Lame Saluki - any ideas?

[sumo69]

Morning all

I am hoping for a little bit of guidance and/or re-assurance.

Suki, my 9.5 yr old bh was on a last "toilet" walk last night and normally she jumps up onto a 3ft wall and walks along before getting down - this is normally an easy hop-up for her. However, last night she didnt make it and ended up beached on the brick wall - it was like she had no "oomph" in her rear legs for the jump. I didn't think much of it but she then took an age to climb the stairs as she sleeps in the bedroom and this morning she is finding it very difficult to get up and push-up her left rear leg.

I have walked her and she walks fine but is clearly avoiding anything more over difficult such as trotting, running or jumping and was dis-interested in playing. She has not cried, there is no obvious damage,cuts or stings but something is amiss.

I am of the mind to leave it 24 hours (unless it gets worse) and see how she is tomorrow in the hope she has strained something when playing yesterday but open to the suggestions of the collective.

David

[bexVN]

If it wasn't a Sunday I'd say get her seen today as it sounds like she's hurt her back which will be uncomfortable for her, however as long as you keep her rested with short 5 min walks throughout the day to prevent stiffening up she should be ok tom. Even if she seems better I'd still get her checked over, as anti inflammatory meds will help speed up the healing.

It is a bit of an assumption of mine to say it's her back from an over the internet description but if she walks sound yet struggles to jump I'd be more inclined to go with that than leg.

[sumo69]

bexVN said:

If it wasn't a Sunday I'd say get her seen today as it sounds like she's hurt her back which will be uncomfortable for her, however as long as you keep her rested with short 5 min walks throughout the day to prevent stiffening up she should be ok tom. Even if she seems better I'd still get her checked over, as anti inflammatory meds will help speed up the healing.

It is a bit of an assumption of mine to say it's her back from an over the internet description but if she walks sound yet struggles to jump I'd be more inclined to go with that than leg.

Thanks Bex

I am only 15 mins from an Emergency Vetinary Hospital in Potters Bar which as 24 hour 7 days a week cover -do you think its worth taking her today?

David

[Kiltie]

Yeah, I think I'd go and get her looked at.

Hope she's fine.

[bexVN]

Sorry didn't see your reply til now. I would've said call them at least, what did you do?

[sumo69]

I took her out this afternoon and she seems to be the same - stiff when getting up, fine walking but restricted if trying to run. She did feel well enough to trot over to a chum but didn't play.

I have decided to see how she is in the morning - if the same I will book her in to see the vet tomorrow.

I will post again in the morning.

David

[bexVN]

Vets tom either way. Unless she is most definitely 100% tom. Even if improved still get her seen. If it is her back, she needs assessing esp given her age and breed. Good that she is no worse though .

[sumo69]

She is very stiff this morning and needed quite a bit of encouragement to come downstairs which she was much slower and cautious than normal.

Calling the Vets @ 8 when they open and will report back once she's been seen.

David

[sumo69]

Vets says its nothing skeletal so in all likelihood a muscle strain or pinched nerve in the hip/upper leg area.

Prescribed Metacam for 5 days and then will see if she improves,otherwise a scan will be needed.

We didn't see my preferred Vet as she was off today so not 100% sure this is it but hopefully I am wrong.

David

[A57 HSV]

I'd recommend a visit to Andrew Bartholomew of Iffley Vets in Oxford. He's a specialist in running dogs.

He's currently treating my Whippet. Although I have to travel from Bath, its worth it.

[bexVN]

What's up with your whippet?

[A57 HSV]

NS rear foot, he bust the lower tendon on one toe, which resulted in putting too much strain on the next toe and tearing the ligaments on either side of the joint and damaging the supporting tissue.

I've known of Andrew Barholomew for ages, but had hoped to never have to use his services. Whilst there's several very good vets in my area, they don't have his experience of this type of injury on a running dog.

I have to say that I'm very impressed by him. I know that people travel to him from all over the UK and Europe and I can see why.

[sumo69]

A57 HSV said:

I'd recommend a visit to Andrew Bartholomew of Iffley Vets in Oxford. He's a specialist in running dogs.

He's currently treating my Whippet. Although I have to travel from Bath, its worth it.

Thanks - I will certainly make a note in case I need him in the future, but I don't thinkit willbe necessary this time.

Happily Suki appears a bit happier tonight and the yelping when getting up and down has gone - I have to halve her Metacam dose tomorrow so will see if that changes anything.

David

[bexVN]

A57 HSV said:

NS rear foot, he bust the lower tendon on one toe, which resulted in putting too much strain on the next toe and tearing the ligaments on either side of the joint and damaging the supporting tissue.

I've known of Andrew Barholomew for ages, but had hoped to never have to use his services. Whilst there's several very good vets in my area, they don't have his experience of this type of injury on a running dog.

I have to say that I'm very impressed by him. I know that people travel to him from all over the UK and Europe and I can see why.

Worth knowing as a whippet owner myself (though not a racer just pet) thanks. Hope the recovers ok.

[A57 HSV]

Thanks, it's now just a case of time and rest and keeping everything crossed. Then I'm going to have to get his strength and stamina back with long walks on the lead before letting him run free again.

He's not a racer. Probably best described as a working pet.

[Mastiff]

A57 HSV said:

Probably best described as a working pet.

Sorry.

Hope he gets better soon.

[A57 HSV]

How very dare you!

Whippets are much faster at typing than Bulldogs.