Jump to content

Leg questions


Recommended Posts

Vague title, I know.

Hazer is a 12-1/2 yo cowdoggie, a big ol' boy that had a racing record with >260 races. Mid-December, he started having some problems with his right rear foot; X-rays didn't reveal anything terribly interesting. He was put on Rimadyl, and later gabapentin. Pain does not seem to be an issue with him, and I continue to deliberate as to whether even these are necessary.

His limp continues to get worse, although he still gets around and he's adapted to getting up and down. But on Saturday, the bottom 6-8" of his foot and leg swelled up, and the symptoms are consistent with lymphedema.

He continues to be happy, hungry, loves to go on walks (although they get shorter and shorter), and we're just making sure he stays happy. Although there are some recent problems in terms of defecation (they are small, soft, and he seems to have problems in that he paces and occasionally squats unproductively), he is otherwise healthy and on no medications.

With that in mind, is a hind limb amputation a bad idea with a hound of this age?

Coco (Maze Cocodrillo)

Minerva (Kid's Snipper)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Im sorry to say that an amputation isn't going to help with simple aging problems.

Given what you've described it's likely something like lumbosacral stenosis, or even just arthritis impinging somewhere in his sacrum or hips.  If you have the extra cash, investing in thorough xrays of his spine would be in order (or an MRI if you can afford it, though he'll really need to be sedated for it).

Nsaids, Gabapentin, and even a tolerated opiate are the most used combo for these symptoms, which are mostly related to nerve issues than skeletal ones (except for any impingement).  That and keeping him moving as much as possible.

And begin to keep a close eye on his quality of life.  :( {{{hugs}}}

Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora)

52592535884_69debcd9b4.jpgsiggy 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

Aaron, the new almost 13 year old that I recently took in is also on Rimadyl and Gabapentin.  His owner's vet started him on that combo when he'd gotten to the point where he could not get himself off the floor. A mutual friend said that the improvement was remarkable. I can't ask the previous owner for any more details since she's in a nursing home now.

My thought on a hind end amp at your boy's age is that if struggling to squat and poop then he may struggle more without that leg to support him.

Yes, it can be unilateral. Spine xrays are recommended.  I found some info via Google:

https://wagwalking.com/condition/lumbosacral-stenosis-cauda-equina-syndrome

https://www.animalclinicofbillings.com/resources/orthopedic-surgery/spine-and-neck-surgery/lumbosacral-stenosis-spine-disease-ls/

https://www.physio-pedia.com/Canine_Intervertebral_Disc_Disease

 

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.

tiny hada siggy.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Your good boy is 12.6, a wonderful age. Agree with the above. My angel Pagliaccio had bilateral LS and for a good while we were able to manage it with Adequan injections that I gave at home and acupuncture, along with Deramaxx and something (multiple somethings) that I can't recall atm. 

What a great name, Hazer!

Old Dogs are the Best Dogs. :heartThank you, campers. Current enrollees:  Punkin. AnnIE Oooh M, Ebbie, HollyBeeBop (Betty Crocker).

Angels: Pal :heart. Segugio. Sorella (TPGIT). LadyBug. Zeke-aroni. MiMi Sizzle Pants. Gracie. Seamie :heart:brokenheart. (Foster)Sweet. Andy. PaddyALVIN!Mayhem. Bosco. Bruno. Dottie B. Trevor Double-Heart. Bea. Cletus, KLTO. Aiden 1-4.

:paw 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

My Val was diagnosed with unilateral LS at 12.5. She was on gabapentin and metacam, but we stopped the metacam after awhile as it didn’t seem to help much, although I could tell a difference with the gabapentin. She also got acupuncture and cold laser treatments. She loved her walks and kept going (except in the summer!) until the end. She made it to 14.4. 
 

:candle Hazer

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm going to try to get him into the vet, of course, but she is agnostic as to the value due to findings from X-rays taken ~6 weeks ago- some stuff on the pelvis that couldn't be identified by the vet nor the veterinary radiologist; it wasn't consistent with osteo (plus, it would be an odd location), there was some thought it could be "Valley fever" (cryptococcus) so we put him on diflucan until the blood tests came back- negative.

So- my dumb question: do the nerves for the distal portion of the hind leg leave the cauda equina same as in humans? I'm not understanding how a growth on the pelvis (if that's even what it is) is interfering with nerve transmission to that part of the leg.

I'm hoping we can get him in and give the Stack protocol a go, but I don't think our vet has ever administered it.

Coco (Maze Cocodrillo)

Minerva (Kid's Snipper)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This would be worth asking for a consult from Dr Couto.  He can help answer your questions re anatomy and treatment going forward.

Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora)

52592535884_69debcd9b4.jpgsiggy 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

How much does Cuoto charge for a consult these days? Last I checked a few years back it was $300, but his website doesn't seem to provide that information.

Hazer is at the point where his care is palliative. The X-rays and palpation tests suggest LSS is not an issue here. The data are suggesting it's cancer, probably somewhere in the pelvis, and with the pitting edema he has in his right leg (and, as of today, now his left), I'm guessing he's throwing mets in his lymphatic system.

One suggestion has been Pallida, but we got the last appointment of the day, and the vet's office is closed on weekends, so the soonest Chewy or any other online pharmacy could confirm the script is Monday, and then more time to deliver. None of the local pharmacies carry it, it seems to be unavailable in the entire metro area. Costco can get it maybe Tuesday-Wednesday (and for less than any online provider), and it's... very expensive. With side-effects and handling precautions that are not... encouraging.

But there are no signs he's in pain at this point.

Coco (Maze Cocodrillo)

Minerva (Kid's Snipper)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hazer's gone. He was starting to have a rough night of it, and after weighing all factors, we took him to the E-vet at 4 AM.

Not a bad run for 12-1/2, 260-some races and (apparently) no osteo, didn't even need any meds or anything up until 6 weeks ago. Last night for dinner, he was the same as always, shoving his head into our asses to get us to hurry up and feed him. But he decompensated quickly.

Coco (Maze Cocodrillo)

Minerva (Kid's Snipper)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am so sorry. Hazer was a very good boy who lived his best and fullest life with you. 

Rest well sweet boy. 

Old Dogs are the Best Dogs. :heartThank you, campers. Current enrollees:  Punkin. AnnIE Oooh M, Ebbie, HollyBeeBop (Betty Crocker).

Angels: Pal :heart. Segugio. Sorella (TPGIT). LadyBug. Zeke-aroni. MiMi Sizzle Pants. Gracie. Seamie :heart:brokenheart. (Foster)Sweet. Andy. PaddyALVIN!Mayhem. Bosco. Bruno. Dottie B. Trevor Double-Heart. Bea. Cletus, KLTO. Aiden 1-4.

:paw 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

I'm so sorry for your loss. You did right by your boy and spared him any prolonged suffering. He was lucky to have you as his people.

Rest well, Hazer.

53827132849_248d9686fd_o.jpg

Rachel with Doolin Doodle Dooooo, boss cat Tootie, and feline squatters Crumpet and Fezziwig.
Missing gentlemen kitties MudHenry, and Richard and our gorgeous, gutsy girlhounds
 Sweep and Willa:heart

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm so sorry about Hazer.  

Sometimes greyhounds are just too fast for the speed of the medical diagnosis process.  

siggy_z1ybzn.jpg

Ellen, with brindle Milo and the blonde ballerina, Gelsey

remembering Eve, Baz, Scout, Romie, Nutmeg, and Jeter

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Aaron, I'm sorry that Hazer had to leave you. He knew he was loved. I will add his name to the list of Bridge Angels here on GT. He will be in good company.

 

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.

tiny hada siggy.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm so sorry, Aaron.   Run pain-free, Hazer. 

rocket-signature-jpeg.jpg

Camp Broodie. The current home of Mark Kay Mark Jack and Gracie Kiowa Safe Joan.  Always missing my boy Rocket Hi Noon Rocket,  Allie  Phoenix Dynamite, Kate Miss Kate, Starz Under Da Starz, Petunia MW Neptunia, Diva Astar Dashindiva, and LaVida I've Got Life

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm so sorry it was time for Hazer to leave you, but you gave him the best gift possible.    Run free Hazer!  

 

gallery_22163_3545_8773.jpg

Humans Kathy and Jim with our girls, Ivy (Carolina Spoon) and Cherry (Fly Cherry Pie)

Missing our beautiful angel Breeze (Dighton Breeze) and angel Beka (BM Beko) - you are forever in our hearts.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am so sorry for your loss of sweet Hazer. Fly fast, high and free sweetie.

Mom to Ranger (PB's Long Ranger), Esso (Kiowa Stay Over) and Cookie the rattie mix

Missing Kahn (Gil's Khan) 10-29-03 - 11-7-16  Belle (Regall Belooow) 8-9-07 - 3-12-17  Star (Greyt Star) 1-19-07 - 3-13-2020  Pitch (Emerald Pitch) 4-1-08 - 6-3-2020

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...