Riley

[krissn333]

That IS some pretty odd behavior...my first thought would be the meds, and maybe he's not liking the crate because he's not getting a nice breeze like he's getting outside ()

 

If you can xpen him in an area where he can lay and be comfy in the a/c without being in the crate, that'd be my option of choice.

 

Hope he's feeling better!

[Guest Energy11]

Very weird behavior. As the others have said, maybe the meds are making him feel hot, and outside is where he feels bets. How about baby-gating him in the kitchen? Usually kitchen floors are nice and cool!

 

Good Luck, and hope he is his old self soon!

[RileysLegacy]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Unfortunately I can't gate him because our downstairs is basically just one big open room. I have had a fan blowing in his crate for him, so it should be somewhat cool.

 

He is definitely a lot less anxious today, prob due to the valium. But he is still miserable. The way he is holding his front paw is concerning me. Since this happened, he has had his toes curled under, almost like his paw is dangling from his wrist. Even when laying down, his foot is not flat. Does this mean anything to anyone?

 

I'm home for lunch and he's sleeping out in the yard again

 

ETA: Today is not a hot day, and it is still sprinkling outside. So I don't think it's the heat, but who knows.

Edited September 24, 2009 by RileysMomma

[duncan41]

Poor Riley! Sounds like his world has been turned upside down and he's not liking it a little bit! Could it be his odd behavior is a combination of injury-meds-vet visits trauma? If he's as sensitive as you indicate, every action/reaction could be a exaggerated. Hope everything and everyone calms down so everyone can get back to normal! Sending prayers and calming white light.

 

p.s. Jabari is just too cute and obviously loves his big brother!

[Valencia]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Unfortunately I can't gate him because our downstairs is basically just one big open room. I have had a fan blowing in his crate for him, so it should be somewhat cool.

 

He is definitely a lot less anxious today, prob due to the valium. But he is still miserable. The way he is holding his front paw is concerning me. Since this happened, he has had his toes curled under, almost like his paw is dangling from his wrist. Even when laying down, his foot is not flat. Does this mean anything to anyone?

 

I'm home for lunch and he's sleeping out in the yard again

 

ETA: Today is not a hot day, and it is still sprinkling outside. So I don't think it's the heat, but who knows.

 

That is called "knuckling over", and can be a sign of an injury or a neurological issue. I can't find any good information online about it, probably because I don't have the medical term for it. Someone else on here should know what this is. I believe it is caused by spinal injury or disease. Have the vets done a check on his spine to make sure it flexes properly without a pain response?

Edited September 24, 2009 by Valencia

[Guest GentleHugs]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Unfortunately I can't gate him because our downstairs is basically just one big open room. I have had a fan blowing in his crate for him, so it should be somewhat cool.

 

He is definitely a lot less anxious today, prob due to the valium. But he is still miserable. The way he is holding his front paw is concerning me. Since this happened, he has had his toes curled under, almost like his paw is dangling from his wrist. Even when laying down, his foot is not flat. Does this mean anything to anyone?

 

I'm home for lunch and he's sleeping out in the yard again

 

ETA: Today is not a hot day, and it is still sprinkling outside. So I don't think it's the heat, but who knows.

 

That is called "knuckling over", and can be a sign of an injury or a neurological issue. I can't find any good information online about it, probably because I don't have the medical term for it. Someone else on here should know what this is. I believe it is caused by spinal injury or disease. Have the vets done a check on his spine to make sure it flexes properly without a pain response?

 

 

I second Valencia's post. Knuckling under or over (which ever way you want to put it) is a sign there's some nerve damage done somewhere. I'd get him re-checked and have them check his spine and neck since he fell. He might have a disc somewhere that is inflamed and putting pressure on the spinal column.

[Valencia]

Okay, I found something... knuckling in the front leg can be caused by injury to the radial nerve. The vet can xray for signs of fracture in the humerus that would cause a radial nerve injury. http://www.infovets.com/healthydog/F610.htm Or, if it's a soft tissue injury, maybe time and therapy will help.

[Guest Energy11]

I am NOT a vet, just a retired paramedic/vet assistant.

 

To ME in humans, (sometimes, the toes, hands, feet, fingers) curling under can mean nerve damage or nerve impingement ... or, there is something called posturing in humans, which is indicative of a possible brain injury or head trauma. It is pretty hard to describe. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003189.htm (this link might help)

 

I'd ask the vet about possible nerve impingement or damage due to the fall. If you want, you can take a flashlight, (the smaller wattage, the better) and shine it briefly into each of his eyes. See if the pupils dilate appropriately in response to the light, and if the pupils are both equal in size. Let me know if you decide to do this and what you find.

 

You can PM me if you'd like.

 

These are all just thoughts I am throwing out, and NOT meant to worry or scare you. They area just ideas, like detective work. This is how I was taught to think as a Paramedic.

 

Love and hugs! Dee

[VinnieAndRexsMom]

Checking in on Riley and you.

Sending more hugs,

[Guest 4greytful]

How's Riley tonight? Do you have a Holoistic vet that can do acupuncture and chiropractic treatment on him? We had the same type of accident with Knobby the exact same split all 4 legs. The e-vet gave us the same Tramadol and Rimadyl after a muscle relaxing shot. The next day he had a chiropractic and acupunture treatment which helped him.

[fsugrad]

Just checking in on you and Riley to see how things are going.

Sending good thoughts and

Edited September 25, 2009 by fsugrad

[brandimom]

I am sorry to hear this about Riley! I know it is such a lonely feeling going through this. Lots of prayers and good healing thoughts going his way. Please keep us posted as soon as you have an update. All paws crossed on the sofa.

[RileysLegacy]

Thanks so much for the links. The vet did tell me that his nerves seemed ok. I have no idea what tests she did though.

 

I tried the flashlight thing, but really couldn't tell anything? His lenses are thickened, so that might be why.

 

Here's a pic of him laying outside, check out the paw

 

Edited September 25, 2009 by RileysMomma

[Valencia]

He is so beautiful.

 

His left shoulder is dropped forward, does he always lay like that? It looks like he is trying to shrug away from pain. Can you pick up his leg and manipulate it? Does it stretch out like it's supposed to? If you set the paw on the ground on his knuckles, will he turn it the right way? What is his posture like when he is standing up?

[RileysLegacy]

He is so beautiful.

 

His left shoulder is dropped forward, does he always lay like that? It looks like he is trying to shrug away from pain. Can you pick up his leg and manipulate it? Does it stretch out like it's supposed to? If you set the paw on the ground on his knuckles, will he turn it the right way? What is his posture like when he is standing up?

No he never lays like that, he has been laying very differently since this happened.

 

I was able to stretch his leg out all the way. He did not turn his paw.

 

Here is a video of him walking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTtE8dfmkcE

 

Thank you so much.

[Guest Greytluv]

Poor Riley. It looks like his leg is really bothering him.

 

[RileysLegacy]

An interesting new development - the vet just called and let me know that he is hypothyroid. She sent the test away last week when he was diagnosed w LP. I am pretty surprised.

 

She had me pinch his toes on his bad foot to see if he would respond, which he barely did after a very hard pinch (I felt bad). She also told me to put warm compresses on his joints and move his legs around a couple of times a day. She thinks he pulled the nerves in his armpit when he did the splits, and b/c of his age it will take longer for him to recover.

 

She is so awesome, I don't think I've ever had a vet call to check on him before.

 

Wow, I just looked up hypothyroidism, and one of the biggest indicators is chronic skin infections. He has dealt with staph infections for years. So glad nobody else thought to do a thyroid test.

Edited September 25, 2009 by RileysMomma

[Guest lynne893]

Yikes. I am sorry and hope the swelling goes down soon and that his pain is helped soon.

[HJsM]

^^^ Gentle massage will help him feel better and YOU too. Hang in there. He will recover.

[Valencia]

He is so beautiful.

 

His left shoulder is dropped forward, does he always lay like that? It looks like he is trying to shrug away from pain. Can you pick up his leg and manipulate it? Does it stretch out like it's supposed to? If you set the paw on the ground on his knuckles, will he turn it the right way? What is his posture like when he is standing up?

No he never lays like that, he has been laying very differently since this happened.

 

I was able to stretch his leg out all the way. He did not turn his paw.

 

Here is a video of him walking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTtE8dfmkcE

 

Thank you so much.

 

Oh, I can't imagine how hard that is to watch.

 

There is something going on. I would make sure complete x-rays have been done on his entire front leg and spinal area. His leg should not do that from a simple soft tissue injury. His foot is barely responding, and the top of his foot is touching the ground, and he doesn't seem to notice - that means he probably isn't feeling it due to a pinched nerve. Can you talk to your vet, and find out exactly what xrays were done, and what nerve function tests were done, and what exactly she thinks is going on? What does she think the recovery period is? When we get greys in our group that knuckle under, they go directly to the specialist. Do you have any specialists around you? I'm so sorry, Lucy, I know how hard this is to go through.

 

How is he otherwise? Does he seem to be in pain? Uncomfortable? Is he still staying outside? I hope he (and you!) get better sleep tonight.

[jamngrey]

I have no advice/info to add but wanted to send prayes and well wishes

[Guest FullMetalFrank]

Poor Riley; I hope he is doing better tonight. Sending prayers for him to recover from his fall, the sooner the better!

[GreyhoundNan]

I just watched the video and would also recommend full xrays of that shoulder. When my Jeany fell just after getting to the UK she was walking that exact same way, dragging her foot and knuckling the toes. When we got her to the vet, they said that she had dislocated the shoulder in the fall, and I think if I'd told DH to take her on before I got here she might still be with us because she did more damage after the fall trying to walk on it and get adjusted. I didn't read all the responses so you may have done this already and if so, ignore me. Good thoughts coming from across the pond...

[TheFullHouse]

Oh my, that looks horribly painful. I hope you find out what the problem is and Riley gets some relief soon.

[Madeara]

I'm sorry that handsome boy is going through this I hope he feels better soon especially after taking thyroid meds.