My rescue 2 year old rescue Labrador Tess, has just been to the vets with bad leg we assumed to be pulled muscle, she has been moaning in pain all day. Vet has said it is her knee that is swollen and cant work out any more as she was too tense? Gave her a pain killing injection, and pain killers to start tomorrow. I have just rang back 3.5hrs later,as she is still in a lot of pain, his answer is to give her a tablet and see how she is over the next few days.

I know I may be over reacting here (as we do with our own) but it is awful to hear her in such pain, the vet said she must have a low pain threshold, which she does not as only a couple of months ago she severed 2 arteries, a tendon and a muscle playing ball, and wanted to carry on, no moaning in pain there. Cant seek a second opinion from practice at this late hour as he is the only vet on call tonight, and to be hones I have never had much confidence in this particular vet, as he has made 'iffy' decisions on our other dogs before.

Any help or advice would be most welcome, even if its to tell me to stop being over-protective and listen to the experts.

Many Thanks
Lynda

I'm sorry to hear your troubles Lynda. Trouble is, there is so little you can do tonight. The thing which worries me is the possibility of Cruciate Ligament injury. I stress this is a "Worst case" scenario but if it is then the wait will do no good. Do you have an emergency surgery in the morning? If not then I would be inclined to call a vet out in the morning. In the mean time try to keep her quiet, even if that means putting the lights out, going to bed and leaving her quiet in the dark to relax a bit.

In all possibilities it is nothing too serious but it's best not to take chances.

Regards, John

Hi
If you are not happy with the vet and his diagnosis get another opinion.I paid hundreds of pounds to an orthopeadic specialist to treat my dogs luxating patella when my heart was telling me to go elsewhere but I thought that I should listen to the experts-What a mistake.
If you can't get her to a vet immediately then keep her on the pain medication and keep her warm and quiet and take her as soon as possible.
I hope everything works out ok,Archer

Hello Lynda, I agree you need a second opinion if you are not happy. It sounds as if your vet was a little dismissive. :( I get this problem with my horse. Vets can be very quick to gloss over something minor(to them) if they think the horse is just a plod (like a pet) but when you tell them you want to investigate further cos its a show horse they cant do enough for you. Your poor dog sounds like she may have suffered a similar thing. It may be nothing but as a paying customer I think you are well within your rights to want it further investigated. I agree with Archer-keep her quiet warm etc and get her back to the vet. Hope she settles soon. Emma :)

Thanks guys, its great to know I'm not over-reacting.

John, that was our fear too of the ligament - glad you think the same. Really NOT happy with the vet now. Have kept Tess quiet and warm, she managed to get up to eat her tea but cried when she stood. I will be calling the vet in the morning if she is the same, its an answer service, then you wait for the vet on call to ring you - hope its not him again, or might have to get 'severe'.

Will keep you informed,
Cheers
Lynda

Hi Linda go with the others advice for second opinion. But when I`ve had to keep mine quite I put them in our bedroom with their bed or cage & they just sleep. Lights out, water next to her & take her food to her rather than her having to get up. Mind you I have no stairs! :)
Christine, Spain.

Lynda dont let her be in pain if your worried get the vet out,ring me anytime

Thanks for all the help etc.:)

Tess is a lot brighter now, in fact due to lack of walkies she is currently driving me nuts, Tess and quiet are words that do not live in the same sentance. She is now sitting ok, and there is no limp, but of course she is still taking the pain killers. I have rang the vets and made another appointment with a different vet, as I refuse to see that one. I have been exercising her with Tigger on the sand hills and am wondering if for some reason this is too much for her? Its such a shame as she loved it there. If vet gives all clear I think I had better find somewhere a bit flatter for a while:(.

Will keep updating after visit.
Lynda

Hi Lynda - I hope Tess is doing OK. Which painkillers did the vet give her ?

It's just that my little dog, Buddy, is having similar problems at the moment - limping on one of his back legs, but no crying or wimpering. Unfortunately I cannot get an appointment at the vets until Saturday a.m. which at the moment seems a long time off !

Some people here may recall that Buddy has patella luxation in both hind legs so obviously my thoughts are that the limping is connected to his condition. I'm a bit annoyed that the vets can't fit him in any sooner - they are well aware of the patella problem. I wanted to take him straight to the orthopaedic specialist who we saw a few months ago but apparently we would need to go through the referral rigmarole again - the cynic in me wonders if this is more to do with money than the welfare of my dog ! Is it just me or are vets not as caring as they used to be ??

(Hope I haven't hi-jacked your thread, Lynda :) )

Joyce

Hi Joyce,

np on hijacking thread:), sorry for delay. How is Buddy???? Tess was given 2 lots of Rymadel(sp?).

Tess is at the vets today, and I am in a terrible state (silly I know, but we do worry so), awaiting results of x-rays on hips and knees, I really dont think it is hips, but we have to rule everything out first, so I am told. So, I sit here till 3pm!!!! when I can phone and see whats what.

(Sorry if I missed Buddy's knee on another thread)

Lynda
waiting, waiting, waiting ........................

Hi Lynda

Thanks for asking about Buddy. You won't believe this :D !

The vet was 100% sure that the limping was due to the on-going knee condition and managed to convince me that the time had come for surgery. Reluctantly I agreed to him making arrangements with the specialist.
However the next day, I noticed a small cut in between Buddy's toes - ( the vet had looked at his foot but not spotted the cut). So I put some germolene on and bandaged the foot overnight.
I took the bandage off next morning and hey presto ! - no more limping !! :D

He's now using the leg constantly and is back to his usual mad self !! Kids eh !

Hope things go well for Tess (don't want to alarm you but did your vet warn you of the possible side effects of Rimadyl ? )

Regards

Joyce

Hi Joyce,

So glad all turned out to be well with Buddy.

Tess back from vets now, x-rays were clear thankfully. She apparently has excellent hips, no swelling shown on the knees, a bit of a mystery. Mr Vet did suggest it may be back related but I dont think so, as have done back injury with one of the Greyhounds - totally different symptoms. So, sent off with more rest, lead walk only for a month, and more Rymadell???????? so whats this about side effects then? he hasnt told me a thing. Back to vets in two weeks for check up, or call him if problem any worse. Its a bit hard to tell now, as Tess is a VERY nervous rescue dog, and often cowers instead of walking properly, due to not going out for her much needed runs, she has reverted back to being a bag of nerves - lead walks are a nightmare,as she is terrified of everything outside. she was only happy running about the fields etc and I was making progress.

Sorry, am rambling now. Thats what comes of having a very unhappy pooch sat with me, still crying alot, I assume because of the trauma of the day etc.

Ramble and update complete.
Lynda

Rimadyl-safe or not:

http://www.critterchat.net/rimadyl.htm#morerimadyl

Glad to hear that the x-rays were clear, Lynda. But sorry that Tess is so nervous - hopefully she will slowly regain some confidence.

If you haven't already done so, do look at the link Jacqui has given. There's lots more info on www.srdogs.com (sorry can't get this link to work !)

On the manufacturers advice, vets are supposed to warn owners of what to look for as regards side effects of Rimadyl. Some can be VERY serious.
(If Tess still needs something for the pain, you might want to try Arnica 30 (homoeopathic remedy available from most health shops)

Best wishes

Joyce

Hi Joyce, is this the link?
http://www.srdogs.com/Pages/rimadyl.wsj.html
Christine, Spain.

That's the one, Christine ! :) Not sure what I was doing wrong but just couldn't get it to work !!

Thanks a lot

Joyce

Thats OK Joyce :) , I`m not sure but I think it has to have the http:// bit in front first, some one will tell us soon tho.
Christine, Spain.

Sorry it has taken me so long to get back.

Many Thanks for the information, too late now as Tess has finished her course, but we certainly bring the point up on my next visit.

Tess is still on lead only walks for the next couple of weeks, then can begin build up of exercise.

Most Greatful for your help.

Lynda