Tender Knee Bump

[Guest krohe]

About a week ago we noticed that Scoop couldn't bear a lot of weight on his left rear leg. We took him to the vet who suspected either a torn muscle or ACL. We scheduled him for x-rays early this week. In the meantime, she recommended rest and prudent use of painkillers. If it was a muscle tear then it would start to heal and we should see some improvement.

 

After a week's rest and pain killers he was doing so much better...back to normal. So I canceled the x-ray appointment.

 

Yesterday he started favoring the leg again. When standing still he lifts it so as not to put any weight on it. There's also a sizable lump on the inside of his knee that is tender to the touch. He allows me to put ice on it, and that seems to make him feel better.

 

Long story short, he's going to the vet first thing tomorrow morning for x-rays.

 

Please send good thoughts / prayers / white light Scoop's way and hope that it isn't anything serious.

 

Oh, and prayers for me as well, as I am a wreck with worry over my boy!

[Guest TeddysMom]

I know how worried you must be. My prayers and good thoughts will be with you and Scoop that is is just a muscle issue and easy to treat. Please keep us updated.

[DesiRayMom]

Good thoughts & prayers for Scoop.

[Guest BleuDog]

Thinking Good Thoughts....Hope things have improved....Update??????

[Charlies_Dad]

How is Scoop doing???

[Guest krohe]

Scoop's X-rays were all negative. No breaks, no tears, nothing...there's a small area suggestive of the very early beginnings of some arthritis, but that shouldn't / wouldn't cause the discomfort he is experiencing.

 

We have instructions to just keep him as quiet as possible and continue the painkillers for another week. It doesn't help that his (2 year younger) brother wants to play with him!

 

Hopefully it will just resolve itself.

 

I just don't like it that he is still very much favoring that left hind leg and really doesn't seem to be getting any better.

 

I guess all I can do is keep an eye on it and pray a lot.

 

Thanks for everyone's concern and good thoughts.

[Guest handpicked]

After personal experience, I would recommend doing x-rays again in a week or two as the first radiograph can be negative, but it is actually osteo that hasn't completely showed up. (First rads were negative, second showed osteo in my Boy Friend.) I am sorry to say, but if it squawks like a duck it is probably a duck!! Sending prayers and white light to Scoop!! (I sure hope I am wrong!!)

[Guest bigorangedog]

After personal experience, I would recommend doing x-rays again in a week or two as the first radiograph can be negative, but it is actually osteo that hasn't completely showed up. (First rads were negative, second showed osteo in my Boy Friend.) I am sorry to say, but if it squawks like a duck it is probably a duck!! Sending prayers and white light to Scoop!! (I sure hope I am wrong!!)

 

I was going to say the same thing as Shelley. Or send the xrays out to a radiologist for a 2nd opinion. My Whitey had metastasis in his distal ulna 6 mo after his other front leg was amputated, and it was painful well before it was visible on the rads. But a radiologist will probably be able to pick something out better than a regular vet would. All they do all day long it sit around looking at xrays.

 

Also crossing fingers that Shelley and I are both very wrong!

[Guest FastDogsOwnMe]

I sure hope it is not osteo. My Borzoi in my siggie has exactly the same symptoms, and she does have it. I second the motion to get follow up X rays and/or send them to a specialist. I also hope that we are all very wrong!

[Guest krohe]

I sure hope it is not osteo. My Borzoi in my siggie has exactly the same symptoms, and she does have it. I second the motion to get follow up X rays and/or send them to a specialist. I also hope that we are all very wrong!

 

I should have mentioned that the vet is sending the x-rays to a radiologist to read. We should have their report back sometime this week. I also thought maybe osteo, but breathed a sigh of relief when we didn't see anything amiss on the x-rays (the vet showed us the films when we went to pick up Scoop). Then again, I'm not trained to read the little nuances in x-rays.

 

Please keep sending white light and prayers for my Scoop-dog!

[EllenEveBaz]

Please keep sending white light and prayers for my Scoop-dog!

Will do!

[joejoesmom]

Dr. Couto's team at OSU could take a look at the xrays at no charge. Unfortunately, they see lots and lots of greyhound x-rays with osteo. Another opinion might set your mind at rest.

 

I also agree that a second set of xrays in a week or two would be a good idea, but I am admittedly gun shy since my Joe has osteo.

 

Jane

 

 

Here is info on how to contact Dr. Couto and his team. The email or phone consult is free, however a few people have been told they must sign up for the website ($50) and submit the request that way. Dr. Couto tells me that this is not true. However, if you are a member of their website, please submit your request that way because it will automate things and make record keeping for them easier. Certain chemo drugs are free; you would need to pay to have them administered.

 

Greyhound Health and Wellness Program

Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine

601 Vernon Tharp Street

Columbus, Ohio 43210

Phone: (614) 247-6757 or (614) 247-8490

Email: greyosu@osu.edu

Website: http://www.vet.ohio-state.edu/GHWP.htm (registration and fee now required to get full access to this site)

 

This email goes to the team. If Dr. Couto is traveling, you may get a quicker answer from one of his team members. Drs. Marin and Zaldivar typically respond to greyhound owners. The consult is free but if you can afford to support the program please do so. You can sign up for full access to the website ($99 per calendar year) or donate through the giving page on the website. If you decide to donate, you can double your money by giving through the Greyhound Project. Just go to this website and scroll down to the appropriate donation button: http://www.adopt-a-greyhound.org/donate.shtml. They will match the funds that you donate.

 

The Team:

 

Dr. Couto, Department Head, Greyhound Medicine, Oncology and Hematology

Dr. Lili Marin, Greyhound Health and Oncology

Dr. Sara Zaldivar, Greyhound Health and Oncology

Dr. William Kisselberth, Oncology

Dr. Cheryl London, Oncology

Dr. Cristina Iazbik, Blood Bank Director and Hematologist

Dr. Bridget Urie, Oncology Resident

Dr. Matt Sherger, Oncology Resident

Dr. Joelle Fenger, Oncology Resident

Dawn Hudson, Vet Tech

Ashley DeFelice, Vet Tech

Stacey Gallant, Vet Tech

 

Drs Marin and Zaldivar are originally from Spanish speaking countries. If you have trouble understanding them over the phone, you might ask for one of the other vets or vet techs to “translate”.

 

Dr. Couto's direct email is:

couto.1@osu.edu

His phone number is also 614-247-6757. If he is in town, he typically returns emails in the early hours of the morning.

 

You should know that (in my humble opinion) they need more staff. Unfortunately finances do not permit it at this time. They do 20 to 30 greyhound consults a day along with all of their "in canine" patients. Depending on their workload there may be a wait for the consultation. If you are contacting them on an emergency basis, please let them know.

If you want to make an appointment to be seen in person/canine, you can call the main number to set up a date/time. The main number for the veterinary hospital is 614-292-3551.

 

If you decide to visit OSU please contact me. I may be able to put you up in a local home, provide moral support, or just help with logistics:

 

Finewhipador-drool@yahoo.com

[Guest krohe]

It's osteo

 

We're in shock (although the thought was in the back of my mind).

I think we're going to opt for pain meds and palliative care.

My boy can have anything he wants whenever he wants it for as long as he wants it.

 

We are sad.

[Guest FastDogsOwnMe]

Oh NO! Damn! I'm so sorry

[Guest FastDogsOwnMe]

Oh no! He is so young... I'm so terribly sorry. We are doing pain management with Rose also. Everyone here is so supportive, kind, and understanding. Don't hesitate to reach out.

[Guest longdoglady]

I'm so so sorry, lots of love and hugs for Scoop and his family.

[DesiRayMom]

Oh no!!!! Make every day his best day. Prayers for Scoop, strength for you.

[joejoesmom]

I am so sorry. You still might want to send the x-ray to OSU. There have been a few times when they determined that the dog didn't have osteo but something else. Although I'm sorry to say that with the symptoms Scoop has this doesn't sound likely. Have you had a fine needle aspirate done? This is done without anesthesia. Don't let them do a biopsy. It is very invasive and painful.

 

I elected to do amputation and chemo for my 7 year old Joey. He is now 5 weeks post amputation and doing great; he is back to being his normal goofy self. Of course, the prognosis is not great so I am spoiling him and trying to make every day the best it can be for him.

 

With palliative care it is important to stay ahead of the pain. Also be aware that osteo will weaken the bone so it is important to reasonably limit Scoop's activity to help avoid a fracture. When you are not there to monitor him, try to keep him confined where he can't do too much jumping or other activity.

 

Neyla's mom can be a great resource for palliative care and alternative therapies.

 

You might also want to join the Yahoo group, Circle of Grey. Everyone there has or has had a greyhound with cancer. They can be amazingly supportive.

 

My heart goes out to you and your sweet boy Scoop.

[Guest BleuDog]

Sending you wishes for a LOT of Time to LOVE on your Scoop!

 

I know all pups are different......but my Bleu Man would curl his toes when he was in pain....time for another pill, or time to get stronger meds....watch him & see what he needs, and don't be afraid to use what your vet offers-as you see a need for it......

 

LOVE and HUGS to you ALL......

[Guest BlueCrab]

Oh I'm so sorry to hear about Scoop. We had x-rays done on Trixie's front leg last night and they, too, came back "negative". But I'm still a worried mama, and she's still holding up her foot. So I intend to follow up on it.

 

Please love on Scoop and know that there's tons of support here.

[TheFullHouse]

I'm so very sorry to hear the news.

[Meandmy]

I'm so very, very sorry

[greyhead]

Dang! I'm so, so sorry. Hoping you are able to share lots of love/spoiling.

[Jackandgrey]

I am so sorry. Yes spoil your sweetie and lean on everyone here. Too many of us know exactly how you're feeling right now.

[queenwinniesmom]

I'm so sorry! Please let us know how your sweet boy is doing, and how YOU are doing. You are not alone. Unfortunately, so many of us here have dealt with osteo. But there is a lot of knowledge and support.

Gentle hugs to Scoop.