Three Legged Lame, Hot, And Small Swelling

[Guest Wasabi303]

Went to visit a friend's ranch today, brought Wasabi along. She was running around having a great time exploring the completely fenced ranch. I let her out of my sight for a few minutes after watching her play for an hour or so, and came back outside to a dog standing on three legs. I checked for injury, hind leg just below the hock was swelling up and hot, but she didn't mind me touching it. Carried her inside and iced for about an hour, then we drove home. She refuses to put weight on it and it is still hot and slightly swollen. Rubbed leg with witch hazel and wrapped in an ace bandage to keep the swelling down over night. I think she just sprained it, but I am nervous because she keeps hopping around.

 

Should I take her to the vet in the morning or give it a couple days and see what happens?

 

(I am a college student on a budget, which is why I did not take her in right away. I will obviously spend whatever she needs, but I thought I would ask for advice first. You all have saved me $ in the past. I also have 15+ years experience with equine veterinary medicine, I know how to wrap a leg/ treat minor injuries.)

Edited October 23, 2014 by Wasabi303

[KF_in_Georgia]

If she's not putting weight on it in the morning, I'd go to the vet. These guys are stoic about actual injuries; they just turn all hypochondriac over nail trims.

 

Among other considerations, if you wait a day or two and she's not doing better, then you're looking at trying to get vet care on the weekend or waiting until Monday. I'd rather see my regular vet when it isn't an actual emergency than deal with a strange vet later.

 

P.S. Make sure the wrap isn't too tight. Feel her toes. If they are cold, the wrap probably is too tight.

[silverfish]

I agree with Kathy. If she's not looking better this morning, I'd take her in.

[tbhounds]

Aside from a possible traumatic injury I would be concerned of a possible snakebite. Obviously vet visit is warranted if the swelling/pain persists.

[a_daerr]

Is it still swollen? I'm with Tracy. I'd be concerned about a potential bite/sting. Exactly where is the swelling? Can you post photos?

 

I've dealt with a lot of sprains, and they're usually not very swollen or hot to the touch.

[Guest Wasabi303]

 

This is what I woke up to this morning. Headed to vet right now, not at all what it looked like last night, swelling has increased 10 fold. Sorry for the crappy pic, that is the inside of her hind leg.

[ramonaghan]

Poor baby! Sending good thoughts to you and your girl. Please update when you can.

[Guest MeAndMouse]

I just came across this while looking up something else... no idea if this is what Wasabi has, but the swelling below the hock seemed consistent:

 

"Some racing greyhounds have had old racing injuries that can flare up from time to time. One of the most common injuries is a fractured central tarsal bone. This will present as a swelling just below the right ankle (hock). This condition is normally chronic and by the time they reach a pet home there is little that can be done to correct 4 the problem. These dogs may benefit from Glucosamine/Chondroitin supplementation but may need stronger medications in some circumstances to keep them comfortable. "

 

That's from here.

[sweetdogs]

OMG I hope she's OK

[JohnF]

Aside from a possible traumatic injury I would be concerned of a possible snakebite. Obviously vet visit is warranted if the swelling/pain persists.

 

I'd advise taking to the vet as a matter of urgency to get that swelling and any possible infection under control.

[a_daerr]

Definitely looks like an infected bite/sting.

[schultzlc]

Sending good thoughts for your poor girl! Please update us when you can.

[Neighsayer]

Hope vet can get that cleared up.

[BatterseaBrindl]

[Guest Wasabi303]

 

Wasabi Update: Went to the vet, got this blurry x-ray, decided to go to emergency vet clinic instead.

 

 

"Some racing greyhounds have had old racing injuries that can flare up from time to time. One of the most common injuries is a fractured central tarsal bone. This will present as a swelling just below the right ankle (hock). This condition is normally chronic and by the time they reach a pet home there is little that can be done to correct 4 the problem. These dogs may benefit from Glucosamine/Chondroitin supplementation but may need stronger medications in some circumstances to keep them comfortable. "

 

 

You are half right. She fractured her central tarsal bone. We have her in a splint and on anti-inflammatory meds for the weekend, and she is scheduled for orthopedic surgery first thing Monday morning. Hoping they only need to put in two screws, otherwise they have to fuse the whole joint.

 

 

Sad day for this dog.

[ramonaghan]

Oh wow, what a day for you both. Wasabi's expression says it all. Glad you have some answers though. Hope you two have a restful, snuggly weekend and that all goes smoothly on Monday.

[Guest Wasabi303]

Any tips for getting her to eat while she is in pain/sad? She has an extremely sensitive stomach, and one of the meds the vet said to only give with food.

Edited October 24, 2014 by Wasabi303

[Guest Wasabi303]

Never mind that last question, steamed chicken liver saves the day. It is her favorite. At least we have one little victory for the day.

[Guest Wasabi303]

So the person who's ranch she was at when she got hurt has graciously started a fundraiser to help me pay for surgery. If you would like to help out or know anyone who would, please follow the link. Thank you so much for you support, monetary and otherwise.

 

http://gfwd.at/1wnZrj1

[Guest Muscovy]

Poor baby Best of luck for the surgery!

[silverfish]

Ouch! Well, I'm not sure whether a snakebite or a fracture is a better dx - never having lived in 'snake country' - but I'm so sorry to hear she's fractured her hock. Hoping for the best for her!

It was a hock fracture that turned Sid into a tripod 7 years ago, but don't panic. His whole hock was a mass of small fractures apparently. The vet at the time said that it looked as if it had exploded. It's difficult to see on the x-ray but it looks as if it's just Wasabi's calcaneus which has a diagonal break? I believe it's the most common part to fracture in the hock and most do heal quite well.

 

I hope that they can fix her up with screws.

[a_daerr]

Oh geez!! Good thing they did x-rays. I see that little fracture. Hopefully the surgery goes smoothly.

[MP_the4pack]

Oh doesn't she just look so sad!!!

 

Two years ago my Opal blew a tendon in her hock. It was not repairable, so they had to fuse her joint. The recovery was hard because it was summer and she loves her pool. I had to bring her to daycare for the 6 weeks she had on her splint because I work during the day and have a dog door. She's all healed now and with the exception of a slightly odd gait is fine.

 

Good luck with your surgery.

[schultzlc]

Your poor girl. Continued good thoughts for fast healing and a smooth surgery.

[Guest Wasabi303]

Thanks for all the well-wishes. I will be sure to let you all know how surgery goes on Monday. For now we are making it work. I live in the basement of the house I rent with friends, which means I have to carry all 66lbs of her up to go outside for potty breaks three times a day. I think I will be pretty buff by the time she heals!

 

I think this whole experience will end up making us closer. She woke up at about 3:30 this morning crying, so I went and sat on her bed for about an hour, just petting her back to sleep. Upped her pain meds a little today, hopefully she will get through the night better. Still using chicken liver to get her to eat every meal, but I don't mind that.

 

Fingers crossed for a simple and clean surgery on Monday!