Guest sweetpea Posted December 24, 2010 Share Posted December 24, 2010 Okay, I'll try and keep this concise, I'll really really try. Thanksgiving-ish, Sweetpea injured her neck, we don't know how. Vet put her on Tramadol and prednisone for a week, then re-evaluate. The prednisone did it's anti-inflammatory job, unfortunately, it also earned it's own notation in her chart: To be used only as a last resort. (She peed 18 times in 24 hours, we live in a 2nd floor condo, it was a nightmare. ) We didn't use very much of the tramadol, it made her so stumbly, and the prednisone was wreaking enough havoc, we did not need her falling down the stairs on one of our many potty walks. And, once the inflammation went away, so did the pain. Follow up visit, x-rays show no anomalies in her neck or down her spine. We do a little dance of joy and go on our merry way. 10 days ago, my sister says Sweetpea is whimpering again when she gets up out of bed (which is how the first round manifested). She makes an appointment with our vet, which I ended up cancelling because Sweetpea isn't showing me any indications of pain. She's twisting herself up into a little ball to sleep, she's doing the full ear-flappity head shake when she stretches, she's up and down out of her beds with no problem. These were all things she couldn't do when she was hurting the first time around. Two nights ago, Sweetpea whimpered a couple of times when re-positioning in her bed; and then again the next day when getting up out of her bed. It's so sporadic, but it's also persistent, so I made another vet appt, for Monday. Today, she's fine, chipper and spry, rubbing her head against me with vim and vigor (which I try to minimize because I don't want her to hurt herself, but it's hard 'cause she's so freakin' cute!) Any ideas what is wrong with my girl? Is it a pinched nerve? Arthritis? Would a strained muscle re-strain? I know that just because nothing showed up on the xrays doesn't mean there's nothing there. It just seems clear that something is inflamed, some of the time....I'm perplexed Thanks for any help! Buzzy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Lakota Posted December 24, 2010 Share Posted December 24, 2010 I have seen remarkable improvement in some dogs from using Chiroprators and Acupunture. If it was me, I would try taking her to a clinic that offers these treatments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted December 24, 2010 Share Posted December 24, 2010 Could be soft tissue. Best is rest (to the extent possible) and anti-inflammatories. If she's been off the prednisone for a week or so, could try one of the NSAIDs (Rimadyl, Deramaxx, Metacam). If she's still squeaking now and then, it would be a good idea to give another 10 days of anti-inflammatory med. 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...
Sambuca Posted December 24, 2010 Share Posted December 24, 2010 It sounds to me like every time she wimpered lately, she's been in bed or getting out of bed. If she doesn't seem to be having issues with her neck it could just be her leg fell asleep. I know my carpel tunnel really acts up while I'm sleeping, maybe she has something like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFullHouse Posted December 24, 2010 Share Posted December 24, 2010 I agree with Batmom. Metacam is a good one to give. It's what I give Valentino when he has an arthritis flair. He doesn't have many at all but when he does, it works great. Quote Judy, mom to Darth Vader, Bandita, And Angel Forever in our hearts, DeeYoGee, Dani, Emmy, Andy, Heart, Saint, Valentino, Arrow, Gee, Bebe, Jilly Bean, Bullitt, Pistol, Junior, Sammie, Joey, Gizmo, Do Bee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kudzu Posted December 24, 2010 Share Posted December 24, 2010 I have seen remarkable improvement in some dogs from using Chiroprators and Acupunture. If it was me, I would try taking her to a clinic that offers these treatments. Ditto & double ditto. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Diablo Posted December 24, 2010 Share Posted December 24, 2010 My Zigane started to walk funny, she didn't seem to be in pain. could still run in the garden, jump in the bed and everything else. The first x-rays didn't show much, it was only after my vet did a myelogram (x-rays with contrast) that he saw herniated discs in her neck. Side effect of myelogram was that she had a couple of epileptic seizures over the next few days after she had it. In the past, I had good results with hydrotherapy for one of my other dogs. Fingers crossed it isn't anything serious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OwnedBySummer Posted December 24, 2010 Share Posted December 24, 2010 (edited) If the Metacam doesn't improve, I would "guess" that it's not a soft tissue injury. Then I would definitely consider a chiropractor. Summer came up limping in late November, after a run. Then she did it again Dec.10, again after a run. So... we went to the vet, did the Metacam. We did a followup with the vet a couple of days ago and she still had a bit of a gait problem, so we did x-rays. Nothing. Even had a radiologist look at them for a 2nd opinion. Nothing. So I went to the chiropractor today, one who is familiar with greys, too. She discovered that Summer's pelvis was out of whack, throwing her hind leg out of whack and causing her to strain it when running at speeds. Summer had fallen in the autumn, skidding along on her back, and no one thought too much of it as she seemed pretty fine afterwards. But we suspect this current condition may be from that fall. Sorry for all the background. But today, after her FIRST visit to the chiropractor, she walked more confidently on our scary shiny tile floor than she ever has before. Her tail wagging is higher and more enthusiastic, too. And her gait is already improved. The long and the short... a good chiropractor is a wonderful thing! Edited December 24, 2010 by OwnedBySummer Quote Lisa B. My beautiful Summer - to her forever home May 1, 2010 Summer Certified therapy dog team with St. John Ambulance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan41 Posted December 24, 2010 Share Posted December 24, 2010 If you aren't doing these things already; walking with a harness instead of a collar and using a raised feeder/waterer (mine is 18") along with no jumping on furniture, beds or in/out of vehicles. No running, playing, rough housing. I know it sounds harsh, but it needs time to calm down - I don't think we give these guys enough time to heal. I have been through this myself with Suze and if I remember correctly, it took 3 weeks of severe restrictions with an anti-inflammatory to get over the hump, and she was only 2+ years old at the time. Hope Sweetpea feels better soon! Quote Linda, Mom to Fuzz, Barkley, and the felines Miss Kitty, Simon and Joseph.Waiting at The Bridge: Alex, Josh, Harley, Nikki, Beemer, Anna, Frank, Rachel, my heart & soul, Suze and the best boy ever, Dalton.<p> ....for all those hounds that are sick, hurt, lost or waiting for their forever homes. SENIORS ROCK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinw Posted December 24, 2010 Share Posted December 24, 2010 This happens to Phoenix every once in a while. He sees a chiropractor, which really helps. As others have suggested, it might help to use a harness and to restrict her playtime. Whenever Loca had neck problems, I used to massage her neck and back with something like Ben Gay. That also seemed to help a lot. Quote Xavi the galgo and Peter the cat. Missing Iker the galgo ?-Feb.9/19, Treasure (USS Treasure) April 12/01-May 6/13, Phoenix (Hallo Top Son) Dec.14/99-June 4/11 and Loca (Reko Swahili) Oct.9/95 - June 1/09, Allen the boss cat, died late November, 2021, age 19. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhead Posted December 24, 2010 Share Posted December 24, 2010 Hi Buzzy! We remember you and Sweetpea fondly from Eric and Anne's playgroup. You didn't mention how it's known that Sweetpea hurt her neck, as opposed to a shoulder or something else. How'd you figure it out? You're right that something might be wrong that x-ray doesn't show or doesn't show well. I don't want to make this about us, but we just had an MRI on Shane that showed a "healed" but still problematic injury to his pelvis, while the earlier x-rays didn't show that it was a problem. He's about to start rehab, using hydrotherapy, massage and range of motion work. But for the last two years acupuncture and chiro adjustments have gotten him through, from a practitioner that comes up to Kent every two weeks. That's as far north as she goes, I'm afraid, but she's really good and less expensive than most, I'm told ($65). They're having a "sale" on MRI's in Tacoma, in honor of their new neurologist; let me know if you want to know more. I'm so sorry that Missy Sweetpea is having trouble. Not to mention what the prednisone and 18 outs per day did to you! Wishing you both relief now and in the New Year! Quote Mary with Jumper Jack (2/17/11) and angels Shane (PA's Busta Rime, 12/10/02 - 10/14/16) and Spencer (Dutch Laser, 11/25/00 - 3/29/13). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sweetpea Posted December 24, 2010 Share Posted December 24, 2010 Thanks guys! (My sister scoffed when I wanted back online so soon to see what responses I might have gotten.... oh, she of little faith!) I think it is probably true that I didn't make her stay quiet long enough to heal properly. She does have a raised feeder, but I'm not sure it's high enough, it looks to be only 12 inches high. We did try a harness on her, but she really didn't like it at all, and combined with how loopy she was on tramadol, my sister had to carry her down the stairs one time. (I'm glad I wasn't home for that, I probably would have had a heart-attack!) How we determined it was her neck, well that took a little bit of sleuthing. At first, I would hear her yelp, come a-running, and find her up and limping. I would palpate her legs, her back, her shoulders.....nothing. I asked her, but she wasn't telling. Believe me, the sudden onset, combined with no obvious injury or trauma, combined with the limp; my heart took a nose dive and my head followed riteawayqwik. After a few hours of barely contained near-hysteria, I said to myself, "Self, this isn't doing anybody any good, AT ALL." And I got to work gathering as much data as I could to present to the vet. The problem was, nobody was ever around to see what she was doing that caused her to yelp. The next morning, I stepped into my closet and then back out again, and Sweetpea was lifting her head, to try and get up and follow me (yup, even into the closet) and THAT was when she yelped. The vet tried a series of range of motion tests, and agreed it was her neck (I was on speaker-phone, it hurt my heart to hear her yelp like that ) Okay, so it looks like I have some options to discuss with my vet. Thanks again, you're da best! Buzzy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BatterseaBrindl Posted December 24, 2010 Share Posted December 24, 2010 Sorry SweetPea is not herself. I would also seriously consider the Chiro/Accupuncture route. However...do not have her on any medication when you take her.... otherwise they may not be able to tell how much pain she's actually in. I also wonder if this latest yelping is unrelated to her previous neck injury. But if you really belive it is in her head/neck area, it could be her ears. Quote Nancy...Mom to Sid (Peteles Tiger), Kibo (112 Carlota Galgos) and Joshi. Missing Casey, Gomer, Mona, Penelope, BillieJean, Bandit, Nixon (Starz Sammie), Ruby (Watch Me Dash) Nigel (Nigel), and especially little Mario, waiting at the Bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndyandHollyluv Posted December 24, 2010 Share Posted December 24, 2010 I am sorry about Sweetpea. My Holly, 11-1/2, receives chiropractic adjustments and acupuncture. I can't say enough good things about the treatments. On a few occasions, Holly had a cervical disk out in her neck. Sometimes it has been the pelvis. Adjustments have made all the difference in the world. If it's soft tissue - well that's another story. But if it's skeletal, I sure would encourage you to have her seen by a chiropractor. Proper alignment is so important for these dogs with long spines. If left untreated it will cause her a long-term world of hurt and problems. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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