Just Adopted, Noticed A Limp That Has Gotten Worse

[Guest martinshirley]

Hi all.

 

I've been frantically googling things and browsing through this forum for the past week in anticipation of getting our greyhound. Everything has been super helpful!

We brought home Obi this past Saturday, July 14. He is just shy of 2 years old. On Sunday we started noticing he was limping and lifting his right hind leg when he hustled. We opted to not do anything super strenuous, mainly short leashed walks and bathroom breaks. He seemed fine walking around the house.

 

The adoption agency had told us that he had broken his toe, but it was splinted and the splint was removed by a vet in Florida and cleared. Today I noticed his limping has gotten worse, to the point where he rarely walked and instead just skipped in the house with that right hind leg lifted up.

 

When we adopted him we went ahead and set up an appointment in early August since that was their soonest availability. Now I'm trying to set up a sooner appointment, but between their booked schedules(like weeks to months in advance booked) and work, it's not looking good.

 

I'm really worried and I was wondering if anyone had any tips or pieces of advice? We just got him but we already love and care for him very much.

 

Thank you all so much.

 

-Shirley

Edited July 18, 2018 by martinshirley

[cleptogrey]

look for another vet, that's absurd that you have to wait that long.

 

his toe, if that's the paw that's limping needs to be either x-rayed or manipulated depending upon the vet. he may have a sprung toe and it can be popped back in.

 

do post the area that you are located in and maybe someone can give you a suggestion vet wise. have you contacted your adoption group? there is an index of vets in health and medical.

good luck

Edited July 18, 2018 by cleptogrey

[Guest Greybay]

Have you checked his toes for corns?

[Time4ANap]

Any limp in a greyhound is of concern until you know what's going on. If that's the foot with the bad toe, you have some idea what might be going on, but it still needs to be checked. The new vet may have setup your appointment in August as a new patient because those are scheduled for more time than a routine appt. Make sure they know there is an issue when you call and you need to get him in ASAP. If they can't see him within a day or two for a problem, that's a good indication that this isn't a vet you want to use or rely on.

 

If you post your location (city and state), there may be someone here who can suggest a greyhound-savvy vet in your area. If the vet you are trying to get into was suggested by the adoption group, let them know that the vet isn't getting you in quickly enough for this issue.

Edited July 18, 2018 by Time4ANap

[Guest martinshirley]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

 

@Greybay there do not appear to be any corns.

 

I called the vet office suggested from the index and they don't have any open Saturdays. My boyfriend just started a new job and doesn't have much flexibility during the academy (on weekdays), and I do not have a car. I did contact the adoption group and will be calling more vets this afternoon. Wish there were more vet offices with different working hours :/

 

I live in Richmond, Virginia.

[palmettobug]

If you need a specialist, my Mom has used this clinic:

http://www.vrccvet.com/

It's a bit of drive outside of Richmond, but worth it.

[IansMom]

Try not to worry too much. I’m sure this is both frustrating and worrisome since you just adopted your sweet Obi. Something similar happened with our boy, Ian. He had an old racing injury (we assumed) on one of his back pinky toes. He would limp an whine and hold up his foot. After conservative treatment, we did wind up having that toe amputated, but it was not a big deal at all and we are huge worriers so don’t think we took this lightly. He healed quickly and had no more trouble with it after that. Ian was VERY vocal if he had the slightest pain, so if there were any residual pain we would have known. Try not to worry or be too alarmed. Do try to see another vet sooner than August or whenever that was and make sure he or she is greyhound savvy. Enjoy getting to know Obi. Greyhounds will steal your heart in a second!

[Guest martinshirley]

If you need a specialist, my Mom has used this clinic:

http://www.vrccvet.com/

It's a bit of drive outside of Richmond, but worth it.

Thanks for recommendation, it's not too far I think we'll try there since they're open after hours.

 

 

Try not to worry too much. I’m sure this is both frustrating and worrisome since you just adopted your sweet Obi. Something similar happened with our boy, Ian. He had an old racing injury (we assumed) on one of his back pinky toes. He would limp an whine and hold up his foot. After conservative treatment, we did wind up having that toe amputated, but it was not a big deal at all and we are huge worriers so don’t think we took this lightly. He healed quickly and had no more trouble with it after that. Ian was VERY vocal if he had the slightest pain, so if there were any residual pain we would have known. Try not to worry or be too alarmed. Do try to see another vet sooner than August or whenever that was and make sure he or she is greyhound savvy. Enjoy getting to know Obi. Greyhounds will steal your heart in a second!

Thanks for the reassurance

[Dawnnziggy]

Just to make you feel better, when we got hound number 4 (Yes, you read that right!), she had broken her leg while racing. They tried to rehab her because she was a good racer. She was 20 months old when we got her. She was VERY active. While on a walk around 11P.M., she broke her leash and ran like the wind. She jumped a neighbor's fence to try to get their cats. Then she jumped their gate in front and skidded on her paws across their asphalt driveway. My DS found her about 15 minutes after she got away. All 4 paws were bloody and she wouldn't put weight on the broken leg. I was a mess. She hadn't re-broken anything but we had to keep her paws, all 4 of them, wrapped for a while. She is now on her leash with an extra piece of hardware. It screws on her leash. No more runaway houndie!

 

It will be all right. Stay calm and your pup will too. I do think I would find a different vet.

[Scoutsmom]

My Bree arrived at my home missing a back toe. She had broken it while racing and it had not healed correctly. My adoption group went ahead and amputated it. At first she still favored the leg, but she soon began using it normally. I'm telling you this because I want you to be aware that if the toe was broken and she is still having trouble with it, amputation may be the way to go. It is really no big thing to these pups.

[Guest martinshirley]

So it turns out he actually had broken all 4 toes on that leg...

We're getting some updated x-rays and working with the adoption group. Going to be a process but hopefully he turns out alright. Thanks for all the support and advice