It's His Back

[mareyeka]

Despite my many visits to my regular vet who kept assuring me that Oscar was just fine, Oscar is not just fine.

 

We went to a new vet this morning and he took one look at Oscar and said "there's definitely something wrong." The front limp is stiffness being caused by a problem in his spine just below the shoulders. He's been in pain for quite some time. It appears that it *might* be a previous injury that flared up. I remember a year ago thinking there was something neurological going on and I took him in, but the vet said he was fine. Then he was fine, but this seemed to happen again a few weeks ago. Went away, and now it's bad.

 

The dr didn't take x-rays because he wants me to go to an ortho specialist and he didn't feel that I should have to pay for his x-rays and then have the ortho do them again. He gave me three numbers to call so I could get Oscar in to the first available slot.

 

Oscar got a shot of anti-inflammatory and a prescription for tablets for seven days. He's lost some weight, down to 80 from 83, but that could have been our major walks up to this past week. I am allowed to take him for short walks, but he's not allowed to run. He must hve been in quite a bit of pain since April, because that is the last time we remember him whipping around the back yard, but we didn't notice that he wasn't.

 

It better just be a joint issue that can be taken care of and not the more serious alternative. Off to make the appointment now.

Edited July 14, 2007 by mareyeka

[Guest Che_mar_Cody]

Glad your finding out what is wrong - wishing Oscar healing thoughts

[Jiffer]

Prayers for Oscar.

 

Can you find an acupuncturist in your area?

 

I can see a familiarity in your situation as when we were having issues with Icarus' rear left and front left. No one could diagnose him.. one day it's his back, the next his hip, then it was his knee... two years, three vets, three diagnoses. It took one very good chiropractic/acupuncturist to get him fixed up. When he passed, he was limp free on his back end and that was after only 3 treatments. The front leg was coming along wonderfully. The treatments are relatively cheap too and he needed no pain medications, though we were given chinese herbs to help the acupuncture along.

It's worth a shot.

[grey14me]

[Guest greyhound_bug]

Sending good thoughts for Oscar.

[Guest ss556]

Sending good thoughts!

[Guest BlackandBrindle]

Sending lots of healing thoughts for handsome Oscar

[TheFullHouse]

Oh poor Oscar man, I hope the pills give him some relief until you can see the specialist. I'll keep you both in my prayers. Oscar is one of my favorites on GT so I'm sad to see he is in pain. Give him an ear scritch for me.

[gazehund]

I second trying to find a good canine acupuncturist / chiropractor Mare. Two of my four dogs have had brilliant results. Both have neck / spine issues. Good luck with Oscar, I am glad you are on the right track with him now.

[Guest vahoundlover]

Sending prayers and healing thoughts!

[Patsy]

Here's hoping Hulk Power can prevail and our Oscar will overcome whatever is going on!

[Guest greyhound1]

[maximum]

What a relief to get a diagnosis! I would also suggest trying acupuncture/chiro vet. Max has hinky hips, and while they don't slow him down, I can see when they are starting to bug him a bit and needs to be adjusted.

 

I also came home one day and he was in pain, with his head all hunched down around his shoulders. He had somehow gotten his top vertebrae caught up under the back of his skull. She worked on his spine and with a couple of adjustements he was fine. I asked what would have happened if he didn't have a chiropractic vet. She said he would have been treated with muscle relaxants and pain killers and that eventually it would have worked itself out but it could have taken a while.

 

I hope Oscar is feeling better soon!!

[Guest greybookends]

:hope :hope :hope

[Guest cathyem]

Grady has had a couple of episodes of back troubles. We think they are brought on when he jumps up suddenly from sleeping. A couple of things that we did that helped, besides the meds from the vet, was using a harness and not allowing him to use the stairs for a couple of weeks. Of course that meant that I slept downstairs on the couch so he wouldn't be lonely which did nothing for my back but I love my goofy, neurotic boy!

[Guest hannahmom]

for handsome Oscar!!!!

[Greytlady94]

I'm so glad you are finally getting some answers for Oscar. Sending prayers.

[Guest Mommydog]

I hope Oscar is soon feeling better, if it is a joint problem and I hope it is. Consider trying acupuncture, my bridge boy Raffie had a similar problem, and I had far better results through acupuncture than conventional treatment.

[nyGreys]

I must have missed the post about sweet Oscar.

I hope you're feeling better soon Oscar sweetie!

[patricia]

Feel better soon sweetie.

[scullysmum]

So glad to hear that you finally have found what has been bothering your sweet boy....prayers that it is something easily treatable.

[Batmom]

Glad you found the problem and hope it is just a strain. Smoochies to that handsome Oscar man.

[heartdogs]

Hugs from North Texas-back problems are no funn. Take care Oscar, Honey says you are the most handsome man here.

[Guest Winterwish]

Sending hugs and hoping Oscar isfeeling better soon!

[mareyeka]

back from yet another vet visit. Last night after a very short walk, Oscar froze and could't move to get home. By the time we did get home, I'd say his pain level was a good 9/10, it was that bad.

 

X-rays today showed nothing definitive and the vet said it could be anything from root compression to a nerve sheath tumor. MRI here is very expensive and might not show anything anyway. I have his rimadyl which seems to be helping as he is much more comfortable now. I'll just sit here and slowly go nuts....