LakeshoreGreys Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Our ten year old suddenly developed pain when opening his jaw. He eats his kibble okay, but will not touch cookies. We tried opening his mouth wider to look, but he screamed. He does not bark any more either. We have an appointment tomorrow morning, but are wondering if anyone else has experienced this with their hound. Quote Sara formerly on Greytalk as Mommyof3Gone, but still part of our family and always in our hearts:Bruiser Isa Comander To 6/23/91-11/20/03 Sandy NSK Special Up 10/19/89-6/13/04 Beau Bdk's Boo Boo 1/1/93-12/15/06 Cooney Lars Dbltakedean 11/1/93-1/23/07Buddy 2/9/1997-11/16/09 Joe Elkhart Joe 11/7/99-12/2/10 Alex Streakin Diablo 4/17/02-4/1/11 Brother Hylife Brother 9/26/97-2/28/12 Comanche Gil's Comanche 6/7/2005-11/7/2015 Molly 4/8/2011-4/13/2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macoduck Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 (edited) I'm guessing he slurps his kibble but can't do a chewing motion for cookies. Without opening his mouth, place your fingers on either side of the jaw at the hinge. Does it feel the same on each side? Thinking possible dislocation. Edited August 16, 2015 by macoduck 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...
tbhounds Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Need to rule out Masticatory Myositis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MP_the4pack Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Yup. My Pearl had that. It was misdiagnosed as myocitis, but turned out to be an abscessed tooth. One of the tiny ones way in the back of her mouth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gryhndsr4us Posted August 17, 2015 Share Posted August 17, 2015 Poor Comanche! Hope it is something easily fixed. Quote Sue ,Sky and Dood, Bridge angels Clark, Gypsy, Dreamy and Sneakers, Oshkosh,WI Heartbound Greyhound Adoption<p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LakeshoreGreys Posted August 17, 2015 Author Share Posted August 17, 2015 Duckie, I don't notice a difference. Good thought though! My first thought was tooth too. He just had a dental in April, but anything is possible I guess. Masticatory Myocitis looks scary. I'm really worried about him. He's not himself - normally he's up and greeting us and pawing at the ground and barking, but he just lays on the couch. He's also one that "watches the clock" and knows what time his meals and treats are, and doesn't let us forget...but not the past few days. I worry it's going to be something terrible. I'm usually pretty laid back with dog stuff, because after 20 years of greyhounds, sometimes I think we've been through it all. But this is a new one on us. Even DH is worried. Quote Sara formerly on Greytalk as Mommyof3Gone, but still part of our family and always in our hearts:Bruiser Isa Comander To 6/23/91-11/20/03 Sandy NSK Special Up 10/19/89-6/13/04 Beau Bdk's Boo Boo 1/1/93-12/15/06 Cooney Lars Dbltakedean 11/1/93-1/23/07Buddy 2/9/1997-11/16/09 Joe Elkhart Joe 11/7/99-12/2/10 Alex Streakin Diablo 4/17/02-4/1/11 Brother Hylife Brother 9/26/97-2/28/12 Comanche Gil's Comanche 6/7/2005-11/7/2015 Molly 4/8/2011-4/13/2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted August 17, 2015 Share Posted August 17, 2015 I would check for Lyme disease too--can get some pretty weird symptoms from Lyme. Please keep us posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LakeshoreGreys Posted August 17, 2015 Author Share Posted August 17, 2015 Will do. He goes in in an hour and a half. Will post when we return. Quote Sara formerly on Greytalk as Mommyof3Gone, but still part of our family and always in our hearts:Bruiser Isa Comander To 6/23/91-11/20/03 Sandy NSK Special Up 10/19/89-6/13/04 Beau Bdk's Boo Boo 1/1/93-12/15/06 Cooney Lars Dbltakedean 11/1/93-1/23/07Buddy 2/9/1997-11/16/09 Joe Elkhart Joe 11/7/99-12/2/10 Alex Streakin Diablo 4/17/02-4/1/11 Brother Hylife Brother 9/26/97-2/28/12 Comanche Gil's Comanche 6/7/2005-11/7/2015 Molly 4/8/2011-4/13/2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LakeshoreGreys Posted August 17, 2015 Author Share Posted August 17, 2015 She's leaning toward masticatory myositis. She's running a CBC and sending it out, and also is doing a urinalysis and protein/creatinine ratio. She said that she always thinks the worst, but that until tomorrow when the blood tests come back, we should not worry. That she's not worried yet, so we shouldn't be either. We do have a baby dosage of Dermaxx to relieve some of his pain. Quote Sara formerly on Greytalk as Mommyof3Gone, but still part of our family and always in our hearts:Bruiser Isa Comander To 6/23/91-11/20/03 Sandy NSK Special Up 10/19/89-6/13/04 Beau Bdk's Boo Boo 1/1/93-12/15/06 Cooney Lars Dbltakedean 11/1/93-1/23/07Buddy 2/9/1997-11/16/09 Joe Elkhart Joe 11/7/99-12/2/10 Alex Streakin Diablo 4/17/02-4/1/11 Brother Hylife Brother 9/26/97-2/28/12 Comanche Gil's Comanche 6/7/2005-11/7/2015 Molly 4/8/2011-4/13/2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradymom Posted August 17, 2015 Share Posted August 17, 2015 Been following and thinking of you as you await the answers. Quote The handsome boy Brady, mid-morning nap. The sun, the sun feels so, so, so good. I can't keep my eyes open ... ... Retirement agrees ... ... and the Diva Ms India, 2001 - 10/16/2009 .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted August 17, 2015 Share Posted August 17, 2015 She's leaning toward masticatory myositis. She's running a CBC and sending it out, and also is doing a urinalysis and protein/creatinine ratio. She said that she always thinks the worst, but that until tomorrow when the blood tests come back, we should not worry. That she's not worried yet, so we shouldn't be either. We do have a baby dosage of Dermaxx to relieve some of his pain. Ugh--is your vet running the antibodies test? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LakeshoreGreys Posted August 17, 2015 Author Share Posted August 17, 2015 Thanks, Bradymom! tbhounds, Not sure, can you tell me more? She said she was sending the blood test into San Francisco or San Diego or something, I think. Maybe St. Louis? Quote Sara formerly on Greytalk as Mommyof3Gone, but still part of our family and always in our hearts:Bruiser Isa Comander To 6/23/91-11/20/03 Sandy NSK Special Up 10/19/89-6/13/04 Beau Bdk's Boo Boo 1/1/93-12/15/06 Cooney Lars Dbltakedean 11/1/93-1/23/07Buddy 2/9/1997-11/16/09 Joe Elkhart Joe 11/7/99-12/2/10 Alex Streakin Diablo 4/17/02-4/1/11 Brother Hylife Brother 9/26/97-2/28/12 Comanche Gil's Comanche 6/7/2005-11/7/2015 Molly 4/8/2011-4/13/2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted August 17, 2015 Share Posted August 17, 2015 Thanks, Bradymom! tbhounds, Not sure, can you tell me more? She said she was sending the blood test into San Francisco or San Diego or something, I think. Maybe St. Louis? Sounds like they are running it--need to run a very specifc test called 2m antibody test. Your general chemistry is limited -one thing it will check is the CK level (which can be elevated even in just a nervous dog).If you think he's okay to do without the Deramaxx I would hold off until you receive the results. If the 2m test comes back positive he'll need to start pred. Of course it's your vets call--just tossing this out there. You could always ask if it's ok to give Tramadol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LakeshoreGreys Posted August 31, 2015 Author Share Posted August 31, 2015 On the 19th, his CBC came back normal. Turns out she did not run the antibody test right away. She was planning to do a biopsy instead for a more definitive answer and prognosis. When we brought him in on Thursday for the biopsy, she changed her mind because he does not have a lot of muscle there and she would have had to cut way up to his eye to get a decent sample. So instead, she took another sample and send that in for the 2m antibody test. That came back with a number less than 1-100, and with the muscle atrophy he appears to have, she's thinking it's end stage masticatory myositis. Since we had him on Dermaxx, we have to wait a week to start prednisone (just like you said, tbhounds!)- so he'll start that this coming Saturday. In the mean time, he is on Tramadol - 2 50mg pills every 6 hours - but that does not seem to be working nearly as well as the Dermaxx did. With the Dermaxx, he was almost back to his old self and even tried barking. With the Tramadol, he barely moves, and yesterday he let out a yelp trying to eat a piece of hot dog - 3 hours after getting his dose.Are there any alternatives to Tramadol that work better (and are not NSAIDS)? Quote Sara formerly on Greytalk as Mommyof3Gone, but still part of our family and always in our hearts:Bruiser Isa Comander To 6/23/91-11/20/03 Sandy NSK Special Up 10/19/89-6/13/04 Beau Bdk's Boo Boo 1/1/93-12/15/06 Cooney Lars Dbltakedean 11/1/93-1/23/07Buddy 2/9/1997-11/16/09 Joe Elkhart Joe 11/7/99-12/2/10 Alex Streakin Diablo 4/17/02-4/1/11 Brother Hylife Brother 9/26/97-2/28/12 Comanche Gil's Comanche 6/7/2005-11/7/2015 Molly 4/8/2011-4/13/2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greysmom Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 Tramadol is an opiod pain reliever that is normally well tolerated by greys, but it can have a sedating effect. You might ask if you can reduce the dosage slightly. You can also try codiene as a pain reliever, but it is also sedating. Did your vet really examine his mouth? The reason I ask is I just saw a story on FB (the GT page there, I think) about a dog who went in for a dental because his breath was so bad, his owners thought he needed some teeth extracted. But it turned out to be a four inch long stick stuck through the roof of the dog's mouth! Once the stick was removed and the infection treated, he was fine. Quote Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora) siggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LakeshoreGreys Posted August 31, 2015 Author Share Posted August 31, 2015 Did your vet really examine his mouth? The reason I ask is I just saw a story on FB (the GT page there, I think) about a dog who went in for a dental because his breath was so bad, his owners thought he needed some teeth extracted. But it turned out to be a four inch long stick stuck through the roof of the dog's mouth! Once the stick was removed and the infection treated, he was fine. She said she took a good look. He wasn't sedated or anything like that, though. I begged her to take a thorough look when we had planned to do the biopsy, and she said she had been planning on it! Quote Sara formerly on Greytalk as Mommyof3Gone, but still part of our family and always in our hearts:Bruiser Isa Comander To 6/23/91-11/20/03 Sandy NSK Special Up 10/19/89-6/13/04 Beau Bdk's Boo Boo 1/1/93-12/15/06 Cooney Lars Dbltakedean 11/1/93-1/23/07Buddy 2/9/1997-11/16/09 Joe Elkhart Joe 11/7/99-12/2/10 Alex Streakin Diablo 4/17/02-4/1/11 Brother Hylife Brother 9/26/97-2/28/12 Comanche Gil's Comanche 6/7/2005-11/7/2015 Molly 4/8/2011-4/13/2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koyotekyle Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 Tramadol usually works ( take it myself) We also used Metacam when Sam was in pain. Is this a vet who knows greyhounds? If she does not come up with an answer, maybe try a different vet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LakeshoreGreys Posted September 14, 2015 Author Share Posted September 14, 2015 Just an update...he's been on prednisone for a week now, and is doing better. Had him in for a recheck and she wants to stay the course with the prednisone for a while. Still a very painful response when she presses on his muscle around his eye area, and it is more sunken looking. However, sometimes he will let out a bark or two, and his jaw chatters like crazy at mealtime. The tramadol seems to take the edge off the pain for him. Quote Sara formerly on Greytalk as Mommyof3Gone, but still part of our family and always in our hearts:Bruiser Isa Comander To 6/23/91-11/20/03 Sandy NSK Special Up 10/19/89-6/13/04 Beau Bdk's Boo Boo 1/1/93-12/15/06 Cooney Lars Dbltakedean 11/1/93-1/23/07Buddy 2/9/1997-11/16/09 Joe Elkhart Joe 11/7/99-12/2/10 Alex Streakin Diablo 4/17/02-4/1/11 Brother Hylife Brother 9/26/97-2/28/12 Comanche Gil's Comanche 6/7/2005-11/7/2015 Molly 4/8/2011-4/13/2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradymom Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 I am so glad he is doing better on the prednisone and tramadol. Quote The handsome boy Brady, mid-morning nap. The sun, the sun feels so, so, so good. I can't keep my eyes open ... ... Retirement agrees ... ... and the Diva Ms India, 2001 - 10/16/2009 .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LazyBlaze Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 That sounds positive. that your guy continues to improve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 Happy to hear he's improving and I hope the side effects of the pred are tolerable. <3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gryhndsr4us Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 Glad to hear he is doing better. Poor boy, so glad he ended up with you and is getting good care and lots of love!! Quote Sue ,Sky and Dood, Bridge angels Clark, Gypsy, Dreamy and Sneakers, Oshkosh,WI Heartbound Greyhound Adoption<p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LakeshoreGreys Posted November 6, 2015 Author Share Posted November 6, 2015 Well, here we are almost 3 months later. He was improving on the pred, though he got scary skinny. We tapered down gradually, from 50 to 5. About a month ago, he got really puffy right by his eye. Bad tooth abscess. Full dental a with that tooth removed. We've been fighting an infection ever since then...very stinky and so bad it burst through to the surface 2 weeks ago. Seemed to be healing nicely finally last week, but this week it's back with a vengeance. He has been cultured several times with med changes but nothing can knock it out. Biopsy was done on the tooth and removed tissue and though cancer was not apparent, the pathologist said she wouldn't rule it out. Meanwhile, Comanche is uncomfortable. His face is constantly oozing and he is rubbing it on everything. Appetite is way down...today no interest at all in breakfast. Even with various enticers, it is hard to get him to take his meds. Vet said we should expect culture to come back today or tomorrow. If there is not something that says, xXxX will knock it out, she mentioned a biopsy.She's thinking cancer. And we don't think we want to put him through another biopsy. If it turns out to be cancer, there is not much we can do for him anyway. So this morning I woke up to him on the bed with me. This is where we'll stay today...as long as he wants. I just want him to be comfortable. Quote Sara formerly on Greytalk as Mommyof3Gone, but still part of our family and always in our hearts:Bruiser Isa Comander To 6/23/91-11/20/03 Sandy NSK Special Up 10/19/89-6/13/04 Beau Bdk's Boo Boo 1/1/93-12/15/06 Cooney Lars Dbltakedean 11/1/93-1/23/07Buddy 2/9/1997-11/16/09 Joe Elkhart Joe 11/7/99-12/2/10 Alex Streakin Diablo 4/17/02-4/1/11 Brother Hylife Brother 9/26/97-2/28/12 Comanche Gil's Comanche 6/7/2005-11/7/2015 Molly 4/8/2011-4/13/2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patsy Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 Oh dear-- sending you all good thoughts and I'll put him on the nightly candle. Quote Patsy and DH with the Humane Society specials, Linus & Jazz, in North Dakota Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 Did they happen to perform any skull rads? Intra-oral radiographs? It could be that because his immune system was so surpressed the infection really flourished. Hopefully, you'll have an answer with the culture results. In the meantime are you giving Tramadol and/or gabapentin? There are other pain meds that can be used (no NSAIDs). You can even place a wet/warm warmcloth on the area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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