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I have a puggle (8 years old) that just started to walk funny and seems to be trying to keep weight off of her back left leg. She is eating, drinking and going to the bathroom just fine (except when she is going to the bathroom, she seems to have discomfort on her backside). She is just moving really slow and sometimes wines when she get's up from sleeping. She is also really lethargic and seems to have no energy. I ran my hands all over her body to feel for anything weird or if she would yelp. No signs after I did that test. She has been recently trying to eat grass outside and sniffing more than she usually does. The only new thing I have added to her diet was a new bone that had what I think is soft marrow in the middle. Any thoughts on what this could be so I am little more educated before I visit a vet?
Optional Information: Pet's Gender: Female Pet's Age: 8 Type of Animal: Puggle Name of Animal: Izze Already Tried: 80mg of non-coated baby's aspirin 2x a day Felt over body to see if there was discomfort or yelping.
Hello, Welcome to Just Answer! I would be happy to help you with your pet today.
When did she start walking funny like this?
Last night around 7pm when I took her out last.
How many times have you given her baby aspirin?
2x today. this morning and mid afternoon
Please do not give this again.
ok
Aspirin can actually cause severe GI effects in dogs including bleeding ulcers. Aspirin also interferes with our ability to then prescribe a medication that will actually be helpful...as many painkillers interact negatively with aspirin.
Make sure that you tel the vet when and how much of this you gave...so they do not prescribe something that they shouldn't.
Ok, I was unaware. I will be sure to do that.
There are a number of different things that could cause a dog to suddenly be lame in their hind leg.
The most common of which is a simple sprain. She may have injured while playing, or taking a bad step when jumping off of a bed or couch, and now it is inflamed. Since it has only been this way for one day, this would be at the top of the list of possibilities.
If this is the case, then the vet usually prescribes a pain medication for about 4 to 5 days. If the pain goes away and the dog returns to normal...then this is likely all that it was.
If this does not help, then we look for other reasons.
Possibilities include things like:
Cruciate ligament rupture
Fracture
Hip dysplasia
Arthritis
Tumor in the bone
Back injury
Lyme disease
These are just some of the things that could cause these types of signs.
But for now...the best thing to do is just have her rest. No playing fetch or long walks.
Just take her outside to eliminate and bring her right back in. Encourage her to just lay down quietly.
You will know more after you have had her in for a physical examination.
Hopefully, this is just a simple sprain .
I hope that this information has been of help to you. If you have further questions regarding this matter, please just let me know as I would be happy to address them for you.
With a sprain, do dogs typically have a hard to getting up after sleeping, almost to the point they can't stand up, but once they are up are able to walk very slowly
Yes, this can be the case. With a muscle sprain, the muscle becomes tight and tense. The level of tightness can increase while they are laying in the same position for a long time...so they are more tight for a bit when they first get up.
However, this type of symptom can also occur with a number of the other problems that are on the list.
After seeing the vet and getting the medication, would we see improvement immediately in the mood of the dog if it is a simple sprain. It's just challenging seeing the life in the dog not there when they are usually active and would hate to prolong the treatment if it is not helping the correct problem
If it is a sprain, then the medication given should show an effect withing a couple of hours of giving it.
If you see absolutely no improvement after one day...then it is not helping.
If you see some improvement...but not back to 100% normal...that would be expected. As long as some improvement is seen, I would continue with the treatment.
Sprains usually take several days to completely resolve.
If there is absolutely no improvement or she is getting worse...then it is something else.
The other question I have is it possible she ate something and there is something happen internally that would cause pain in the rear legs... like cramping?
That is doubtful. Most times when a dog ingests something they shouldn't have...the primary symptoms are going to be inappetance, vomiting and diarrhea. Not just some leg cramping. If she is eating and drinking normally...then this is an unlikely cause.
If she is so severely lethargic that you are alarmed....or if you look at her gums and they are very pale pink or even whitish looking, then I would not wait until tomorrow to see a vet. I would go now.
If you feel that her lethargy is not too alarming, then you can wait until the morning.
Her gums look pink like the inside of her lip. can't tell if they are always that color or a little ligher than normal.
If they are similar to the color of your gums...then they are normal.
We also keep her crated when we leave the house. During the medication period, should we just leave her out in her bed so she has room to move about?
No, it would be better for her to be crated.
I am just realizing that it is Saturday night....
I hope that you are not planning on waiting to see the vet until Monday. If so, I would urge against this.
She sounds like she does need to see a vet by the latest...tomorrow.
This would necessitate an emergency visit.
So, because of this...
you may just want to consider taking her to the emergency now.
That way you don't have to worry and you can have her examined tonight...and get her started on something that will hopefully make her feel a lot better sooner.
We are going to go to Banfield at 9am tomorrow. I am staying in with her tonight to make sure she is ok
OK, good.
I didn't realize that Banfield in your area would see pets on Sunday on a non-emergency basis.
Yeah, I called them today and they said if she is not shaking and is eating, just to keep an eye on her and they can see her first thing in the morning to do an examination and X-rays
That sounds good. I hope that this information has been of some help to you, and that Izze feels much better soon! If you have no further questions at this time, please click on the "accept" to show that you were satisfied with your service. :-)
Thank You!
You are very welcome.
Experience: 11 years experience as Veterinarian