o_rooly Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 (edited) Aston has seemed intermittently stiff the past few days, hesitating to rise from his bed, but it's always seemed to improve when he walks it out.. I figured his hips and back muscles were tighter than usual, and they were, so I've doubled up on his massage treatment. He was a little stiff but then warmed up and seemed to be fine this evening on his walk, but couldn't seem to settle once we got back indoors, and when he did finally lie down, he started panting heavily without pause. Asked him to stand so that I could inspect him, and he couldn't bear weight on his newly swollen front left leg. We loaded him up and ran him to the evet -- his hind end is already weak, so the burden from a missing front support is huge, and I am sick to think of pain that could get past his tramadol, prednisone, gabapentin and robaxin. Vet on staff instructed us to take Aston home and keep him quiet for the night, then return when his usual vet (the one who has handled his case since October) is on duty at 8am. Told them that I didn't feel comfortable taking him home; they said to just increase his tramadol for the time being. (....)Thankfully, Aston is resting quietly now with the added dosage in his system. Good thoughts would really, really be appreciated as we head back in tomorrow AM. my buddy is running out of good legs at least this struck just after his idiopathic left-hind leg swelling subsided...And he was such a happy boy earlier this evening Edited March 8, 2014 by o_rooly Quote every day a tiny adventure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianamac Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Have a good sleep Aston... hopefully his regular vet has some insights. Good wishes are being sent! Quote Bri and Mike with Boo Radley (Williejohnwalker), Bubba (Carlos Danger), and the feline friends foes, Loois and Amir Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverfish Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Poor guy. Is this the same as the idiopathic hind leg swelling, do you think? If so, I think I'd want some answers. I hope you get some tomorrow when you take him to your usual vet. How old is he? Quote The plural of anecdote is not dataBrambleberry Greyhounds My Etsy Shop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawthorn Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Sending good thoughts for you and Aston. I'd be wanting some answers too, and if my vet couldn't provide them I'd ask for a referral to a specialist. Has your vet considered immune-mediated polyarthritis? Does he have a slightly raised temperature? Quote When a relationship of love is disrupted, the relationship does not cease. The love continues; therefore, the relationship continues. The work of grief is to reconcile and redeem life to a different love relationship. ~ W Scott Lineberry Always Greyhounds Home Boarding and Greyhounds With Love House Sitting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krissy Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Poor Aston! Good thoughts for your boy! Quote Kristie and the Apex Agility Greyhounds: Kili (ATChC AgMCh Lakilanni Where Eagles Fly RN IP MSCDC MTRDC ExS Bronze ExJ Bronze ) and Kenna (Lakilanni Kiss The Sky RN MADC MJDC AGDC AGEx AGExJ). Waiting at the Bridge: Retired racer Summit (Bbf Dropout) May 5, 2005-Jan 30, 2019 Like us on Facebook! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LazyBlaze Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Good wishes for your boy. Hope he gets some rest and that your vet can help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dante2zoe Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Good thoughts coming your way! I would be anxious, too. I hope this can be diagnosed and treated easily. Quote Cindy with Miss Fancypants, Paris Bueller, Zeke, and Angus Dante (Dg's Boyd), Zoe (In a While), Brady (Devilish Effect), Goose (BG Shotgun), Maverick (BG ShoMe), Maggie (All Trades Jax), Sherman (LNB Herman Bad) and Indy (BYB whippet) forever in my heart The flame that burns the brightest, burns the fastest and leaves the biggest shadow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlies_Dad Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Good thoughts for Aston. 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...
FiveRoooooers Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Your regular vet who knows Aston will likely, hopefully, be able to give you an answer as to what is going on. It's so hard to have to wait and want nothing more than to erase the pain. Good luck this morning and please let us know when you can how your sweet boy is doing. 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...
GreyPoopon Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 I hope Aston had a restful night, and that his regular vet can help him. Quote Standard Poodle Daisy (12/13) Missing Cora (RL Nevada 5/99-10/09), Piper (Cee Bar Easy 2/99-1/10), Tally (Thunder La La 9/99-3/10), Edie (Daring Reva 9/99-10/12), Dixie (Kiowa Secret Sue 11/01-1/13), Jessie (P's Real Time 11/98-3/13), token boy Graham (Zydeco Dancer 9/00-5/13), Cal (Back Already 12/99-11/13), Betsy (Back Kick Beth 11/98-12/13), Standard Poodles Minnie (1/99-1/14) + Perry (9/98-2/14), Annie (Do Marcia 9/03-10/14), Pink (Miss Pinky Baker 1/02-6/15), Poppy (Cmon Err Not 8/05-1/16), Kat (Jax Candy 5/05-5/17), Ivy (Jax Isis 10/07-7/21), Hildy (Braska Hildy 7/10-12/22), Opal (Jax Opal 7/08-4/23). Toodles (BL Toodles 7/09-4/24) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galgrey Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Checking for what I hope is a good update. Quote Cynthia, & Cristiano, galgoAlways in my heart: Frostman Newdawn Frost, Keno Jet Action & Chloe (NGA racing name unknown), Irys (galgo), Hannah (weim), Cruz (galgo), & Carly CW Your Charming Princess http://www.greyhound-data.com/d?i=1018857 "It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life, gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are." -- Unknown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramonaghan Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Good thoughts for your boy. Quote Rachel with littermates Doolin and Willa, boss cat Tootie, and feline squatters Crumpet and Fezziwig. Missing gentlemen kitties Mud, Henry, and Richard and our beautiful, feisty, silly Sweep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
45MPHK9 Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Quote Tricia with Kyle, our senior mutt dog Always missing Murray Maldives, Bee Wiseman, River, Hopper, Kaia, and Holly Oaks Holly“You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.“ -Bob Dylan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
o_rooly Posted February 13, 2014 Author Share Posted February 13, 2014 Thank you so much, everyone.. I really, really appreciate the support Sending good thoughts for you and Aston. I'd be wanting some answers too, and if my vet couldn't provide them I'd ask for a referral to a specialist. Has your vet considered immune-mediated polyarthritis? Does he have a slightly raised temperature? His temperature was normal when we asked for a check at the clinic. His left-hind swelling was tapped and fluid sent for culture & cytology, with no abnormalities/infection returned. We did also check for tickborne diseases, negative.He is also already on prednisone, since it has helped immensely with his case of lumbosacral stenosis/cauda equina syndrome. Waiting for Aston's vet to arrive at the clinic. I'm at work for a few minutes while my husband is letting Aston sleep for as long as possible before loading him into the car to head out. Aston was able to sleep last night. Quote every day a tiny adventure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 hope your vet is able to get some answers for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawthorn Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Well, it's good that his temperature is normal, as I believe IMPA usually presents with a mild fever, and certainly did with my boy. If it did happen to be IMPA, Aston would likely need a much higher dose of prednisone than he is on at the moment (an immune-suppressing dose). My boy had been on a dose of 20mg per day + gabapentin and tramadol via our GP vet, but this did nothing to touch the pain, and when we were referred to a specialist his dose was upped to 100mg per day initially, so I wouldn't rule out something autoimmune just because he's already on steroids. Hope you get some answers soon, as I know how very frustrating it must be to see your boy suffering and not know what the problem is. Quote When a relationship of love is disrupted, the relationship does not cease. The love continues; therefore, the relationship continues. The work of grief is to reconcile and redeem life to a different love relationship. ~ W Scott Lineberry Always Greyhounds Home Boarding and Greyhounds With Love House Sitting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest grey_dreams Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Sending good wishes for Aston Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
o_rooly Posted February 13, 2014 Author Share Posted February 13, 2014 At vet. No bone changes, rheumatoid arthritis suspected. Upping pred and adding another immunosuppressant. Aston's receiving a laser treatment to help with pain. Vet is calling their lab about testing. Quote every day a tiny adventure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Thinking best thoughts for your sweet boy. 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...
o_rooly Posted February 13, 2014 Author Share Posted February 13, 2014 The arthritis test will take 5 days. In the meantime, I'm going to start cooking for him, and it needs to be a novel protein. Will be off to find some venison/rabbit/?? meat this afternoon. Cautiously optimistic after seeing that Aston can bear some weight on that leg after this morning's cold-laser treatment.Thanks again, everyone Quote every day a tiny adventure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiveRoooooers Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 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...
Hawthorn Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Fingers crossed that the new drug regime does the job for Aston. FWIW my boy felt much better very quickly once he was on an immune-suppressing dose of steroids. He wasn't able to take the other immune-suppressing drug he was prescribed (Azathioprine) as he had bad side effects, so we managed him just on the steroids. Sending continued good thoughts to you and Aston. Quote When a relationship of love is disrupted, the relationship does not cease. The love continues; therefore, the relationship continues. The work of grief is to reconcile and redeem life to a different love relationship. ~ W Scott Lineberry Always Greyhounds Home Boarding and Greyhounds With Love House Sitting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greytpups Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Ben did incredibly well when the vet did cold laser treatments with him. He had 5 treatments over 3 weeks and the swelling subsided and he's back to normal. Hope it works for Aston. It's worrisome when they hurt and we can't or don't know what to do. Quote Jan with precious pups Emmy (Stormin J Flag) and Simon (Nitro Si) and Abbey Field. Missing my angels: Bailey Buffetbobleclair 11/11/98-17/12/09; Ben Task Rapid Wave 5/5/02-2/11/15; Brooke Glo's Destroyer 7/09/06-21/06/16 and Katie Crazykatiebug 12/11/06 -21/08/21. My blog about grief The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not get over the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it. You will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again but you will never be the same. Nor should you be the same, nor would you want to. ― Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a_daerr Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Poor guy. Continued good thoughts for Aston, glad it wasn't osteo-related. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
o_rooly Posted February 15, 2014 Author Share Posted February 15, 2014 The hours following the vet visit yesterday were ugly. The mobility gained immediately following the cold-laser treatment was gone about an hour later, as his wrist started to swell anew:In the afternoon, Aston managed to hobble outside, laid down in the grass, and then refused to get up or respond to cookies. I texted back and forth with his vet, who said I could try icing the wrist, but Aston cried if I breathed on it. We ended up (hand-)feeding his dinner early in order to get more pred into him, and start the azathioprine. By nighttime, he was a bit more alert, but couldn't get up. My husband insisted on taking the night shift with him, and carried him in and out of the house to potty. ( )I found ground bison at Costco, so started cooking his novel-protein meals last night. He didn't care about the smell of cooking meat last night, but when I reheated a portion for breakfast this morning -- haven't seen him lurch out of bed so quickly lately, injured or not! He absolutely scarfed his food and the heap of meds. Was putting a tiny bit of weight on his foot.Came home to check on him at lunch (husband and I staggered our work schedules to reduce Aston's alone time to 3hrs max), and he greeted me at the door Tonight, he greeted me at the door on all four feet, with a slight limp. We went for a short walk, and he was quite chipper. Scarfed his food and stood at his bowl to lick it for four minutes after eating, then limped over to the couch to rub his face all over it.His wrist tonight:If this is rheumatoid arthritis -- what a nasty, messed-up condition. Of course it could be worse, so I am counting my lucky stars!! but I didn't know what it was previously -- just thought that "arthritis is arthritis." It just seems a cruel trick for a condition to take a random joint out from under a dog, overnight!, when the poor thing is already weak. Nature, you scary. Quote every day a tiny adventure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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