jshell Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 (edited) Betty Joan is about to turn 11 years old and tonight she started limping after our evening walk. I think she may have tweaked something running down the hall, as she ran 3/4 of the way down and then slowed quickly (one door before ours). It's a concrete hallway. I've been bad lately letting her run down it at her age as it's a good gauge of general health and mood and she has fun in the evenings. This limp is in a leg that she's limped on before - her front right. Years ago it seemed to show up when she had been boarded for a few days. It always wore off. It showed up at the beginning of winter (suddenly she really looked like an old dog. Back then, she would run down the hall but then hold this front right leg up right outside our door. I finally started a daily regimen of glucosamine pills and she got better. It showed up again in early March, along with some runny stool (that seems to be an annual, seasonal thing). She's been fine lately. Even this week, she's been stomping her front paws and barking at me every night. Until tonight when this showed back up. Only difference is that a couple of times tonight when she's gotten up, she's cried a little bit right on first standing on that leg. The first time was a bit of a test by me, seeing if she wanted treats. She stood up hurriedly but had quiet cries on her first three steps. The second time, she had been laying in much of the same position for quite a while and just cried a little bit when standing up. As we went out back for nighttime potty, she was moving OK. Anyways, this seems kind of the normal pattern for this thing but it just seems a little sharper tonight. It seems to go away in a few days, but as she's nearing 11, I'm wondering what it's OK. I talked about it with my vet at her annual checkup a few months ago but the symptoms weren't showing then and he didn't seem too concerned. Should I be? (This is also on her leg that has served, and still serves, as her "mean right hook". It's the leg she's most likely to swat at you with, and I'm thinking that living in a loft with a concrete main floor for most of her life and in an industrial area may just be a bit tough on that leg if she hits the right nerve?) Edit: she's gotten back up and down a few more times: stiffly but no more cries. Edited June 11, 2014 by jshell Quote Betty "Beauty" Joan. 63B-21375. June 2003 - March 2015. Thank you pretty girl! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jshell Posted June 11, 2014 Author Share Posted June 11, 2014 Also, I had planned on staying on our main floor but she seemed eager to go upstairs to our bedroom and hop in the bed. So normal for when this flares up. Quote Betty "Beauty" Joan. 63B-21375. June 2003 - March 2015. Thank you pretty girl! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jshell Posted June 11, 2014 Author Share Posted June 11, 2014 And now I'm starting to worry. She can't seem to get comfortable. Kindof reminding me of UTI, but she's also dragging that right side... Middle of the night, no car, our vet isn't open tomorrow... We've been outside twice with normal stool (abnormal time).. Quote Betty "Beauty" Joan. 63B-21375. June 2003 - March 2015. Thank you pretty girl! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jshell Posted June 11, 2014 Author Share Posted June 11, 2014 Found a neighbor willing to take us to the e-vet in the middle of the night. Betty just won't / can't lay down Quote Betty "Beauty" Joan. 63B-21375. June 2003 - March 2015. Thank you pretty girl! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macoduck Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 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...
Batmom Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Sending prayers. 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...
4My2Greys Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Sending healing thoughts for Betty Joan. I hope she's going to be alright. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
45MPHK9 Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Thinking about you and Betty Joan. 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...
Charlies_Dad Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Good thoughts for your girl. 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...
jshell Posted June 11, 2014 Author Share Posted June 11, 2014 Seems to be soft tissue damage in her shoulders, particularly her front left. "mild small osteophytes of left shoulder". She was given some Buprenex and Acepromazine IVs at the vet, and we were sent home with Rimadyl and a choice of Gabapentin or Tramadol. Betty seemed quite stoned when we left the vet and got home, and still refused to lay down; just wandered around in a daze with her feet sometimes partially falling from beneath her. Again: could not get her to lay down. I dragged her upstairs and got her to hop on the big bed and kept here there by holding the leash. Eventually she laid down and stopped panting for a short while. 30-45 minutes? An hour tops? But suddenly she yelped and sprang up again and has been back in the same mode. Still seems a little high from the IVs... I should have asked when those might wear off. I've given her a dose of Rimadyl and finally got the Gabapentin in her but.. I just don't know. I'd love for both of us to get some sleep today. Quote Betty "Beauty" Joan. 63B-21375. June 2003 - March 2015. Thank you pretty girl! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BatterseaBrindl Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 No advice, just 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...
greytpups Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 No advice, other than taking her in to your regular vet. 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...
sweetdogs Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 The ace could cause some of her anxiety issues & you'll just have to wait until it wears off. Also you can use rimadyl, gabapentin & tramadol at the same time if she isn't feeling comfortable. I hope she feels better soon. Quote Deirdre with Conor (Daring Pocobueno), Keeva (Kiowa Mimi Mona), & kittehs Gemma & robthomas. Our beloved angels Faolin & Liath, & kittehs Mona & Caesar. Remembering Bobby, Doc McCoy, & Chip McGrath. "He feeds you, pets you, adores you, collects your poop in a bag. There's only one explanation: you are a hairy little god." Nick Galifinakis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jshell Posted June 11, 2014 Author Share Posted June 11, 2014 I just brushed her shoulder trying to push her towards a bed and she shrieked. I was told this could take a while to transition. The poor girl. I can't give her another tramadol until around 11 or 12 MDT... Hoping that it might help in this cocktail. Quote Betty "Beauty" Joan. 63B-21375. June 2003 - March 2015. Thank you pretty girl! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweetdogs Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Could she have hurt her neck? Sometime a neck injury appears to be a leg problem. That is very painful & can definitely cause gsod's. If it is her neck, no jumping, no collar & rest,rest,rest. I would add gabapentin for sure. What's her dose of tramadol? They can take quite a bit. Is she any less anxious? Quote Deirdre with Conor (Daring Pocobueno), Keeva (Kiowa Mimi Mona), & kittehs Gemma & robthomas. Our beloved angels Faolin & Liath, & kittehs Mona & Caesar. Remembering Bobby, Doc McCoy, & Chip McGrath. "He feeds you, pets you, adores you, collects your poop in a bag. There's only one explanation: you are a hairy little god." Nick Galifinakis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 What sweetdogs said. If neck or top of shoulder, she may not feel much better for a bit .... But if still screeching in 24 hours or gets worse before then, I'd call the vet again. Hugs and hopes the meds start to help! 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...
jshell Posted June 11, 2014 Author Share Posted June 11, 2014 I don't think she hurt her neck, unless her neck getting hurt was a side effect of getting x-rays. I watched the vet check her neck explicitly. It seems to be shoulder, seems to be soft tissue, and sadly she's still anxious. I can force her to lay down for 5-10 minutes, but then she's back up to wandering and crying. On the plus side, she just took her first drink of water on her own since going to the vet 6-ish hours ago. Her Tramadol dosage is 75mg, I believe. This is just so frustrating to watch Quote Betty "Beauty" Joan. 63B-21375. June 2003 - March 2015. Thank you pretty girl! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 I feel for you both on this one. We had Levi in for x-rays and he was similar afterwards. Just wouldn't lie down - stood there until he was falling. I managed to scoop him up and put him down for a time but it lasted all afternoon, evening and apart from a couple of hours early and late , half the night too. Thankfully back to normal next day, so hold in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jshell Posted June 11, 2014 Author Share Posted June 11, 2014 alison: thank you! that's actually a relief to hear. I'm wondering how many of her pills Betty's actually taken. Since she's not touching food, she's not touching pill pockets (which she usually devours). It took a fair bit of cunning to get the tramadol in her just now. Quote Betty "Beauty" Joan. 63B-21375. June 2003 - March 2015. Thank you pretty girl! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinw Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 I'm glad she's home. Hope she is feeling better very soon. You might need to just shove the pills down her throat. Not a great thing to do, but at least you won't need to worry about her not eating. 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...
jshell Posted June 11, 2014 Author Share Posted June 11, 2014 The poor girl's gone about 10-11 hours with very little lying down. It definitely got worse after the Ace/Buprenex or maybe just the exam itself, which was about 9 hours ago. She's mostly still just shuffling around our loft. She's taken in a little bit of water on her own. She tried laying down on her patio bed briefly on her own. I've been getting her to lay down on an old futon mattress she sleeps on downstairs, but never for more than a few minutes. She looks so damn tired! The last time I tried, she laid down on command, but about a minute later jumped up with a deep yelp. I see her little head trying to rest when she does lay down... Maybe there is a new neck problem? Diagnosis was "RF lameness - shoulder pain". This is arduous. She seems a bit calmer than earlier but it's hard to tell if anything is really working. This was so sudden too. Quote Betty "Beauty" Joan. 63B-21375. June 2003 - March 2015. Thank you pretty girl! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Any improvement yet? Sometimes pain meds (including tramadol) can do that -- dog kind of stoned, restless, unable to settle. Usually that effect wears off in a few hours. I know you don't need any help worrying about your lovely girl, but I'm doing it anyways. 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...
jshell Posted June 11, 2014 Author Share Posted June 11, 2014 Went back to the vet, as Betty was clearly in more pain than earlier diagnosis warranted. New thought: still the front right shoulder, but a torn muscle... or something that has to be fixed with plasma injections. Anyways, we've got more pain meds but Betty is still just shuffling around the place. I hope the new meds kick in soon and this poor girl can start to relax. Quote Betty "Beauty" Joan. 63B-21375. June 2003 - March 2015. Thank you pretty girl! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Keeping up the good thoughts for your baby. 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...
jshell Posted June 11, 2014 Author Share Posted June 11, 2014 Thank you Quote Betty "Beauty" Joan. 63B-21375. June 2003 - March 2015. Thank you pretty girl! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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