Leg Problems...

[redlady]

So, a couple of weeks ago, Radar started limping on his right front leg. Took him to the vet, no cancer, nothing visible. Vet prescribed an anti-inflammatory and sent us home.

 

Limping got a little worse, so I took him back 10 days later. We did another set of x-rays, and further probing of his leg showed that he was presenting with pain on the bone. No cancer again, but since we knew exactly where to look, they found a teeny tiny crack in the bone. Very small, barely visable. So, we went on the idea that was it. They gave him some pain meds along with the anti-infammatory and sent us home.

 

I left to go back to Michigan for the weekend. Sunday, I called my husband to tell him I was on my way home, and while we were talking, I hear Radar doing the GSOD in the background. DH didn't see what happened, but we are guessing that he was trying to get up in the dog room (room off kitchen - linolium) and slipped.

 

Took him to the vet this morning as he is now not using the leg AT ALL and is in a lot more pain. They do MORE x-rays. Still nothing. But, now they think that when he slipped (or whatever happened) that he did something to his tricep. He is panting hard and constant. He finally laid down (read: collapsed) but he all but refused to lie down before that. He won't eat. He got a morphine shot this morning.

 

I'm beside myself. I don't know what to do to make him feel better. I don't know if there is something me and my vets are missing. He's crying in pain and I just want him to lie down and relax and try to heal.

 

Help!!! Any suggestions? Any experience??

 

Update 11/2/09 - Just got back from the vet. I took him back in because he was so upset. My regular vet (saw a different guy this morning) came in to talk to me. He had reviewed the 3 x-rays we had taken. One from almost 3 weeks ago, one from less than a week ago, and one from today. The change is subtle, but on the one from today, we can see thinning of the bone wall and some fuzziness around the bone (before it was a nice clean line). He's going to do a biopsy today, but he's thinking it's OS.

 

I knew this was a possiblity. He even told me that he's had people come in with a limp, films were fine, then a couple of weeks later, they saw changes.

 

My poor baby. It's not fair that at the ripe age of 11 he has to go through so much pain.

Edited November 3, 2009 by redlady

[Guest Energy11]

If the injury is soft tissue, it won't show up on an x-ray.

 

If the injury is soft tissue, sometimes, it can feel worse than a break, and it take a long time to heal. The anti-inflammatory drugs should be helping. Best to leash walk, and keep him as quiet as possible too. Maybe ask the vet to prescribe Valium, as it is, believe it or not, a muscle relaxer and a sedative ... Might help him rest. Also, there are muscle relaxers out there, like Robaxin. Maybe a combination of the anti-inflammary and a muscle relaxer? I'd ask the vet.

 

The only other thing I can suggest is maybe sending the x-rays to be reviewed by Dr. Couto and team at OSU, to be sure they aren't missing something, and/or, seeing a specialist.

 

Good luck, and lots of love and prayers!

[Burpdog]

Morphine will cause a lack of appetite. When Mahogany was in end stage hospice for her osteo, we used morphine and tramdol. Sounds like he needs another pain med on board.

 

Have the xrays read by a radiologist.

 

Sending prayers.

 

Do you have an acupuncture vet that will come to the house?

[redlady]

He's on Tramadol and Previcox.

 

I was reading Rileysmomma's post about Riley's split incident a couple of months ago, and that is EXACTLY how Radar is. Videos of Riley are Radar to a "T". (except w/ Radar it's his right front, not his left front).

 

I PM'ed her for some info. But, from her postings, it seems like just some rest. I am going to call the vet and let them know his panting and restlessness. Maybe they have an idea on how to keep him quieter and more comfortable.

[Guest Energy11]

He's on Tramadol and Previcox.

 

Tramadol can cause bad reactions, too. A lot of people have had problems with Pervicox as well.

 

Yes, I would call the vet, and go from there. In addition to the injury, the medications could be the problem.

 

Good Luck and keep us posted!

 

I was reading Rileysmomma's post about Riley's split incident a couple of months ago, and that is EXACTLY how Radar is. Videos of Riley are Radar to a "T". (except w/ Radar it's his right front, not his left front).

 

I PM'ed her for some info. But, from her postings, it seems like just some rest. I am going to call the vet and let them know his panting and restlessness. Maybe they have an idea on how to keep him quieter and more comfortable.

 

[Guest Energy11]

So, a couple of weeks ago, Radar started limping on his right front leg. Took him to the vet, no cancer, nothing visible. Vet prescribed an anti-inflammatory and sent us home.

 

Limping got a little worse, so I took him back 10 days later. We did another set of x-rays, and further probing of his leg showed that he was presenting with pain on the bone. No cancer again, but since we knew exactly where to look, they found a teeny tiny crack in the bone. Very small, barely visable. So, we went on the idea that was it. They gave him some pain meds along with the anti-infammatory and sent us home.

 

I left to go back to Michigan for the weekend. Sunday, I called my husband to tell him I was on my way home, and while we were talking, I hear Radar doing the GSOD in the background. DH didn't see what happened, but we are guessing that he was trying to get up in the dog room (room off kitchen - linolium) and slipped.

 

Took him to the vet this morning as he is now not using the leg AT ALL and is in a lot more pain. They do MORE x-rays. Still nothing. But, now they think that when he slipped (or whatever happened) that he did something to his tricep. He is panting hard and constant. He finally laid down (read: collapsed) but he all but refused to lie down before that. He won't eat. He got a morphine shot this morning.

 

I'm beside myself. I don't know what to do to make him feel better. I don't know if there is something me and my vets are missing. He's crying in pain and I just want him to lie down and relax and try to heal.

 

Help!!! Any suggestions? Any experience??

 

Update 11/2/09 - Just got back from the vet. I took him back in because he was so upset. My regular vet (saw a different guy this morning) came in to talk to me. He had reviewed the 3 x-rays we had taken. One from almost 3 weeks ago, one from less than a week ago, and one from today. The change is subtle, but on the one from today, we can see thinning of the bone wall and some fuzziness around the bone (before it was a nice clean line). He's going to do a biopsy today, but he's thinking it's OS.

 

I knew this was a possiblity. He even told me that he's had people come in with a limp, films were fine, then a couple of weeks later, they saw changes.

 

My poor baby. It's not fair that at the ripe age of 11 he has to go through so much pain.

I am sorry to hear they think it is OS! It is a fast moving disease, but, yes, x-rays can be fine one week, and different a few weeks later. I lost my Max, 11.5 to OS. I had three good months with him after the diagnosis, with pain management. Lots of prayers coming your way.

[Guest Smiley]

Sending you many, many hugs and good thoughts.

[CaliforniaGreys]

Many prayers for your boy. I hope they get some meds on board quickly to get him out of pain

[Guest Che_mar_Cody]

many prayers headed your way :hope

[Guest MyBoys]

Sending hugs and prayers that this all works out for Radar.

[Guest cgl0909]

Sending positive thoughts and prayers your way for Radar.

[MP_the4pack]

If it is OS and you're struggling with the decision of what to do here's my story to help you.

 

Diamond was diagnosed with OS 6 weeks ago.

 

She was struggling with pain even though she was on high doses of pain meds. I did make the journey to OSU (I'm in NJ) and consulted with the team there. I was very determined to make sure that I got a "how is she going to do AFTER the amp at her age with her arthritis" answer. Even though I took the long drive out there, I would not go thru with the surgery if anyone felt she couldn't handle being a tripod.

 

While there was a concern, the oncologist (Dr. Couto), the surgeon and the orthopedists all said that she may take longer to recover but she's in great condition and we should go forward with the amp.

 

She's 3 weeks post amp and jumping into my very high SUV. She's actually refusing her ramp which she did use prior to surgery and immediately post op.

 

She's almost doing a full walk again (which encompasses circling around a 26 acre farm....it's a long walk).

 

By the way..............she celebrated her 12th birthday 2 weeks post op.

 

 

I'm not telling you what to do, only you can make that decision. And this was the absolutely hardest decision I've ever had to make. Now, I know, Diamond's told me, that I made the right decision.

 

Good luck. THis sucks. But whatever you do is right.

 

 

[redlady]

Thanks MP. I thought of you when he brought me back to read the films. Thinking "She told me this might happen..."

 

He just called. The biopsy is done. He's 90% sure that's what it is. He said the bone was pretty spongy and he saw some evidence of bleeding - indicative of OS.

 

I AM struggling. My mind still isn't wrapped around the fact that this is what we're dealing with. He was on the meds this morning, and if anything was WORSE. Vet put him on some different stuff and says he's better than this morning, but still painful. I asked about a fentnoyl (sp?) patch, and he said he doesn't use them too often - mixed success with them and he's hesitant to use them in houses with kids (I have a toddler). But said if I wanted to use one, he would get it for me. He wants to use the Previcox and Tramadol right now, and if that doesn't help, he'd supply me with injections of something stronger or order the patch for me.

 

I'm just at a loss. Radar is just such a laid back, easy soul. It's hard and so d@mn unfair to see him struggling with anything this harsh!!! I have some long days ahead of me as I decide what's best for him. He's not like my girls. They're fiesty and fighters. He's just a passive, calm guy. I don't want to sell him short, but I don't want to put him through anything that wouldn't benefit him in the end either.

 

I feel like a traitor even making the decision. It's a good thing the vet is only 4 blocks from my house. I'm sure I'll be crying too hard to drive much further than that. I'm going to pick him up as soon as DH comes home. I don't want to bring DS with me, he's just not in the mood and I need to be on my full game when I go (as much as I can be).

 

This sucks. I know that simplifies my emotions more than their due, but it about sums it up.

Edited November 2, 2009 by redlady

[2hounds]

I am so sorry.

[Guest greytbookert]

oh my, I'm so sorry!

 

 

[Bluesky]

Crap.

[Trihounds]

Sorry you are having to go through this. Just know that while only you and your family can make the decision, whatever you decide may feel wrong and you might second guess yourself, but you have to stay strong knowing the decision you made was in Radar's best interest. I hope the coming days bring you the clarity of thought you need. All the best,

[Guest BoogieDown]

Yes, it does suck.

 

Your heart will tell you what the best thing for Radar is. You are not a traitor for thinking what you are. You are a caring soul who is doing what you can for your pup.

[EllenEveBaz]

[Guest vahoundlover]

I am so sorry

[duncan41]

I am so sorry. There are no right or wrong answers and regardless of which answer is best for you, it's going to hurt. Wish we could absorb some of it, or at least cushion the blow. As MP said, whatever you is right. Sending prayers and hugs of comfort.

There are many other pain meds available. Please work with your Vet (and perhaps OSU?) to find something that will work for Radar. Many, many hounds have problems with Tramadol.

[redlady]

Brought him home for a couple of hours, then went back to the vet.

 

We put our beloved Greyhound to sleep tonight. He was pleading with me to let him go when he got home. My sweet sensitive boy did not have the soul to tolerate such pain.

 

They took new films tonight with a darker setting, and the cancer was evident.

 

Run Free my beautiful, sweet boy. It hasn't hit me that you're gone yet.

[ahicks51]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[MauCarden]

I am just so sorry for your pain and for the suddeness of it all. :f_red

[GreyPoopon]

I'm so very sorry.