Buddy's Knee

[lizbud]

Last night I was looking at Bud when he was getting
a drink of water. He kept lifting his left back leg, not
wanting to put full weight on it. When he came back into the dining room I stopped him to check out his leg.There was
a big "goose egg" lump on the side of his knee-leg.The lump
feels solid to the touch, and Buddy does not seem to be in
any pain.He eats good & acts otherwise normal.The more I
looked at the lump, the more freaked out I got. Where did
it come from? How could I have missed such a big lump?
Bud had just been at the Vet's office for yearly Vacs last
Tues. They obviously didn't see it either. I'm thinking that
maybe the kneecap has popped out of joint.?
Please say a pray for Buddy that this is a fixable problem,
I'm taking him in to see the Vet Monday. Thanks, Liz.

[Cincy'sMom]

Sorry I can't give any advice Liz, but I hope Buddy's knee isn't too serioous and we will be thinking of him. Good luck at the vet Monday!

[Pam]

One of my poodles had a knee that went "out" on him a couple of times. It was sort of the same thing as with Buddy except there was no lump. He wouldn't put any weight on it. The vet showed me how to move it back into place, but it happened a little too often and he eventually put a pin in it and after that all was well. It was his patella joint, which I think was his kneecap. I hope Buddy will be OK. I know you will be worried until he sees the vet. Maybe he was running and twisted his leg some way. All fingers and paws are crossed that it's just something minor.

[lizbud]

Thanks guys,

Pam, Bud had his knee re-built(complete with pin) &
had the ligaments re-tied around the kneecap to keep
it in place. His running days are long past. He can do
a pretty fast paced trot. That's what's freaking me out.
Bud's surgery was July 31, 2001. If it's an infection around
the surgery site, wouldn't it have shown up sooner? And
if it's the popped kneecap, that means a ligament might
have torn again. The only saving thing is he does not
seem to be in any pain and is able to walk around just fine.

[Pam]

Liz I don't know how I missed the original post about Buddy's surgery. I just went back and searched and it was a huge thread. Considering his history I know you have great concerns and rightfully so. Out of the two things that you are pondering the infection sounds the easiest to treat. I do hope that the vet will be able to give you some good answers. I think the fact that the lump was missed on his recent exam hopefully means that it just appeared and maybe you are going to be able to tackle this thing early on. We'll all be waiting and hoping for the best. I sure would hate to see Buddy have to go through more surgery! :(

[Sudilar]

Please keep us posted on what the vet says. I'll say some prayers that all will be ok.

[Dixieland Dancer]

Liz, Buddy is in our prayers! Please keep us posted on what the vet says on Monday!

[anna_66]

Oh, I hope Buddy will be ok, please let us know what the vet says, you'll both be in our prayers

[tatsxxx11]

Liz, I was so sad to read this! Bud's been through so much already!:( Please give him a hug for me. We'll be praying and hoping that the vet has some encouraging news on Monday. Please let us know! Fondly, Sandra, Cody and Star

[momoffuzzyfaces]

Paws, tails, and fingers crossed here for Buddy. A prayer is on the way too. Please keep us posted.

[Rachel]

Oh, Buddy, not this too. Whatever it is, you shouldn't have to deal with any more. It's just not fair. We know your mom is going to get you to the Vet pronto and then hopefully we will know what we are dealing with. In the meantime......

Keep your tail up, Buddy!

we are keeping our paws crossed here for Buddy !!!!

keep up the good thinking and hopes !!!!

[Logan]

We will keep Buddy in our prayers. I'm so sorry he has yet another problem. :( Good luck tomorrow, Liz.

[lizbud]

Buddy will not be seeing the vet today.He has
an appointment for Thurs.(5-16) at 3:30pm.The
Doc's father-in-law passed away last Weds. A.M.
and the Doc has only been coming into the office
for a few hours in the mornings for emergency
cases only. Routine vaccinations, etc, are being
handled by the Vet Techs.The father-in-law's
showing is today & the funeral is tomorrow.
After talking to the Vet Tech who has known
Buddy since he was a puppy, I've decided not
to 'push' to get Bud seen immediately. Buddy is
not showing any pain, no limping, eats well &
even brought his ball to me to play this morning.
Although I am very anxious to get them lump
examined, I will have to wait till Thurs. I will
walk him on leash for outies, use his ramp &
watch for any changes. Thank You for your thoughts
and prayers. Liz & Buddy.

[tatsxxx11]

I'm sorry you have to wait to get Buddy checked, but glad to hear he's feeling well. I know you will be anxious until your visit:( Please give Buddy our love. We'll be keeping you both in your prayers. {{{HUGS FOR BUDDY}}} So sorry to hear of your vet's loss too:( Sandra, Cody and Star

[Sudilar]

Thursday seems so far away!! Glad to hear that Buddy isn't in pain, though. My sympathies to your vet's family.

[Gio]

Sorry I missed this post yesterday. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for Buddy.

[lizbud]

Thank You everybody.Yes, Thursday does seem like
a long way off.I taking this few days to finish
a car steps project.Found a design to build a
2 step platform to help Bud in & out of the car.
The steps are make of styrofoam insulation
panels.I got all the materials (cut to size)and
had no place(well-ventilated) to spray the
adhesive to hold the steps together.I'll do that
tonight. I found the original plans & idea on
Golden Retreivers in Cyberspace web site.Hope it
works out, it will be so much better on Bud's
hips & knees.It also helps me keep my mind
occupied. Buddy & I send our best to you. Liz.

[tatsxxx11]

What a great Mom you are Liz! It sounds like a great project and such a help for Bud. Please give Buddy a big hug for me:)

[Logan]

Liz,
What a great idea. Steps to get into the car!
Would that be www.goldenretrieversincyberspace.com ? I've never heard of it, but have contemplated getting a ramp for my car. They are very expensive though, and I have no assurance that either of my "scardey cats" would walk up the ramp, so I continue to "hoist" them up, which is terrible for my back and my clothes! LOL!!
Your Buddy is one special fellow, and he certainly has a good mom to watch out for him. If all dogs could be so lucky. :(
Logan

[Logan]

OK, I guess not! LOL!! That website I was "guessing" at doesn't work. Would you mind posting the link?

Thanks in advance.
Logan :)

[lizbud]

I'd be glad to, but can't get it to link.
Just type in the URL,

http://www.gricgoldentown.com/dog-steps.shtml

If you can pull yourself away from those Great pics & storys of Goldens, just page down a little.

Yikes....It worked !!!

[Logan]

Excellent, Liz!!! I may have to modify a bit to make it work for the back of my Jeep, as they will have to be much higher, but I'm sure we can make it work!!!! :D

[Rachel]

Just checked in to see about Buddy. He's such a good boy.

[lizbud]

Thanks Rachel,

Yes, he is a good boy. When we go out for his pottie
trips, he looks longingly at the front sidewalk. He wants
to go for his walk. I really don't think I should stress the
knee at all until the Vet can check him out.My daughter
says "mom, if it was a popped kneecap, Bud would not
be able to walk at all". She's probably right, but how can
a goose egg sized lump appear on "that" leg overnight?
Well, Bud acts o.k. otherwise, so we'll just wait another
day & find out what the Vet thinks. Bud says to tell you
he's "keeping his tail up". Thanks for thinking of him. Liz.

[AdoreMyDogs]

Liz I sure hope everything is OK with poor Bud. He and you have been through so much with his surgery :(

I will pray that everything turnes out OK at the vet. I am thinking positive.

-Leslie Graham & Kersey

[Pam]

Just checking in to see how Buddy is feeling. One more day... Hang in there Buddy!

[lovemymaltese]

I hope that everything turns out okay, I will keep your baby in my prayers.

[mugsy]

Geez liz, I hope all is well with Buddy. Please let us know what happens. You guys will be in our thoughts and prayers.

[Pam]

Today is your big day Buddy. We are all gonna be sitting here this evening hoping that your mom posts some good news. As Rachel says, "Keep your tail up!" :D

[anna_66]

We're hoping for good new here too!http://216.40.201.38/otn/wink/thumb.gif

[lizbud]

Thank you everyone for the good thoughts & prayers.

I'm still at work trying to be as Positive as possible. In the
meantime I uploaded some new pictures of the furkids to
our website album; You can see Buddy & also a new kitty
addition Sugar(I've taked about him on the cat rescue board).

http://community.webshots.com/user/lizbud4

Well, Bud's appt. is for 3:30pm, will let you know when we
get back home. Thanks so much for the good vibes!!!
Liz & Buddy.

[tatsxxx11]

We'll be thinking of you and Bud this afternoon!! Please check in when you can after the visit. And tell Buddy he is one brave boy! Hoping for the best for our pal:) Sandra, Star and Cody!

[lizbud]

Just got back from the Vet's office. Doc says the lump
is a hematoma.(no tumor), and is probably the result
of 'bumping' the knee hard against something.? He said
as big as Bud is he might not have even felt any pain
when it happened. The Doc aspirated the lump and showed
me the syringe was filled with a bloody liguid.(not whole
blood). He said the knee was structurally sound & had no
muscle problems. The fluid in the lump should be absorbed
& the lump should be gone in 2-3 weeks. Doc will re-check
Buddy in 2 weeks. Oh yeah...Bud lost 2 pounds. YEA Bud...

Gosh, I am so relieved right now.I feel like such a load
has been lifted off my shoulders. Thanks so very much for
all the prayers and Good Wishes from my Pet Talk friends.

Much love & Thanks from Liz & Buddy.

P.S. Buddy got the all clear to resume his daily walks too. :D

[Rachel]

HIP HIP HURRAY! WHAT GOOD NEWS TODAY.

{huge sigh of relief}

[Pam]

Ditto what Rachel said! What wonderful news!!! :)

[tatsxxx11]

Dear Liz, your happy report made me cry!!!:) I'm so happy for Bud and you! I know that sense of relief you are feeling! GREAT JOB BUD!!! An aspiration is no fun! But what a relief to know it was nothing serious!! Hugs to you brave, beautiful Bud! You "da man!!":) Love to you from Sandra, Cody and Star

[mugsy]

Finally some good news!!! I'm very pleased to hear that Buddy is doing well again.

[KYS]

Woo Woo Woo!
That is FANTASTIC news!
What a relief that the lump was a hematoma and not
a tumor.

[Logan]

I am absolutely thrilled for you and for Buddy, Liz!!!!! What wonderful news!!!! :)

[tatsxxx11]

Great pics, Liz!!!! Bud, you are so handsome!:) Love your bandanna!

[Sudilar]

WOOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!! Glad it is not serious!!

[Gio]

Great news! I'm sure that takes a load off your mind!

[anna_66]

Oh! That's wonderful news, I'm glad he's ok!!!!!

[Dixieland Dancer]

Absolutely WONDERFUL news!

Prayer does work!!!! :D

[sabies]

Glad to hear it's not serious, what a scare!

[momoffuzzyfaces]

YIPEEEE!!!!! BUDDY!!!
So glad you are on the mend.:D

[rg_girlca]

My Buddy and I are glad to hear that your Buddy is on the mend.:D

[lizbud]

Thanks Everybody, Buds doing well. Don't think he
even knew he had a problem.:D Can you believe that
I forgot to get another bag of Bud's food when we were
at the Vets yesterday? I had to go back over today &
pick it up. :rolleyes: ... Bud says to say Hi to the 'other'
Buddy on Pet Talk.:D
Hope everyone has a safe & happy weekend. Liz & Bud.

[Rachel]

Tell Bud thanks for the message he sent us with his pictures and he sure is looking good.