Hi everyone.

Those of you that know me know my pets. Well, Jasper, our 10 year old obese border collie is having issues with his leg. It started before the weekend, and it's obviously bothering him.

I'll try to give a description of what's going on, and I want to let everyone know that he will be going to the vet tomorrow, so I'm not looking for a diagnosis, I'm looking for some ideas on how to help him until his appointment tomorrow.

It started with a limp. Not a big limp, but noticeable. So I checked the leg he was favoring and found a wound. It amounts to a scratch really. I disinfected it and I've been keeping an eye on it. It's fine. It's not infected, and it's healing. But he's been acting off. He's not greeting me when I come home (which he always does), he doesn't even wag his tail when he sees me. Usually he goes nuts when I come home. Barking, tail wagging, mommy I want some attention, I missed you so much, behavior. The last few days I've had to go looking for him, and even then, I don't even get a happy tail wag. Nothing. That's when I started to get concerned.

Hubby is on nights right now. So he's home during the day, I'm home from 3pm on. Well, I came home, checked on Jasper, and I have to say, I haven't really seen him do a lot of walking or standing when I've been home. He goes out to pee and poo, eat and drink, but even then, it's not like he normally is. He's eating fine, drinking fine, but he's melancholy. Not himself.

Well hubby called me when I got home from work, said he made an appointment with the vet because the thinks there's more to this then just a cut on Jasper's leg. He thinks Jasper's leg is dislocated, or his shoulder popped out. Well, after I got off the phone with hubby, Jasper got up to get a drink, and I watched him. When he's standing you can see his front leg pop out of place. That's the best way I can describe it. He'll be standing, all is fine, and all of a sudden his leg will pop away from his body, and you can definitely see that it's not natural. Something is going on with that leg.

He's not yelping, or whining. He is limping when he walks, but I don't think it's because he's in pain as much as the fact that the leg won't do what it's supposed to do. I think the limp is more because of what's going on with the leg then it is because of any pain he may be feeling.

He goes to the vet tomorrow, but until then, he's not happy, and I can't stand to see him this way.

Any suggestions? I thought of wrapping the leg in a tensor bandage. Around the shoulder, on the leg, just to help steady it. But I'm worried that I may cause more damage that way.

I've given him baby aspirin so that any pain he may be feeling should be lessened. We can't get an earlier appointment, and like I said, he doesn't really seem to be in pain. He's walking on it, it's just not right.

Any suggestions? Anything at all?

Yeah, I would stay away from the wrapping too, you don't want to impede the circulation to the foot.
Sorry he is having a tough time right now.
About the only suggestion I have is to help him out with a sling and let him stay off it when he doesn't need to be moving around.
How do you think he may have injured it?

. All I can say is keep him off the leg as much as possible. Put him on a leash when you take him out so that he can't try to run etc. (this is all advice you guys gave me for Owen).
Good luck at the vet tomorrow! I know how tough it is when our furbabies are ill or injured.

Thank you both.

Keeping him on a leash isn't an issue. He seems to know that he can't run and play right now, which is why I didn't notice the way the leg was when he was putting weight on it, until today. He's been resting, and not doing a lot of walking unless it's necessary.

I don't know how well a sling would work. I wish I could describe what's going on in a better way. I'd bet money that the leg or shoulder is dislocated. When I saw him standing to drink from his water bowl, it was scary to see the way his leg bent. It was like his leg gave way, and then went to a very unnatural angle. I've only seen something like that once, when my son dislocated his shoulder.

If I'm right, then that would explain why he's not feeling any pain. His leg is most likely numb because it's dislocated. But that's just a guess. The vet will know for sure.

I have no idea how he did it, but he's not young. He's 10 years old, and he's obese. Extremely obese. Not our doing. He gets diet food and plenty of exercise, but for some reason he's still fat, and getting fatter every day. We've had his thyroid tested, and he has all the symptoms of thyroid disease, including the flaky skin, but the test came back negative for thyroid disease, and no diet food or amount of exercise works.

I'm worried that his weight will hinder him even further. If this is a dislocated leg or shoulder, like I'm guessing, then they can pop it into place. But his weight will make healing so much worse, and that's not even factoring in his age.

We have a 3 year old beagle too, and they love to play together. I would bet that that's how he hurt it, or dislocated it. He tries to keep up with the youngun, and he's no longer as young and spry as he used to be.

I've never been this anxious to get to the vet. We told the vet the issue, and we still couldn't get an appointment until tomorrow. Simply can't afford to go to emergency and pay 4 times what we would pay at the vet. It will be hard enough to dish out the money for the regular vet, but it has to be done. He's our baby. We love him. He deserves all we can do for him, and if it means that I have to work double time for a few months, so be it.

Lady Sam, I gave him aspirin, but my husband (who loves animals, and loves our dogs, but has no idea about animal care) gave him tylenol a few days ago. I had no idea. I was at work and he just told me today that that's what he'd done. His thought was that tylenol could help with inflammation. Now I'm afraid. I told him that he should only give aspirin, but I'm wondering if even that's recommended.

I just need some tips until tomorrow. I want him to have a restful night, but then again, he really doesn't seem to be in pain. He's just not himself and his leg is messed up! It's freaky. I wish you could see it. You'd all say "WTF?" ;)

I just checked him. I can move his other legs, and when I do, I meet the resistance I expect. The leg that's bothering him, moves in an unnatural way. I can move it further than the others. It's as if it's not connected.

I'd still bet money that it's dislocated. I'm worried that this may cause permanent damage.

I'm just so worried about him. Sorry to be a nuisance. I am the pets expert, and I know that the vet is the only option. I also know that the best I can do for him is to let him rest until he goes to the vet. But I'm also the mom of a dog that I love, and when that part of me comes out, I just want advice, or someone to tell me it's going to be okay, even though I know that none of you can offer that, my hubby is at work, it's just me and the kids, and I feel very helpless right now.

I guess I just need a hug, and some encouragement that I'm doing all I can. In other words, I need a boost.

Alty pretend this thread was written by someone else.. you are doing everything you need to. You ARE a great pet owner. Jasper knows it too. Hugs

So I'm guessing he didn't act painful when you moved the leg, that at least is a good thing.
With shoulders or front legs at work I use a sling, but rather than putting it behind both front legs to help them walk, I go in front of one shoulder then behind the opposite leg. That way it doesn't slip and you have a little more stability and control. It may help him out, may not.
Aspirin is safe, the two adverse effects would be possible stomach upset and increased bleeding should he need surgery. Aspirin is a blood thinner so I would watch how much I gave him, just in case. Of course my fingers are crossed that won't be the case.
I agree with saving the emergency vet money if he is not noticeably in distress, better spent at your regular vet and getting him straightened out.
The emergency vet most likely will stabilize and have you follow up with your vet anyway.
And ANY diagnostics they do will be expensive.
So I get your thinking there.
And don't forget to tell them about the meds you have given so far.
What am I saying? I know you will do that.
Good Luck tomorrow I hope he is on his feet soon.

And here's a virtual hug.
Try not to worry too much during the night. I know that's hard, sorry.

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Originally Posted by mogrann

Alty pretend this thread was written by someone else.. you are doing everything you need to. You ARE a great pet owner. Jasper knows it too. hugs

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No fair making me cry. (hugs)

Thank you Mogrann. I have looked at this thread as I would if it weren't me, and my advice would be to go to the vet, which we're doing. But then, if the OP came back and said "we can't afford a vet", I'd say "then you shouldn't have a dog", and that makes me feel like a hypocrite. Frankly, vet care is expensive, and I don't know anyone that can actually afford it, but I know many people that are great pet owners. That's not fair!

We'll get this sorted out, and we'll pay what we have to, but this whole thing has me thinking that the whole vet thing is a bunch of bull. They've made it so that only the super rich can afford to have pets, and most of the people I know, that actually deserve to have pets, aren't super rich.

So, what do we have? You can love your pet, but if something major comes up and you don't have thousands of dollars to fix it, your only option is to euthanize, and that's not cheap either.

There are 5 million dogs being killed in shelters every year in the US alone, because there aren't enough homes. Why? Because most people can't afford vet care!

Jasper will get the care he needs, and if I have to sell my soul to make it happen, it will. But this whole thing, and other issues that have come up this week, all dog health related, has made me sick.

Something has to give. If it is a dislocated shoulder, then it should be fixed, and it shouldn't cost us thousands.

I'm on a different rant now. Starting a thread about it. Why? I just got a call from a friend. A dog we used to dogsit for may have cancer. She's Jasper's buddy. She was Indy's buddy too.

It's just too much. We just lost Indy, now Jasper is sick, and now a call that Fido may have cancer, and if she does, the treatment may cost her owners 10's of thousands of dollars, and she may still die in the end. It's just too much. I should step back. It's making me upset.

Those of us that love animals, love them as much as we love the people in our lives. They're not pets, they're family. Why should anyone have to sacrifice family simply because they can't afford the rich jerks that happen to have the degree and education to help them? I thought vets became vets because they love animals. Well prove it! Make it affordable to help your pet!

I really should get off my soapbox now. I'm just so upset about everything. All dog stuff this week. I can't lose another. I can't lose not even one more, even one I don't know. Something has to be done for all the dogs, not just Jasper, not just Fido, but the system has to change. Humanity has to count for something!

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Originally Posted by LadySam

So I'm guessing he didn't act painful when you moved the leg, that at least is a good thing.
With shoulders or front legs at work I use a sling, but rather than putting it behind both front legs to help them walk, I go in front of one shoulder then behind the opposite leg. That way it doesn't slip and you have a little more stability and control. It may help him out, may not.
Aspirin is safe, the two adverse effects would be possible stomach upset and increased bleeding should he need surgery. Aspirin is a blood thinner so I would watch how much I gave him, just in case. Of course my fingers are crossed that won't be the case.
I agree with saving the emergency vet money if he is not noticeably in distress, better spent at your regular vet and getting him straightened out.
The emergency vet most likely will stabilize and have you follow up with your vet anyway.
And ANY diagnostics they do will be expensive.
So I get your thinking there.
And don't forget to tell them about the meds you have given so far.
What am I saying? I know you will do that.
Good Luck tomorrow I hope he is on his feet soon.

And heres a virtual hug.
Try not to worry to much during the night. I know that's hard, sorry.

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Thank you Lady Sam.

I'm anxious about the vet tomorrow, but happy that he'll at least have some relief. I hope. I also hope it doesn't cost us our home and cars. ;)

I just want him to be himself again. The good news is that he really doesn't seem to be in pain at all. He just can't walk well on this leg.

I've going to give him a baby aspirin tonight, and hope that if there is pain, that will help ease it. My best bet now is that the vet will fix this, and won't prolong things doing unnecessary tests that will only rack up the bill. :(

Hi Alty... Sorry for your problems and I am in total agreement about vet prices.I was there when it all started and am aghast at where the profession has wound up. But a topic for another day and place.
Any unusual movement, especially if it is not associated with a joint, is suggestive of some form of bone loss disease, and consequent "fracture, or failure of the bone to provide support. Osteoporosis is one example. A better example is a fracture that did not heal properly, or at all. No knitting of bone, so the broken ends simply overgrow with a cartilage like material and bend and twist as a false-joint, without much evidence of pain, just a leg that bends in the wrong place.
If you were here in the SW USA, I would suggest Valley Fever, but...you're not.
An older puncture wound may have infected and created an osteomyelitis, or bone infection which can result in a bone failure at the site.
And then there is the old "favorite", a malignancy, which causes a severe thinning and weakening of bone in the area. These are usually painful and noticeable weeks or months before getting to this stage, due to the swollen area at the site. Most such malignancies occur close to, but seldom involve the joint.
This is not a complete list of what may be wrong, but it's enough to have upset you, for which I apologize. Let's hope it is just bizarre, and less serious 'problem', because good news is easier to accept than a surprise of bad news.

I echo everyone else's thoughts. Short of taking him to an Emergency vet clinic you have done all you can and there is probably nothing you can do to help Jasper feel any better until he sees the vet other than limit his activity, which he is already doing for himself. I hope it's nothing too serious. His obesity can hinder his progress though.

Actually, the weight gain and this leg issue might indicate something else internal, too, so keep that in the back of your mind for future reference if there doesn't appear to be a significant injury when the vet checks him over. I am concerned that it may be a radial nerve issue. Could he have been hit by a car or something similar?

Anyhow, I'm sure you are sleeping by now, but please let us know as soon as you can what the vet says. My thoughts are with you...

Hugs, Didi

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Originally Posted by paleophlatus

Hi Alty...Sorry for your problems and I am in total agreement about vet prices.I was there when it all started and am aghast at where the profession has wound up. But a topic for another day and place.
Any unusual movement, especially if it is not associated with a joint, is suggestive of some form of bone loss disease, and consequent "fracture, or failure of the bone to provide support. Osteoporosis is one example. A better example is a fracture that did not heal properly, or at all. No knitting of bone, so the broken ends simply overgrow with a cartilage like material and bend and twist as a false-joint, without much evidence of pain, just a leg that bends in the wrong place.
If you were here in the SW USA, I would suggest Valley Fever, but...you're not.
An older puncture wound may have infected and created an osteomyelitis, or bone infection which can result in a bone failure at the site.
And then there is the old "favorite", a malignancy, which causes a severe thinning and weakening of bone in the area. These are usually painful and noticeable weeks or months before getting to this stage, due to the swollen area at the site. Most such malignancies occur close to, but seldom involve the joint.
This is not a complete list of what may be wrong, but it's enough to have upset you, for which I apologize. Let's hope it is just bizarre, and less serious 'problem', because good news is easier to accept than a surprise of bad news.

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Thank you so much for your post Paleo.

We had the appointment booked for today, but they called us and cancelled. They had a few emergencies come in, and since Jasper doesn't seem to be in pain, they didn't consider him to priority, so he's been rescheduled for Thursday. :(

I called the emergency vet, because at this point I'm willing to pay the extra cost just to have him seen, but when I told them what was going on, they said to wait until Thursday unless he shows signs of severe distress. So it's Tuesday right now, and I have no options but to wait until Thursday.

Like I said before, he really doesn't seem to be in pain. He's not himself, but he's eating, drinking, and walking. He does rest a lot, and only gets up when he absolutely has to, and when he does, his leg just looks wrong. It will "give way" when he's standing. I really wish I could describe it better.

It's not swollen, he allows me to touch it and doesn't seem to care at all when I do. But when I move it around, it feels almost like it's not attached to his body.

I guess I'll have to wait until Thursday and hope for the best. Not knowing is killing me, but he seems to be worry free. :)

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Originally Posted by grammadidi

I echo everyone else's thoughts. Short of taking him to an Emergency vet clinic you have done all you can and there is probably nothing you can do to help Jasper feel any better until he sees the vet other than limit his activity, which he is already doing for himself. I hope it's nothing too serious. His obesity can hinder his progress though.

Actually, the weight gain and this leg issue might indicate something else internal, too, so keep that in the back of your mind for future reference if there doesn't appear to be a significant injury when the vet checks him over. I am concerned that it may be a radial nerve issue. Could he have been hit by a car or something similar?

Anyhow, I'm sure you are sleeping by now, but please let us know as soon as you can what the vet says. My thoughts are with you...

Hugs, Didi

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Hi Didi.

He's never anywhere where he could be hit by a car. When we go for walks he's always on leash, unless we go to the off leash park, and that's a very large fenced in wooded area, no cars. Other then that he's in the house or in our fenced backyard.

He does however have a very exuberant 3 year old beagle to play with, and he loves to play, despite his age and his weight. It's entirely possible that he was chasing (never catching) Chewy in the yard, and slipped or tripped the wrong way.

I am very concerned that his weight will make this issue even worse, but this isn't a recent weight gain. He's been obese for many years (since he was around 2 years old). I'd still bet that it's a thyroid condition, and Paleo and I have discussed that, and I even suggested the testing that Paleo recommended to my vet, but since they did the blood work test for thyroid that came back negative, they're confident that this is not the issue. I'm not.

The thing is, he's obese, but we don't overfeed him, and he does get every day exercise (except for the last few days because he's really not up to it). He's on diet food, and he only gets the recommended serving every day. He also gets a lot of exercise playing with our beagle. Just on a side note, the beagle has the same diet and exercise routine, and he's a beagle (they're prone to obesity), and he's a very healthy weight. But with Jasper, despite everything we've done, he continues to gain, and to top it off, he has the dry flaky skin that is a indicator of a thyroid condition.

I'm beside myself right now. I feel so bad for him. I know he's not happy, but I'd bet that it's not because he's in pain. I think he's depressed because he can't do everything he usually does right now. Even Chewy seems to sense that Jasper isn't well. He usually eggs Jasper on to go outside and play. Chewy even brings both leashes when it's time for a walk. He hasn't been doing that. In fact, he refuses to go for his own walk because Jasper can't come. He's been spending a lot of time just laying next to Jasper, licking his leg.

If only they could talk. :(

Hi Alty,

Does he jump off the sofa or beds? Could he have possibly dislocated it? Just a thought.
Sending healing thoughts... hope it isn't anything serious.

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Originally Posted by DoulaLC

Hi Alty,

Does he jump off of the sofa or beds? Could he have possibly dislocated it? Just a thought.
Sending healing thoughts.....hope it isn't anything serious.

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Hi Doula.

No, he doesn't jump off sofas and beds, only because he's too fat to get on them to begin with. Poor fat pup. ;)

A dislocation is what I'm thinking this is, but not from jumping. I'd bet that he hurt it while playing with Chewy, when we weren't around to see it happen. :(

Thank you so much. I'm now waiting until Thursday and hoping for the best. He's not a young pup, he's 10 years old, and a larger breed dog. I'm worried, but I'm trying to be optimistic.

With all due respect for your vet. They put him off until Thursday?
I guess we just do things differently, I couldn't tell you how many times we have stayed late to see a client whether it was an emergency or not, however I have helped out at clinics where that was not the case.
Makes for a long day, but part of why I love where I am, the dedication of our staff.
I'm sorry you have to wait until then.
At any rate, still hoping he does well and it's nothing serious.

Jasper just got back from the vet. They took x-rays, did blood work, every test they could think of to find out what's going on. My guess was wrong, his shoulder/ arm is not dislocated. Actually, they have no idea what's going on, they only have guesses. They think that he may have strained his leg, and because he's an older dog, the strain caused his arthritis (which is news to me) to flair up even more. So they gave him a muscle relaxant and pain pills.

The bad news is that now he's not eating. In fact, he hasn't eaten in almost two days. We've tried everything, all his favorites, anything we could get into him. He won't even eat steak, or a weiner (his favs).

So they sent him home with pain meds (getting him to take one was really fun. In fact, I think that giving a cat meds would be easier), and now we're all hoping that the pains meds will make him comfortable enough that he'll get his appetite back.

He's much worse then he was when this all started, and the vet has absolutely no idea what's going on. She's basically going by trial and error. So we have to wait and see. But I don't know if Jasper has that kind of time.

Anyone have any ideas on how to get some food into him?

I have a very bad feeling that this may not end well. I'm sitting here crying right now. We just put Indy to sleep less then 5 months ago, now Jasper is deathly ill. I just want him to be okay, to not be in pain. Any suggestions would be welcome.

Are you up for making a slurry of canned dog food and syringe feeding him if he continues to not eat.
I am certainly not a vet, you know that, but if nothing showed up on x-ray, did they mention, perhaps a radial nerve injury?

Radial Nerve Paralysis in Dogs and Cats

I'm not trying to diagnose but it is a possibility worth mentioning.

Lady Sam, and advice anyone can offer at this point is very welcome, especially since the vet doesn't seem to know what's going on anymore then we do.

I'm going to the store in around 30 minutes to buy a turkey baster, and all the nummiest food I can find. At this point I don't care if he eats dog food, or cavier, as long as I get something into him. If I have to force it, I will.

They didn't mention a radial nerve injury, as far as I know. Sadly I couldn't be at the appointment, so everything I know about it, my husband told me.

He goes back in a few days, sooner if he doesn't start to eat. I'll definitely mention this to the vet. :)

I desperately want to sugar coat it because it's you but the not eating part is very worrying.
I called my mum earlier today and we were talking about you actually, I had no idea what was going on until mum mentioned she saw it on FB!

You could get some nutrigel to rub on his gums just to give him a bit of a sugar and vitamin boost, or even some glucose just to perk him up a bit. If his blood sugar drops then he'll feel worse and be even less inclined to eat... Been there done that.

I'm going to give an "out there" suggestion but what about a bite? Cy has been bitten by some unknown bug twice now and both times he stopped eating for several days and pawed at his ear for maybe 3-4 days. There was no swelling and we couldn't find a bite mark (he's a hairless dog so it wouldn't be too hidden!)
Is it possible Jasper has had a really bad reaction to a venom? If he was bitten on his leg it could be very painful and given his age he could be having a hard time getting it out of his system.

Like I said, out there suggestion but I'm racking my brain here.

I can't really offer anything else but virtual hugs x

Thank you Shazzy. You don't have to sugar coat anything. It's me, so I know all too well how serious this all is. It's scaring me to death.

Last night I force fed him a bowl of chicken noodle soup. It was the easiest thing to get into the turkey baster after I blended it. He kept it down for a round 20 minutes and then up it came.

He's on pain meds, and the vet was hoping that would help him get his appetite back, but so far no go. He turns his nose at everything we bring to him, and we have brought him everything. By the way, whoever said that giving a dog a pill was easy, didn't have a dog that didn't want to eat. It's not at all easy when he won't even eat bacon, or cheese. I had to literally shove it down his throat and then chase it with water in the turkey baster, and even then it took around 10 tries. Little bugger. It's not that big a pill, he's weak, but he still manages to spit it back out even when it's in the back of his throat and I've held his mouth closed for 5 minutes. Stubborn little bug. So there is some fight still left in him. Sadly he's using it against healing.

Right now I'm giving him around a tablespoon of chicken noodle soup, forcing it with the turkey baster, every hour. I think that yesterday the whole bowl at one time was just too much, especially since he hasn't eaten in days. So far so good. He's managed to keep that last two "doses" of soup down.

As for bites. We live in the burbs in Alberta. About the only thing that will bite you here is a mosquito. Itchy and annoying, but definitely not deadly. We don't have poisonous bugs, snakes, or anything. The biggest fear here is that your dog is sprayed by a skunk, and even that is a rarity.

The vet looked at his leg, did x-rays, and says she thinks he strained it, and that the pain is from his arthritis. I'm finding that a bit odd, because he's never been diagnosed with arthritis. Fat, yes. Arthritis, no. She also said that his heart rate is high for a dog as lethargic as he is. If he were Chewy (healthy and active) his heart rate would be normal. But considering the fact that he hasn't been even walking, or eating, his heart rate is high. Also, he's drinking water as if it's going out of style. If you leave a big bowl of water by him, he'll drink it empty within minutes, and when you fill it up again, he'll drink a second bowl, third bowl. It's gotten to the point where we have to take the water away (which I hate doing because he's not eating), because he's drinking it so fast that he ends up puking it all up. Right now he's getting a small bowl of water every hour, 30 minutes after the soup.

Right now Rod has to carry him to the yard for a pee, and has to hold him while he's peeing. I called the vet today and told her that the pain pills aren't doing anything, and asked if she had any other recommendations. Her exact words "I'm so sorry. All of his tests came back fine for a dog his age. The only thing that is looking at all off is his leg, and it's just swollen. It shouldn't be the cause for all that's going on with him. I had really hoped it was just pain causing him to stop eating, but these pain pills are good. If they're not working, then it's something else". In other words, she has no clue what's going on, no clue how to get him to eat, and she mentioned that this may just be out of anyone's control. No shyt? Really? Thanks for the news flash! I asked if there was another vet at the clinic that could take a look at him, someone more specialized. She told me that all the vets work together on a problem case, so all the vets in the clinic have already reviewed his x-rays and other tests, and all of them are baffled as to what's going on. I even asked if maybe his stomach was twisted. She said no, she checked that. Everything looks normal. His stomach is empty, but other then that, and the leg, there's nothing else that should be causing this. I asked about a blockage, because he's very gassy, and I thought that maybe he's drinking so much because he's trying to work something out of his system. She said no. There's nothing at all in his stomach or intestines. Nothing.

Right now Rod and I are on our own. The vet says there's nothing further she can do. She can put him on IV to keep him alive, but unless we figure out what's wrong, that's pouring gas into a leaky gas bucket, and he'd have to stay at the vet clinic. Rod and I both agree that we'd rather have him home with us.

Last night Rod and I agreed that we will do everything we can, give him the meds, force feed him, keep him comfortable, and if nothing changes, and the vet still can't help, then we may just have to do for Jasper what we did for Indy. But I'm not ready to give up yet. I just can't believe that a dog that was running around, barking, wagging his tail, eating my underwear, not even a week ago, is now so weak, so close to death.

They always say that God (or whoever is in charge) doesn't give you more then you can handle. Well, not to feel sorry for myself, but seriously, who the heck is in charge up there, and how much more do they think I can handle? I'm telling you right now, I'm at the very end of my rope. You would think that with all the death I've handled in my life, I'd be immune to it by now, I'd breeze through it like nothing. But in truth, every single death just takes more of my soul. I just don't have anything left anymore. Someone has a very sick idea of what I can handle, because I can't handle this. Not right now. In a few years yest, but not right now. It's too much! Isn't it enough that I lost my parents only 6 months apart? Now I may lose my dogs less than 6 months apart? It's too soon. I don't expect 16 years with Jasper. I get that we got really lucky with Indy, that he wasn't the norm for a larger breed dog. But Jasper is only 10! I've never lost a dog at this age before, and never had a dog that went from being fine to being like this within days. I don't expect 16 years, but can I at least get one or two more? Can I at least be prepared for this?

I just keep seeing him running around, playing, barking, wagging his tail, nudging me because he wants a belly rub. That was not even a week ago! Not even a week!

Sorry for the book. It helps to write this down. I'm beside myself right now. I don't know what to do. I need a miracle, because if I stop sugar coating things for myself, I have a feeling I won't have my Jasper past the weekend. If things keep going downhill as they are, as quickly as they are, we're going to lose him, and it won't be weeks, or months, but hours, or days. :(

Eating your underwear? Did he do that recently? Sorry to suggest this but what are the chances of a blockage given all the testing they did, was there any barium involved at any point?
I know that says nothing of the leg and I'm purely speculating but...
Eats things, vomiting, gassy, no appetite.

Alty,

Any fever in all of this at any point? Did they prescribe an anti-inflammatory for his leg? Something even OTC such as Glucosamine?

Any thought of trying a different vet practice to see if they might think of additional tests to try? I know cost will be a factor.

It may be two different things going on at once... just coincidental. Arthritis and a strain in his leg, which would make him not want to be on it, and something intestinal for the lack of appetite... such as the possibility of a blockage.

What about something such as Lyme disease? Which could account for both the leg swelling and the loss of appetite.

All the water drinking makes me think "diabetes." Do dogs get that (cats do), and has he been checked for it?

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

All the water drinking makes me think "diabetes." Do dogs get that (cats do), and has he been checked for it?

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Yes, dogs can be checked for it as well. Might be a possible kidney concern as well.

Dogs can and do get diabetes, Which should have been ruled out with the bloodwork they did, since those are the key things to check. I know you should never assume, but I'm assuming they ruled out diabetes and kidney issues.
I'm with Doula, a double whammy and perhaps a second opinion.

We had a similar problem with our dog Mick about 2 1/2 years ago. It was over Rae's 16th birthday in November and we thought we might have to put her down. Vet came back with nothing, nada, zilch. Well, miracles never cease. By New Years Eve she was fine. No more pain, no more swelling and she started eating again.

Still don't know what it was, but it had to be geared toward arthritis as she gets a little stiff when the weather changes. So hopefully there's still hope for Jasper too.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LadySam

Eating your underwear? Did he do that recently? Sorry to suggest this but what are the chances of a blockage given all the testing they did, was there any barium involved at any point?
I know that says nothing of the leg and I'm purely speculating but......
Eats things, vomiting, gassy, no appetite.

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Sadly that's not it, and trust me, I considered it, because Jasper will eat anything that's not tied down, and even some things that are.

But no, it's not a blockage. They checked. I sent a list with Rod when he took Jasper to the vet. A list of all the things he'd done before this started, and a list of all the things I was worried about. They checked him head to toe, xrayed the stomach, leg, and shoulder, palpitated his stomach to see if it was twisted. They did all the tests and really found nothing.

I thought blockage because of the gas and the fact that he's drinking so much water. It's almost like he's trying to get something out, and he thinks the water will help.

But they said no. It's not that, even though it makes the most sense considering the symptoms now.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DoulaLC

Alty,

Any fever in all of this at any point? Did they prescribe an anti-inflammatory for his leg? Something even OTC such as Glucosamine?

Any thought of trying a different vet practice to see if they might think of additional tests to try? I know cost will be a factor.

It may be two different things going on at once...just coincidental. Arthritis and a strain in his leg, which would make him not want to be on it, and something intestinal for the lack of appetite....such as the possibility of a blockage.

What about something such as Lyme disease? Which could account for both the leg swelling and the loss of appetite.

---

No fever at all. But, the only reaction they got out of him at all was when they checked his temp. He was not happy about that, and he actually protested it. When Rod told me that, I instantly thought that maybe he protested it so much because something's going on with his bowels. But the vet says they checked, and nothing.

I've been calling other vet clinics all day. Right now it's nearly impossible to get any of them to accept him. We could do the emergency vet, but when I called and told them the tests our vet did, they told me point blank that I'd be wasting my time and money, because they'd do the same tests, and if my vet found nothing, it's unlikely they will.

But, lyme disease. That's something I never considered, and I know the vet didn't. It makes sense. It makes a lot of sense. I'm going to go call them right now. Maybe I can get him in tonight, tomorrow morning at the latest. That's a very real possibility.

Thank you Doula.

What's the pain med he is on? Is he taking anything else? I'd ask about something for his arthritis as well. If the swelling and arthritis are causing pain, they need to be addressed. Could the thirst be a side effect of his pain meds?

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Originally Posted by J_9

We had a similar problem with our dog Mick about 2 1/2 years ago. It was over Rae's 16th birthday in November and we thought we might have to put her down. Vet came back with nothing, nada, zilch. Well, miracles never cease. By New Years Eve she was fine. No more pain, no more swelling and she started eating again.

Still don't know what it was, but it had to be geared toward arthritis as she gets a little stiff when the weather changes. So hopefully there's still hope for Jasper too.

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I'm crying J.

I'm hoping this is just something that he'll get over. I have to say that I'm extremely worried, getting ready for the worst, because he's gone downhill so quickly, but I'm not giving up hope. Not at all.

Thank you J.

I just wanted to throw some hope in there for you. Mick doesn't run around the back yard like she used to, she's 12 now. But at least she is walking and eating again.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DoulaLC

What's the pain med he is on? Is he taking anything else? I'd ask about something for his arthritis as well. If the swelling and arthritis are causing pain, they need to be addressed. Could the thirst be a side effect of his pain meds?

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He was drinking excessively before the pain meds.

He's on Tramadol 50mg tablets, 1 1/2 pills every 8 hours.

He got a shot of muscle relaxants at the vet clinic. Neither one has helped so far, but to be fair it's only been a day. Still, he's not eating, and the vet hoped the pain meds would help him get his appetite back, because her theory was that he's not eating because of the pain.

News report the other day said ticks are a real problem this spring, so check your own body and your animals' bodies after being outdoors, especially in the woods or brush. I just looked up Lyme disease. Lameness in one leg and thirst are two major symptoms. Has Jasper been out in the woods or running through long grasses or brush during the past two weeks?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by J_9

I just wanted to throw some hope in there for you. Mick doesn't run around the back yard like she used to, she's 12 now. But at least she is walking and eating again.

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I'll take any hope I can get, because I have to be honest, the way things are going right now, I expect to find him dead any minute. Every time I walk up to him and he's still breathing, I'm relieved. He's gone downhill so fast. If I at least knew what was wrong, I'd be able to deal with it better, but not knowing, not being able to help him, it's torture. But not near the torture he's going through right now.

I don't care if he never runs after Chewy again, or eats another pair of my underwear, I just want him to live, and be pain free and happy. But living is the main thing on the agenda right now. We'll work on the other two after we have that settled.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

News report the other day said ticks are a real problem this spring, so check your own body and your animals' bodies after being outdoors, especially in the woods or brush. I just looked up Lyme disease. Lameness in one leg and thirst are two major symptoms. Has Jasper been out in the woods or running through long grasses or brush during the past two weeks?

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That's the only thing bothering me about lyme disease WG.

We live in the burbs. We haven't been to wooded areas in months, because it's been too cold. For the last few months Jasper has been for walks around the neighborhood, walking on cemented sidewalks, and he's been in our yard, which has one tree in it, and it's in the corner.

Lyme disease fits on so many levels. I just don't know how he would have gotten a tick. It's not that common where we live. But I'm telling the vet.
I'm on hold right now with the vet.

Hoping. This could be the fix.

Is it sad that I hope my dog has lyme disease? At least that can be fixed! It would be something to go on. Something to cure, instead of guessing.

With Lyme disease it can be months before any symptoms show up. I think it is not sad at all to hope it might be that. It certainly would help to have a diagnosis that you could work with.

It doesn't matter where you live. Ticks aren't choosy which suburb to hang out in. We're in the 'burbs too and have ticks and have to check ourselves after being outside. Have you gone over his coat/skin inch by inch looking for a tick or a bite mark?

Lyme disease (in dogs) sites say no pain meds are necessary and give certain antibiotics after specific blood tests.

Nope, ticks aren't choosy. I live in the burbs and work in the city, I found a tick on me the other night at work... in a HOSPITAL of all places!

Well I got off the phone with the vet clinic. I couldn't talk to one of the vets, but the receptionist is in vet school. I told her what we're dealing with, mentioned lyme disease. She said it's possible, and I should bring him in. They had an emergency spot for tonight. Here's the problem. Rod is at work, and I have no way to reach him. The receptionist at their office leaves at 4pm, it's now almost 7pm, and there's no phone in the shop.

I can't get Jasper to the clinic on my own, because he can't walk, and I can't lift him and get him into the car, even if the kids helped.

I have an appointment for tomorrow. I'm hoping it's not too late.

So my question is this, for anyone that has any suggestions, because other then knowing that lyme disease is caused by ticks, and knowing that antibiotics can cure it, I know nothing else about this disease. So what can I do tonight? Should I continue to force feed him, or is that making things worse? Should I continue with the meds? Is there something at home, or that I can buy, that will help until tomorrow?

Damnit. Now I'm even more frustrated. I can't get him in, and in the meantime, he's laying there getting worse. I even called my neighbor to see if they could help me get him to the clinic. They're not home. In fact, it seems no one that I know that lives nearby is home.

Rod, please call to check up on things. Please call!