Puppy needs to be kept quiet any ideas?

[Chasley]

Hi everyone I have beautiful 5 month old called Mia. A week ago she was at my parents playing with their two staffies when I noticed she had started to limp. I left it over night to see what would happen and it did not improve so I took her straight to her vet. They prescribed her with an Anti-inflammatory called Metacam. They also said to keep her quiet for two weeks, no walks no puppy school nothing.

It has now been a week with no improvements this is because the more bored she gets the more she tries to run. She has a room in which she sleeps which is about the size of a small bathroom and I found her in there with a toy going crazy throwing the toy from one end of the area to the other so keeping her confined doesnt work. if she goes outside to the toilet she bounds and leaps around.

I have just called the vet again and they have booked her in for another appointment for next tuesday that is a week away. I was hoping that someone may have some idea how to keep her as quiet as possiable untill then so it has time to heal as much as it can. I feel so mean when she comes up to me with a ball in her mouth wanting to play, she is a very social and smart puppy always playing with other dogs and I cant seem to work out a way to keep her quiet.

I thank you in advance for any help.

[Shelby427]

Get a crate and learn how to use it. Crate her when you can't watch her. Leash her to you to go potty outside.

Do a search here on "crate training" not only is it beneficial to YOU, but it'll be her "den" and quiet spot. Mine loves his crate and runs in there when I say "crate up" and goes in there to nap on his own.

[Nishasmom]

Nisha had a very bad sprain when she was younger. The vet did x-rays to make sure (you need to do this).

We kept her crated, and gave her a TON of bones/kongs. It may not be the healthiest option, but it worked! We took her potty on a leash so she couldn't run around. Also, we did a lot of training; mental stimulation can really wear them out

It took a LONG time to completely heal; just b/c she doesn't limp doesn't mean she is better. You have to be very careful when you "think" she is better. She may re-injure it if she plays too rough. No jumping, or crazy playing; if she hasn't limped at all in a month, then you are probably safe.

Good luck!

[Shelby427]

Originally Posted by Nishasmom

Nisha had a very bad sprain when she was younger. The vet did x-rays to make sure (you need to do this).

We kept her crated, and gave her a TON of bones/kongs. It may not be the healthiest option, but it worked! We took her potty on a leash so she couldn't run around. Also, we did a lot of training; mental stimulation can really wear them out
It took a LONG time to completely heal; just b/c she doesn't limp doesn't mean she is better. You have to be very careful when you "think" she is better. She may re-injure it if she plays too rough. No jumping, or crazy playing; if she hasn't limped at all in a month, then you are probably safe.

Good luck!

Great advice Nishasmom! Mental stimulation and really wear a dog out, try getting one of those cubes that has holes in it so you can stuff treats or kibble in it. Takes a while to get it all out! You can freeze a kong that has peanut butter in it as well, we do that all the time to keep Hudson busy...

[Chasley]

Thanks guys she has a kong and a million other toys so I will redirect her energy into those, I think I may also call the vet and get her appointment pushed up so she can have the xrays. Otherwise I may try and take her somewhere else. I really want to make sure she gets better.

Thanks Shelby I will look into getting a crate. I had never herd of one untill I came to this site, it has been a very helpful site. My family have always owned rotties but this is my first on my own so I am very greatful for all the information this site provides

[Shelby427]

Originally Posted by Chasley

Thanks guys she has a kong and a million other toys so I will redirect her energy into those, I think I may also call the vet and get her appointment pushed up so she can have the xrays. Otherwise I may try and take her somewhere else. I really want to make sure she gets better.

Thanks Shelby I will look into getting a crate. I had never herd of one untill I came to this site, it has been a very helpful site. My family have always owned rotties but this is my first on my own so I am very greatful for all the information this site provides

Crates are awesome when used correctly! Do a search here on crate training and you'll soon realize what a useful item it will become to you. Not only for safety purposes when you cannot watch your puppy, but it'll help too if you ever have to board your puppy, she'll already be accustomed to being in a crate. Also good if you have to travel, even by car, the safest place is in a crate. Also useful if you just need a time out! (either of you!) you can put her in there with a bone and chill out. Sometimes my nottweiler can get really out of hand so I need a timeout from him so in his crate he goes with a bully stick or kong and we both can calm down a bit. Good luck!

[Anne]

I agree if she has to rest then a crate is the way to go.

Is the limp in a front or back leg. If it's a back leg I would suspect ligament damage.

[Sheenagirl]

While she is in her crate - how about leaving a radio playing softly to help keep her company??

[lengel]

One of our dogs had obstruction removal surgery at 9 months. It was absolutely critical that she be kept quiet for two weeks so that she didn't rip herself open. She lived in her crate the entire time (except for potty breaks on lead). Something sticky and tasty, like peanut butter, at the bottom of the Kong kept her occupied. If you have any nature sounds CDs or any artist with a really soothing voice (we used Norah Jones), that helps too. Just run it continuously throughout the day.

[beglad2]

my 9 month old puppy has a sister thats 15 months - and they play hard ...
kobie (little one) is limping - took to vet, didn't limp ... came home, limping and lifts his paw up ... back to vet, no limp
we're told to rest - on leash, in create, or in-house on leash --
but they are going CRAZY wanting to play --

suggestions?
Also, kobie's 50 lbs - can give 50 mg benedryl twice / day?

[psychosid77]

Me and a few other board members had some issues with limping. Some suggestions I got after getting xrays done etc. were to ease off the exercise for a while and definitely ease the play with other dogs. They say when dogs play with one another, they often come down very hard on their front legs. My guy used to rough house a lot and usually with larger dogs. We have stopped all of that. It could also be growing pains too, in a young pup. Just take it easy and if you can, check out a specialist for peace of mind. I literally stopped walking my pup for over a month and our walks now are pretty short. He is doing much better for now. I do keep him on leash for potty outside. I know it hurts to not let them play the way they want to, but for me it definitely helped. Small price to pay for the long run! Good luck and look into a specialist for xrays versus your regular vet. Specialists often have better equipment. Keep us all posted.