Dog is being weird!

BeenieCat

Hi, i know it's against the rules to ask for medical advice but my main questions are -

1, Will a vet do a basic consultation over the phone (i.e without charging), or 2 - should i ring the PDSA? (i'm in receipt of HB etc)

Basically my dog has been fine except tonight she jumped off the sofa and yelped really loud and ever since has had her tail in between her legs.
I thought she might have just landed funny on the laminate but i let her outside to see if she could walk and she kept yelping although seemingly walking fine.

So after further investigations, all of her legs don't appear to be painful at all, but i rubbed a towel around her tail and in between her legs and she yelped but i can't see any signs of injury.

She's being really weird now and won't move, won't come to me, is just lying down. She ran up the stairs and everything okay without yelping so i can't work out what she's done or what hurts!

She's not insured :rolleyes: and has had PDSA treatment before, for a urinary infection.

To make matters worse, nearest PDSA is over 20 miles away and my car is a non-runner as of today

foreign_correspondent

are you registered with a vet?

they will talk to you for free, but are most likely to tell you to bring her in for an examination, as they will need to see her.

If you are with the PDSA, I would try and get her seen there tomorrow.

Good luck

BeenieCat

Thanks FC, i think she is registered with a local vet as she had her injections, microchips etc there but i'm scared to take her there if they'll charge me the earth just to switch the light on :eek: otherwise it's hope for the PDSA.

I think i'm extra scared because last time i had a pet hurt himself suddenly and mysteriously, he was PTS that night and i'm not over it at all and i'm so scared this will be the same :(:(

foreign_correspondent

Dont worry too much;I can understand how past experiences can make you nervous though - but its likely to be just a sprain - I would get her x rayed though to be on the safe side - on the off chance it is something more serious, thank goodness you are in an area that gets PDSA help.
I would go to the PDSA personally, as even a check up and x rays can get expensive - and if she needs any meds or treatment it could really add up.

BeenieCat

Thank you she seems a little better now although not herself still. She's a springer so anytime she's not bouncing around is out of character!

She's been sleeping next to me just now and i lifted her tail and although she didn't yelp, i've never seen her move so quickly so it definitely seems limited to her tail. I hope this doesn't mean a serious spinal injury although i've been rubbing my fingers down her spine and she didn't care.

UKTigerlily

Sorry but I think you should call the Vet now & if they advise take her in, it's ok to ask on a forum but none of us have seen her or are vets (Some are vets but not most of us!) & she could've done something, or nothing & if she's in pain she could at the very least do with painkillers. Also, please get her insured, it won't cover this but will if anything happens in the future, the PDSA will tell you on the phone whether to take her in tonight or tomorrow or not at all x

foreign_correspondent

yeah, I think tigerlily is right - if it seems to be connected to her back rather than her leg it would be worth ringing them for advice - If the PDSA have an out of hours service I would ring them, as an out of hours consultation at the vets will be expensive if they do want you to take her in.

BeenieCat

Tigerlily yeah you're right i know, and especially about the insurance!

Feel a bit stuck at the mo cos i'm alone with my young son who is sleeping, and i have no way to get there, it's over 20 miles away and i have no car nor anyone to help

I wasn't sure they'd advise either way on the phone without seeing her?

Fortunately she seems in no pain at all right now (although i know all animals can hide it well!) She seems relaxed and is sleeping, and ran up the stairs a short while ago with no problems. But yes i want her looked at i'm still worried!

Debt_Free_Chick

Springers are renowned for damaging their tails, especially if they're not docked (just a statement, not a stance on tail docking!!!).

It could be that she's damaged/sprained her tail - they certainly wag them a lot and if she's been out around shrubs/hedgerows she could have bashed it or got a thorn in it.

Or I wonder if it's blocked anal glands. Has she been scooting her rear end on the ground? Any (apologies for this) odd smell from her rear end?

Either way, the vet is the only way to go, but HTH

leekat21

I've got a springer who did similar once, he landed awkwardly in the garden while trying to catch a ball.

He was fine within a day or so, the only injury I can liken it to is when a human falls or slips and hurts their coccyx (sp?).

The vet should talk to you on the phone, but are unlikely to really offer any worthwhile advice without seeing her.

I know how you feel, I try not to run to the vet every time, because it's £40 per consultation. I do not grudge the money or drugs if treatment is necessary but I do sometimes think vets take advantage of owners dispensing anti biotics when they may not be needed.

I have a 48 hour wait and see rule unless he's off his food or not moving from his bed. My main litmus test is going to the back door and seeing if he follows. The day (or night) that he doesn't seem keen to go out will be when I consult the vet.

Hope she is back to proper bouncing/springing health soon.

BeenieCat

DFC, no she hasn't been scooting so hopefully it's nothing like that!

I didn't ring the vets last night i just kept an eye on her and she didn't seem in any discomfort unless i touched her tail - which is still drooped between her legs and looks a little curved.

This morning i let her out for a wee and she lifted her tail herself for a wee but spent a good few mins sniffing the wee she'd done, so now wondering if she's got some kind of water infection again, or if she's just confused about her tail hurting!

Leekat - thanks i know exactly what you mean. She's following me all over the house this morning and seems okay, just looks weird with her not wagging her tail like usual. She's still following the cat everywhere too lol.

I will try and source a lift to the pdsa today but given what you've said leekat i'm even more sure she will be okay, no idea who to call upon cos all my driver friends work or are working away at the mo.