Sometimes things happen for reason..like this morning when I called in sick. I finally dragged my butt out of bed a couple hours later only to discover that Mac is sicker than I am. He had trouble standing up and when he finally did he limped to the door. Even without my contacts, it was obvious that his left rear leg was grossly swollen. So I spent my sick day at the vet clinic with my sick dog!
Mac has a tiny puncture on the affected leg, so small that we could only find it when he licked the area. Rather than heal or turn into an abcess as most punctures do, this one has infected his entire leg. The infection is in the muscles and tendons right now. Fortunately it has not got into the bones, joint or spread to the rest of his body, but to prevent those things from happening, Mac is getting fairly aggressive treatment.
Two antibiotics for the next three week, plus Metacam for a week. No running, no playing, his mushing season is over! No walks, no nothing. Outside to answer nature's call and back in the house. My vet wants him to move as little as possible. Easy to do right now since Mac feels lousy. Not going to be so easy when he starts to perk up! (Note to self, buy more Kongs and chew toys!)
If it doesn't improve, he goes in on Monday to stay at the clinic for IV treatment for a few days. He'll hate that. Mac completely regressed today at the clinic. I saw more fear behavior in an hour than I've seen in the last year. The only old behavior he missed was the fear biting, thank goodness! Sure made it clear that he has come a very long way from the scared little waif who first moved in here almost two years ago!
Please keep your paws crossed that we caught this in time and the infection doesn't spread!
