Injuries are no fun. Storm can attest to that because she has been dealing with one which has her on meds and rest for the time being.
It all started a little over a month ago when we noticed a slight limp after Storm was out exercising as part of Storm’s Exercise Regime. Usually the limp showed up after she got up from laying on her bed, but it worked itself out as she got moving, and was gone by the next morning.
The appearance of the limp seemed to coincide with Storm retrieving bumpers up a hill on one of the warm days we had in March. We are careful not to run the dogs on ice so when the weather turned bad again we did not run her and it seemed to get better.
Unfortunately, it always seemed to come back once she started back to retrieving.
Storm is a very stoic dog. She also loves to retrieve. She never lost her excitement to retrieve or showed pain while running. But every evening after running, that darn limp would show up again.
We decided to put her on rest. We rested her for about 10 days by not running her, although she did have some walks. The limp seemed to disappear so hubby took her to the park last week for a bit of retrieving.
The next morning she was barely putting any weight on her leg. It seemed to improve as she moved around, but I knew it was time to see the vet.
One of the things I love about our vet is that they have an orthopedic vet on staff and he accepts walk-ins. The draw back to that is that he is very busy, so often there is a line of people waiting to see him. he gets referrals for all over the state and neighboring states. Still I wanted him to check Storm out because I figured we would see him eventually. Lucky for me the morning we went, there were only a couple of people ahead of us.
Storm is a terrible patient. When she is at the vet she feels the need to bark at all the staff and everyone coming in the door. I finally had to stand next to her like we were at a hunt test and make her sit next to me to shut her up. Once in the room she was no better. When the vet came in she made sure to bark at him too. Usually when Storm barks at people, they give her a wide berth. Not this vet. Immediately he said: “Come on over here and see me Storm”. He petted her and told her what a good girl she was. Storm had no idea what to make of him. I think she was a bit taken off guard because he did not avoid touching her.
I wouldn’t say Storm and the ortho vet became friends, but she accepted him enough to allow him to examine her. First he had me walk her up and down the hallway. Of course no limp. I figured she would not show him. Then he sat on the floor next to her and manipulated her shoulder, elbow, wrist and leg. He was checking for range of motion, swelling in the joints, or pain. After examining her he did not think x-rays were called for at this time. Her range of motion was fine and her joints felt normal. He also did not think it was anything like a tumor since she did not show pain as he was pushing various places on her leg. The vet commented on how well muscled Storm is for a dog her age (she will be 9 in June). The training and field work paying off again.
The vet thought it was perhaps a tendonitis in her shoulder based on my description of her behavior and when the limp shows up and when it dissipates. He prescribed rest, tramadol for 10 days for pain, gave her an injection of prednisolone, and sent her home with a low dose of prednisolone for 30 days as an anti-inflammatory with instructions to give her a Pepcid with the prednisolone to prevent tummy upset. The ortho vet told me that they are finding that steroids work better than the doggie version of NSAIDS for this type of injury.
Rest means that Storm is not to run, no retrieving, and no walks although she does not have to be on a leash to go outside. The plan is for me to call him and 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 6 weeks to update how she is doing. Of course I can call him any time with questions/issues but for sure at the 2, 4 and 6 week marks.
So far Storm is doing well and no limping. It has been a challenge to discourage running in the yard. I suppose the test will be as she comes off the pain meds and increases activity. I will update as she progresses.
No activity means we have had to cut back Storm’s food and treats. Oh no! A tragedy for sure. Not to worry, tomorrow Storm will be reviewing a low cal treat.
Do you have any pets dealing with injuries?
Oh No! No treats?? Poor Storm! 🙂 Interesting info re the steroids vs the NSAIDs. Every now and then I give Shadow a Tramadol tab when her arthritis is particularly bothersome – usually during the colder months – but so far the vet doesn’t feel she needs the Rimadyl yet. Which is a good thing.
Storm I hope some quiet days will help you to feel better (that’s not easy to rest I know). Hugs to you and I hope for good news when you have to see your vet again :o)
Staying quiet is no fun, especially when it means cutting back on treats! But it has to be done, and we hope Storm recovers quickly with that and the meds and can get back to her normal activities soon. We’ve never dealt with an injury ourselves…all of our limps have been from either arthritis or bad knees!
Poor Storm! I hope she recovers quickly–I’ve been lucky with Barley avoiding injuries and your pups definitely give us even more motivation to keep her active and keep those muscles strong as she ages. We’ll be keeping our fingers crossed that Storm’s back to doing what she loves (and eating more snacks!) in no time.
Oh No! No treats?? Horrors! The torture must be unbearable! 🙂
I hope the steroids, Tramadol, and Pepcid help, along with the rest! I have a small bottle of Tramadol for when Shadow’s arthritis is really bothering her; but so far the Cosequin DS and Welactin are enough – along with plenty of play and exercise – are enough. Poor Callie had been on daily doses of both Rimadyl and Tramadol for the pain from her hip-joint arthritis, as well as the two CCL surgeries. Once she started chemo, though, we had to make some changes to her meds.
I hope she recovers quickly, if not patiently!
Hope she heals up fast and can get back into action!
Oh no Storm. Hope all the medication will help you and I am glad it isn’t arthritis. I have had a number of dogs that were very active and got arthritis. But they would love running and catching a frisbee. Sounds like it is soft tissue and that medicine should help her a lot. Good thoughts coming your way Storm.
Sorry to hear about sweet Storm having some pain was hoping to hear all good news when I got here. Sure hope when she comes off all the meds there will be no more limping and she will be doing great. Yeah, for you sweet Storm you are gonna get some treats. Thoughts and prayers for her to get all well very soon. Hugs and nose kisses
Yes we are still dealing with Mica’s back right leg, hip. Will have to write about how we are doing, it follows Storms treatment.
I keep trying to get a handle on Sampson’s CCL injury and keep researching different types of alternative therapies that will give him so relief and have a bit of his life back. I’m with you on the struggle in keeping them from running. I can’t tell you how many times he’s gotten the drop on someone and done more than he’s supposed to.
I’m sending good thoughts Storm’s way.
Oh, poor Storm. It’s hard to keep an active dog quiet, and the cutting back on the calories thing is always no fun! Luckily Rita has been pretty healthy knock on wood! Hope the plan works well and she recovers quickly!
I hope Storm makes a full recovery and is back to normal after the pain meds and rest. We’re 7 weeks post surgery for Haley’s CCL injury and like Jodi mentioned, it’s hard to keep them calm and quiet. The good news is, Haley’s learned a new command, “Go Slow”, haha!
Hope she gets better soon, it won’t be fun sitting around while the guys train!
Injuries suck! Sydney has had one for over a year and it’s going to be something she lives with; she’s due for an acupuncture treatment and we can really tell. She is getting better and I’m glad that she’s a sedentary dog, because she’s not going nuts with the lack of exercise. But she was having fun this weekend with her pack, hence the extra pain.
It’ll be gone tomorrow 🙂
oh storm you poor thing, I hope you continue to do well and no more limping friend.