My retired greyhound has developed a bad swelling mainly around his hock but extending up towards the hip. His inner thigh is covered in a dark rash and he has been licking it. He is on metacam for his arthritis and i have ice on the area. Has anyone seen this before? He has recently had blood tests and all was clear.

how quickly has this swelling came up? has he been seen by a vet for this? i would advise you to get him checked out.

Is it a rash or is it blood under the skin ?

Hi silversgal,

it's possible the dark 'rash' is actually made up of tiny blood spots under the surface of the skin from broken capillaries - known as petechia.   He may have injured the joint or area immediately above/below in which case the swelling could be due to a break/fracture or fluid build up.  Coupled with the rash I'd ensure he gets veterinary attention as soon as possible. 

The fact that he is already on metacam could be masking his pain response but it sounds as though he definitely needs professional assessment.

HTH, best wishes,
Teri

My accident prone borzoi is always running into things and if he doesn't cut himself then he often bruises like this usually combined with swelling. A few days on metacam sorts him out but I would definitely take him to the vets to check what the cause is.

Thanks for all your replies,

I have been away for the weekend so havnt had the time for an update. I took him to the vet friday evening. He said he didnt think there was an infection in the joint or that he had cut himself at all. He is himself and walking on it. No licking at all and doesnt seem bothered by it. He thinks that it was odema swelling from him lying on the one side and the nymph modes unable to circulate. He has been lying on vetbed on tiled flooring for the last 2 days and this could be the reason for it. He said it is just like an old mans legs becoming swollen. The 'rash' is due to the skin stretching so much'. However, im not quite convinced. The vet says give it until tomorrow to watch the swelling and keep him on metacam. The swelling has not in/de creased in size yet he is still not bothered by it. He is an active dog despite his age and i dont see how him lying down on a hard floor for one evening could cause a swelling quite this bad. Its at least twice its size. I have booked him in tomorrow for x-rays at my standard vets and i hope this is nothing serious! He is always injuring himself.