Wasn't sure if it is OK to post health concerns on general writings.
Missy my 6 year old minnie was just walking around and all of a sudden started favoring her right leg and stated trembling. I thought she might have had a patella problem (she has before) but that wasn't it. Anytime something like this happens to our doxies the first thing we think is ...Back. I was hoping it was pulled muscle of some sort and took her to sit with me on the couch for some rest. I felt all over her back and legs and while she gave me some strange looks, she didn't seem to be in much pain if any. She didn't flinch or groan or anything. My last doxie would have back flair ups and she would groan and tense up when touched. One thing I did notice, that while I felt under her right leg near her stomach, I felt a "twitching feeling" Like her muscles were jumping. After a few hours of rest she wanted down and she went right to her toys like nothing was wrong and then went for some food. I thought "great...not the back"
Later that night when we went to bed (she sleeps in bed with us) I could tell she wasn't acting normal. I took her out for potty and she was favoring the leg again. We keep her caged during the day and I thought she might be better when I get home. I got home and let her out of the cage. She went out back for potty and was really favoring the right leg and in more pain. I thought if it was her back, it was odd that she was fine for a few hours in the evening and then got worse.
Took her to the vet and the vet examined her back, pushing, etc and Missy wasn't in any real pain. The vet thought that because it was only affecting her right leg and she wasn't in pain while getting the back exam, that she might have strained something in her leg. She said in most cases when it is a disc problem, both legs are affected. I just figured it had to be the back. She took X-rays and said that the back looked pretty good except for a "little white area" she said that could be calcium buildup in one area that may or may not be causing the pain in the leg. I realize that x-rays only show so much, but was glad to hear there wasn't obvious back damage. She gave Missy a shot of steroid, followed by an oral steroid and a muscle relaxer. She is already doing better walking sleeping etc and I don't start the oral steroid and muscle relaxer until tomorrow. The vet said the steroids can cause the possible calcium build (that may be causing the pain) to go down adn get better.
Sorry to go on and on, but was wondering if anyone else has ever had this same type of thing with thier doxies. By that I mean not sure if it is the back or leg, calcium buildup and also the "twitching muscle" on her underside. Thanks in advance.
Thank goodness, I've never had a back problem with any of my dachsies so I can't advise in any way. I do, however, hope you will catch some our rays coming your way for Missy. Poor baby. It's awful when they are hurting.
That's heartbreaking, no experience here either but sending vibes. Hope the medication is on he right track..
Amy pulled her shoulder muscle years ago, and everyso often if she does something the wrong way she has a few sore days and favours it. She usually goes to Bowen theraphy every so often and that helps to. We think she has got a bit of arthritis in the back in her op site and they are balming that for her long wee wee times now. Metacalm is good to keep on hand for them, its non steroidal.
Give Missy a hug and we'll send some rays
Roberta
Rays & Hugs to your girl don't forget to check out Dogerslist.com may have information there. Good Luck & feel betters soon.
Whait is Metacalm? What exactly iis it used for? Thanks in advance.
Quote from: BonniesMom on January 25, 2012, 10:08:47 PM
Thank goodness, I've never had a back problem with any of my dachsies so I can't advise in any way. I do, however, hope you will catch some our rays coming your way for Missy. Poor baby. It's awful when they are hurting.
How many do doxies do you have and how old are they? The more I read and know others that have doxies, the more it sounds like most have "bouts with the back" than don't. It is hard to explain what it is like when your doxies is having back pain. Take care.
Hi Barry, Meloxicam is the parent drug in Metacalm and is sold under both names. Its a anti infam and painkiller. We keep some around as we live in the country and vets close at 6pm and no emergency vet. I also have a human medical background.
On how many dachshounds...................over the years 5. At the moment we have Oliver 11-12yrs mini red longhair and Amy who is 10 a mini blackand tan long hair. Amy had back surgey at 5 and was lucky to only lose a bit of use of her back left leg, but as I said he pulled her right front shoulder which sometimes goes out, but on the whole a happy wee girl. We live in Australia where the breed is not as popular as in the states.
Roberta
Hi Barry,
There's a lot of good advice here, but one that is missing from this thread that I have to offer is CONFINED REST. My advice is 3 days minimum for ANYTHING involving a vet visit and any medicine, even if the vet doesn't specify it. Seriously. Does a world of good for the pup. Even though it makes NO ONE happy.
Supervised walks on a leash only so she doesn't go tearing after a critter and nothing to exacerbate any injury, like a bath, or weenie races, etc.
No kidding. You gotta do it. Getcher self an ex-pen and make a small are for just that dog. She doesn't have to be stuck in a crate all day, just confined to keep her separate from other dawgs and in a quiet spot.
We haven't been properly introduced, but believe me, 'cause I've been down that road.
Keep with and try not to freak out. :crazyeyes:
Quote from: Leslie on January 26, 2012, 03:47:31 PM
Hi Barry,
There's a lot of good advice here, but one that is missing from this thread that I have to offer is CONFINED REST. My advice is 3 days minimum for ANYTHING involving a vet visit and any medicine, even if the vet doesn't specify it. Seriously. Does a world of good for the pup. Even though it makes NO ONE happy.
Supervised walks on a leash only so she doesn't go tearing after a critter and nothing to exacerbate any injury, like a bath, or weenie races, etc.
No kidding. You gotta do it. Getcher self an ex-pen and make a small are for just that dog. She doesn't have to be stuck in a crate all day, just confined to keep her separate from other dawgs and in a quiet spot.
We haven't been properly introduced, but believe me, 'cause I've been down that road.
Keep with and try not to freak out. :crazyeyes:
She is in a cage all day while at work. When I get home, I take her out to go potty (on a leash to keep her from further injury) and my wife and I take turns keeping her still.
Update: I just started giving her the oral meds and she is doing real well (almost too good because she wants to do too much) But we have kept her stable.
Thanks for the advice rays etc. It is so hard to go through this and most doxie lovers will face this at one time or another.
Rescue remedy is also good it is made from flowers back in the 1800's its a herbal type medication helps keep them clam you get it at health food stores comes in a brown glass bottle. Hugs andGet Well Wishes.
Update on Missy. I am almost positive Missy had pulled a muscle in her leg and it doesn't seem to be back related. Thank you, Lord. Missy is walking very good now. She still favors the right leg (slightlywhile standing) and is improving almost daily. The reason I am almost positive it is leg related, I have felt her right leg (on the underside) and there seems to be a muscle or tendon, that is easily felt, and was "twitching" but on the left side, I can barely feel the same muscle or tendon. The area on the right side must be inflamed where she strained it.
I go back to the vet on Feb 11th to have another exam. Will post results.
Thank you for keeping us posted on MIssy. I hope she gets a good report at her next appt.
I'm glad she seems to be doing better now. I hope she heals up completely real soon. :grin: