Seeking Vet Referral (possible Aneurysm In Paw)

[Guest FLT]

We live in Laurel, MD and are seeking a suggestion on the next vet to visit in our attempt to figure out what is going on with Drake's swollen paw.

 

Several years ago Drake started to have occasional bouts of limping after activity. The vet thought he may have strained a tendon, or possibly had some recurrence of tendinitis from his racing days. We iced it, and if necessary gave a little aspirin for pain.

 

Over time the instances became more frequent, and an actual small swollen area was occasionally palpable in the paw (his left front) just behind the big pad. It felt like a tiny marble. The second vet took a look and thought it might still be a tendon issue. We started on a combination of heated salt water soaks, and cold therapy with occasional compression wraps if it swelled - along with pain meds as necessary. Blood work was normal. X-rays were normal. Antibiotics were given in case it was an infection.

 

After a year or more of continued checks the small swelling persisted and started to be there more often than not. Most walks were cut very short because his limp became worse. Blood work was normal. X-rays continue to show nothing, so it was considered soft tissue and ineffectual treatment continued. A short round of Metacam was given to take the edge off.

 

About 6 months ago the swelling in his paw became very pronounced, and continuously present. Some days he used his paw as though it was not sore, and most days he limped at least a little. All three vets (same practice) looked at him and scratched their heads. X-rays continue to be normal, blood work is normal. Metacam is prescribed, and has been helpful in reducing his discomfort.

 

About 2 months ago I talked with the third vet and convinced her to drop a needle into the now very pronounced and continuously present swelling (now bigger than the big pad, and so swollen that it sticks out further than his big pad on his paw). She drained it of blood and was very surprised that it clotted! She said that she would have expected a pool of blood in the paw to have been there a while, and that the clotting factor would have not be present. Instead it almost entirely clotted. Sent away for testing and all tests are normal for drawn blood. The swelling was entirely reduced after this procedure, and started coming back after about a week or so. Because she drew actual blood the vet theorized that this may be an aneurysm (weakness in the vessel wall of a blood vessel). If she had missed the swelling and drew blood right from a blood vessel in the area she wouldn't have expected the swelling to be entirely reduced by the procedure.

 

We were then distracted by sudden onset of cancer in Chester, who we had to let go across the rainbow bridge.

 

Cut to the present.. Drake's paw is more swollen than ever. He is on Metacam daily, but even so jumps around on three paws most of the time. I need to find a vet for another opinion, and to research the possibility of the aneurysm and what can be done to treat.

 

Does anyone have a suggestion on a great vet (with whatever equipment might give the best view into Drake's paw) that I should talk with next?

 

Thank you,

 

FL (with Drake, Kaylee and angel Chester)

[Trudy]

Your vet should be able to recommend you to a specialist.

Good luck

[Greys4Us]

Perhaps you can get one of your vets to give you a referral to the Veterinary Orthopedic Sports Medicine Group in Annapolis Junction, near you. These people are the very best and I think can help with this type of a problem. I have used them twice in the past and only they were able to diagnose the problem and help us. I can't say enough good things about them. They are known all over the country. Look them up on the internet because I don't have their info in front of me right now. Good luck!

[Guest BlueCrab]

The other thought I would have would be to consult VCA in Montgomery County. I can't remember what "VCA" stands for, but if you google it, it should come up quick. It's a specialty place, not a regular vet, although they do have an emergency clinic. Opel cat went there for her radiation treatment when she had her hyperthyroid episode. DH loved them (I never went) and they were very kind with Opel, who isn't the best patient. I only have their emergency number in my cell - 301-240-3224.

 

They're off Route 28 in Gaithersburg. The place is also called "the Barn", as the facility is in an old cattle barn. I think it would be worth looking up to see if you can get in for a visit.

[Guest ChasesMum]

i was gonna ask about aspirating it, surprised that wasnt done first thing...

 

sounds like you got some good ideas to go from though on a specialist

 

 

[Guest FLT]

I really appreciate the comments and suggestions made so far. I will look into both, and will check with my current vet for their suggestions as well.

 

I am going to try to post photos too.. not sure if I can make it work, but here goes!

 

This is Drake's "Bad" paw

 

For comparison purposes this is Drake's other front paw - this one has no problems that we are aware of

 

Drake appreciates your concern too (and says helloooooo ladies!)

 

 

 

[dmswartzfager]

I'll ask my vet too - she's doing relief work and has been covering shifts in clinics all around the area. I have heard good things about the VCA in Gaithersburg - we will be going there for our next major problem, whenever that happens.

[dmswartzfager]

Reply from my vet: Deanna that sounds surgical I would have them be referred to Dr. Prostredny, or another surgeon close to them. I would want to open and explore that spot. I haven't heard of anything like that, except for maybe some type of vessel shunt, but that would be weird even for a greyhound.

 

 

 

Me again:

Here is a link to the Chesapeake Veterinary Referral Center (based in Annapolis); Dr. Prostredny is listed first under surgery: CVRC

 

Edited to add: I have heard incredible things about Dr. Prostredny - he was the one recommended to us (by MANY people) for Frazzle's laryngeal paralysis tie-back surgery. He's so popular however, that we weren't able to see him soon enough for my comfort - I wanted Frazzle fully recovered before the weather got warm, and that wasn't going to be possible. I was very pleased with the care he received there otherwise - he ended up in their "intensive care" unit because he developed aspiration pneumonia within a day after the surgery, but they jumped right on it, and he recovered quickly and well.

Edited May 1, 2009 by dmswartzfager

[Guest FLT]

Deanna,

 

Thank you very much - I appreciate your help (and your vet's).

 

We were recently at CVRC for Chester (and were there on Monday to pick up Chester's remains) - so we know right where they were. We had intended to inquire about them seeing Drake while we were there, but got more than a little distracted :-(

 

Will absolutely talk with them next week.

 

FL

 

Reply from my vet: Deanna that sounds surgical I would have them be referred to Dr. Prostredny, or another surgeon close to them. I would want to open and explore that spot. I haven't heard of anything like that, except for maybe some type of vessel shunt, but that would be weird even for a greyhound.

 

Here is a link to the Chesapeake Veterinary Referral Center (based in Annapolis); Dr. Prostredny is listed first under surgery: CVRC

 

[dmswartzfager]

Keep us posted - if only because I'm curious as all heck as to what it might be.

 

I doubt they'd ultrasound it because of the location, but if they do, Dr. Hitt is awesome. We dealt with him a few months ago with Carrie's abdominal tumor, and I really liked him, and felt that he did a great job laying out all the options and possibilities.

[Guest FLT]

I've asked my vet for the referral (they don't see patients at CVRC without a referral unless it's an emergency room visit) and am hopeful that I can contact them about an appointment soon. Here is another view of poor Drake's paw - notice how it is swollen past the big pad on his foot?

 

[TinyMityMo]

If you can't get in quick enough here is perhaps another option. I use Beltsville Vet hospital (don't know who your regular vet is) and Dr. Prowell there is great and very grey savvy. However when we had poor little Specky kitten and he needed an ultrasound she referred us to Dogs and Cats Veterinary Hospital in Bowie. Despite the name they are a specialty place and I was very impressed with the way they handled poor little Specky kitty.

Beltsville's number is 301-937-3020 and D&C is 301-809-8800

Good luck.

[Guest FLT]

I appreciate the additional referral - it's great to have options, thank you! I"ll keep them in mind too.

 

I use North Laurel Animal Hospital for most of our care at the moment.. they've recently upgraded their equipment, and are reasonably greyhound savvy.

 

If you can't get in quick enough here is perhaps another option. I use Beltsville Vet hospital (don't know who your regular vet is) and Dr. Prowell there is great and very grey savvy. However when we had poor little Specky kitten and he needed an ultrasound she referred us to Dogs and Cats Veterinary Hospital in Bowie. Despite the name they are a specialty place and I was very impressed with the way they handled poor little Specky kitty.

Beltsville's number is 301-937-3020 and D&C is 301-809-8800

Good luck.

 

[Guest FLT]

I was able to get an appointment next Wednesday (the 13th) for a consult with Dr. Prostredny at the Chesapeake Veterinary Referral Center. Am working with my vet to get all the records together for all tests and treatments for Drake's paw to make sure we have absolutely everything to take with us.

 

Thank you to everyone for your help.. will keep you informed on how it goes!

 

FL

[Guest IrskasMom]

This is great , that Drake got an Appt. with Dr. Prostredny . Hopefully he can get to the Bottom of this . Poor Drake

 

 

I say it again : " The Power of GT. "

Edited May 6, 2009 by IrskasMom

[Guest FLT]

UPDATE: Drake and I met with Dr. P yesterday afternoon and reviewed Drake's history and medical records - as well as Dr. P took a look at Drake and his paw as well.

 

He concurs that the only way to find out what is going on is to open up the paw. The plan is to open up Drake's paw surgically and remove whatever it is that is a problem, and repair what's left. We won't know exactly what is involved until the surgery has begun, so that's a little extra stress there!

 

Drake is scheduled for surgery next Thursday. He will stay at least one night in the hospital after surgery.

 

They will biopsy whatever it is that they remove, however Dr. P does not feel like it is cancer (never say never he says - but he figures less than a 1% chance of it being cancerous).

 

Will set up a new post to track the surgery and results next week.

 

Thank you again for everyone's help!

 

FL

[Guest greytexplorer]

Drake appreciates your concern too (and says helloooooo ladies!)

 

Mandy is smitten..........