Sparky's Saga/Update #74

[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}}}}}

[Asiel]

Just noticed more bad news for Sparky. If he was a younger dog I would suspect pano although I've never seen it in small dogs. But he isn't a growing pup so this is strange. I would probably have called the vet as soon as I noticed the change in the leg, but then I scare pretty easy when it comes to my dogs. Weird that arthritis would be coming on so suddenly and now in both legs....really has me wondering pomtzu. Your vet might decide to do x-rays when the time is up if he hasn't improved. I'll keep my fingers crossed that it disappears as fast as it came on.
Sorry about all the trouble and worry you're going through.

[pomtzu]

Well it's a little better news, so for now I'll hold off calling the vet back and give it the full 2 weeks that she said. I just hope it's not one step forward and two steps back tho. Of course if he gets worse again, then I'll take him in.

Yesterday he was really feeling his oats. He came running (in a hobbling sort of way) to the door to greet me when I came home from shopping. Then last night the little stinker jumped up on the bed before I had a chance to pick him up - and that's a no-no to be jumping. He also jumped up the steps before I could get to him - another no-no. He's still limping, but is moving around a lot better and not just laying around in one spot and not wanting to move, like he was. He's about the same today as he was yesterday.

So as long as he doesn't backslide again, I'm relieved somewhat, and hope that he will continue to make progress. I imagine that the vet will still take x-rays when he goes back, since it seems to affecting both legs. I just can't imagine what it could be, other than arthritis. Doesn't really sound like a sprain now that both legs are affected.

But then - what do I know

[Daisy and Delilah]

How is Sparky doing, Ellie? I hope the little guy is back to normal.

[pomtzu]

How is Sparky doing, Ellie? I hope the little guy is back to normal.

Terry - normal he is not.

It's like he flips a switch - one minute he is limping and the next he is just fine. He's much more active than he was, but that limp is still there a lot - first in one leg and then in the other. And it appears at times he's favoring that back leg too, that has the bad knee. I'm trying to keep him from jumping on and off the bed, and the back steps too, but sometimes he beats me too it and it doesn't seem to bother him.

So yesterday we cut grass, and when he went outside this morning, had grass all on his feet since the grass was wet from dew, and I took a towel to clean them off before he came back in the house. When I picked up his front foot (the original problem one), he gave out a yelp, so something in that leg is still hurting him. I've had him on the baby aspirin which has helped some I guess, but now I'm back to square one. I have to call the vet a little later and get an appointment, since I just don't know what else to do at this point.

I'll keep you posted.....

[Asiel]

Been keeping my eye on this thread to see if we would finally know how Sparky was. Since there was nothing I assumed all was well, so sorry the little fluff ball is still limping Pomtzu.
So odd the way it jumps from leg to leg and seems to be spreading to all four. Hope the vet can figure out what it is. It sure came on suddenly if it is arthritis.

[Daisy and Delilah]

Thanks for the update, Ellie. Sorry it isn't so good.

This sounds exactly like Delilah when she had the sprain(sorry for being a broken record on this). Even with the meds, it was touch and go at times. I had to monitor her all the time.

I know how hard it is to keep them from jumping up and down. Best wishes to you for finding out what's going on asap!!