Scooby172 Posted January 18, 2019 Share Posted January 18, 2019 Jack, who just turned seven and who I have had since he was 12 weeks old has been struggling with pain in his hind end. I noticed he was limping on back leg on and off and was having some trouble getting up and down. I brought him to the vet, he was prescribed Carprofen 100mg q day with food. During this time he was being treated for a recurring corneal ulcer, he only has one eye due to an issue before I got him. the pain in his hind end got worse with night crying and collapsing when he got up, refusing to use back leg. X Rays were done and read by a radiologist who diagnosed mild spondylosis deformans at L5-L6 and L7-S1. The alignment of the L7-S1 was unremarkable, unremarkable pelvis and hips and unremarkable right stifle. Bloodwork and urinalysis was normal. Due to increased pain vet prescribed Gabapentin 100 mg twice a day, continue Carprofen 100mg q day and Methocarbamol 500mg three times a day. He remains on drops for his eye ulcer which seems to be resolving. He has been on his new med regime for 10 days, however he is still experiencing a lot of pain when he gets up, sometimes goes to the ground and frequently holds up his right hind leg. This seems to get better quickly and he is able to move around, but gingerly. Any thoughts on medication regime, should I talk to vet about increasing Gabapentin? Of course I am worried about OS at this point. Could this be the beginning of LS? Any and all thoughts are appreciated. I am worried about him. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted January 18, 2019 Share Posted January 18, 2019 I know you said x-rays were done of the spine, was his leg x-rayed as well? If it was and looked ok, I would talk to the vet about increasing the gabapentin, the frequency at least. Also, if you have access to acupuncture, try that. My first grey had spondylosis, and was collapsing, could barely stand, and the acupuncture eventually got her back to about 90% of her original mobility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryJane Posted January 18, 2019 Share Posted January 18, 2019 Leg x-ray and send to Dr. Couto. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby172 Posted January 18, 2019 Author Share Posted January 18, 2019 The report said X ray of pelvis, hips and right stifle was unremarkable, should I have the whole leg x rayed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted January 18, 2019 Share Posted January 18, 2019 Since he hasn’t improved, I would. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby172 Posted January 23, 2019 Author Share Posted January 23, 2019 Vet visit today, unfortunately no real improvement with hip/back pain or with corneal ulcer. Increased Gabapentin and on a new eye medication. Exploring acupuncture and laser therapy for hip/back anyone have experience with laser therapy? Am also going contacting Dr. Couto for a consult. What is the best way to contact him and get him the info he needs? Thanks for your help with this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charbess Posted January 27, 2019 Share Posted January 27, 2019 Vet visit today, unfortunately no real improvement with hip/back pain or with corneal ulcer. Increased Gabapentin and on a new eye medication. Exploring acupuncture and laser therapy for hip/back anyone have experience with laser therapy? Am also going contacting Dr. Couto for a consult. What is the best way to contact him and get him the info he needs? Thanks for your help with this. Greyhound Health Initiative: For consultations with Dr. Couto (coutovetconsultants@gmail.com) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MP_the4pack Posted January 27, 2019 Share Posted January 27, 2019 Dec 19 my Tanzi had clear xrays. Her back pain was not getting better. Two weeks later we did a CT scan. She had OS. Being a tripod already there was nothing we could do. She was gone Jan 19. If you can afford it, I would get a scan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted January 27, 2019 Share Posted January 27, 2019 Conner has a variety of mobility issues and laser therapy helps him quite a bit. Acupuncture is another good option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby172 Posted January 27, 2019 Author Share Posted January 27, 2019 Thank you everyone for your help. I have provided Dr. Couto with all the information he wanted (all I can say is Wow, he is unbelievable). We go back to the vet this week and will see how he is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby172 Posted February 21, 2019 Author Share Posted February 21, 2019 Update on Jack. Dr. Couto reviewed x rays, reports no sign of bone cancer. He suggested iliopsoas injury which is my vets working diagnosis. Unfortunately despite a variety of treatments Jack continues to be in pain, especially when he gets up. Bloodwork done showed an increase in liver values, vet took him off carprofen and we will start meloxicam after one week. Jack is on Gabapentin 300mg TID and Methocarbamol 500mg TID with little relief. This is a very frustrating injury and I am worried about my boy who loves to run and play, he is restricted to leash walks and may be getting a bit depressed. Appreciate any additional thoughts and advice from anyone who has been through something like this, it seems like such a long recovery. Jack has had this injury before and bounced back much quicker, vet is very surprised he is still so painful. Dr. Couto reported that the spondylosis (noted on x ray) is a common degenerative finding in dogs but was not a common diagnosis in greyhounds and generally does not cause pain or lameness. Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted February 21, 2019 Share Posted February 21, 2019 Had a dog with iliopsoas injury-took a long time to recover but, once healed did very well. He ended up being diagnosed via an mri-the pain was that bad where lesser imaging was off the table. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby172 Posted February 23, 2019 Author Share Posted February 23, 2019 Thank you tbhounds, I appreciate you experience, expertise, guidance and support! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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