New puppy, fireworks and a show for the neighbours!

zebidee1

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

Did the vet mention anything about a cruciate ligament?

I'm also concerned that the vet didn't do an x-ray this morning before sending you off with painkillers in case he's missed a fracture or something more serious.

No, he didn't mention that. He said the area involved was the equivalent of our ankle and he did spend some time feeling both back legs and especially around the injured area and Harley didn't seem to mind too much. It was uncomfortable for him but not overly sore which again made the vet think more towards the sprain rather than a fracture, but he wasn't prepared to rule it out.

He did mention an x-ray but he felt on balance it was best to rest the leg first (there was a fair bit of swelling) and do an x-ray if needed after the weekend, if things were no better.

zebidee1

Well things have been really up and down and I have no idea if Harley's leg is any better or not.

Although he is still limping, there are times when this is not so bad at all and other times when he lifts his leg off the floor completely. Once or twice when he's been let out of his crate, he has made a dash past me and sprinted through the house like a dog possessed and you would never know there was anything wrong with him. He's obviously going stir crazy being cooped up and although we're wise to him now, when he saw a possible chance of freedom.....he grabbed it, lol.

Last night he was limping badly and this morning he seemed almost ok again.

I'm assuming that the overnight rest is helping and by the end of the day after he has been on his leg more, it gets worse. Having said that, sometimes he is very stiff when he first gets up too and then he loosens off after a short while.

If he had a fracture or a ligament problem, wouldn't it be the same throughout the day or at least never look like there was any improvement?

I dont know if another vet's visit is required or not but we have an appointment this afternoon just in case.

Should I inform the insurance company about this even if it's only a sprain and I'm not claiming? I've read through the paperwork but cant find anything about non-claims iyswim.

I've read that dogs who injure their legs may end up with arthritis etc when older so I'm not sure if not telling them would cause any issues should Harley need treatment later in life on that leg? We've had the insurance for almost 5 weeks so are past the point of the first exemption period. There's not any reaason to not tell them I dont think....just wondered if we needed to at the moment?

sandy2_2

Any news...

zebidee1

Aw...thanks for asking.

Definately no fracture, 99.99% sure no ligament damage......almost certain it's a bad sprain. Vet said description of his recent behaviour pretty much confirms the sprain diagnosis.

Only small concern might be something to do with his platelets (think that's how it's spelt - small boney areas which grow new bone as the dog grows.........I think ) which might have got knocked and be slightly out of alignment. Fairly sure that's not the case but if he gets worse or I'm still worried they will check him again on Friday and x-ray on Monday if need be.

We've to continue with the Metcalm and more rest. (As if that's easy, lol.)

He's stir crazy and has got too much energy he cant burn off. His behaviour is worse and he's mouthing and nipping a lot more right now. We give him kongs stuffed with things to try to amuse him for a while and he's fond of wasting an hour or so with a carrot but there's not much you can do to amuse a dog who is supposed to be resting.

sandy2_2

thanks for the update, worse than kids eh

zebidee1

Harley, (king beast of all that is dippy) seems to have little or no whiskers on the left hand side of his face. What he does have, seem to be curly at the (very short) ends and are kinda melted looking.

Then we figured out he must have got too close to the gas fire which energed from the loft today.

They will grow back. (Wont they? )

He seems to be veering to the left a lot right now.

bookemdano

Yes they will grow back My cat loses his whiskers from grooming sometimes. He will be a little off balance as the whiskers are used to judge distance and balance.

zebidee1

Thanks bookemdano I wonder if they'll grow in curly now. :rotfl:

bookemdano

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:




As you can see my cats whiskers are fine although curly :rotfl:

zebidee1

Lol, that cat looks like he should be lcalled Gatsby and be Lord of the manor living in a castle or stately home with those stylish whiskers. They look designer twirled.