Guest Murphymoo Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 (edited) I just can't concentrate on work today, for worrying about Murph. Over a week ago he had a crazy run on our walk and after was limping on one of his front legs. We assumed that he'd pulled a muscle, but when he was still limping on his front three days later I took him to the vet. The vet moved his leg and said that he had some pain in his shoulder joint, which may be arthritis, gave him painkillers and recommended that he get an x-ray to check for osteo. We were waiting for the 10 day course of painkillers to finish to check for an improvement, but 4 days later, the limp had almost gone but I noticed a big lump on the outer toe of his sore front leg. It's about the size of a marble and hard. It doesn't move, and is not sensitive to the touch. It was definately not there a few days ago - I know that I would have noticed it because I recently started dremeling his nails. But it as come up really quick and is now causing the toe to splay out. We went back to the vets last night and he is going in on Friday (the soonest time they have). He needs a dental anyway, but they are going to x-ray and dependent on what they find, they may amputate his toe. They think that he may also still have arthritis in his shoulder as it is so stiff. I just hope it all works out ok. He is just 8 years old this month and my first ever dog and in himself he is so happy. I just can't bear to think of what this could mean. I'm trying to keep it light, the vet says that as the lump has just come up quick, if it is a tumor, we may be able to nip it in the bud and he'll be ok. I know there is nothing that anyone can do, but I guess I just need some positive thoughts! I think that I've been reading too many sad stories on Greytalk in my attempt to be informed. Gotta stay positive for Mr Murph! I'll let you know what happens on Friday. Edited October 21, 2008 by Murphymoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scullysmum Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 (edited) It sounds like it is possible that Murphy tore a ligament in his foot when he had his crazy run, which would initially have caused the lameness and would eventually cause a hard calcified lump to form because the blood produced by the tear can't find a way out of the joint. This happened to my bridgekid Mulder, the first time I panicked and had his foot x-rayed and found out that it was a calcification, he had such a strange way of running that he actually ended up with calcification on nearly all of his toe joints...some have knobbly knees, he had knobbly toes! .....I really hope that this is what has happened with Murphy because the good news is that when the calcification forms it stabilises the joint and usually protects it from a recurrence of the same. Keeping everything crossed for you and Murphy Edited because my fingers are faster than my brain. Edited October 8, 2008 by scullysmum Quote <p>"One day I hope to be the person my dog thinks I am"Sadi's Pet Pages Sadi's Greyhound Data PageMulder1/9/95-21/3/04 Scully1/9/95-16/2/05Sadi 7/4/99 - 23/6/13 CroftviewRGT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 I'm thinking along the same lines as scullysmum on the toe. My angel Batman had a couple wacky knobby toes -- not tumors, just bunged-up ligament damage that calcified. Never bothered him. Hope it all turns out to be nothing much and that your boy is back to himself ASAP. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest GreytMuse Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 Sending positive thoughts and prayers for you both. Please keep us updated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelWhispers Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 Stay positive. It could be calcification, a benign tumor or any number of other things. Warlock(9 1/2) had a tumor removed from his foot earlier this year that came up fast and caused him to limp...it was a benign tumor. The vet removed it and Warlock is as good as new. Sending positive thoughts your way. Quote Denise & Strider, Blake, Fields, Frank, FlippyDoo, and Momma Gail. The Bridge Angels Zack(Ags Marble Chip) 4/25/93-2/16/06, Wanda(Rainier Rowanda) 12/14/94-06/09/06, Brooke/Boogers(Rainier Restive) 01/01/99-10/20/08, Warlock(Rainier Rammer) 4/29/99-10/01/09), Patsie(Frisky Patsy) 5/17/96-2/05/10, Hatter(Cals Madhatter) 6/3/00-3/11/10, Dodger(Rainier Ransack) 4/29/99-4/16/10, and Sparkle(Okie Sparkle) 11/8/2000-1/28/11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KRKWMU Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 No medical advice, but just wanted to say, hang in there. Hope you get a good report from the vet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ss556 Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 Well I'm sending positive thoughts for Murphy. I hope all goes well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliforniaGreys Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 Lots of prayers and good thoughts from here as well. Please keep us posted on your boy. Quote Missing my little Misty who took a huge piece of my heart with her on 5/2/09, and Ekko, on 6/28/12 For the sick, the lost, and the homeless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Murphymoo Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 Thanks for your well wishes! They have made me feel more positive. The calcification thing does sound feasible - because it would seem like a real co-incidence that a tumour would come up following his lameness after running. I'll keep an open mind for now. We've been told to try and rest his leg. The hardest thing of all is trying to keep him from running! I'm sure that you'll all appreciate this - even when we keep him on a lead on walks, he still manages to do zoomies in the house! We have to try and block him to stop him! Lord only knows what he's up to when we're at work! Give this a few more days and he'll be bouncing off the walls! At least he's not as stressed out as us! I can't wait until Friday is over...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Murphymoo Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 Oh, I meant to ask - if the lump is just calcification, what does the vet do? Does the lump just get left there? Will it just stay the same size once it's settled? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lauri Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 Good thoughts for Murphy and for you. I know how the worrying goes... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patricia Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 Sending my prayers for precious Murphy. I just have this feeling that everything is going to be just fine. Quote Patti-Mommy of Lady Sophia 7-28-92 - 8-3-04... LaceyLaine 8-2-94-12-5-07... Flash Gordon 7-14-99 - 8-29-09... BrookLynne...Pavé Maria... and 18 Bridge Kids. WATCHING OVER US~SOPHIA~QUEENIE~LACEY LAINE~ CODY ANGELO~FLASH GORDON. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carronstar Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 Sending lots of good thoughts and prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scullysmum Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 Oh, I meant to ask - if the lump is just calcification, what does the vet do? Does the lump just get left there? Will it just stay the same size once it's settled? If it is calcification it will just be left, it may get slighly smaller if it is fully formed and there is some inflamation still present, when the inflamation is gone it will stay that size and as I said in my first post it often serves to stabilise that joint and thus prevent any recurrence of the same injury. Keeping you both in my thoughts for good outcome on Friday Quote <p>"One day I hope to be the person my dog thinks I am"Sadi's Pet Pages Sadi's Greyhound Data PageMulder1/9/95-21/3/04 Scully1/9/95-16/2/05Sadi 7/4/99 - 23/6/13 CroftviewRGT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverfish Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 Sending good thoughts to Murphy! Jim had an old shoulder injury that started to give him more trouble as he got older. Eventually the muscle began wasting and the vets thought it was from nerve damage. Hopefully, Murphy's problem will turn out to be arthritis/calcification/whatever and can be monitored and dealt with. Try not to think the worst just yet. Quote The plural of anecdote is not dataBrambleberry Greyhounds My Etsy Shop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest argolola Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 I will pray for your little sweetie. Lola took pain meds for almost a year for a limp of unknown origin. We finally figured out it was from walking her on pavement and rough yard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlies_Dad Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 Here's more good thoughts for Murphy! I hope everything turns out okay. Quote Kyle with Stewie ('Super C Ledoux, Super C Sampson x Sing It Blondie) and forever missing my three angels, Jack ('Roy Jack', Greys Flambeau x Miss Cobblepot) and Charlie ('CTR Midas Touch', Leo's Midas x Hallo Argentina) and Shelby ('Shari's Hooty', Flying Viper x Shari Carusi) running free across the bridge. Gus an coinnich sinn a'rithist my boys and little girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pipi5 Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 I'm thinking along the same lines as scullysmum on the toe. My angel Batman had a couple wacky knobby toes -- not tumors, just bunged-up ligament damage that calcified. Never bothered him. Hope it all turns out to be nothing much and that your boy is back to himself ASAP. Same thing here....keeping positive thoughts coming your way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DevilDog Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 Wishing good thoughts for Murphy Quote Lisa with Finnegan (Nina's Fire Fly) and Sage (Gil's Selma). Always missing Roscoewww.popdogdesigns.net pop art prints, custom portraits and collars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Murphymoo Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 Well - just to update you all - there's good and bad news. Good news - It seems that the lump on Murphy's toe is nothing to worry about - looks like you were all right, so he still has all his toes intact! And he had his teeth cleaned and didn't have to have any out. It seems our daily brushing must be doing some good! But it seems that there is a problem with his shoulder. Previously the vets thought that he probably has arthritis, but they said that the x-ray showed some abnormality around his joint, but in a place that is difficult to biopsy and doing so may cause more harm than good. So he has anti-inflmatory drugs and antibiotics (not sure why he has antibiotics? - will have to ask on the next visit) He has to go back for a check up next week and get re- x-rayed in a month or so to see if there are any changes. If it is worse, they will attempt a biopsy. Thank goodness for pet insurance! I have spent most of the afternoon bawling my eyes out, thinking the worst, but I think I need to forget it for now - I'm not going to achieve anything thinking this way, and at the moment, Murphy is in himself just fine (aside from right now, while he is still drowsy from the anaesthetic.) Thanks for all you kind messages and good thoughts. I'll check back in with progress updates and let you know how Mr Murph is getting on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bevd Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 Good news about the toe Regarding the other issue, do you think your vets would be prepared to send the x-rays to someone like Dr Couto? Or even a cancer specialist in the UK for an opinion if a biopsy may not be ideal? Quote Deerhounds Darcy, Duffy, Grace & Wellington, Mutts Sprout & Buddy, Lurchers Ned & Jake plus Ella the Westie + cats. Remembering Del, Jessie, Maddison, Flo, Sally, Stanley, Wallace, Radar, Mokka, Oki cat, Tetley, Poppy & Striker. Please visit our web store at http://www.dogsndubs.com for our own range of Greyhound related clothing for humans! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patricia Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 Sending more prayers for Murphy. Chanting...the shoulder is nothing! Quote Patti-Mommy of Lady Sophia 7-28-92 - 8-3-04... LaceyLaine 8-2-94-12-5-07... Flash Gordon 7-14-99 - 8-29-09... BrookLynne...Pavé Maria... and 18 Bridge Kids. WATCHING OVER US~SOPHIA~QUEENIE~LACEY LAINE~ CODY ANGELO~FLASH GORDON. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Vinnie Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 Continued prayers and good chants for Murphy. Happy news for the toe and teeth - that's a start - keep thinking those positive thoughts and remember to breathe, eat and snuggle lots this weekend. Waiting is always takes forever and is so hard. Sending hugs and scritches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scullysmum Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 Glad to hear it was not all bad but it made me look a Murphy's greyhound data page and I have just realised that Sadi and Murphy both raced at Stainforth at the same time....the reason that this is interesting is that Sadi has a shoulder injury that flares up from time to time and it makes me wonder if if has something to do with that track? ...whatever the cause continued best wishes and prayers to you and Murph...I hope it just turns out to be an old "war wound" like my girl Quote <p>"One day I hope to be the person my dog thinks I am"Sadi's Pet Pages Sadi's Greyhound Data PageMulder1/9/95-21/3/04 Scully1/9/95-16/2/05Sadi 7/4/99 - 23/6/13 CroftviewRGT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iluvgreys Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 Sending more prayers and wishes for your sweet Murph. Quote Jeanne with Remington & Scooter the cat....and Beloved Bridge Angels Sandee, Shari, Wells, Derby, Phoenix, Jerry Lee and Finnian.....If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heavenand bring you home again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.