Guest KennelMom Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 (edited) **update 9/29** The ortho doc said her leg feels good and it's the best possible version of this type of injury. At this point, we continue leash walks, pain killers/anti-inflammatories as needed and keep our fingers crossed that her body continues to heal as well as it has been. It's gonna be a loooooong 12 weeks! ********************* Stella started pulling up on her right hind leg last weekend and the pointy part of her hock looked like a swollen little knob. Monday she had xrays and there didn't seem to be any cancer, but the vet saw what she thought was mineralization in that joint. I dropped the xrays off at the specialty hospital to have them read by a specialist. My vet said yesterday that they think it's either a ruptured gastroc tendon or possibly a ruptured <really big long medical word> tendon (superficial digital flexor, I think). The specialist had a couple of questions about the lameness which my vet got the answere to from me and now I'm waiting for her to call them back, reconsult and call me back. My problem....that just doesn't sound right. The reading I'm doing about a gastroc/achilles tendon rupture does not jive with Stella's lameness. She looks nothing like the pictures of dogs with that injury. She will walk on the leg. Her hock looks fine for the most part. The only symptoms she has is the pointy part of her hock is slightly swollen and when she's standing still, she raises that back foot just a bit. I know of no racing injuries and there is no instance I can recall when she might have injured herself. She takes retirement pretty seriously and doesn't go crazy with the running or zoomies. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Hopefully our vet calls me back soon. I have a feeling we'll be taking her to see the specialist for an actual exam anyway. Edited September 29, 2008 by KennelMom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LynnM Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 The pictures you see are on the extreme end- a full tear of the muscle and/or rupture of the tendon. It can and does happen to a significantly lesser degree. Didn't you foster RC Jack several years ago? He had a torn gastroc. The worst thing about it is how long it takes to rehab, because the blood supply isn't the best to the tendon, and a muscle tear tends to cause a nasty tendonitis. DMSO on the affected area and a long, slow rehab is the way to go. Lynn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KennelMom Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 Thanks for the info, Lynn! We didn't foster RC Jack. I think he may have been just before our time with GC. Do you think this is an injury our vet can handle treating or should I push for a referral to actually see the specialist? How do you normally rehab something like this? Will she need a cast or anything like that? Thanks for the tip on the DMSO. Fortunately, keeping her quiet isn't a problem. She reaaaaaaally doesn't do much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LynnM Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 There probably isn't much to do for it but DMSO, range of motion exercises, rest, leash walking and time. I'd think a vet or person who does canine rehabilitation/physical therapy would be of more use in getting her well. Of course, if the vet that is interpreting the x-rays sees a recent orthopedic insult, then there might be something that can be done medically or surgically. Remember though, that you're talking about an area that doesn't have a great blood supply, so healing is going to take a while, no matter what you do. Lynn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onrushpam Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 Donald tore his gastroc last year. I thought his leg was broken! But, then, he was able to walk on it... Dr. Toby (at Lake City in Acworth) just put a big ol' pressure bandage on it and told us to keep it on as long as possible. It only lasted a couple of days before the swelling went down and it slid off. I don't think we even leash-walked him... just turned him out alone and also put a "lid" on his run so he couldn't do his pogo thing. He's fine now. You can't even tell he had a problem with it. Quote Pam GPA-Tallahassee/Southeastern Greyhound Adoption "Fate is unalterable only in the sense that given a cause, a certain result must follow, but no cause is inevitable in itself, and man can shape his world if he does not resign himself to ignorance." Pearl S. Buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grey14me Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 well, I'm sure it's different in dogs, but I actually tore my gastrocnemius 3 weeks ago and I am barely walking at this point. my doctor has also said that it just takes time. there's no surgery to be done, just rest, gentle stretches and time, time, time Quote Michelle...forever missing her girls, Holly 5/22/99-9/13/10 and Bailey 8/1/93-7/11/05 Religion is the smile on a dog...Edie Brickell Wag more, bark less :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinM Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 No advice, just good thoughts sent your way. Quote ROBIN ~ Mom to: Beau Think It Aint, Chloe JC Allthewayhome, Teddy ICU Drunk Sailor, Elsie N Fracine , Ollie RG's Travertine, Ponch A's Jupiter~ Yoshi, Zoobie & Belle, the kitties. Waiting at the bridge Angel Polli Bohemian Ocean , Rocky, Blue,Sasha & Zoobie & Bobbi Greyhound Angels Adoption (GAA) The Lexus Project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozgirl2 Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 well, I'm sure it's different in dogs, but I actually tore my gastrocnemius 3 weeks ago and I am barely walking at this point. my doctor has also said that it just takes time. there's no surgery to be done, just rest, gentle stretches and time, time, time Hey Michelle! You could use DMSO too!! 'Cept you'd have a nasty taste of old rotten fish in your mouth!! ( I think that's the taste you get...) I always wore gloves when I used it on Cody 'cause I was warned!! Quote Jeannine with Merlin, the crazed tabby cat and his sister, Jasmine, the brat-cat With Angel Cody(Roving Gemini), and Weenie the tortie waiting at the Bridge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KennelMom Posted September 24, 2008 Share Posted September 24, 2008 She's going to see the orthopedist on Monday "just to be safe." Thanks for all the advice and good thoughts! I'll keep you posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2NOFLEAS Posted September 24, 2008 Share Posted September 24, 2008 just paws in prayer............. Quote Tina dogmom to Rocket and Angels Cofax (my girl) 5/9/01-7/1/10(OS), ReRun (my boy)(4/18/95-4/19/07 Heart tumor)) Dedicating my life as much as I could - to keeping the smile alive of my Lambie Pie - lost 12/04 to Rocky Mtn Spotted Fever.... & then there's the hubby - Bob .... http://www.freewebs.com/3nofleas/ . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Vinnie Posted September 24, 2008 Share Posted September 24, 2008 Adding our prayers and hoping she is feeling better. Hugs and scritches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KennelMom Posted September 29, 2008 Share Posted September 29, 2008 update in post 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFullHouse Posted September 29, 2008 Share Posted September 29, 2008 Wow, sounds like she's going to be okay. Sucks about the leash walks for 12 weeks but at least she's going to be fine. Quote Judy, mom to Darth Vader, Bandita, And Angel Forever in our hearts, DeeYoGee, Dani, Emmy, Andy, Heart, Saint, Valentino, Arrow, Gee, Bebe, Jilly Bean, Bullitt, Pistol, Junior, Sammie, Joey, Gizmo, Do Bee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MomoftheFuzzy Posted September 29, 2008 Share Posted September 29, 2008 Feel better, Stella... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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