Akasha's Turn To Go To The Vet

[Luvs]

I think Akasha was jealous that her brother had a vet appointment last week and she didn't

Last night Akasha started limping on her hind left leg. She had been fine when she was outside with me feeding the horses. I brought them in the house after feeding and fed them and still she was fine. After feeding everyone I went and took my shower to get ready for work. When I came back into the living room after my shower Akasha got up to walk over to me and wouldn't put any weight on her rear left leg. I examined her foot, thinking maybe she had cut her pad or had something in between her toes, but found nothing. Unfortunately I had no choice but to go to work last night so I kenneled her and had my husband check on her several times thru the night.

This morning when I spoke to him she was still limping so I called the vet and made an appointment. The first thing I did when they told me they could squeeze her in was find out which vet was working. Thankfully it was the vet that I like.

Of course as soon as we got to the vets office she was walking better When Akasha saw the vet walking towards us her eyes got HUGE and I could see her starting to stress. The vet noticed also and started talking to her in a nice friendly voice. I told her to go say hi and started talking to him in a friendly upbeat voice. She went up to him after he got down on the floor and started petting her. She was fine with him so we took her into the room. She hesitated in the doorway to the examination room but did go in on her own after a moment or two. I had never seen her this stressed about an exam before so I asked the vet if he wanted to muzzle her. He said he didn't think it was necessary, since she had never given him any reason to think she needed one, but since I was concerned agreed to go ahead and muzzle her ( I was concerned because she was so stressed and was in pain, not a good combo). He sat on the floor with her again petting her and giving her treats (without the muzzle). She was fine with the petting but kept spitting the treats out (which told me just how stressed she was). We went ahead and put the muzzle on her and she stood for the entire exam. As soon as the vet was done and he took the muzzle off, Akasha was wanting to play with him. He sat on the floor some more visiting with her while he explained what he had found.

I guess Akasha sprained her ACL last night So now she is on crate rest for at least the next two weeks. The only time she will be out of her crate is if she is on leash next to me while I am sitting on the computer or watching tv. The next two weeks are going to be VERY tough on both of us, but I am willing to do anything to prevent this from getting worse! If she is not better in two weeks she will go back in and he will do a more in depth exam and see if she may have torn her ACL and possibly needs surgery. He gave her a prescritiption of Rimadyl (sp?) to take 2x daily for the next two weeks.

I am so glad that I was unable to get off work for the dog show this weekend because we would have already rented a motorhome and been planning on leaving this morning. We have a show at the end of the month which I am hoping that we will still be able to attend. If not, it won't be the end of the world, there will be many more shows . The most important thing is for her to get better right now.

I have to tell you, I felt so good when I left the vets office today. What a HUGE difference a good vet makes! I was so IMPRESSED with him and so HAPPY with the way he handled Akasha. He told me afterwards that during the exam she remained friendly and he didn't think that she needed the muzzle but he appreciated the fact that I had her wear it since I was concerned. I would much rather prevent something from happening rather than looking back and saying "WHY didn't I muzzle her??"

From now on I will ONLY see that vet! If for some reason I can't see him then I will go elsewhere! I left there feeling MUCH better than I did last week after my visit with the other vet. I swear a good vet is worth their weight in gold I think if we continue to see only this vet Akasha will start to relax more. The vet last week would just do the exam and then leave the room. The vet today takes time to visit with them to help them relax and make the visit more pleasant. He obviously cares about his patients

I am going to do some research tonight on the forum about ACL sprains and tears, just in case (if my internet is up at work, it was down last night ) . If anyone has any suggestions for helping to keep Akasha calm and happy for the next two weeks I would LOVE to hear them. She is such an active girl this is going to be very tough, but we can do it!

[debbiej]

aww, sorry to hear that. believe me, I feel for you! I got lots of good advice when I asked about how to keep Hilda calm and quiet for her crate rest. hope those two weeks pass quickly, glad the vet was good and plan some ways to spend some time away from home.

[Brooke&Ryan]

Oh no, Carol! Poor girl. Give Akasha a snuggle for me!

I know how hard it is to see them limping around. It just breaks your heart. We had to do two weeks of crate rest with Julius when we thought he had a soft tissue injury. Somehow you get through it. Like Beth (I think?) has always said, just load up on some wine.


Brooke

[Ilovemypuppy]

I am so sorry to hear that Akasha has an injury..it will be tough to entertain her..but one thing you could do is have her do a down and then push a ball to her nose, have her pick it up and give it to you and repeat..we call it"push ball" and I used to play it with Maggie when she was little to calm her down. Soon , Maggie would wait for the ball to roll to her nose and push it with her nose to get it to come back to me (I would sit on the floor in front of her. Hope that helps give you something to start with.

Was Akaska doing agility recently ? Our chiro/vet says a lot of dogs get injured in agility...we don't do any agility with our girls. He says the larger dogs have extra trouble with the twisting and quick turns..so we are sticking to the flat work dancing.

I know ACL injuries can happen with day to day activity too, but some of the 'sports' can be pushing the envelope with this breed, IMHO.

Hugs and slurpies to Akasha from Me and The Girls

[flyballmom]

Well that just really sucks Carol...Here's a link for you to check out...www.lauriebryce.com/tplo. It was started as a way to help post TPLO dogs, but it has lots of good info about ACL in general, and lots of stuff about confinement. I think there's also a link to Orthodogs there if you'd like to come say hi.

[flyballmom]

Yep, that was me. Lots of chewies and bones for the dogs, wine for the humans.

Originally Posted by Brooke&Ryan

Somehow you get through it. Like Beth (I think?) has always said, just load up on some wine.


Brooke

[Ilovemypuppy]

I forgot to mention...it sounds like that was an excellent vet taking the time with your girl that she needed. It will make any future visits much less stressful on Akasha. Seems you read your girl pretty well

[Luvs]

Thank you everyone! Right now Akasha is pouting because she can't go play with her brother (who is also pouting ) We have a crate in our living room so she can still be a part of the family. Right now she is on leash laying next to my husband, getting ALOT of extra attention

Originally Posted by Ilovemypuppy

I am so sorry to hear that Akasha has an injury..it will be tough to entertain her..but one thing you could do is have her do a down and then push a ball to her nose, have her pick it up and give it to you and repeat..we call it"push ball" and I used to play it with Maggie when she was little to calm her down. Soon , Maggie would wait for the ball to roll to her nose and push it with her nose to get it to come back to me (I would sit on the floor in front of her. Hope that helps give you something to start with.

Was Akaska doing agility recently ? Our chiro/vet says a lot of dogs get injured in agility...we don't do any agility with our girls. He says the larger dogs have extra trouble with the twisting and quick turns..so we are sticking to the flat work dancing.

I know ACL injuries can happen with day to day activity too, but some of the 'sports' can be pushing the envelope with this breed, IMHO.

Hugs and slurpies to Akasha from Me and The Girls

Push ball sounds like a great game! We will definately have to give that a try! Thank you!

We haven't done agility for over a month because our instructor took some time off to concentrate on her new puppy. I think it either happened while Akasha and Keil were outside running around or while I was in the shower and they may have been wrestling on the hardwood floors. I think it was more than likely them wrestling in the house, because she was fine when she came in the house after I fed the horses. Is it something that would show up right away or could she have injured it outside and it didn't show up until we were in the house?

I am definately going to need ALOT of wine these next couple of weeks

[debbiej]

yep! wine to go with the whine. they make you feel like they are being SO deprived. I sure hope Akasha is ok, and crate rest fixes things. We carefully let Hilda return to some activity. she seemed a little lame still, so back on crate rest for a couple of days. I think she is better now, but still we are careful. I think 8 days was a little too soon...

[jas'smom]

Oh No!!! poor Akasha! I had a cairn terrier that partially tore his ACL, weeks of crate rest followed by slow rehab he was fine later. When he was able to start a little exercise I put a climbing carabiner on my belt. I could then hook his leash to the carabiner and still have my hands free for chores etc. He was secure at my side but still getting light exercise. I still use the carabiners with multiple dogs on walks

[codglvr]

We're right in this one with you. Two weeks ago we took Saga in for a limp in the Rt rear leg. Well two weeks of restricted activity and it has gotten worse so today she is in getting X-rayed and having an anesthetized exam. So I will send you all of my positive thoughts, just as soon as that phone rings to tell me what's going on with my frog dog. Good luck, we'll wish you better luck than us.

[Luvs]

Originally Posted by codglvr

We're right in this one with you. Two weeks ago we took Saga in for a limp in the Rt rear leg. Well two weeks of restricted activity and it has gotten worse so today she is in getting X-rayed and having an anesthetized exam. So I will send you all of my positive thoughts, just as soon as that phone rings to tell me what's going on with my frog dog. Good luck, we'll wish you better luck than us.

Oh no! I hope that you get good news and it is nothing serious! Don't you just hate when they are hurting? I am having such a hard time keeping my girl down. She is no longer limping and seems to be feeling fine, which makes it even harder for her to stay down. She will still be crated or on leash for the entire two weeks no matter how good she feels.
Keep us informed on how Saga is doing. I hope she is better soon!

[Brooke&Ryan]

Originally Posted by Luvs

She is no longer limping and seems to be feeling fine, which makes it even harder for her to stay down. She will still be crated or on leash for the entire two weeks no matter how good she feels.

Sounds like Akasha is feeling better now if she's pouting.

This was my problem with Jules as well. We kept him crated for the entire two weeks but by about day three I think he was trying to prove to me that he was fit as a fiddle & ready to go out for a walk. Wait until you can finally say that again to Akasha. I thought Julius would NEVER calm down.

Hugs to your girl!


Brooke

[Luvs]

Akasha seems to be doing really well, even tho she is driving me crazy! She has not limped since that first night. She thinks that she is perfectly fine and is giving me a hard time about keeping her leashed or crated. I am going to take her to the dog show this weekend if she is still not limping, but still limit her activity until the full two weeks is up.

I am just so happy that she is not limping or favoring her leg in anyway. Hopefully the worst is over

Thank you everyone for all your support and well wishes. It is greatly appreciated

[Ilovemypuppy]

Absolutely excellent news that Akasha is doing great !! Stay on the mend girl