My poor ole Minky

[minkydog]

Poor doggie. He's been limping all day. He tore his ACL over the summer and has pretty bad arthritis in his lower back, hips and knees. The weather started changing about a week ago, so I guess he's hurting more. He actually bit me a few days ago when I tried to take a candy wrapper our of his mouth. He has NEVER laid a tooth on me! I don't think he meant to hurt me, but I think maybe he was just feeling a little irritable and lashed out. I guess I'll keep my hands out of his choppers from now on.

Minky has been on Meloxicam(Mobic) for a few years. I've got some Tramadol(Ultram) available, so I think I'll start him back on that. We used it when he tore the ACL and it seemed to help. He just seems a little out of sorts, barking at stuff and being more anxious. Poor pup. I don't think he's miserable,but he sure isn't moving any more than he has too. He even lay down to eat his food this morning.

 

[golfgal]

Our dog had what we thought was a torn ACL and would limp but otherwise didn't seem to be in pain. One day she started doing what Minky is, snapping at people out of the blue, etc. We took her in and she ended up having Perth's disease and hip surgery. It's so hard because you can't tell them that this will be GOOD for you and have them understand.

 

[brittsmum1998]

I don't mean to hijack but Jazz, our bichon has been limping off and on for a few months now. Its almost like the back leg falls asleep. She still likes to play w/ her ball etc. The last couple of days have been really lousy for her.

We've brought her to the vet a few times, he keeps calling it a sprain. i think he's trying to save us $$ by not doing x-rays and of course everytime I bring her in there, she's not limping.

Does this sound like torn ACL?

Again, sorry for hijack.

 

[minkydog]

I don't mean to hijack but Jazz, our bichon has been limping off and on for a few months now. Its almost like the back leg falls asleep. She still likes to play w/ her ball etc. The last couple of days have been really lousy for her.

We've brought her to the vet a few times, he keeps calling it a sprain. i think he's trying to save us $$ by not doing x-rays and of course everytime I bring her in there, she's not limping.

Does this sound like torn ACL?
Again, sorry for hijack.

Well, it could be. He chased a squirrel 2 days ago and skidded on the pinestraw, slamming into the tree house. He couldn't get up for a minute or two, just lay there in the straw. He could have very well re-injured the knee. But I think he's been having some hip and back pain even before that. He's stiff and seems achey--he really just wants to lie down most of the time. I have to be gentle when I pet him--it seems to hurt some.

I'd take him to the vet, but honestly? I don't think there is much more to do for him. He's 10-1/2, about 79 in dog years. He has seizures and lung disease(COPD.) The last time he was put to sleep for teeth cleaning, he had a heart arrhythmia and they had to stop. So having surgery just istn't going to happen. I think all we can do is try to keep him from running and keep him as comfortable as we can. He's still eating and drinking and wants to be petted, as long as we avoid the lower back. The only other thing I'm seeing is an increase of anxiety--he wants to be with one of us all the time. Luckily, my husband is home all the time since he's on disability. Minky doesn't let him out of his sight.