Saharasmom Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Just had the vet appointment that every greyhound owner dreads. Sahara started limping on Thursday, seemed better on Friday, then limped worse over the weekend. DH and I noticed this weekend that the bone abover her wrist is swollen as well. Two years ago, she broke & dislocated her wrist, so the joint has been larger than normal. The x-rays showed increased calcification in her wrist bones, but a degeneration of the bone above her wrist. The vet said it could either be a bone infection or the beginning stages of osteo. He did say that she was very stoic if she has osteo, as she didn't react when he palpated the lump. Other than the limp, she seems fine. She was very excited when I got her leash for the vet trip & chattered away when I went through the Starbucks drive-through. This was all before I got any pain meds from the vet. Anyway, I left the vet with 10 day antibiotic and Deramaxx prescriptions. I'll take her back in 10 days (2 weeks? I should have written it down) for repeat x-rays. Has anyone on the board actually had a greyhound with a bone infection? I don't think she is at risk of Valley Fever, as she raced in FL then lived in NC. I read about swollen wrists on Greytalk this weekend and saw that she looked pretty similar to some other osteo cases. The lump I'm worried about is above her wrist on the left. And a picture of the pretty girl earlier this summer... Quote Rebeccawith Atlas the borzoi, Luna the pyr, and Madison the cat, always missing Sahara(Flyin Tara Lyn) and Coltrane(Blue on By) the greyhounds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Smiley Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 I'm so sorry you're going through this. We know the fear and dread of worrying about osteo. Years back Smiley had a very swollen toe that our vet ended up amputating because he feared cancer. As it turned out, it was a severe infection as indicated in the path report. I'm sorry I can't remember the details of what kind of infection and whether it involved the bone or just tissue, but my hope is that you're results will indicate an infection too. Hang in there and give Sahara a big hug! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BauersMom Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Can you get your vet to send the X-rays to OSU for a consult? We were in the same boat and were told to wait two weeks, repeat x-rays etc. But I was encouraged to get the x-rays to OSU sooner rather than later. Fingers crossed for your girl. Quote With Buster Bloof (UCME Razorback 89B-51359) and Gingersnap Ginny (92D-59450). Missing Pepper, Berkeley, Ivy, Princess and Bauer at the bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HopeForHounds Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 I would ask for a fine needle aspiration of the suspicious area. The will tell you whether it is infection or not. Praying that is what you are looking at and Sahara is back to normal soon. Quote Casual Bling & Hope for HoundsJanet & the hounds Maggie and Allen Missing my baby girl Peanut, old soul Jake, quirky Jet, Mama Grandy and my old Diva Miz Foxy; my angel, my inspiration. You all brought so much into my light, and taught me so much about the power of love, you are with me always.If you get the chance to sit it out or dance.......... I hope you dance! Missing our littlest girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeofNE Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 My dog Kramer (not a greyhound) had a bone infection. There was no lump. There was no pain. We only discovered it when he spiked a very high fever. He had surgery a year before that involved cutting a bone. That surgery took FOREVER to heal, and in retrospect, we should have been much more aggressive in trying to figure out why. He had to have his surgical hardware removed, his joint drained, and he was on two different antibiotics for two months ($550 just for the pills). Don't know if this helps at all--but I think if it were a bone infection, she's have some signs of it in blood work. I know mine did. Quote Susan, Hamish, Mister Bigglesworth and Nikita Stanislav. Missing Ming, George, and Buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 (edited) Ugh-truthfully it does look like osteo. You know the old saying if it looks like a duck...... I would sent the films to OSU and ask your vet about performing an aspirate to submit for a cytology. Remember no bone biopsy- you may fracture the limb doing so. Fingers crossed it's not what we fear. Holding positive thoughts! Edited to add- she's very pretty! Edited September 12, 2011 by tbhounds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houndtime Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Good thoughts for your girl. Quote Irene Ullmann w/Flying Odin and Mama Mia in Lower Delaware Angels Brandy, John E, American Idol, Paul, Fuzzy and Shine Handcrafted Greyhound and Custom Clocks http://www.houndtime.com Zoom Doggies-Racing Coats for Racing Greyhounds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racindog Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Goldie's looked like that from a snake bite. There was very small puncture wounds vet found and luckily snake wasn't seriously poison or didn't inject because he got well with minimal treatment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 At the very least, send the xrays to a radiologist for an opinion. In two weeks there might not be enough change to see anything. We xrayed Mahogany every 2 weeks for 6-8 weeks. With Pablo, I waited 3 weeks. Sending prayers. Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saharasmom Posted September 12, 2011 Author Share Posted September 12, 2011 Thanks everyone for your responses. Sahara luckily did not require surgery when she broke her wrist and has no other hardware. Her temperature was normal at the exam. We will get the results of her CBC tomorrow, but I think the vet said either an infection or cancer could cause elevated WBC. For a multitude of reasons, I think we would treat osteo with palliative care only. With that being the case, do you guys still think it would be worthwhile to get a consult with OSU and push my vet for the FNA? Honestly, I think I'm just in denial and am hoping she will be back to normal by the end of the week. Quote Rebeccawith Atlas the borzoi, Luna the pyr, and Madison the cat, always missing Sahara(Flyin Tara Lyn) and Coltrane(Blue on By) the greyhounds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BauersMom Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Thanks everyone for your responses. Sahara luckily did not require surgery when she broke her wrist and has no other hardware. Her temperature was normal at the exam. We will get the results of her CBC tomorrow, but I think the vet said either an infection or cancer could cause elevated WBC. For a multitude of reasons, I think we would treat osteo with palliative care only. With that being the case, do you guys still think it would be worthwhile to get a consult with OSU and push my vet for the FNA? Honestly, I think I'm just in denial and am hoping she will be back to normal by the end of the week. I would have OSU look at the X-rays even with palliative care, but I would not do the FNA (I didn't and I went for the amp...). There certainly have been enough cases of mis-diagnosis for osteo in either direction, it's good to have the "experts" weigh in or at least have a second opinion done so you know what you're really facing. And it was also helpful to talk to an oncologist to hear about treatment options and options for palliative care, once we had the diagnosis. The submission form is here: https://greyhound.osu.edu/consultationservice/ Quote With Buster Bloof (UCME Razorback 89B-51359) and Gingersnap Ginny (92D-59450). Missing Pepper, Berkeley, Ivy, Princess and Bauer at the bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saharasmom Posted September 12, 2011 Author Share Posted September 12, 2011 Thanks, Bauersmom. I will ask the vet for digital copies of the x-rays tomorrow when we discuss the CBC results. Then I'll fill out the consult form for OSU. What did people do before Greytalk?? Quote Rebeccawith Atlas the borzoi, Luna the pyr, and Madison the cat, always missing Sahara(Flyin Tara Lyn) and Coltrane(Blue on By) the greyhounds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HopeForHounds Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Thanks, Bauersmom. I will ask the vet for digital copies of the x-rays tomorrow when we discuss the CBC results. Then I'll fill out the consult form for OSU. What did people do before Greytalk?? I expect they felt very much alone. Quote Casual Bling & Hope for HoundsJanet & the hounds Maggie and Allen Missing my baby girl Peanut, old soul Jake, quirky Jet, Mama Grandy and my old Diva Miz Foxy; my angel, my inspiration. You all brought so much into my light, and taught me so much about the power of love, you are with me always.If you get the chance to sit it out or dance.......... I hope you dance! Missing our littlest girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macoduck Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Does the bump feel feverish? Is it mushy or hard? We got real lucky when Harold lump in the same location turned out to be a spider bite. for Sahara.......... Quote Freshy (Droopys Fresh), NoAh the podenco orito, Howie the portuguese podengo maneto Angels: Rita the podenco maneta, Lila, the podenco, Mr X aka Denali, Lulu the podenco andaluz, Hada the podenco maneta, Georgie Girl (UMR Cordella), Charlie the iggy, Mazy (CBR Crazy Girl), Potato, my mystery ibizan girl, Allen (M's Pretty Boy), Percy (Fast But True), Mikey (Doray's Patuti), Pudge le mutt, Tessa the iggy, Possum (Apostle), Gracie (Dusty Lady), Harold (Slatex Harold), "Cousin" Simon our step-iggy, Little Dude the iggy ,Bandit (Bb Blue Jay), Niña the galgo, Wally (Allen Hogg), Thane (Pog Mo Thoine), Oliver (JJ Special Agent), Comet, & Rosie our original mutt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFullHouse Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Sending good thoughts for your pretty girl. 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...
tbhounds Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Does the bump feel feverish? Is it mushy or hard? We got real lucky when Harold lump in the same location turned out to be a spider bite. for Sahara.......... Except this poor girl has a lytic lesion on the x-ray. Too many hounds...... . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EllenEveBaz Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 Sending our best thoughts for your beautiful girl. Quote Ellen, with brindle Milo and the blonde ballerina, Gelsey remembering Eve, Baz, Scout, Romie, Nutmeg, and Jeter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwiggysMom Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 This is just too, too, familiar. 5 weeks ago, I posted almost the exact same thing (see "Fungal Bone Infection or Osteo?" on p.7 of H&M). 4 weeks ago, Twiggy's leg was amputated at OSU (b/c I didn't get my wish, and it was osteo). I can't tell you how much I hope this turns out to be "just" a bone infection, but either way, I wouldn't wait 2 weeks to find out. While it sounds like you wouldn't do anything different if it is osteo, if it actually is a bone infection, it would probably be better to get a definitive dx and treatment as soon as possible. My very best wishes to all of you. Quote Wendy with Twiggy, fosterless while Twiggy's fighting the good fight, and Donnie & Aiden the kitties Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brindlehound Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 Magic had a swollen wrist last spring and it turned out to be an infection which antibiotics took care of. Magic wasn't putting much weight on that leg. I was more concerned that he broke his wrist than osteo. The vet was concerned about osteo. Also, sending good thoughts for Sahara. Quote Carol, missing Magic (1/5/01 - 4/15/15) but welcoming Fuzzy's Joy Behar (Joy) into my life on 5/31/15. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeofNE Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 Thanks everyone for your responses. Sahara luckily did not require surgery when she broke her wrist and has no other hardware. Her temperature was normal at the exam. We will get the results of her CBC tomorrow, but I think the vet said either an infection or cancer could cause elevated WBC. For a multitude of reasons, I think we would treat osteo with palliative care only. With that being the case, do you guys still think it would be worthwhile to get a consult with OSU and push my vet for the FNA? Honestly, I think I'm just in denial and am hoping she will be back to normal by the end of the week. I would have OSU look at the X-rays even with palliative care, but I would not do the FNA (I didn't and I went for the amp...). There certainly have been enough cases of mis-diagnosis for osteo in either direction, it's good to have the "experts" weigh in or at least have a second opinion done so you know what you're really facing. And it was also helpful to talk to an oncologist to hear about treatment options and options for palliative care, once we had the diagnosis. The submission form is here: https://greyhound.osu.edu/consultationservice/ Totally agree with this. What's the point of the FNA if the films make clear what you suspect? Since OSU will review the films for free, I would certainly do that. Quote Susan, Hamish, Mister Bigglesworth and Nikita Stanislav. Missing Ming, George, and Buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeylasMom Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 I agree with others, start by sending the films to OSU asap. They can often make the diagnosis based on radiographs when other vets weren't able to. Hoping that you're not dealing with osteo here. Quote Jen, CPDT-KA with Zuri, lab in a greyhound suit, Violet, formerly known as Faith, Skye, the permanent puppy, Cisco, resident cat, and my baby girl Neyla, forever in my heart "The great thing about science is that you're free to disagree with it, but you'll be wrong." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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