Bart took a spill!

[misslady85]

Two weeks ago on Thursday Bart took a spill in the yard. We immediately took him to the vet (where he acted like nothing was wrong), we were told no exercise limit play, which we did. Then Saturday he was limping slightly so we took him to the local emergency vet hospital, again got there and NO LIMP!!!! So first thing Monday back to the Vet, when he arrived he walked with a slight limp. Nothing in the X-Rays, gave us some medications to help his pain and keep him less active. He is doing better now but I still don't think he is 100%. Granted it has only been two weeks (the vet wants us to give it another week), I am just worried. Our vet also said these could be growing pains that that is common with our breed. We are probably going to request an MRI if this goes on for another week. He does not limp all the time and it is not a bad limp, when he wants something he walks fine!?! Is there anything I can do for him besides his medications, I know there is supplements you can give dogs for joints and muscles. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Sorry this post was so long!!! Thanks in advance!!!

[moondog]

What leg is it and how old is he? If it's a soft tissue injury, it can take up to 3 months to fully heal and he should be on restricted activity (leash only, inside and out) for a period of time even after he seems 100%. They can appear to be fully back to normal and easily re-injure themselves with a yahoo leap or turn done too early.

Seems a bit premature to be thinking MRI to me. Also, be careful about too much pain med, as a bit of pain is a good thing because the dog will help by self-limiting their activity and that makes it much easier on you....pain is the only way they know to do this.

[misslady85]

It is his front left leg. I was only thinking of an MRI because I was worried about permanent damage. He has actually been very laid back the past 2 days (doesn't enjoy playing too much) I think because I am only giving 1/2 of what the vet said to give him I was afraid he would become dependent on the pain killers.

[misslady85]

Well Friday after work I noticed it was not just Barts front left leg that was bothering him he seemed to be walking funny on all four legs. We took him to yet another Vet for a third opinion. The vet immediately recommended a Lyme disease test, he aid a lot of times a spill will aggravate inflamed joints caused by Lyme disease. The test was positive and he is now on new medications for a month. I feel so bad we didn't catch it sooner, but after just 3 doses of his meds he is doing a lot better!!! We now have a new vet, Bart LOVED him and he was very thorough.

[Sour Sugar]

It's good that you found a vet that knew his stuff. We take better care of our dogs/cats than we do ourselves. Glad that Bart is doing so much better, we dont realize that for such a small bug it does alot of damage. Will lyme disease have a long term effect or will the med's clear up any/all problems?

April/Hercules.

[misslady85]

Well, now he is doing worse we are back to the vet tomorrow to do some more testing, we think there may be more issues with this than the Lyme's.

[MarieM]

Aw, poor Bart - keep us posted on what the vet says tomorrow!

[misslady85]

Well the good news is his hips and elbows look great no HD, ED or Pano, as a matter of fact the Vet said they looked great. I was suprised by this because we bought from a BYB before finding RDN. The bad news is they can not pin point why he is in such bad shape. The Doxy usually works pretty quikly but has not for him. He is now on the Doxy and they added a Steroid. Hopefully we will see improvement in a few days, but to be safe we ran some more blood work to see if maby there is something else besides the Lyme's Disease causing these symptoms, those results will be in Monday. For now we are keeping our fingures crossed that the steroid does the trick. One things for sure with all these vet bills we have paid vacation will have to be in the back yard this year!!! LOL as long as he gets better it's all worth it. Thank you for the concern we will keep you posted!!

[MarieM]

Great news on Bart's hips/elbows (wish I could say that for Tex' hips!). Let us know how the Doxy/Steroid work and at least Bart will be with you on your backyard vacation! ;)

[harleychik66]

I'm so glad to hear his elbows and hips are good!!

Just wondering how poor little Bart( that name.....I love it, it makes me smile because I think of Bart Simpson and all the trouble he caused) is doing?

[misslady85]

Thank you for asking he seems to be a little better this morning he even asked to be let outside which he hasn't done in weeks ( took him on a leash no running or jumping for a while). With any luck the steroids will do the trick! Blood results will be in on Monday and we will go from there. Oh, and he is bad like Bart Simpson, if there is silence in this house I know he is doing something he is not suppose to do!!

[misslady85]

Well, blood work is back and everything is good there. Also he is doing alot better today. He is resting now but for the first time in a while he went out back and rolled in the grass (and dug up a little of Dad's grass). All of the sudden he is walking almost normal, but we are not pushing it, hopefully in he will be well enough to go back to class soon, seeing as though we already paid for it!!!! You know I never thought I would be so attached to a dog in such a short time, if we didn't have him and kitty I don't know what we would do. Anyway the vet is sending his x-rays to a specialist he knows just for a second opinion but he said he thinks this should pass. Mean while we are to let him rest and give him plenty of love!!

[Sour Sugar]

So glad to hear that Bart has passed all his test with flying colors. Plenty of Love and belly rugs are the ticket. Know what you mean when the house is quiet they are into something that will make you pull your hair out. lol. keep posting and let us know about Bart.

April & Hercules.

[misslady85]

Thanks April & Hercules!! Bart did great over the weekend, back to class tonight!! The trainer was nice enough to give us a break on his next advanced obedience class since he missed out on half his classes we had already paid for!!