Have I Turned Into A Hypochondriac For My Dog?

[Guest bernadette]

My Vinnie will be nine in two months, I can't believe how the years have flown by. We met when he was three and it was love, instantly. He is older (so am I), grayer (I'm not there quite yet), slower. He has little patches missing here and there from random scrapes and owies.

Lately he seems to be eating one meal a day, down from two. He seems a little less interested in people on our walks... not much, but it's noticeable. About a month ago, he had a painful limp in his front, left paw- lasted about three days then went away (was painful on hard surface AND plush carpet). He has had a pea sized hard lump on one hip for a couple of years, vet wasn't concerned. It's pretty superficial (not a lipoma, he has one on his belly) and close to or in the skin. About a week or two ago, I noticed anohter, same leg, right on the front edge of what I would call the knee... hard, pead sized and more fixated under the skin. While I can grab it, there is a difference. It feels smooth, nothing irregular about the shape that I can feel. I can pick it up I think, but it's definitely more fixated.

Vinnie moves a lot at night but it's a lot of digging into the carpet (we moved recently and I have yet to replace his bed in our bedroom so he has blankets). Lots of moving and digging at night lately but it could be the lack of a dog bed, not as comfy. He has whined more the last few months but it's always the same time of day, he wants to go 'night night' with momma.

 

The limp had me worried so i tuned in more to these pages. I have always kept an eye on his gait, but that was all. in coming here, I am learning so much but I also feel like maybe I am becoming a bit of a hypochondriac? Does anyone feel this way?

[45MPHK9]

The limp had me worried so i tuned in more to these pages.

 

I would have X-rays done ASAP to try to determine the source of that limp.

[Guest bernadette]

Even if it disappeared after three days? I don't want to worry needlessly, but I also want to do whats best for him. I couldn't bear seeing him in a more intense pain.

[Tallgreydogmom]

I would have have things checked out, lumps, bumps and an x-ray. I even drive them up to Ohio State from Memphis. Welcome to the club.

[Batmom]

I would want that checked out, too. Also the not eating well.

[45MPHK9]

Even if it disappeared after three days?

 

Yes. I'd rather know what the source of that limp is than not know, especially in a nine year old greyhound.

 

I was in the same situation myself last summer. As I recall, the X-rays were not expensive. They didn't require any sedation or painful positioning in our dog's case.

 

Hoping it's nothing!

[Guest bernadette]

I should say that aside from the one meal a day and other things I mentioned, he is normal. Maybe a little more panting than normal, but nothing that I would consider out of control (again, maybe I am looking for things?)... When we go to bed at night, he isn't up panting.

Aside from these things, he still gets excited when he sees the leash, still likes to do zoomies out of nowhere in the evenings, he still gets jealous when I pet anohter animal and he still gets very excited for treats or if I say 'wanna go for a ride?'.

 

Thank you for your thoughts, they are much appreciated.

[ZoomDoggy]

There is a difference between hypochondria and/or Munchausen by proxy, and simply being in tune with your beloved pet/companion of many years. If you have a nagging concern, it's because you know something is wrong, even in you can't quite put your finger on it. All of your concerns are valid, and worthy of having an in-depth vet visit, maybe even specialists.

[Yamaha_gurl]

If you are worrying, just take him to the vet...it could be nothing, or if it IS something, then at least you know how to proceed from there. I'm a worry wart too...my Bella once pushed too hard while pooing, and you could see that her um...butt insides turned out a bit (like 1 inch), I ran her to the e-vet...$600 later she was just a bit constipated

[Guest bernadette]

^{I absolutely feel in tune with my boy, and the nagging feeling won't go away. A very check is needed, yes.}

^{I was hoping after my cats recent $1000 hairball that maybe I was being a little too hyper sensitive.}

[robinw]

Take him to the vet.

[sweetdogs]

I'm glad the limp went away but since you're heading to the vet anyway, an xray is a good idea. And a good orthopedic exam - manipulating the leg, from shoulder to paw.

 

For the lumps, did the vet do a FNA (fine needle aspirate) & look at the cells under a microscope? Or just say they're nothing to worry about? I'm guessing he didn't do a biopsy. These guys can gets lots of lumps & since my boy had 2 lumps removed that turned out to be cancerous (that we thought were nothing), I would want all of them diagnosed. Some lumps are locally invasive so getting them off when they're small is the way to go (problem often solved, & there's enough tissue to close the wound easily). Some can spread without your knowing it until it's too late. So not to scare you, but get those lumps checked out.

 

It's better to be over cautious as these guys age - often you can find things early & ease their path into super senior-hood.

[Guest bernadette]

Sweetdogs, makes perfect sense. No, the vet didn't do anything but look at it and say 'nothing to worry about'. It hasn't changed since, but no, nothing was tested in any way.

I'm not 'scared' necessarily... I've been trying to be realistic and aware. I know my boy is aging and I don't want denial to keep him from being comfortable but I also don't want to be over the top. This boy is my heart dog.

[Guest Roadtripper]

Hi, welcome! And I know how you feel--between my guy, Boojum, getting older and recently joining Greytalk & reading about all the things seniors can face, I feel like I'm turning into a major worry-wort too. With that said, I would say to go to the vet. Boojum had a benign cyst that came on about 2 years ago (did get it tested), and then started developing another little lump last fall--I was stupid and assumed it was another cyst and didn't have it tested--just kept giving him turmeric that had helped reduce his 1st cyst. Anyway, I finally took him into the vet in March when I took my grey puppy for her first exam. They tested the 2nd lump & told me it was cancerous--he had surgery the next day.

 

I feel relatively lucky that it was hemangiopericytoma, which doesn't tend to spread, but the vet wasn't able to get clean margins & I wonder if I had taken him in when I first noticed it, if the vet would've been able to get it all out. I've promised myself to get any future lumps (or anything else that seems worrisome) checked out right away. Better to be safe & have it be nothing or catch something early, than to have regrets later.

 

Best wishes to you and Vinnie!

Amy, Boojum, & Cairo

[Guest bernadette]

Thanks all. Vinnie is seeing the vet tomorrow morning, 8:30.

[Walliered]

Good choice to see the vet. I average at least one trip to the vet about every week or so. I have only been wrong one time as she could not find anything going on. If you spend a lot of time with your grey you are very in tune with them. I know I am. Took Da Vid to the vet yesterday because he was favoring his left rear leg in the evening..not in the morning. She felt around and hit a "hot spot" and decided to x-ray. They had to sedate him because he is as strong as a horse. Did not find anything, except his leg muscle is much bigger on the left than on the right..she knows something may be going on, but not sure what at this point. Did not see cancer and that is a blessing. I am telling you all of this to reassure you that it is OK to follow your gut feeling. Go see your vet.

[Guest FullMetalFrank]

Sending good thoughts for your vet visit. Get him looked over; it's best for your peace of mind; and then, relax. I always liked a saying that went something like "don't borrow trouble; worries get in the way of noticing the beauty in the moment." Not that I have ever been good at taking my own advice. When Frank was 9, I found myself counting his days; planning subconsciously for when he was no longer with us. He wasn't sick; nothing major anyways, but, he was... 9. I finally saw what I was doing and was able to stop, somewhat, the needless worry. He lived to 11.5 and was taken, rather suddenly, by something we never could have predicted, a stroke.

(And besides, as we all have to learn eventually, the worrying won't stop the inevitable if it decides to come. It just saps our strength to do what's needed, and steals what can be some very precious moments...)

[Guest bernadette]

Thank you, FMF.

 

So... Vinnie has a heart murmur and the vet suggested a cardiologist. He said his lungs are clear and pulse is good. He put him on an antibiotic for an upcoming and needed dental (inflamed gums, Vinnie has always had the absolute worst mouth) and we will so xrays at that time. I asked about xrays but he said over and over that he saw no reason and that if I wanted them he would prefer doing

them during the dental to get a clearer picture.

Vinnie showed no sensitivity or discomfort to any touch, poking or prodding.

He is doing a full blood panel to see if anything shows given that Vinnie has been just a little 'off' recently. I should hear back (because of the holiday) either Sunday or Wednesday.

 

Thoughts? I'm not really sure what to think about the murmur and I can NOT imagine the cost of a canine cardiologist and that testing.. He said most breeds you don't really have to think much of it but of course with a few (greys included) you do have to be a bit more careful.

 

 

[tbhounds]

There is already a thread started about heart murmurs in Ghs. Dr Couto is asked about heart murmurs in Ghs all the time. I'm on my phone so it's hard to link but, please do some research- google greyhound health and wellness- Dr Couto-Ohio Sfate. I think you'll be more at ease after reading some of the links.

 

https://greyhound.osu.edu/resources/faq/index.cfm

Does this link work???

[Guest bernadette]

Yes, thank you so much. I'll be reading this today. I research the heck out of anything and everything...

[Guest bernadette]

I called back for more info ( I was unprepared for a murmur dx). I was told it's a grade 3 out of 5 (NOT out of 6), holosystolic (sp?) and in the mytral area. I have some readiing up to do...

[sweetdogs]

Yep, contact OSU.

What about the lumps?

[Guest bernadette]

I don't know what to think. I just filled out the OSU online eval form and submitted it. I am finding info on the 6 scale and systolic, but not the 'old school' 5 scale and HOLOsystolic.

It makes sense now... his increase in panting and as of yesterday, stopping on his walks. I am so sad and unsure.

[Guest bernadette]

The lumps the vet wasn't worried about. The one, Vinnie has had for at least a year (maybe two) and has not changed. He said these can pop up with older dogs and if I see any change, he wants to see him.

[Batmom]

If he is having some symptoms, a cardiology consult is probably a good idea. IIRC my dogs' have run $160-$260 but you are in a more expensive area I think. Sending best wishes.