tnbndr
New Berlin, Wisconsin
MH
Posts:115
 |
| 06/21/2011 5:14 AM |
|
Meeka came up with a swollen, sore paw about 8 weeks ago. I thought it was a pricker from our Barberry bushes but she was not licking. After several days took to vet. They x-ray and found nothing unusual. Put on Rimadyl and anti-biotic for two weeks. Swelling eased but she was still limping and one digit was sensitive and swollen (hard swelling). Back to vet. More xrays, orthopedic vet examined and found nothing. Put on just Rimadyl for two weeks. No change. Brought back and put on anti-biotic for two weeks. Just finishing up and no change. She appears to be in more pain although appearance of paw and digit did not change. She will lay sometimes and just whimper, indicating she is in pain. Contacted another vet from breeder and suggested soaking in Epsom salts. Been doing that for about 4 days, does not seem to help. Now searching for another vet or???? Have an appointment for a chiropractic vet but cannot get in until July 8th.
Been swimming her for excercise and trying to keep her off foot but it is hard. I worry that by adjusting to keep the weight off this foot she is going to throw something else out of whack.
Don't know what to do next, until vet visit. Sorry for the long post. |
|
Dennis |
|
|
everbell
Kanata, ON
MH
Posts:3164
|
| 06/21/2011 7:03 AM |
|
| Wish I had an answer, but I have no experience with this. Hope Meeka feels better soon! |
|
Joce and Rich
Bogart and Shiraz (GSPs)
Roxane (RIP: 1995-2009) and Tiger Lily (Cats)
The Everbell Adventures |
|
|
kpwlee
Raleigh, NC
MH
Posts:994
|
| 06/21/2011 8:06 AM |
|
wow I am so sorry for her and for you. the fact the swelling is hard must be a clue
I wonder if she has sort of a blood blister in there that is putting pressure on a nerve or something. A blood clot could be painful.
Wow sorry I sure wish I had something that might help
Just sending my best vibes that it gets figured out and fixed soon! |
|
It's Bugsy's world...
http://dailyzoomie.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
MainCreeksRemi
Wisconsin
MH
Posts:824
|
| 06/21/2011 8:14 AM |
|
Has your vet done a snap test for Lyme?
Nallah just came down with a lame foot and had progressive stiffness over the last few weeks. She started limping on Thursday and by Friday it clicked to me that she may have gotten Lyme. You're in Wisconsin, it wouldn't surprise me. Although I have never heard of the foot actually swelling b/c of Lyme....but might be worth a check. I know that Lyme can be very painful if left untreated, so might be a simple fix to have them do the bloodwork and check.
And just FYI, Nallah had her vaccination and that didn't prevent her from getting it. She also had Anaplasmosis which is another tick disease. She has been on antibiotics & rimadyl...but I know they can offer more meds depending on the severity of it.
Hope you find some answers! |
|
Loved by Kelley:
Remi (7/3/2010) GSP
Morgan (5/17/2008) Choco Lab
Nallah (8/6/2006) Black Lab |
|
|
pixie bee
MH
Posts:4450
|
| 06/21/2011 11:46 AM |
|
Oh boy, hope Nallah feels better soon.
Could be that Meeka dislocated her toe.
I would stay away from any more meds unless you know something more definite, they could impair her immune system.
Hope she feels better soon,too.
Oh, so many down and out puppies - I feel bad.
|
|
"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
|
|
|
tnbndr
New Berlin, Wisconsin
MH
Posts:115
|
| 06/21/2011 1:33 PM |
|
Could be that Meeka dislocated her toe.
That is what I think happened. Got in to see a Chiropractic Vet tomorrow. Fingers crossed. I stopped all meds as they were not helping anyway.
|
|
Dennis |
|
|
Jdog
JH
Posts:31
|
| 06/21/2011 4:47 PM |
|
| Do you think she could have an embedded foreign body? Like a thorn or pebble or piece of glass or something? Foreign bodies can be small and impossible to feel. The paw can look perfectly normal. X-rays won't show that, but an ultrasound would. The trick is to get to a vet that has skills with ultrasound interpretation--not all ultrasound machines are the same and the test is very skill dependent. |
|
|
|
|
Nancy D
No. Lower MI - Gaylord Area
MH
Posts:849
|
| 06/22/2011 6:55 AM |
|
| It's very possible he could have something in there. Years ago, my dobe came up with a swollen foot. Vet couldn't see anything and xray didn't show anything. The swelling finally went down. Several weeks later, I was in the bathroom drying my hair and Brandy was lying on the floor next to me. I happened to look down and saw something dark sticking out of the end of his toe. I gently pulled on it, and it was a small piece of wood. Next time I took him to the vet's, I took it with me to show her. She couldn't believe that had been the problem all along. |
|
|
|
|
tnbndr
New Berlin, Wisconsin
MH
Posts:115
|
| 06/22/2011 6:50 PM |
|
Saw another vet today as a second opinion. Did several xrays and had them reviewed by an xray tech with the following result:
Swelling and periostitis of the third digit of the left front most compatible with a
chronic, however active inflammatory process most likely bacterial in origin, with
the possibility of a foreign body or noninfectious inflammatory process unable to
be ruled out. No evidence of bony destruction to suggest aggressive soft tissue
neoplasia or fungal osteomyelitis. Multipartite seventh right sesamoid and
probable multipartite seventh left sesamoid. Chronic osteoarthritis of the
metacarpophalangeal joints of the right front as described. Chronic and inactive
appearing periostitis of the first phalanx of the right second digit most likely
associated with a prior inflammatory process.
Don't know what it all means but going back next week for a consultation with Chiropractic Vet and he is also going to try to aspirate to see if there is an infection with bacteria. Cannot find any foreign object or drainage hole. Got some Tramodol to ease her pain a little. Very frustrating. |
|
Dennis |
|
|
MainCreeksRemi
Wisconsin
MH
Posts:824
|
| 06/22/2011 6:55 PM |
|
Ugh.
Hoping her next visit goes well and you get some answers.
Its so frustrating to not know whats wrong with them, you feel so helpless. I'll be thinking of you and HER! |
|
Loved by Kelley:
Remi (7/3/2010) GSP
Morgan (5/17/2008) Choco Lab
Nallah (8/6/2006) Black Lab |
|
|
Jdog
JH
Posts:31
|
| 06/22/2011 7:24 PM |
|
Sorry to hear about your frustration. Poor Meeka. Those guys are tough and it's gotta be hard for both of you.
I know you have to trust your vet. And you have to make your own decisions. Still, the thought of doing an aspiration in the face of an inconclusive x-ray seems more like a shot in the dark.
For what's it's worth, how about making a call to the vet school in Madison? UW must have some canine specialists, preferably with radiologic and/or orthopedic expertise. You know the old saying about two heads. Good luck and hoping for your pup to be on the mend.
|
|
|
|
|
kpwlee
Raleigh, NC
MH
Posts:994
|
| 06/23/2011 7:57 AM |
|
I looked up some of the terms I wasn't familiar with and the periostitis could be the issue - that is inflammation of the tissue that surrounds the bones and she has it in several places from what they report. i would think that could be why the swelling feels so hard
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=7908
this article might have some answers too
http://www.orthovetsupersite.org/1606-metacarpophalangeal-and-metatarsophalangeal-osteoarthritis-in-49-dogs
I sure hope that you can get some answers and that poor Meeka can get out of the constant pain she's been in  |
|
It's Bugsy's world...
http://dailyzoomie.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
snips
n.ga.
MH
Posts:413
|
| 06/23/2011 8:53 AM |
|
Bet there is something in there and might need to put her under and open it and flush it... |
|
brenda |
|
|
tnbndr
New Berlin, Wisconsin
MH
Posts:115
|
| 06/29/2011 7:05 PM |
|
Other vet did xrays, complete CBC. Nothing out of the ordinary. They decided aspiration would do them no good. Did a laser treatment. Next day with no change. They consulted an Orthopedic vet and I have an appointment but they are now leaning toward exploratory surgery due to the fact this has gone on almost 8 weeks with no results. |
|
Dennis |
|
|
gsp-fan
AZ
MH
Posts:353
|
| 06/29/2011 7:39 PM |
|
| This might sound crazy but have they checked for valley fever? |
|
|
|
|
MainCreeksRemi
Wisconsin
MH
Posts:824
|
| 06/29/2011 8:02 PM |
|
Ugh I'm sorry there is still no improvement.
I really hope they can figure something out soon. |
|
Loved by Kelley:
Remi (7/3/2010) GSP
Morgan (5/17/2008) Choco Lab
Nallah (8/6/2006) Black Lab |
|
|
tnbndr
New Berlin, Wisconsin
MH
Posts:115
|
| 06/30/2011 8:27 PM |
|
What is valley fever? How is it contracted and it's symptoms?
|
|
Dennis |
|
|
gsp-fan
AZ
MH
Posts:353
|
| 06/30/2011 8:40 PM |
|
http://www.vfce.arizona.edu/ValleyFeverInPets/VFID-diagnosis.aspx
Here is a good website that explains it. A friend of mine's dog had the same type of symptoms that you described but I see you are in WI and it effects dogs that mainly live in the desert areas or visit. On the link I posted it has a map of what states are prone to Valley fever. Have you traveled to any of those states? |
|
|
|
|
Jdog
JH
Posts:31
|
| 07/01/2011 5:49 AM |
|
I'm sorry to hear of your frustration and inability to ascertain a diagnosis or solution to Meeka's problem.
Sounds like the vet isn't really sure what is going on, so they're offering surgical exploration with the hopes of finding something. This can be tricky if there is a lot of real estate (tendons, ligaments, nerves and blood vessels). And sometimes the treatment can be worse than the disease.
Another option is to take Meeka to a vet practice that has a MRI. Unfortunately, x-rays can't always tell the whole story. They're great for fractures and pieces of metal and not very good for soft tissue injuries. One caveat--the test is very, very expensive--but then again, so is exploratory surgery. Also, the equipment is not widely available, so you might have to look around.
|
|
|
|
|
pixie bee
MH
Posts:4450
|
| 07/01/2011 6:13 AM |
|
This is going on for 3 months
If there is still swelling and no fluid it may be that something is in there
Is the foot/area hot?
|
|
"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
|
|
|