What’s wrong this time? :(

[Piper's mom]

Glad he seems to be feeling better! A homegrown special variety...Kip has no idea how lucky he is!

 

[Gracesmum]

Monsieur Kip de Provence et la pumpkin. Hope he continues to improve for you Elei.

 

[Sharon7]

Glad he's feeling better. Lucky boy to get specialty pumpkin! Mine only get fresh pumpkin at Halloween!

 

[KarenCurtis]

Feeling a little discouraged...
Warning, only read if you’re a dog person because of course I’m going to be talking about poop

The last couple days, Kip has been yelping in pain when he poops. I do not no why, but I’m getting concerned. I looked it up on the internet, and of course there are multiple possible causes, some serious, some not. The simplest cause would be constipation, but I don’t know why that would happen. Otherwise he is acting completely normal

If this doesn’t clear up quickly, I’m going to get a vet appointment but I’m not sure which vet to go to. I don’t really want to go to the old clinic anymore after all the frustrating experiences there. And the other vet (the orthopedic vet who checked his knee) is very good but far away. I’ll have to make the decision soon.

Poor Kip. I just want him to be happy and healthy

I hope you find an answer soon!

 

[Elei]

I think I’m close to losing my mind!

So after Kip had a brief limping episode at the end of March, I’ve noticed he has an occasionally stiff gait on the front. He doesn’t limp at all on the trot or run. So I sent his X-rays and videos to the same orthopedic vet I like, and he said to give Kip 1 month of rest and see if that clears it up. 1 MONTH?!? We will both lose our minds. Poor bored Sheltie

 

[Sharon7]

Oh nothing worse to hear than rest your dog, especially a young one. I feel for you both, Elei. It is odd that he has this type of problem off and on, he's so young.

 

[Ann]

Ugh, I can’t imagine a month of quiet for a dog who doesn’t think he’s sick! That’s like the impossible task. I agree with Sharon, it’s so strange this keeps recurring. I’d put him on a good glucosamine supplement if he isn’t to see if it helps. Is there a holistic vet nearby you could consult? Some chiro adjustments might help him too.

 

[Elei]

He already gets glucosamine and other joint supplements. I also do warm up and cool down exercises before and after strenuous exercise, so I feel like I’m doing everything I can to prevent injury. We’ve worked extensively with a physical therapist in the past. I am looking for a chiropractor.

It is odd that he has this type of problem off and on, he's so young.

I don’t know if it’s odd considering his behavior. I know he looks calm in photos, and while he isn’t Monty, he pulls some pretty crazy stunts. He loves to jump like 4 feet into the air chasing birds. He has no self preservation instinct. He is constantly running, jumping, leaping over and off things. He will run until he drops. I try to keep him safe, but I also can’t bubble wrap him and stop him from being his happy reckless self.

Sometimes I feel like a bad dog mom when he gets hurt, but I really think it’s just the way he is and I just have to do my best to keep him strong and fit.

 

[Elei]

Oh, to clarify. What we think happened is he probably had a strain at the beginning of the month, and then it partially healed but not completely. So it’s not a new, seperate injury. Hopefully this extended rest will get it to heal completely.

 

[Piper's mom]

That is so strange Elei! Considering the life Kip leads I guess it’s not surprising he hurts himself a lot. How about doing massage on him? I did on Piper when he hurt his shoulder...I think it was called angel wing massage. A very passive massage that anyone can do with their dog.