if only our pets could tell us what's bothering them

[smg01]

Sheba has noticeably been walking gingerly for some time now. Over the last week or so, it's been noticeably worse. I had avoided taking her in because a) I'd figured it was a joint issue and that it was mostly stiffness, b) the symptoms were sort of non-specific, and c) she hasn't acted like she's in pain. She's so stoic about stuff like that that it's sometimes hard to tell if she's hurting.

I finally took her in on Friday. The vet thought that given her symptoms, especially the way she was knuckling her back feel under that it was probably a nervous system thing, something with her spine. We decided on x-rays to determine whether it was discs or a tumor or something else causing problems. The tumor idea is never a comforting one. I spent the next hour while they were taking and developing the x-rays kicking myself for waiting so long to bring her in.

At least it's not a tumor. She has a couple of discs protruding into her spine. *ouch* Poor thing. The vet gave her a cortisone shot and sent her home with a supply of prednisone. We're hoping that with the anti-imflammatories, swelling will go down and that the discs will recede into their proper place. Also she has to be kept in strict confinement. She's not enjoying the confinement very much. She does seem like she might be feeling a little more comfortable after a couple of days of treatment, but I'm not sure whether that's wishful thinking or actual fact.

If this doesn't do the trick, then the more radical, expensive options (that I can't really afford) will have to be considered.

Comments

[lostvoice.livejournal.com]

Oh, the poor baby. That cannot be comfortable at all. :(

[suzannemarie.livejournal.com]

I feel so bad for her. She's such a little trooper.

[rgreeneyes.livejournal.com]

I hope the treatment works. I have an 11 year old dog that has been falling a lot on our new wood floors. I just started giving her the stuff for joints. Hopefully that will help her. It's so hard when your furry children start having problems. (hugs) to you, don't beat yourself up, it's always hard to tell when to take them to the vet.

[suzannemarie.livejournal.com]

That's the other thing, the wood floors and linoleum make it hard for her to get her legs under her when she's already a little shaky on her legs. This is one time when it's especially nice to have a smaller dog that's easy to carry.

I hope the joint stuff helps your pupper. For what it's worth, my kennel person recommended the products at springtimeinc.com to me.

[rgreeneyes.livejournal.com]

smaller dog is easier for sure. Kelsey is about 75lbs. I pick her up into the van these days. Thankfully my son has gotten bigger so I'm use to pick up that weight. ;)

[lawgeekgurl.livejournal.com]

I had to get rubber-backed runners for the house when Obie tore his ACLs. He needed them for the rest of his life, because he had real trouble with slick surfaces and I didn't want him to reinjure himself. :(

[meeby.livejournal.com]

Ouch. Poor Sheba! :( :(

I would recommend seeing if there's anyone in your area who does chiropractic work for dogs, before considering surgery.

It was wonderful to see you last week. I'm sorry things haven't one well since then. :(

[suzannemarie.livejournal.com]

It was great to see you too!

A friend at work mentioned chiropractic too. I'll be sure to look into it.

[meeby.livejournal.com]

You might check out one of the doctors on this list. (http://www.avcadoctors.com/certified_member_doctors/unitedstatesb.htm)

We've used chiropractic work quite a bit -- it helped alleviate Rip's seizures that he used to have.

[suzannemarie.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I'll bookmark that.

[raithen.livejournal.com]

I was thinking chiropractic, too. It has done AMAZING things for Cassie. And also, Suzanne, ttouch might really help (http://www.ttouch.com) sheba cope with the confinement and it will support the other medical and chiropractic work.

{{hugs}} And {{gentle pats}} to Sheba.

[suzannemarie.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I've added that to my bookmarks too.

[rainbow.livejournal.com]

oh your poor baby!! hugs and vibes and healing energys for her! and hugs and love for you to! xoxoxoxoxoxox

[suzannemarie.livejournal.com]

Thank you Boo!

[lawgeekgurl.livejournal.com]

it's so hard to see the babies with trouble walking and arthritis and all that kind of stuff. :( Hopefully if she's immobilized and getting anti-inflammatories her discs and muscles will realign.

[suzannemarie.livejournal.com]

When I went home for lunch today, it looked to me like her posture was starting to relax a little bit. Hopefully this is the start of an upward trend.

[raithen.livejournal.com]

is she on Meloxocam? the beefy treaty ones?

[suzannemarie.livejournal.com]

Prednisone in little pill form. They take on their own treaty form because because I give them to her in a bit of peanut butter.

[raithen.livejournal.com]

wow. steroids. interesting!

[gttygrl.livejournal.com]

Aww, poor puppy. {{{vibes}}} for a swift recovery, and {{{hugs}}} for you!

[suzannemarie.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[sachieljgm.livejournal.com]

***many hugs and vibes*** for you and Sheba.