Moo's progress

First topic message reminder :



This is more for me and anyone that wants to give me positive vibes, I know I could do with it.

So the back ground for those who don't know, Moo has had a limp for a month now, been to the vets twice, apart from x-rays I am at my last point of call, a different course of anti-inflams for 14 days and total rest.

Day 2; stopped indoors all day, great day off, limp has been obvious in the house. Have put her very old bed on the floor (been under my bed for last 2 years) so she doesn't keep hoping up and down on mine.

Small incident of her running into the door (glass), she saw a cat, and she has a lot of energy to get rid of. Never has she done this before!

Just taken her out for a toilets, we don't have a garden so its a 2min walk, no limp visible.

She has now gone to bed, hers on the floor bless her.

Fingers crossed and positive vibes for tomorrowXx

Hi Janey - as Steve said, she may have strained a ligament. Painful and the recovery period is quite lengthy (and I know from personal experience, as I had a strained ligament in the knee some years ago). But it does get better!

And, I think I'm right in saying that a strained ligament won't show up on x-ray.

Now, PLEASE don't take offence at what comes next - it's a stab in the dark and I may be very wrong in even suggesting the following scenario; it's just to rule something out:-

You have to go out to work of course, as I did for over 40 years. I had Dobermanns for much of this time and they (after the puppy stage) settled down to a stoical acceptance that I would return - eventually. But I have found since we got our Kuchar (Staffy) 7 months ago that he is MUCH more clingy than the Dobes were and I have come to realise that Staffies are MUCH more people orientated than Dobermanns. I do recognise and admire that you have put in place provisions for when you are at work.

Here comes the contraversial bit - when you come home and find her limping, do you give her extra love/attention/fuss (it would only be natural after all). Maybe, just MAYBE, Moo found that a bit of "poor me" would get her extra fuss and attention? The fact that when she's out on a walk her limp disappears just makes me suspect that (or maybe I'm just overcrediting a dog's deviousness!). On the other hand of course, when a dog gets excited on a walk, it will temporarily forget its own problems.

Janey, I just felt that I had to float this out to you, if I'm way offbeam please forgive me and ignore the above!

All best love from me and Kuchar ><

it better to have x-ray just in case she got a broken leg that need fixing

if the x-ray come back looking normaly and she still limping after a few months you want to look for specialist because what i found out more vet these day are just GP's for dogs you need to find a vet who know what they are doing for that part of the body.

X-ray will be done a week wednesday, if not 100% better.

Lynda, your words mean a lot, but I do hang onto the notion (wrong to do so) that she maybe putting it on, it will get better tomorrow, another day and she'll be fine............

Its not getting better, but I have to stay positive, I totally agree with a specialist, but X-rays first I think.

Unless it improves. Positive thoughts XX

Steve wrote:i spend £1000s on my sam with my local vets i went to him he took my sam straight away fix the problem only time i need to got back was just for a check up but i could of gone to my local vet for that but i decide to go to him.

i will recommend him to everyone who got dog with a leg problem he get people from scotland going to see him..

I know about him because alot of the people with working dogs use him where i come from. These are dogs that are not just pets and work for a living so the owners wont mess around with any old vet

Cant wait until the day you say yaay shes fixed. And it will come mate bless her ramp my hug up to a kiss please. Fingers and paws crossed in this houshold for moo

Janey, I'm so glad that you didn't take my tuppence-worth the wrong way or find it patronising (I didn't mean it to be AT ALL) - I just felt I had to say it, just in case.

And yes, if it doesn't improve with the current medication (and let's hope it does) then an x-ray would be the next step.

More vibes ...

Day 5;

I was quite excited when I woke today, hardly a limp at all, and that was after a good nights sleep. Took her out for toilets, still good, real improvement.

Well wishful thinking, still bad when I get home. So a little frustrated.

Mum wants to have Moo tomorrow (not that she has mentioned it to me yet) not sure its a good idea as she will have to jump in and out a car, just not sure how to say this without upsetting her, it would be the first time she has had her since her shoulder op.

Also she will take her to the commen to do toilets (she has a shared garden and wouldn't want to upset the neighbors!) Again in and out the car, and out longer than usual. But mum is great with Moo. I know she won't let her go mad, but the vets have said no walking. But she doesn't limp when out.

Think it may be best to stick to her routine. I just don't want any small progress to go backwards. But then we really haven't had much progress so maybe mum having her might help?

I don't know circles again.

she need 2 week worth matacam

Janey, has Moo ever had a gait analysis done, this may be worth asking the vet about when you take Moo in next time. This would show up any difference in posture and balance together with any deformities which may be present. Just an idea.

poor Moo, I have just lit my Lourdes candle for her to send her some healing vibes

Janey it does sound as though a little progress has been made.

When did the limp start again - during her toilet walk, directly after when you got her home, or after a rest? I think the vet needs to know exactly when it starts up again.

If she doesn't limp whilst she's out it COULD be that she's a brave little thing and mind is taking control over matter - the walk is exciting, sights smells etc - and her mind is elsewhere rather than on her leg.

It's great that your Mum will take her out, but jumping in and out of cars might not be such a good idea at the moment. I might have suggested that Moo is lifted into and out of the car, but if your Mum has had a recent shoulder op, that is out as well. And if your vet has said no walking, he might be miffed if he has been "disobeyed"!

Kathy's idea of gait analysis sounds good, but I don't personally know what it involves.

As Steve says - let the medication have a chance to work and then see.

More vibes coming your way ...

(btw I tried sending this message (probably in different words) about 10 minutes ago but "something" happened and it seemed to get lost, so if you got the first one as well - apologies!

I have said no to mum, just think it is better I keep her how she is for now, Lynda your spot on the with the lifting thing and would also be worried about mum having her on a lead, she can pull.

Also I don't know when it changes, she's not with me, a friend has her pm and I pop home for lunch for 20mins.

So back to the same, feel positive, and hope tomorrow, there is a larger improvement. Xx

Thanks Xx

Probably for the best Janey, re your Mum.

Please (for me and your vet) get your friend to tell you exactly if he/she notices a limp whilst out, or if it comes on when Moo gets home (or not). I'm guessing that Moo has had a rest by the time you get home in the afternoon and you find her limping again.

Your friend takes her out in afternoon - does Moo limp in the morning?

Sorry to bang on about it, but I feel it's important to pin down when or what sets it off.

Keep positive! You'll get there I'm sure.

I wish I could but he isn't really dog savy to be polite, he does what I have advised (I hope), when I called and asked if he thought it had improved he just says no, still the same.

Lynda thanks for the positivity we will get there Xx

Well, your dog walker isn't being a great deal of help on that front, but -

I think you have said that Wednesday's are your days off?

If so, this coming Wednesday is the interim Wednesday before you go back to the vet, and whilst I hope with all my heart that Moo is a LOT better by then, I really would advise that you keep note of Moo's limping behaviour from when she gets up in the morning to when she goes to bed at night, as I feel sure this will help your vet.

Keep us posted - we all thinking of you and Moo ><

Just taken her out for toilets, limps worse than I have seen it in a long time, not sure I can wait another week.

Positivity please work Xx

sound like she need a x-ray janey xx

Yes I agree.

have you clean her paw out with warm salty water twice a day?

have you look in her paw look for any blister or sore bits?

Oh Lord, so sorry to hear that Janey.

Got to agree with Steve, by what you've said tonight - if it was me - I'd get her x-rayed tomorrow. Take a day off work; better that than go on suffering the agonies of indecision/waiting.

Sending positive vibes as always, but maybe some positive action needs to be taken now.

Be strong >< ><

So sorry to hear the limb is worse. I think its time for x rays now too. Sending positive vibes your way ><

Here's hoping that an x-ray will shed some light hun, think everyone has given you some wonderful advice too. Bless this forum. As ever, big hugs to Moo and you ><

Day 6;

So after yesterday I was so worried this morning, but again, even after a long sleep the limp was barely there!

I decided today (and I wish I had listened and done it sooner) that I wouldn't have anyone come round, so that she would have to rest all day. I'm at work 9-5 so I popped back at 12 and took her out for toilets, again limp looked better.

Whilst at work I have read a few things and 1 being, that even muscle/tendon damage can take months to mend, some even crated there dogs for 3 months (obviously I don't want this) so called the vets to get an estimate and have secured some money (still owed £1000 from a court pay out), so I feel more prepared now and a little more at ease, so when/if she needs them I'm ready! (Thats the family's xmas pressies out the window!)

Just in from work, and yes there was a slight limp but nothing like it has been, tried to take her out for toilets but she didn't want too as its raining, she is rather cuddly I must say although now she is sat on the floor staring at me!

So I'm not sure on the conclusion I have come too. Obviously x-rays will be imminent next week but maybe, just maybe giving her total rest for the last week I should just hold off. I worry with the x-rays that it won't show anything up anyway.

Anyways, thank you for all the support, honestly don't know where I'd be without you guys. Positive vibes just maybe working

(touch wood)

if the limp is getting better i wouldn't have a x-ray..

It's still not brilliant, but I might put off the x-rays until the course of anti-inlams is done, at least by me just having her I can monitor all her all the time and not wonder if anything is being differently when I'm not there.

Very frustrating for her still, but I think this is my last shot really, and also probably what I should have done since the start. She may have been back to normal by now if I had.

dont blame yourself xx these things happen

Glad to hear that Moo has improved with her "house arrest". That is definitely worth trying - plus the anti-inflams may be starting to kick in at last.

Still doing the positive vibes (waggling fingers ........)

Have any of you guys heard of 'Yumove'?

It was recommended to me.

ooo don't buy dog stuff our do the tick

you could also give her omega 3, you can get 500capcules holland & barrett for £20

you can get 480 glucosamine £29.00

http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=657&prodid=541&cid=25

http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=146&prodid=421&cid=158

sorry the omega 3 is £29.26

janey wrote:Have any of you guys heard of 'Yumove'?
It was recommended to me.

Yes, it's very good stuff, but quite expensive. It has all the omega oils plus lots of other things for joints etc.

http://www.lintbells.com/products/yumove

you dont need to pay that type of money when you can get alot more for your money

So where will you get things like Glucosamine, natural Chondroitin and New Zealand Green Lipped Mussel all in one tablet?

Omega oils are very good for health, but won't help much with things like joint stiffness/arthritis.

you can get Glucosamine from most supermarkets these days, my vet said you dont have to spend a lot becasue they all the same.

Omega 3
http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=146&prodid=421&cid=158

Glucosamine
http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=657&prodid=541&cid=25

I have ordered 60 for £13.25 this afternoon, I just thought it may be worth a try, nothing to loose really.

And the New Zealand Green Lipped Mussel (which is known to be brilliant with arthtitis & rheumatism)?

if you want to pay that type of money that upto but holland & barrett stuff be great for me

I agree, it's great stuff & when they have special offers etc they can be absolutely dirt cheap. But they don't always cover everything.

Yumega (and Yumove) has had very good reports for many years & isn't all that expensive. As Janey says - £13 for 60 tablets (one a day), so that's only about £1.70 a week, and you get all three products in one tablet.

Sending all my positive vibes to you and Moo from across the seas And always >< to you both.. Stay strong.. And I hope the glucosomine tabs give her some relief

Oh hon it wont be forever its just a little blip in her life plse dont cry it will be ok Once the anti flams start working and the limp gets sorted I'm sure she will be back to her old self, it will all be ok I'm sure positive thoughts, no tears OK By the way love the name Moo its such a cute name

I have read/advised that its 2 tablets for a 15-20kg dog and for the first week you should double this. I did have a link but can't find it now.

Once again thank you, feel at my lowest now, guilty really, like I'm making excuses, all I want is to be able to take her out for normal walks. Finding it really tough again. Her poor sad face.

Just wonder if it will ever be the same again.

yea it will she just need a good old rest dont rush things

Just saw this and sending big hugs to you both. Terrible to have to wait and wonder.

Janey - sending positive vibes ><

Positive vibes from Taz & I... ><

Don't be afraid to ask for a second opinion, most vets do accept that they are not specialists in all areas and there are orthopaedic vets out there that won't charge the earth for a consultation. Your vet may be able to recommend one in your area. My old collie cross had spondylosis so I know your pain watching an active dog struggle with confinement. Sending you all our love >< ><

how was missy moo this morning? xx