Seems to have hurt his neck or shoulder, he was fine this morning but went very quite about 11 and cried out when he got up from the laying position. Put him in the lounge away from the rest of the gang and he seemed a bit happier, anyway I gave him his normal after lunch chew and he dropped it on the floor and cried out when he went to pick it up. So I phoned for an appointment, which I got for late afternoon. Anyway as all ways happens when we got to the vet Saxon seemed a lot better, had a job stopping him jumping on the table, the vet moved his head into impossible angles and front legs, not a wince, he, the vet, would not give me any pain killer but did say if he was crying tomorrow and I phoned he would put some out for me. A vet I had never seen before else I would have got some I think.

Any way we got back home and my husband removes his collar and yes you have guessed he yelped, anyway he is banished to the lounge again and I will leave him there all night, but those who have intact males living together know that it can cause a bit of friction when you try to get them back together again. So can anyone suggest what he may have done and any tips on getting the boys back together with out too much posturing, have a baby gate on the lounge so they can see each other but I still think there will be a bit of hackles raised when they come face to face and I don't want to cause any more damage to him, or for the pup to become involved in any ensuing rumble.

Sorry to hear you've got troubles Jackie. Could it be a straight forward strain? I know they don't usually seem to get much in the way of strains but it does happen from time to time. A knock? A golden Belonging to a friend many years ago ended up the meat in the sandwich between another and a gatepost, got a broken collar bone!! The fact that it seemed around the collar might point to something higher than that though. Something under the collar such as a thorn worked it's self into the skin?

As to reintroduction, assuming it goes on long enough to cause a problem, I'd put the leads on them all and take them for a walk. Something else to think about rather than the lone dog returning.

Best wishes, John

Thanks John, I think it is movement that is causing the problem rather that a local problem like a thorn. He was OK on his walk but the ground has been frozen all day and the pup will not leave him alone, he is so tolerant he allows himself to be used as a punch bag.  Suppose that I am worried because the last time I had something like this it was in an old GSD and her spine was crumbling away, but he is only 5 and has not been castrated so I would not expect early bone trouble where there has not been previous injury.

Jackie something similar happened with Bonnie earlier in the yr, she couldn`t put her head down, I gave her arnica for it. There was also the time she had a thorn between the web in her toes that couldn`t be seen. It`s quite possibly a strain from sudden/awkward movement, could you not put him in a cage in the same room as the others? The other thing I do when one of them has had to be isolated for one reason or another is give them all a bone then let the isolated one out with a bone last & they`re all to intent on their gifts they notice :)

Christine, Spain.

I do hope Saxon is better soon
hugs and pats xx

Thank you, he is on anti-inflammatory tabs at the moment so we don't know if there is any improvement, he is still squeaking every now and again but seems more confident and is able to move about OK, just can shake his head.

Christine, have tried giving Arnica before, you are told not to touch them and to put it on the tongue, but my dogs, this one in particular think you intend to poison them if you try to do that. Any suggestions. Oh they all have their teeth cleaned no trouble it is when they see me with the dispensing file the all disappear.

Hi Jackie, will he take them from a spoon? Tip them onto a s/steel tsp & slip them into his mouth that way & you could always tease him with a titbit to make him think he`s getting a treat. Other than that don`t let him see you get them ready.
Hope he`s better soon :)

Christine, Spain.

Trouble is I hand out medication in my fingers and they all take tablets as if the were a treat, the trouble I had was that you can't touch and can't mix with food and they are just not used to spoons, unless of course, they are coved with cream :) Now if I could put cream or butter on a spoon and then the medication we might get somewhere.

Jackie give it him in a tiny spot of butter then :)
You can crush them between 2 spoons mix them with a few drops of water & then syringe it in but I get the feeling he wouldn`t take that either? ;)

Christine, Spain.

Hi Jackie, :)
I know some books say you shouldn't give with food  but if they won't take it without, then it's OK to give it with a bit of bland food (certainly better than not giving at all) Our animals get it in whatever way they'll accept, try asking a grumpy cow that's in pain to "just take this tiny pill and hold it in your mouth" :D  At the moment I'm giving a homeopathic wormer (twice a day for 30 days!) to the cats....they are getting that on their food as no way would they take it without a fight (and they'd win)  :D

Kath.

Hi Kath, if you don`t mind me asking could you send me the links from where you get your natural wormers from pleas, it would save me having to go thru all my favs :)

LOL@ giving them to cows :D

Christine, Spain.

Hi Christine,
I get them from here,

http://www.crossgatesfarm.co.uk/pages/animals.htm

I don't know how their prices compare but I use them as they do sprays which are much easier for me to use, especially with the cows. :D  Julie is a farmers wife who set up the business with her homeopath. As they are working farm they understand any problems we might have. They are very friendly and helpful.

Kath. xx

I hope Saxon is feeling better soon Jackie :)