We let TH out into the garden tonight and she came in on 3 legs. 20 minutes later the leg started swelling up and her leg below the hock is now 3 times the normal size. On vets advice she has had a painkiller and Metacam, which has taken the heat out of the paw, but it still seems to be swelling.

There's nothing in the paw that we can see. Vet won't see her tonight as they wouldn't be able to x-ray it or anything. Have appointment for 9.20am tomorrow and the vet's emergency number.

Could it be a strained paw? It's the wrong time of year for stinging things. Any other ideas? Will she be OK waiting until tomorrow? She is subdued, but eating OK (which in itself is weird ;) ), but doesn't seem otherwise too bad.

Over anxious 9th

Hi 9TH sorry to hear this, what about a cold/ice compress to try & reduce the swelling? She may have disturbed something thats stung/bitten her. She couldn`t have broken a bone could she or maybe just twisted it awkwardly? Can`t think of anything else to cause a swelling. Hope she`s ok during the night.
Christine, Spain.

Hope TH is doing a bit better. Does sound odd that she's eating although if she's in a bit less pain than before with the Metacam and painkiller (?) this could explain it.

If you pet her near it does she whimper/growl etc. If it were a break you may be able to tell by a tiny bit of extremely gentle manipulation. I'm really surprised the vet wont see her for somethign thats swollen that fast. Why cant they x-ray and more to the point he/she doesnt need an x-ray to rule out some things. Dont want to worry you but could she have been bitten by something? Watch her temperature and if you think she's starting to heat up a wee bit call the vet again. Its what they're paid for after all.

Hi

Don't think she's been bitten, as there's nothing really round here that could do it. We never get wasps or anything and she'll let me look right in between the toes and there's no redness or obvious puncture marks.

She's fine with me touching it and I had a gentle feel at the time and couldn't feel any breaks.

I phoned just before the surgery shut and it was after that that it swelled up. I phoned the vet straight away and he advised paracetamol for the pain and the metacam as we had it anyway. I think the reason they didn't want to see her tonight was there would be no nurse on duty, so it was better for her to be here. Plus, I've got the vet's home number in case it gets worse.

9th

Awwww poor TH:(

Wishing her on the mend soon

hope she gets well soon

And why did this happen the week before I go on my canine first aid course??? :D

Poor little TH hope she's sson feeling better.Do dogs ever do things at convenient times, give her lots of hugs from my. Ingrid

dont know about dogs, but in people where there is a lot of swelling the xrayview isnt that clear...you would see any big fractures, but would not be able to see smaller ones. its usually left until the swelling settles a bit, unless any obvious large fractures . so its not unreasonable to wait a while :)