He's 9 months. Jumps around a lot. We try to ignore it so he doesn't get overly excited. Was ignoring it this morning and he jumped off the couch and wacked his front left leg on the coffee table corner. He immediately started whimpering and holding it funny so I assumed it was broken and whisked him to the vet. She palpated all over, said it felt fine and at that point he was walking on his own, no limp. $50 and we went home.
Now, several hours later, he cried after jumping off our front stoop. His limp is worse than it was this morning. Called the vet, she said to just keep an eye on it and if it's worse tomorrow, go ahead and bring him back in.
I'm a very nervous new dog mom, but I also don't have a lot of cash. An x-ray would help my fears but since I'd rather not shell out for that, I'm hoping somebody on Yahoo Answers has experienced this or knows what I should worry/not worry about?
Thanks if you read this entire thing! :)
2007-01-11 09:34:27 · 27 answers · asked by leos_mama 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
He's not yelping anymore. The vet said no x-ray needed yet. I am looking for reassurance and or advice, not chastizing. I will NOT let him limp around for longer than the vet advised!!!
2007-01-11 09:46:58 · update #1
Well, less than 24 hours later and the vet was right and I am neurotic. He's fine :) Yay! What a relief!
2007-01-12 02:37:14 · update #2
I think he should be fine. I have a Pom too who's always jumping about the place. If you twist your ankle you will definitely limp, right? That doesn't mean it's broken. He's just bruised / soar. You pretty much described the normal amount of time it will take for his swelling to flare up. Just keep monitoring him, add some ice to his leg and smoothly, ever so gently, rub one finger along the hairs on his leg. This will let him know that you understand that he has pain there and he will give you his leg to examine as if you're his Dr. My Pom pulled a basket of clothes on top of himself as I was folding my laundery. He screeched so I dropped everything, leaped to him held him close to my chest and rocked him like a baby. I then laid him on the floor and gave him a nice massage and he was asleep within a minute. He loved it. Now if he get's stuck somewhere or gets scared of a noise, he always runs to me for the same pampering. Just use this as a bonding time with your pup. He will realize that you're there to protect him and and will allow you to fully analyze his leg.
I definitely dont think it's broken though. It would have been apparent when the vet first examined him. Just try to keep him off his feet and pamper him. Don't make him run after you either for a few days. The soarness will pass. If this persists for more than a few days (5 - 7) please bring him in for an X-ray as it really is important. Did you check out your local Petco? Most of them offer vetrinary services as well and is extremely affordable. I don't think they do X-rays there but I'm sure they can recommend a few inexpensive clinics. Good luck to you.
2007-01-11 10:00:35 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Is there a way you can keep the dog quiet the rest of the night so he doesn't injure his leg more? Does he have a crate that you use for him? It might just be sore and when he jumped off the stoop, it hurt. Don't let him up on anything the rest of the evening and see how he is in the morning. If he is still limping, take him to the vet and have it x-rayed. Maybe you can give him ½ a baby aspirin for the pain this evening, but make sure he takes it with food so he doesn't upset his stomach.
2007-01-11 17:46:28 · answer #2 · answered by sherirenee1954 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Do what your Vet suggested. Take the dog back if you are worried. It seems your dog at least bruised his leg and it makes sense that it would hurt again when he jumped down off of something again. Your Vet should have been able to tell by feeling the dog whether there was a break or not. I am sure they would X-Ray if you requested it, but if you are really unsure of your Vet, go to another for a second opinion.
2007-01-11 17:44:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
A friend of mine has a puppy that hurt it's back paw! The vet had him put the puppy in a crate and not let the puppy play for about six weeks! My friend obeyed the doctor and the pup recovered well. I know that it is a long time, but you probably won't have to keep your pup crated for that long, and believe me, it's better to keep the pup from playing and re-injuring itself. If the vet said it was fine, then it probably is! They have seen plenty of breaks! I would advise you to call the vet and ask if they can give you a prescription for the pain. That way you may be able to just go and pick up the meds, and you will not have to pay for another vet visit as long as the veterinarian does not have to see the patient! Best of Luck to you and your Pom-Pom!
2007-01-11 17:45:00 · answer #4 · answered by Dee 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I doubt it's anything serious. It's much like if you hit your knee hard enough for it to swell. It probably didn't break anything, but if you hit it again it will hurt. Just try to keep it off the leg as much as possible and prevent it from jumping from any real height. If needed, get a small bag of ice and apply it to the leg for 10 minutes, if it will hold still long enough. If 2 days pass with no sign of improvement, get the x-ray.
Let's not also forget a fracture will not cause any defects later in life. A break will, but will be noticeable without an x-ray.
2007-01-11 17:40:00 · answer #5 · answered by Gray 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is possible that he hurt some of the muscles and tendons in his leg, but if the vet felt no break than it probably is not broken. I would just try to keep him from jumping and keep him calm for a week or two so that his leg gets a chance to heal. One of my dogs got hit by a car (the water meter reader left the gate of the fence open and she got out) and her front leg swelled up to about double its normal size and she would not walk on it, I took her to the vet and had it x-rayed. It was not broken, but he said that she had soft tissue damage. I was told to keep her calm and it took her about 4 weeks to start using the leg again, but she was fine.
2007-01-11 17:47:06 · answer #6 · answered by iluvmyfrenchbulldogs 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hopefully the leg is not broken. Since he had hurt it earlier causing it to be tender, when he jumped it could have just bruised the tender spot even more. Do as the vet suggests. I know it is hard not ro run to the vet each time they get hurt. Feel the leg carefully, if it is broke or dislocated, your touching it will cause a reaction in the dog such as him trying to bite you or yelping. My dogs back legs got run over by a car, ran her to the vet, the vet felt all over, since she didnt react, the vet knew she wasnt badly injured
2007-01-11 17:48:08 · answer #7 · answered by Gary S 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If the vet thinks its not broken, then he's probably fine. Of course he'll be in some pain if he sprained his leg or something. Do you have a crate for him? I'd put him in one for a bit until he can calm down. Ask your vet about getting him some pain killers. They also sell dog aspirin at petsmart, but make sure to follow the directions exactly. Good luck.
2007-01-11 17:39:39 · answer #8 · answered by brynnkitty 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
TAKE YOUR DOG TO THE VET!!!! If you were limping and wimpering, wouldn't you want to part with a little cash for an x-ray? If you're that broke, you shouldn't have a pet! You're making your pet suffer because you're short on funds. In the future (after you have taken the puppy to the vet) don't allow the dog to jump off couches and stoops. He's going to keep hurting himself!
2007-01-11 17:40:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
He may be ok. Listen to your vet. Same thing happened with my daughters dog but she was instructed to not let the dog jump up or down because this irritates the injury. So keep the little guy quiet, if possible.
2007-01-11 17:39:47 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋