I know I'm a worrier but this time its a little more serious.... last night Maisey refused to jump up on the sofa (usually her favourite place) and had to be coaxed up stairs. I thought she was trying her luck (see recent cold post) but now I'm not so sure as its gone on 24 hours. There are no definate signed of pain beside one tiny yelp when I was trying to coax her onto the sofa and I can't see a limp.

I can get her to the vets Monday (or emergency vets before if necessary) but I thought I'd ask on here in the meantime. Could she has have pulled a muscle or could it be serious? Also, she's walking fine but do I risk making her worse if I talk her on the walk this Sunday?

She 4 1/2 years old so probably (hopefully) too young for dysjointed hips or arthritis.

Thanks

If there was a little yelp then it would point to her avoiding it due to some pain, at her age I would be likely to put it down to a little sprain myself, why not wait and see how she goes on over the weekend?

If there was a little yelp then it would point to her avoiding it due to some pain, at her age I would be likely to put it down to a little sprain myself, why not wait and see how she goes on over the weekend?

I'm not taking her to the vets until Monday unless it gets worse but she was going to be taking part in a charity walk on Sunday, walking seems fine but I don't want her to be in pain.

I have some sea biscuits (no horse jokes please) with omega 3 in already so I'm giving her a few in case its a joint problem. Funnily enough she can reach a little further when there's biscuits. lol.

Even small dogs can cause sprains and strains whilst dashing about (one of Lapis Lazuli's little shihtzus sprained his ankle recently) and it's far more likely to be that than anything more serious, bearing in mind her age.

If other things happen that make you think that the injury/illness is more severe then I'd consider taking her to the vets, but in the first instance I'd ensure that she takes it easy for the next day or two with gentle walks and no jumping or running and see if that helps her along.

Even small dogs can cause sprains and strains whilst dashing about (one of Lapis Lazuli's little shihtzus sprained his ankle recently) and it's far more likely to be that than anything more serious, bearing in mind her age.

If other things happen that make you think that the injury/illness is more severe then I'd consider taking her to the vets, but in the first instance I'd ensure that she takes it easy for the next day or two with gentle walks and no jumping or running and see if that helps her along.


How would I check for sprains. I have run my hands along all her legs and found nothing odd. She didn't react.

If she's stil not jumping I'll leave her at home on Sunday

She may have sprained something- Our barmy bengal did it last year but we think he managed that by leaping from a great height (seeing as he's ALWAYs either leaping on or leaping off the wardrobes) but it was very clear he'd hurt himself- he sort of hobbled in a precarous way for a couple of steps then immediately sat down, then hobbled a bit further and sat down and so on - he bunny-hopped rather than walking upright.

We took him to the vets and he was checked over- they agreed he'd don something, probably strained it- gave him anti inflammatory injection followed by a course of Metacam (which I call the magic medicine because Ailsa our daft dobe has it when she gets lameness in her hind leg- usually as a result of running around like a loony and twisting her knee). Think it cost us about £90 for Alfie- 2 or 3 visits to the vets, the threat of an xray if it didnt ease off, the anti-inflamms and the Metacam. We get extra supplies of Metacam from the vets now if and when we need it now for Ailsa and its about £18-£20 for the bigger bottle that last for ages if kept in the fridge and we only use it if she really needs it.

They also gave it us for Ashia our wegie cat after she had a lot of teeth extracted so it's used for all sorts- and must be effective. When Ailsa gets lameness, she holds her hind leg up and makes sure we know its hurting- but never cries or yelps if we try to examine her - just holds it up and looks at us in that sad, pathetic way that dogs do... We were told it could be the onset of cruciate ligament strain but touch wood it hasnt turned into that so far.

If Maisie has managed to sprain something, she might not necessarily cry if you try to examine her, as many animals dont cry when in pain. For now, you could try putting a warm hot water bottle (covered with a blanket) into her dog bed as heat will help to soothe any aches n pains.

A gentle massage if she'll stand being touched, will also help and it's a good way of assesing if there is a particular spot she is suffering-It's easy for me with the short haired dobe - from an early age I got her used to being touched and she doesant object to tea tree oil or other doggy lotions being applied.

If its nothing serious, it will probably ease off in a couple of days if she isnt exercised rigorously but if there's no sign of it easing off, I'd be tempted to take her to the vets. Hope she's alright, little love.

How would I check for sprains. I have run my hands along all her legs and found nothing odd. She didn't react.

If she's stil not jumping I'll leave her at home on Sunday

If she is not wincing then all you can really look for is swelling or a "hot spot".

You're more likely to find a hot spot on one of her legs than anything else- animals are very good at being secretive when they aren't feeling very well. Spots of inflammation will feel warmer than the rest of the animal and usually are a bit swollen too. Sprains and strains both cause inflammation.

If you can identify which leg she's strained then you can keep an eye on it and check it regularly.

Of course, there's no guarantee that she'll let you feel her legs enough to find out if there's a hot spot anyway...

You're more likely to find a hot spot on one of her legs than anything else- animals are very good at being secretive when they aren't feeling very well. Spots of inflammation will feel warmer than the rest of the animal and usually are a bit swollen too. Sprains and strains both cause inflammation.

If you can identify which leg she's strained then you can keep an eye on it and check it regularly.

Of course, there's no guarantee that she'll let you feel her legs enough to find out if there's a hot spot anyway...


This is the thing - she lets me check all of her legs and I can't see anything. She jumped the sofa fine last night when she was excited to see us, so it might be psychological now.

animals are very good at being secretive when they aren't feeling very well.

You don't know Takara, do you? :lol:

To be honest Lisa, you're probably best off completely ignoring it, the more you fuss about it, the more likely she will make a fuss and it may prolong her getting her bounce back...

I'd just keep an eye on her, don't ask her to jump anywhere but try leaving one of her favourite toys on the sofa every now and again, if she's still uncomfortable she won't bother but if she's feeling better she may jump on to get to it.
At least then she's not being asked to do something she can't. If you see what I mean?

Hope she's feeling better soon :)

This is the thing - she lets me check all of her legs and I can't see anything. She jumped the sofa fine last night when she was excited to see us, so it might be psychological now.

Ooh missed this! Totally ignore any signs of lameness in this case - if she can do it when she wants to, the likelihood is, you worrying about it is causing her to worry and as an added bonus, she gets more attention if she acts like it hurts!

Hope she's ok for tomorrow :D

We've just done our usual walk around the park and she bounded up and down the grass banking and park steps OK. We come home and the comfy sofa is too much...hmmm...

Something tells me she's in better shape than me for this walk.

:lol: Glad she's back to her old tricks again!

Must get a moment to meet you for a walk soon!

How did Maisey manage the sponsored walk?

She managed the walk - still pulling at mile ten (it was longer than we thought) and had a good run round the park today. However, back at the house and no jumping on the sofa and no climbing the stairs. She's not in pain, she just sits at the bottom of the stairs looking sad.

I think there might be something affecting her doing spring jumps i.e. up narrow steps or onto the sofa but as she's otherwise fine I'll ask the vet when she goes in next week. Her speying has been delayed until next wednesday.

Have considered that not diving all over the place might be of benefit when she's recovering.

HI,

have you taken her to the vets geckoqueen? just in case :)

HI,

have you taken her to the vets geckoqueen? just in case :)


No, she's going next week. If I notice any signs of illness or changes in behaviour I'll take her ASAP.

No, she's going next week. If I notice any signs of illness or changes in behaviour I'll take her ASAP.

She should be ok if she has been running and walking and stuff. If she is anything like my 2 she could be just doing it for a cuddle :hihi:

She should be ok if she has been running and walking and stuff. If she is anything like my 2 she could be just doing it for a cuddle :hihi:

That was my thought 2 days ago... now I'm not so sure. I can't be losing a war of attrition with my dog.