AnneGTS Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 About 2 months ago Spriet started limping. We gave her some pain meds but we didn't notice any difference. After a while we switched to other pain meds and started giving her glucosamine. Last week there still was no difference. She can't do long walks anymore. The vet took an x-ray. It turned out a piece of her bone (close to her knee) broke off. That's what causing her pain. They can operate it, but the vet thinks it will only get worse. So, what to do now? We can't give her pain meds because they don't help very much. And they are also causing stomach issues. We just try to keep her as calm as possible and go for very short walks. Quote Anne, Sasha & Tapas. Spriet (2002-2015), Tibbie (2000-2015) and Gunda (1996-2009) www.rapiddogwear.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerlinsMum Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 Oh no Poor Spriet Why does the vet thinks it's going to get worse if the piece is removed? Quote Kerry with Lupin in beautiful coastal Maine. Missing Pippin, my best friend and sweet little heart-healer 2013-2023 Also missing the best wizard in the world, Merlin, and my sweet 80lb limpet, Sagan, every single day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlies_Dad Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 Poor Spriet, that has to be painful. That is a very tough call as to what to do. I assume the vet believes more bone will break off is you operate? Quote Kyle with Stewie ('Super C Ledoux, Super C Sampson x Sing It Blondie) and forever missing my three angels, Jack ('Roy Jack', Greys Flambeau x Miss Cobblepot) and Charlie ('CTR Midas Touch', Leo's Midas x Hallo Argentina) and Shelby ('Shari's Hooty', Flying Viper x Shari Carusi) running free across the bridge. Gus an coinnich sinn a'rithist my boys and little girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnF Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 Poor Spriet! Something similar happened to my last Borzoi, Mona, only it was the corner of the bone above the joint that broke off when she twisted her back ankle in the sand. We stabilized it over the Sunday and Monday and took her to the Vet hospital 100 miles away in Bristol on the Tuesday to have it pinned and splinted. The procedure worked OK and recovery left her with a only a little bit of a limp after 6 weeks. This was at age 6. She died of CRF at age 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carronstar Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 Sending lots of good thoughts and prayers for Spriet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sabrina Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 Poor baby, Spriet would accupuncture help you? Quote Caroline, Mom to Daphne (49B-50215) and Penny (41D-55779)Remembering Bridge Angels Margo and Sabrina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racindog Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 (edited) Goldie had a very painful bone chip too. His looked like a golf tee though and was in his front leg. Two different vets took their own x-rays and both told me that they could do surgery but that it could make it worse - there was no way to tell for sure-but neither recommended the surgery. So he managed with periodic etogesic and quite a bit of yucca from Solid Gold. At that time they had a very pure formulation of it that was from "an old indian receipe". It helped him quite a bit. Yucca is very bitter but I put it in honey and he would eat it. It is also not reccommended for long term use either. You just haev to use your judgement based on professional knowledgeable recommendations. I am sure accupuncture/chiro would probably help too. Hugs to Spriet! Edited May 9, 2012 by racindog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 I am sorry to hear this I also would recommend you try acupuncture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 Second opinion! Also have you tried giving Tramadol (is that available to you?)?? Unlike NSAID'S Tramadol is easy on the tummy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xan Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 Poor Spriet! Is there a range of motion that can be maybe splinted, so maybe longer walks can be taken with a splint?? Just brain-storming here. Splints might be more uncomfortable than limping though! Hugs to you both! Quote My Inspirations: Grey Pogo, borzoi Katie, Meep the cat, AND MY BELOVED DH!!!Missing Rowdy, Coco, Brilly, Happy and Wabi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest patgam Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 Aww Spriet...short walks are nice too! You take care and hopefully you'll get some good meds that won't upset your tummy, but will help you with walking. Miss Pat G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiveRoooooers Posted May 10, 2012 Share Posted May 10, 2012 Sending good thoughts for Miss Spriet. Quote Old Dogs are the Best Dogs. Thank you, campers. Current enrollees: Punkin. AnnIE Oooh M Angels: Pal . Segugio. Sorella (TPGIT). LadyBug. Zeke-aroni. MiMi Sizzle Pants. Gracie. Seamie . (Foster)Sweet. Andy. PaddyALVIN!Mayhem. Bosco. Bruno. Dottie B. Trevor Double-Heart. Bea. Cletus, KLTO. Aiden 1-4. Upon reflection, our lives are often referenced in parts defined by the all-too-short lives of our dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinw Posted May 10, 2012 Share Posted May 10, 2012 Poor Spriet! 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...
EllenEveBaz Posted May 10, 2012 Share Posted May 10, 2012 Sending gentle hugs to beautiful Spriet. 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...
seeh2o Posted May 10, 2012 Share Posted May 10, 2012 I'm sorry to read this, but I'm so glad it isn't cancer. As soon as I saw the xray I was afraid that's what you were going to say. I agree with the others, a second opinion, and check in with a veterinarian who also practices alternative medicine. Sending good thoughts to Spriet, you and your family. Quote Sunsands Doodles: Doodles aka Claire, Bella Run Softly: Softy aka Bowie (the Diamond Dog) Missing my beautiful boy Sunsands Carl 2.25.2003 - 4.1.2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sambuca Posted May 10, 2012 Share Posted May 10, 2012 Can they just go in and remove the part of the bone that broke off? Maybe it would prevent it from rubbing against the rest of the bone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJNg Posted May 10, 2012 Share Posted May 10, 2012 I'd also recommend a 2nd opinion, preferably from an orthopedic specialist. Quote Jennifer & Willow (Wilma Waggle), Wiki (Wiki Hard Ten), Carter (Let's Get It On), Ollie (whippet), Gracie (whippet x), & Terra (whippet) + Just Saying + Just Alice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinM Posted May 12, 2012 Share Posted May 12, 2012 I am so sorry Anne. I agree with a 2nd opinion, preferably from a specialist. Quote ROBIN ~ Mom to: Beau Think It Aint, Chloe JC Allthewayhome, Teddy ICU Drunk Sailor, Elsie N Fracine , Ollie RG's Travertine, Ponch A's Jupiter~ Yoshi, Zoobie & Belle, the kitties. Waiting at the bridge Angel Polli Bohemian Ocean , Rocky, Blue,Sasha & Zoobie & Bobbi Greyhound Angels Adoption (GAA) The Lexus Project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tamborine Posted May 12, 2012 Share Posted May 12, 2012 About 15 years ago, I had a lot of problems with my knee - pain, swelling, etc. Went to a bunch of different doctors. They thought I might have rheumatoid arthritis, among other things. Finally went to an orthopedic surgeon. Turns out there was a bone chip floating around in there that was difficult to see on xray (I had to have an mri). Had it removed arthroscopically & no problems since. I realize that human & dog legs are a little different , but like some of the others, I think you should get another opinion, preferably with an orthopedic specialist. Quote Maryann, Bama (TW Beltram), Stephanie (Tom's Stepinhi) & Henderson the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneGTS Posted May 16, 2012 Author Share Posted May 16, 2012 Thanks everyone. Right now we just need some time to think what we want to do. If a surgery is possible, would we go for it? She's 9.5 years old. Her other legs are also causing her trouble (old injuries) so IF it's possible to fix this one, who knows what happens next? And how would her quality of life be after the surgery? For the last 4 years (when she has another surgery on that same leg) she's rarely been able to run. She's never off leash and our yard is too small to run. The only thing she lives for is food, walks, my dad and sometimes a few minutes to play with me. What if she also has to rehabilitate for another few months and is in constant pain? On the other side, the way it is now is not good. She doesn't use her leg at all. If it stays the way it is it will probably also harm her other legs (arthrosis) within a few months. Oops, something went wrong when I wanted to edit my post. Quote Anne, Sasha & Tapas. Spriet (2002-2015), Tibbie (2000-2015) and Gunda (1996-2009) www.rapiddogwear.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneGTS Posted May 18, 2012 Author Share Posted May 18, 2012 We're going to an orthopedic specialist for a 2nd opinion this tuesday. Quote Anne, Sasha & Tapas. Spriet (2002-2015), Tibbie (2000-2015) and Gunda (1996-2009) www.rapiddogwear.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJNg Posted May 18, 2012 Share Posted May 18, 2012 Hope you get some good options at your appointment. Keep us posted! Quote Jennifer & Willow (Wilma Waggle), Wiki (Wiki Hard Ten), Carter (Let's Get It On), Ollie (whippet), Gracie (whippet x), & Terra (whippet) + Just Saying + Just Alice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneGTS Posted May 22, 2012 Author Share Posted May 22, 2012 We went to see the specialist today. First he looked at the xrays our own vet gave us. He agreed something was wrong with her knee, but he couldn't say anything specific.We needed to get another 3 xrays to be sure what's causing this pain and how to resolve it. He did say the knee was very swollen and that Spriet must be in serious pain. After the specialist took the 3 x-rays it turned out that the place with the loose piece was an old injury. Years ago Spriet bumped into something that apparently caused some deformation of that bone. Luckily this is not what is causing the pain. Spriet has an inflamed tendon in her knee. You could see on the x-ray it was really swollen, the vet told us it's very painful. So we got Spriet some anti-inflammatory meds. He also recommended physical therapy to get some flexibility so it will hurt a little less.. In about 6 weeks we need to go back to take another x-ray and see if things improved. Quote Anne, Sasha & Tapas. Spriet (2002-2015), Tibbie (2000-2015) and Gunda (1996-2009) www.rapiddogwear.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Time4ANap Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 We went to see the specialist today. First he looked at the xrays our own vet gave us. He agreed something was wrong with her knee, but he couldn't say anything specific.We needed to get another 3 xrays to be sure what's causing this pain and how to resolve it. He did say the knee was very swollen and that Spriet must be in serious pain. After the specialist took the 3 x-rays it turned out that the place with the loose piece was an old injury. Years ago Spriet bumped into something that apparently caused some deformation of that bone. Luckily this is not what is causing the pain. Spriet has an inflamed tendon in her knee. You could see on the x-ray it was really swollen, the vet told us it's very painful. So we got Spriet some anti-inflammatory meds. He also recommended physical therapy to get some flexibility so it will hurt a little less.. In about 6 weeks we need to go back to take another x-ray and see if things improved. Fingers crossed that the meds will take care of it. Well, meds and lots of cookies. Quote Camp Broodie. The current home of Mark Kay Mark Jack and Gracie Kiowa Safe Joan. Always missing my boy Rocket Hi Noon Rocket, Allie Phoenix Dynamite, Kate Miss Kate, Starz Under Da Starz, Petunia MW Neptunia, Diva Astar Dashindiva, and LaVida I've Got Life Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartdogs Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 Gentle hugs to all! Sure hope the meds & therapy help . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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