I just need somewhere to offload a bit. Poor George was a bit off on Sunday but right as rain Monday then not well yesterday. He was lethargic, miserable looking and just not a happy chap so I thought he really needed to see the vet. He has a lump distal radius that has been there for about 3 weeks but he has never licked it or been bothered it but with him being a middle aged, larger dog I expected the worst case scenario of osteosarcoma and the vet agreed with me. He was booked in to have his leg and chest xrayed today and so me and my family spent a horrid night deciding what we would do based on the bleak outlook for poor George.

If there was visible lung mets then we would let him go there and then, same if they were certain on X-ray it was an osteosarcoma as he wouldn't do well on three legs as he likes to go full pelt everywhere. If they were unsure then they would biopsy and we would revisit from that point. We spent most of the night upset and trying to settle him as he was restless so little sleep was had by any of us.

I couldn't take him this morning as I just couldn't face it so I said my teary goodbyes and my boyfriend took him, I will be ever thankful for him doing so. We all anxiously awaited the call for the vets whilst he was still under and I felt ill when my boyfriend rang me.

He said it was unbelievable what the vets had found - nothing but an inflamed joint and ARTHRITIS!!  I think I burst into tears again at this point out of sheer disbelief as everyone had been certain he wouldn't have been coming home. He needs a bit of rest and some metacam for a week or two and they have sent a joint fluid sample off to check for infection.

I cannot explain how ecstatic we all are as we thought we had said out final goodbyes. I know I love him dearly but until this I really never knew just how much

I feel drained from the past 24 hours and am so glad my house will still be covered in those little white hairs and muddy paw prints. I felt I had share my unexpected happy tale with you as my non-dog friends don't quite get it. I'm off to give him an extra hug now and maybe put the lottery on.

So pleased for you, what wonderful news. I tend to always look on the black side too, so in this case you should have a celebration. Maybe a big take away, a bottle of wine and then a good sleep.

Well done George

Waiting for results of X rays or biopsies is horrendous,  feel physically sick. Wonderful it's good news, enjoy, relax & spoil each othe.r

We already had a wine tasting night booked so we are going to make the most of it. The waiting is truly horrendous I agree.

Just to add he has been home since 3pm and is fine. My mum is popping in later on to see him so we haven't just brought him home and abandoned him!

So glad it is good news for you all.
Not sure I would leave him though after a GA could your Mum not stay the whole evening ?
Aileen

She'll be around for most of the night and is on her way now.  He's full of beans and had a light tea and he'll be pleased to see her rather than giving us filthy looks! We won't be out long anyway and she'll be there until we get back-I can hardly keep my eyes open as it is.

That sounds better, I am sure he will enjoy some special cuddles from Granny
Aileen

SUPER outcome ..we can all empathise xx

It's just such a relief but it's sad he must have been in pain with his leg but that's hopefully sorted now. Any ideas how to stop an 8.5 year old boxer going full tilt everywhere?? Obviously lead walks for the near future to allow the inflammation to settle and I'm planning on spending time in places he can trot and slow run (such as along the canal although he is good at falling in!) rather than go a million miles an hour. In time that should be ok but it's the daft spinning he does that usually irritates things. Honestly he's as potty as when he was 8 weeks old; not that we're complaining.  I'm just happy to have my best buddy back home.

Slight development...he hasn't been himself over the last two days so back to the vets this evening. The fluid tap was clear, no infection and his bloods were all fine. He's been stood arching his back as he did before last weeks trip and just being weird so I thought perhaps it's his back and it REALLY hurts.

The vet agreed he had pain somewhere but no raised temp or sign of infection plus he is eating and eliminating fine so he gave him a shot of painkiller and I've to take him back tomorrow. Currently he's either asleep or wandering round high as a kite

My question is if it is his back and he needs cage rest how do I do this bearing in mind he hasn't been in a crate since he was about a year old?! We cannot be in the house all day with him for the next however many weeks he may need to be crated but I wouldn't want it to stress him and then he does himself more damage in the long run. Would he adjust okay to crate life if necessary with my boyfriend and neighbour coming home regularly to check him and spend time with him and allow toilet breaks? I also don't have a crate so would need to get one ASAP if required so online may not be the best place to get one in time.

I appreciate it may not come to this but if he has a bit of a grumbling disc is it more at risk of causing problems further down the line.  I'm just a bit stuck as what to do. If he has to be crated so be it but I don't know how he will cope.

May I suggest your vet ultra sounds him to rule out Hemangiosarcoma and kidney problems . I don't want to alarm you but I'd really like to rule this out if I were you.

"Just not right" "can't put my finger on it" should be ringing your vets bell.

Fingers crossed for you both x

> My question is if it is his back and he needs cage rest how do I do this bearing in mind he hasn't been in a crate since he was about a year old?

I have a terrier in a crate, and he has been there since 20th December after an accident.  Surgery needed on one back leg and one front leg. 

I was told that he was to relieve himself in the crate and I would be best using pee pads.  The dog was so distressed at having to toilet in the crate that he vigorously jumped on his back legs.  Snapping a pin in the back leg.  The vets could not believe the amount of damage that a small Yorkshire Terrier can do!  He is now put on a lead to pee and poo.  We still don't know if he will lose the back leg.  It was a very difficult second operation.  If you could see how tiny the bones are on the breed.

He remains crated and has dressings changed every 3 days due to how much damage he has done.  If I can manage him being restrained be assured that it can be done.  I would suggest that you start him on Zylkene about a week prior to crating.  It is the only thing that has kept me sane.  However, at least it is a safe option for a long term usage.  I do need Diazepam (for him, not me)  from time to time, but it isn't something that I would recommend for long term use.

As to not knowing how you will cope.  You will, because you have to.  I still don't know how long it will be before my boy can sleep in his own bed again, and I don't know if amputation is going to happen.

He's much better after his pain killer although still woozy. I will mention this to them but wouldn't any problems have come up on his biochemistry? I am back there tonight so will see what they say. I just want him sorted as he's clearly in pain somewhere it's just pinpointing it so we can look at treating it.
Yes if he needs crate rest then so be it we will all just have to cope.

The routine blood tests done may not pick up anything as it is  immunohistochemistry and clotting times which would be more diagnostic.
I sincerely hope it's not.

Not a happy chap again this morning as he was banana shaped so back to the vets for another going over. After a THOROUGH exam of pretty much everything and the rest of him xrayed that they didn't do last week he has spondylosis in his back and muscle spasm likely from the carpal pain but it could have been from a slip when out on the walk and it's built up over time.

Abdomen fine, bloods fine and an otherwise very healthy dog that has lived life to the max so far. He has some additional pain killers for a week or so and some diazepam to help the spasm but that's it; they don't think he needs anything stronger yet. Massage and heat may help but it's a case of letting the spasm settle and building his exercise back up. He certainly isn't overweight (far from it!) so fingers crossed I get my happy boxer back soon.

Phew. What a few weeks but we know there is NOTHING else more sinister going on. I feel the vets have done fine and that today's X-rays weren't indicated last week as it seemed very much related to his front leg.  Off home to relax a bit now and hopefully have a good nights sleep.

Thanks for all your advice and concerns.

Phew..what a relief!

I'll say!