Sparky's Saga/Update #74

[Pinot's Mom]

I'm sorry there's been a problem with Sparky, Ellie, I hadn't seen this thread. I hope he just had something a bit inflamed and the aspirin brought it under control. Sending good thoughts and prayers to the little guy!

Maggie

[Daisy and Delilah]

Don't be surprised if the sympathy act comes out again when he starts thinking of chicken. I'm so glad to hear he's better.

[pomtzu]

Thank you all for your concern.

I'm so relieved that he's feeling better. I just wish I knew what his problem was in the first place.

If he could just talk.............

[Daisy and Delilah]

Thank you all for your concern.

I'm so relieved that he's feeling better. I just wish I knew what his problem was in the first place.

If he could just talk.............

I can't count the times I've wished they could talk. It would be so darn convenient wouldn't it??

[pomtzu]

Did I say he was doing better?? - no more limping?? Make that past tense.

He started limping a little again yesterday - more today - doesn't want to do the steps - just wants to lay around. I had cut back the aspirin to one a day, so guess I'll go back to two.

I'm thinking arthritis - he's the stiffest in the morning, and by the end of the day, seems more mobile. Yesterday was chilly and damp, and today it's pouring rain and chilly - not the best conditions for an arthritic. And as before - that's just a guess.

I'll call doc later, see if I can get him in on Monday, or if she has any ideas without seeing him.

[Asiel]

Sorry I didn't notice your post before Pomtzu. It would sound like he's playing mind games with you but we all now they won't do that...will they?...
I think you're right about getting him checked out. I'm wondering if this could be tied in with the heart murmur? Did the vet say it was causing him any kind of discomfort, it doesn't usually but who knows with dogs.
Yes, I think one dose of aspirin could make a difference. My dog had a bit of a strenuous time Sunday and I noticed he was in a lot of pain after we got home so I decided to give him a dose of Metacam and in an hour he was his old self again. He hasn't needed any since but he just goes for daily walks as usual . Let me know how he's doing when you get some news from your vet, sure hope it's nothing serious. Does his leg feel warm to the touch?

[Daisy and Delilah]

Ellie, I sure hope you figure out what's going on soon. I know it must be heartbreaking when this starts again. Keep us posted. I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Feel better Sparky!!!! We're rooting for you , Little Buddy!!

[pomtzu]

I started him back on more aspirin yesterday, but no change for the better yet. I couldn't get in touch with his vet yesterday. We had torrential rain all day and it must have affected the phone lines. My internet went out in the a.m. and was down all day, and I was getting only about half of my cable channels.

He still doesn't want to move around, etc, but this time he's going to the vet, regardless if he's doing better or not. I'll call her first thing Monday and hope she'll be able to see him right away. She knows I don't cry wolf, so I probably won't have a problem.

[Asiel]

Sparky does sound like he has an underlying problem. Glad he'll be going to the vet's on Monday. I'll keep my fingers crossed that nothing serious is happening with him, I know how much those little fur friends mean to you.

[Medusa]

Oh I hope you get a good vet report, Ellie. How worrisome this must be for you. I'll keep you both in my prayers. Keep the faythe.

[pomtzu]

OK - so here's the latest.

I had to run in town this a.m., and noticed a light on in the vet's office, so thought I'd stop in and make an appointment for Monday. When I told her what was going on, she said to bring him right in - today! Came back home to pick him up - and of course he wasn't limping again after being hardly able to walk all day yesterday and this morning!
The first thing I jokingly asked her was if they are capable of playing head games - and she gave me an emphatic "Oh yes!!!"
So we went in, and the first thing she suspected was Lyme's (typical symptoms) - vaccines are only 80% effective. She drew blood for a test and it came up negative. She doesn't feel it's arthritis since it came on so sudden, so it's probably looking like a sprain or jamming type injury. It might feel better for a while and then he somehow aggravates it by jumping up and down off the bed, or going up and down steps. She did say too, that she saw a hint of a limp, but it was nothing compared to what it has been.
So - I have to lift him up and down off the bed, and carry him up and down the steps for a couple of weeks - a baby aspirin 4 times a day - and if he hasn't drastically improved in that time, then she will do an x-ray to check for arthritis.
So at least that has relieved my mind somewhat. If it's just a sprain, then that's great - if it's arthritis, at least he can take meds for it and it isn't life threatening. He and I will just hobble along together.

Sparky and I both thank you all for the prayers and positive vibes.

[Daisy and Delilah]

OMG Ellie!! What luck you got into the vet today!! Amazing. I've got to tell you, when Delilah hurt herself back several months ago, she was acting just like Sparky is. She is normally a very peppy dog for her age(she's 10 now). When she jurt herself after her bath the other day, she was right back to acting out of it, lethargic, uninterested in anything, etc.

I can't give her aspirin because it doesn't agree with her. She got sick with it. They gave me Duramaxx(I think that's it). Another time she got Rimadyl(I think). Both of those made her act completely different. Once she got over the pain, I think she was back to normal. This could be why Sparky is "coming and going" with the limping. Sometimes the aspirin may be kicking in and other times, not so much. This all sounds so familiar. I think Sparky is going to be ok from the sounds of it. I sure hope so.

Sorry I'm not sure about the medicine names. If I wasn't so lazy I would go look. If you want to know, PM me and I'll find out for you.

Feel better Sparky!!! I think I know how you feel, sweetheart!!!

[pomtzu]

Well - things aren't looking rosy and I'm still trying to figure out what the heck is going on. He was originally limping and favoring his left leg up until he went to the vet on Saturday. When we got home and I got him out of the car and set him down to walk, he was favoring the right leg. AARRGGGHHHH!!!! What's with this pup??? Ever since Saturday he has been hobbling around like an old man. Aspirin doesn't seem to be helping. Sometimes he's a little perkier and mobile than others - like yesterday he was really bad, yet today he seems a little better and is moving around more. But it's still the right leg. I don't want to call the vet just yet since she said to give it 2 weeks, but this whole thing is just so darned strange - good days/bad days - left leg/right leg... Maybe I'll call her on Friday if there's no change. Do you think I should, or just give it the full 2 weeks? I'm open to suggestions.

[Pinot's Mom]

Ellie, call the vet. It'll make you feel better about Sparky's treatment - just to make sure. Let us know.

[Daisy and Delilah]

Ellie, sorry I am just checking this. Wow!! What is going on? It sure sounds like my arthritis. I hope you find out soon what's going on for sure. It's hard to call. If you think the vet can shed some light, call and see what can be done. {{{{{HUGS}}}}}