tra708 Posted November 5, 2016 Share Posted November 5, 2016 Has this ever happened to anyone here?: a week ago I took Lola to the vet with back end/legs weakness, and got her on a daily dose of Metacam. She improved immediately with that. Then all of a sudden, she was limping horribly and would not put weight on her front left leg. She could not walk at all! X-rays showed a possible fracture of the wrist bone. (no bone cancer) Now she has a cast on, and is pretty immobile. I have to help her outside to pee, and she pants and shakes a lot. Walking is difficult. Has anyone's dog broken a bone in the front leg because their arthritis in the back made them start depending too much on the front?? By the way, she is almost 13. in just a few short days, she has gone from being healthy and energetic--to seeming like she's 100 yrs old!! I feel so bad for her. Can anyone share a similar experience? Much thanks, tra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macoduck Posted November 5, 2016 Share Posted November 5, 2016 I am so sorry to hear this about your girl. Are you confident in your vet's reading of the films? Can they be reviewed by a veterinary radiologist? 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...
tra708 Posted November 5, 2016 Author Share Posted November 5, 2016 Yes, they took thorough X-rays of her entire body and sent them to their radiology specialists, just in case there was anything our vet missed. You might think they missed something, like osteo? Anything is possible, but for now she's in a cast, on tramadol, and we are waiting to see if she improves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XTRAWLD Posted November 5, 2016 Share Posted November 5, 2016 I know through going to chiro with Ryder how much our pups can compensate with another limb when one is not operating correctly. To fracture it though...hmm I'm not entirely sure. Maybe if she took a bad step at the same time? Quote Proudly owned by:10 year old "Ryder" CR Redman Gotcha May 201012.5 year old Angel "Kasey" Goodbye Kasey Gotcha July 2005-Aug 1, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinw Posted November 5, 2016 Share Posted November 5, 2016 (edited) Loca had a similar injury. The toughest thing was keeping the bandage and her foot dry. She made a full recovery at age 11. It wasn't due to osteo; it happened while she was at playgroup. Edited November 5, 2016 by robinw 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...
tra708 Posted November 5, 2016 Author Share Posted November 5, 2016 thanks for replies. i just want to keep her comfortable. it's hard to know whether panting and shaking (only when standing up) is pain, or just muscle weakness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walliered Posted November 5, 2016 Share Posted November 5, 2016 I had to keep DaVid's foot dry one time for 6 weeks..my vet cut the bottom out of an IV soft plastic container and I taped the top and bottom..wonder if you could use one without the bottom cut out and just vet tape the top to her leg? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiveRoooooers Posted November 5, 2016 Share Posted November 5, 2016 So sorry. Very good info above. Just adding that panting can often be a side effect of Tramadol. Also, you may want to look into getting Lola a Help'EmUp harness to help her with potty trips. It was a godsend when my girl was down with a neurological event. Best of luck, hang in there. Quote Old Dogs are the Best Dogs. Thank you, campers. Current enrollees: Punkin. AnnIE Oooh M, Ebbie, HollyBeeBop (Betty Crocker). 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...
tra708 Posted November 5, 2016 Author Share Posted November 5, 2016 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macoduck Posted November 6, 2016 Share Posted November 6, 2016 Like Jan said, tramadol can cause panting. 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...
Walliered Posted November 6, 2016 Share Posted November 6, 2016 Wonder what your vet would say about changing to Gabapentin? DaVid takes 200 mg three times a day (along with 150mg of tranadol)..just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmswartzfager Posted November 6, 2016 Share Posted November 6, 2016 I can honestly say I've never seen a splint like that for a wrist fracture. It looks like her wrist is still able to flex, and that could certainly cause panting (pain) while she is standing and putting weight on it and flexing the wrist as she moves/walks. I assume she is continuing the metacam along with the addition of tramadol? Quote Deanna with galgo Willow, greyhound Finn, and DH BrianRemembering Marcus (11/16/93 - 11/16/05), Tyler (2/3/01 - 11/6/06), Frazzle (7/2/94 - 7/23/07), Carrie (5/8/96 - 2/24/09), Blitz (3/28/97 - 6/10/11), Symbra (12/30/02 - 7/16/13), Scarlett (10/10/02 - 08/31/13), Wren (5/25/01 - 5/19/14), Rooster (3/7/07 - 8/28/18), Q (2008 - 8/31/19), and Momma Mia (2002 - 12/9/19). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greytpups Posted November 6, 2016 Share Posted November 6, 2016 poor baby, hope she heals quickly 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...
Guest Sportingfields Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 That is an unusual looking splint. When do you go back for check up? With their thin skin, abrasion rubbing a raw spot has always been a concern of mine. Paws crossed for quick healing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeofNE Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 I can't see how that "cast" is supposed to do much. Honestly, if my dog were 13 and in obvious discomfort, and I'm sorry, the odds that her wrist just broke and it ISN'T osteo are slim. I am not sure I'd take her home with me--but that's just me, and I don't mean that to sound harsh. Panting could be a side effect of the meds, or it means she is in significant pain. Only you know the right thing, but at a minimum, I'd ask to increase the pain meds and also why her "wrist" isn't actually imobilized. Quote Susan, Hamish, Mister Bigglesworth and Nikita Stanislav. Missing Ming, George, and Buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tra708 Posted November 7, 2016 Author Share Posted November 7, 2016 You are not being harsh at all. Honestly I am in agreement with you, but my vet said to at least give her a chance to improve for a week or two. I am trying to make the best decision without being paranoid about others' judgement (real or imagined). It's hard, and seeing her unhappy and not enjoying life, is crushing. I've now been through this kind of situation twice before this, and one comforting thought afterwards was that I did not wait too long. I never judge anyone else on this, but I tend to be in the "day too soon" camp. About the cast on the leg...her wrist cannot bend in it. Anyhow, thank you so much for your input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macoduck Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 If the tramadol is causing the panting then ask about gabapentin. That said, my worry about pain meds with fractures is that my dog would try to be too active and re-injure the area. I'd want my dog to not be in pain and would have to be super vigilant about their activity level. Hoping your girl Lola feels good today. 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...
juliemac Posted November 8, 2016 Share Posted November 8, 2016 beautiful girl ... I'm sorry for the struggles you're both going through. Gentle hugs. Riley doesn't react well to Tramadol (well, it may help his pain, but I can't tell because of the panting and pacing, so I only use it immediately after an acute injury, until other pain meds kick in). In addition, at 13yo, your sweetheart may have some back end weakness, which would make it even hard to adjust to problems with a front leg. I think you already know that you can't make a bad decision here, but if there isn't any evidence of cancer, I would TRY to treat this like an injury and watch for signs of healing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tra708 Posted November 8, 2016 Author Share Posted November 8, 2016 She isn't panting as much now, and although she still can hardly walk, she seems to be in better spirits. She does have a little arthritis in the back end, which means she only has one good leg at the moment. The back end is what the Metacam was for, and it was working well before this happened. When at rest, she seems comfortable, and she still eats enthusiastically. So, there's that. Monitoring closely for now. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Sportingfields Posted November 8, 2016 Share Posted November 8, 2016 and healing wishes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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