Hi, I have just got back from taking my dog to the vets and the vet we saw thinks that she may have a brachial plexus injury; he has taken full bloods from her.  I've been to the vets a few times with her as she has just not seemed quite right to me on her right foreleg; sometimes limping a bit, other times just slightly bobbing her head and that was what made me go to get her checked.  The vet today felt up in her armpit and she was very sore there and pulled away, very unhappy but didn't respond when he did her other side.

I've been told to give her Metacam and he's ordered in some Gabapentin capsules which will be in tomorrow and he has said he'll call me with the results of her blood tests tomorrow.  He has said it could be bad news; I've already told him I need to be able to walk my dog and if this is what the lameness is then I'm not really going to be able to and she'll have to have lots of medicines.

Does anyone know anything about this type of injury?  I've never heard of it.  He started saying about orthopaedic surgeons etc but to be honest she's 9 1/2 years old and I don't want to put her through lots of things.  The main thing is I don't want her to be in pain.

Sorry this is all a bit waffly but I'm just getting my head around it and I'm feeling sad - I knew she wasn't right but wasn't expecting anything like this.

http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/neurological/c_multi_brachial_plexus_avulsion

http://www.eastlincolnanimal.com/brachial-plexus-avulsion.pml

Not seen  it mysef, but the above gives information.   The first link gives  info on treatment and recovery.

Hope this helps.

A good friends dog was hit by a car and sustained a brachial plexus avulsion which resulted in total forelimb paralysis. MRI scan will demonstrate the extent off injury, in this case catastrophic damage with no options for recovery. The fore foot was protected from damage with a boot ( as paw dragged on floor with characteristic drop of limb from shoulder) until contraction of muscles due to atrophy pulled the fore limb clear off the floor and tucked it up under her chest. The bitch lived a very active life on three legs until her teenage years with no pain. Just had to keep arm pit clean and dry.

Thanks for responses.  Had bloods back from vet who said her liver and kidneys are fine which was his worry.  He's put her onto some tablets to try and thinks yes, she does have this condition.  We are desperately hoping the tablets will relieve the pain along with the Metacam but really she is no longer able to do long walks which is such a shame :o(    So glad I didn't shell out the £400 they suggested for X-rays before this was diagnosed as that would just have been wasted money.  I saw the vet today and he said she could have MRI scans done but that would cost in the region of £1000 plus which we simply can't afford. 

On a positive note we did get a new puppy yesterday and Pip is loving playing with him.  I need a dog to walk and he'll go as far as I want to go when he's old enough; I thought it was important for me and importantly the kids to have a dog that we can take out and have fun with; obviously we take Pip out but she's only really doing 15 minutes or so, poor love.  She's getting lots of love and attention and is very much letting the new dog know his place in the ranking .... down low!  Pip seems to be positively smiling when she plays with Fly, funny old girl she is.