Limping again.. :(

[danisgoat]

This is how Chloe presents when she has Lymes.
She limps. Sometimes, not always. Usually after rest. Mostly in the morning. Once in awhile at the end of the day. Some days a little more than others. No fever. High Energy.

This is how Vinca presents when she has Lymes:
She doesn't limp. She is tired. She is cranky. She snaps at other dogs and looks impatient with people. She seems agitated when you brush her. She has a low grade fever.


This is how Dandie presents when she has Lymes:
No symptoms whatsoever. Acts perfectly normal and has not temperature.

Lymes is a mystery disease.

Did your vet test for Lymes?

I would hate for you to go through hundreds and hundreds of dollars worth of tests, if all she needs to feel better is some Doxycycline.

Also, Rimadyl is an anti-inflammatory, anti pain med. Not good for a dog with an injury as the dog needs to feel the pain, so that they do not overdo it on the bad leg. My vet will not prescribe that kind of a medicine unless the dog is on crate rest or it is an old dog that has arthritis.

 

[marymrumfelt]

Also, Rimadyl is an anti-inflammatory, anti pain med. Not good for a dog with an injury as the dog needs to feel the pain, so that they do not overdo it on the bad leg. My vet will not prescribe that kind of a medicine unless the dog is on crate rest or it is an old dog that has arthritis.

Ahh that makes sense. I know when I tore my ACL, the pain killers would mask the pain and I'd usually overdo myself and hurt even more the next day.

If your vet won't do the test, I'd get a second opinion before I shell out that kind of money for an MRI.

 

[Megansmom]

I will consult with our Vet again about doing a Lyme test...it can't hurt! However thankfully here in Texas we are at a lower risk of Lyme then in the north eastern part of the country.

 

[SheltieChe]

another thought- go find good chiro vet, do some IV class laser and see if you have an improvement within 2 weeks. Re MRI- lets say there is some muscle or ligament involment- what that going to do for your dog? You will be out of couple of thousands for MRI and still need another couple thousands for extensive physio/ chiro/ laser/ water treadmill etc...
BTW here is Rimadyl side effects-
What are the side effects?
Rimadyl, like other drugs of its class, is not free from adverse reactions. Owners should be advised of the potential for adverse reactions and be informed of the clinical signs associated with drug intolerance. Adverse reactions may include decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, dark or tarry stools, increased water consumption, increased urination, pale gums due to anemia, yellowing of gums, skin or white of the eye due to jaundice, lethargy, incoordination, seizure, or behavioral changes. Serious adverse reactions associated with this drug class can occur without warning and in rare situations result in death (see Adverse Reactions). Owners should be advised to discontinue Rimadyl therapy and contact their veterinarian immediately if signs of intolerance are observed. The vast majority of patients with drug related adverse reactions have recovered when the signs are recognized, the drug is withdrawn, and veterinary care, if appropriate, is initiated. Owners should be advised of the importance of periodic follow up for all dogs during administration of any NSAID.

 

[marymrumfelt]

I will consult with our Vet again about doing a Lyme test...it can't hurt! However thankfully here in Texas we are at a lower risk of Lyme then in the north eastern part of the country.

Actually, TX is listed as "common." I don't trust those statistics b/c they try to hide Lymes and it's very unreported. Here in Arkansas, for example, it's the "natural state" and they tend to try to hide and suppress cases b/c they fear it will hurt tourism since lots of people come here to hike/water falls/etc. It's odd how doctors try to cover it up. I had a friend in GA whose son almost died of it and they had to travel to PA to a doctor who would acknowledge it.

 

[marymrumfelt]

another thought- go find good chiro vet, do some IV class laser and see if you have an improvement within 2 weeks. Re MRI- lets say there is some muscle or ligament involment- what that going to do for your dog? You will be out of couple of thousands for MRI and still need another couple thousands for extensive physio/ chiro/ laser/ water treadmill etc...
BTW here is Rimadyl side effects-
What are the side effects?
Rimadyl, like other drugs of its class, is not free from adverse reactions. Owners should be advised of the potential for adverse reactions and be informed of the clinical signs associated with drug intolerance. Adverse reactions may include decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, dark or tarry stools, increased water consumption, increased urination, pale gums due to anemia, yellowing of gums, skin or white of the eye due to jaundice, lethargy, incoordination, seizure, or behavioral changes. Serious adverse reactions associated with this drug class can occur without warning and in rare situations result in death (see Adverse Reactions). Owners should be advised to discontinue Rimadyl therapy and contact their veterinarian immediately if signs of intolerance are observed. The vast majority of patients with drug related adverse reactions have recovered when the signs are recognized, the drug is withdrawn, and veterinary care, if appropriate, is initiated. Owners should be advised of the importance of periodic follow up for all dogs during administration of any NSAID.

That's some great advice!

yikes@ those side effects. Thanks for sharing as I was considering getting some for my senior sheltie. I think I'll hold off....

 

[Megansmom]

Actually, TX is listed as "common." I don't trust those statistics b/c they try to hide Lymes and it's very unreported. Here in Arkansas, for example, it's the "natural state" and they tend to try to hide and suppress cases b/c they fear it will hurt tourism since lots of people come here to hike/water falls/etc. It's odd how doctors try to cover it up. I had a friend in GA whose son almost died of it and they had to travel to PA to a doctor who would acknowledge it.

Maggie it's common but still low as compared to our far north east friends!

 

[Megansmom]

another thought- go find good chiro vet, do some IV class laser and see if you have an improvement within 2 weeks. Re MRI- lets say there is some muscle or ligament involment- what that going to do for your dog? You will be out of couple of thousands for MRI and still need another couple thousands for extensive physio/ chiro/ laser/ water treadmill etc...
BTW here is Rimadyl side effects-
What are the side effects?
Rimadyl, like other drugs of its class, is not free from adverse reactions. Owners should be advised of the potential for adverse reactions and be informed of the clinical signs associated with drug intolerance. Adverse reactions may include decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, dark or tarry stools, increased water consumption, increased urination, pale gums due to anemia, yellowing of gums, skin or white of the eye due to jaundice, lethargy, incoordination, seizure, or behavioral changes. Serious adverse reactions associated with this drug class can occur without warning and in rare situations result in death (see Adverse Reactions). Owners should be advised to discontinue Rimadyl therapy and contact their veterinarian immediately if signs of intolerance are observed. The vast majority of patients with drug related adverse reactions have recovered when the signs are recognized, the drug is withdrawn, and veterinary care, if appropriate, is initiated. Owners should be advised of the importance of periodic follow up for all dogs during administration of any NSAID.

Thank you for your concern and I am VERY aware of all the above. However from what I understand the above side effects typically become a concern after months of use. Megan was on it for 2 weeks, we took a break for over a week or so to see if the limping returned, now we are taking it again for another two weeks. I feel completely confident in the course of action we are taking.

I had a senior dog who took it for quite sometime and it was a MIRACLE drug for him. We periodically did blood work on him to ensure his internal organ functions were tolerating it.

 

[Caro]

Dysplasia and joint disease often don't show up on x-rays, which is probably why your vet is suggesting an MRI. Growths, changes or misalignments can be hidden or in difficult to see places. Not sure what costs are like over there, but an MRI is hugely expensive here. I'd suggest seeing an orthopedic specialist first. They are better at reading subtleties in the bone structure and different positions to xray (or scan). I certainly found that to be true with my dog.

 

[OntarioSheltie]

another thought- go find good chiro vet, do some IV class laser and see if you have an improvement within 2 weeks. Re MRI- lets say there is some muscle or ligament involment- what that going to do for your dog? You will be out of couple of thousands for MRI and still need another couple thousands for extensive physio/ chiro/ laser/ water treadmill etc...

I too would recommend looking into this route or an orthopedic vet before going for an MRI. SheltieChe is right, you're looking at likely between $2000-3000 for an MRI.

How's Megan feeling today?