat her dinner, so I would move the bowl and water between her paws multiple times per day so she could eat and drink.

Day 8 of her not letting the foot touch the ground and I called the vet back. He gave me prednisone and a C-something antibiotic because when she is bored she licks her paws nonstop. She opened up a half dozen little wounds that would not heal even when I put neosporin on it multiple times per day and made her wear socks.

Waited late in the 9th day and gave her a 20mg prednisone because the Medicam has to be out of her body completely for 24hrs, so I gave it closer to 48. About 30 minutes after the first prednisone she was walking around and following me around the house on both legs with her tail up and doing that stupid half-bark-half-growl that means she wants to play.

I'm weaning her off the prednisone now (after 5 days of 2 pills per day) and there is no swelling, she wants to run and play but I haven't let her sprint yet. She trots around the yard following the other dog and sniffing just like she used to before the ankle injury.

I was really worried on day 9 that I was going to have to put her down because her one good back leg couldn't handle the strain. Doesn't look like I'll have to.

Spermy Smurf
Jul 2, 2004
Without the prednisone she stops using that leg. Then the other back leg gets overworked and she cant stand up or walk.

Been 4 weeks since it happened. Dont know what else to do. Another vet appointment with a different vet on Monday.

She is healthy and happy when she can walk, but just miserable when she cant even stand up.

God damnit.

HelloSailorSign
Jan 27, 2011

At this point, orthopedic specialist consultation or at least recheck rads are in order.

Let's see what the next checkup brings.

Spermy Smurf
Jul 2, 2004

HelloSailorSign posted:

At this point, orthopedic specialist consultation or at least recheck rads are in order.

Let's see what the next checkup brings.

Is there a list of dog orthopods or something? I live in a very rural area. The nearest walmart is just under 2hrs away. I have a feeling dog bone specialists may be more than that.

squeee
Apr 23, 2009

the thrill of the chase.

Spermy Smurf posted:

Anyone had this before? I have pics of her foot and the X-rays if anyone is curious.

My Lhasa just sprained her wrist (left) a few weeks ago. Same thing said from our vet, no fractures on the X-ray, but plenty of tenderness, swelling, and mobility issues on it. We were given a 5 day scrip of Tramadol and were suggested to keep her from running around with her brothers for a couple days as well. She was completely better within a week or so. I'm not sure if wrists and ankles are different in terms of healing (I'm sure they are) but this may give you an idea of how long it took for a full recovery for us! I will add that our little poo poo is still pretty young and small which I am sure changes healing factors as well.

Hopefully your next check-up garners more information and I hope your gal gets better soon!

Spermy Smurf
Jul 2, 2004
Different doc looked at x-rays and just said it might take more time.

Pretty useless visit for the bill. Got more prednisone and am giving 10mg every 3 days or so.

2 weeks and I will go back for more x-rays. All looks good flexability-wise, so will see what happens in the next few weeks.

pastor of muppets
Aug 21, 2007

We were somewhere around the Living Hive, on the edge of the desert, when the drugs began to take hold...

Spermy Smurf posted:

Is there a list of dog orthopods or something? I live in a very rural area. The nearest walmart is just under 2hrs away. I have a feeling dog bone specialists may be more than that.

Not sure where you live, but https://www.acvs.org/ is a good place to start. Disclaimer: I work for a veterinary surgical practice.

ETA: Don't be too scared of the idea of seeing a surgeon even if you're adverse to the idea of surgery. A good boarded surgeon will also discuss other non-surgical options such as physical therapy, cold laser therapy and Shockwave therapy!

pastor of muppets fucked around with this message at 02:09 on Jun 24, 2015

Adbot
ADBOT LOVES YOU

Spermy Smurf
Jul 2, 2004
Did a bunch of swimming lately in the in-laws pond over the last 15 days or so. She's now back to hopping and even chased the ball 5 times last night. I stopped her because now I'm scared she'll do it again.

Holy poo poo she might be better. Waiting is a very hard thing to do.

  • Locked thread