Riley's leg

karenwalksthedogs

karenwalksthedogs

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2 cockers
This morning Riley jumped off our bed. It is rather high. He does that every morning but now he is limping. He does have luxiating patellas but they haven't bothered him much before. The limping is his only symptom, he doesnt show any signs of pain. I'm not quite sure what to do. I'm just going to try to keep him quiet for now and see if he improves. I'll carry him up and down the stairs, as he goes everywhere with me, and lift him on and off the couch. Any advice?
 
Well, I sure hope he didn't tear an ACL. If he did though, chances are he would be holding that back leg up. I usually give them a baby aspirin and keep them tethered to something so they can't move around too much. It's that or crating.
 
Oh No Karen!
I would do exactly what Linny said. Try to keep Riley quiet and see how he does. Even some arnica might help, and of course rest.
 
I'll try giving Riley the baby asprin and will be keeping him quiet. He is alternating between limping and holding the leg up. If he wants to move more quickly, he holds the leg up (such as the sound of the toaster in case there might be extra toast to eat.) If he's just moving around normally, he's limping. I really hope it's nothing serious. I'm concerned because it's the evil month of Jan. Some of you might remember that Jan. has never been a good month for our house. For the past four years, every Jan. we have had a very expensive illness. Riley had pnenomia two Jan's in a row, Dylan's thyroid problem was diagnosed in Jan, and last year both boys needed treatment for illness. Please say some cocker prayers for Riley.
 
{{{Karen}}}}
Bennett cocker prayers going up for Riley and your whole household!
 
Crap, I would definately have that leg looked at. Hims in pain

and yes, on the Arnica Montana. Helps with pain and swelling, however, don't give it if you can get him to the vet. Don't want to mask the pain as the vet is checking him over.
 
karenwalksthedogs said:
I'll try giving Riley the baby asprin and will be keeping him quiet. He is alternating between limping and holding the leg up. If he wants to move more quickly, he holds the leg up (such as the sound of the toaster in case there might be extra toast to eat.) If he's just moving around normally, he's limping. I really hope it's nothing serious. I'm concerned because it's the evil month of Jan. Some of you might remember that Jan. has never been a good month for our house. For the past four years, every Jan. we have had a very expensive illness. Riley had pnenomia two Jan's in a row, Dylan's thyroid problem was diagnosed in Jan, and last year both boys needed treatment for illness. Please say some cocker prayers for Riley.
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Been there so many times and 9 out of 10 it's nothing. Rest and relaxation and a baby asprin is a start. If it continues more than four days, I would see a vet. They've given us anti inflamatory meds if the R & R doesn't work. Wolfie did tear a ACL and needed surgery, but the other two, resting worked wonders!

Paws crossed for a speedy and full recovery!!!

Patti, Ruffian & Asia Behr......Honorary Cocker Members
 
Karen,

Is it a front or back leg? If it is the front leg it could be his shoulder....this happened to Hannah jumping of the back of the couch (..evidentually it would have taken too long for her to jump to the seat and then to the floor). I took her to the vets thinking it was her foot or leg but turned out to be her shoulder. She was fine after a few days.

Hope that Riley is feeling better soon and that it is nothing serious.
 
Riley is in at the vet. They are working him in between appointments. The office just called and the vet wants to meet with us at 5:30. They didn't just say, "Riley is fine. You can come and get him now." It is Riley's left rear leg that is bothering him. I really knew it wasn't good when he didn't follow me upstairs. Riley is my little shadow and if he didn't follow me.
 
Karen,

if he torn his ACL, they are going to want to do surgery on him. Well, that's ok, but you might also want to try to rest that leg for a bit. There are several different ways an ACL can be hurt. Also, since he has slips (luxating patellas), this too plays a factor, dang it.

Hopefully they won't want to give him Rimadyl -- see if they can offer something else instead.
 
Riley is now home. The vet's did xrays and they look good, hips are fine, legs look good. The vet checked the acl and as far as he can tell, it's fine. The vet did say that the ACL could be partially torn but holding enough for an exam and tear through later. The ortho surgeon was there also and he felt the ACL was probably OK too. Dr. Fitzpatric thinks it's Riley's patella. He hopes Riley just jammed the patella in his leap. Dr. F's very hopeful that, with rest, Riley will be better in a few days. Worst case Riley might need surgery on his patella. Normally Riley would be on more medication but Riley is currently on a low dose of steroids for his autoimmune hemolytic anemia and that limits the medication that can be given. Dr. F has Riley on Tamadol for the pain and glucosamine for the patellas. Riley just seems happy to be home. I lifted him on the couch and he is laying right next to me where he loves to be. Please send out cocker prayers that he begins to feel better very soon.
 
I'm glad to hear it's not as bad as it could be. Poor thing.. but the tramadol is good stuff, opiats -- will really help with pain.

Gentle squishy on his muzzle from us. Helps sometimes to give him a little puppy massage on his knee & leg.
 
Sigh..... Sometimes I wish they could talk.... to let us know where it hurts.
I hope the little guy starts to feel better soon.. The pain meds will help and also let him sleep, which is a good thing right now. Plenty of rest for the young man.
 
I'm glad to hear Riley is home now and hope he gets better soon.

Get Well Soon Riley!:luv:
 
Karen
I'm so glad Riley's home now and hopefully it won't be the acl. Maybe it's time to think of getting a ramp for him..
 
Riley's about the same this morning. I am really hoping the rest will work for him. The surgery for the patella is harder than the ACL surgery. They detach the cartlidge from his knee and saw a deeper V shaped groove into his bone to help the cartlidge stay in place and then re-attach the cartlidge. All I can compare it to is the surgeries Lauren (my DD) had on her heels where they detached her achillies tendons, shaved down her heel bone and re-attached the tendons. It was a very long and painful recovery process. At least Lauren knew what was going on and made the choice herself. It would be so hard on Riley to have to be crated for 8 weeks and not understand why he hurt so much and couldn't follow me around.
 
Don't be discouraged. :dog: Give it some time. This is only day 2. Soft tissue injuries can take weeks to heal.
 
Karen Cocker prayers going out for our little Riley.. from coast to coast.
 
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