Cage rest for JRT

[queenb]

I'm sure this has been done many times before but I gave a JRT x who is on cage rest for a cruciate injury whilst he waits for a referral to a specialist as my vet is not happy doing it.
It has been 3 days and his constant squeaking is driving me mad !! He's not really food orientated but I'm giving him frozen kongs - an suggestions on yummy not to fattening fillings ?!
Also having to wait another week for an appointment with specialist, I had to wait a week for my vet to diagnose despite 3 trips in a wk. would you be trying to find another specialist ? He is on painkiller and anti inflammatory. Thanks

 

[Alec Swan]

In your shoes I'm not too sure what I would do. I am however certain of what I 'Wouldn't' do, I wouldn't contradict the vet, on this occasion and no matter the temptation!! I understand that you weren't planning to, but I'm just reinforcing the point!

There are Vet Nurses on here who will advise you of the best form of entertainment for your dog. Constant whinging is enough to try the patience of a saint, and a saint I aint, so you have my sympathies!

The only suggestion that I can make, and it's what I would do, is to go back to your Vet (by 'phone), explain that if there isn't a rapid prognosis then the Vet is about to lose a patient and a patient client too! Many Professionals tend to live in rarified worlds, and sometimes we need to make a point! The simple question, when asked "If I can't have a more rapid-response, then I'll have to go elsewhere", may elicit a speeding up of the process. Try it and let us know what happens!

Alec.

 

[Dobiegirl]

I wont advise you what to do but I will tell you of my experience with my vets (Langford) with my male Dobermann (Diesel) who had a cruciate op this year.

Diesel came in from the garden lame behind and I feared a cruciate injury, I put him on metacam for 3 days and on lead exercise for 3 days to see if there was any improvement. He didnt improve so took him to the vet and explained the situation, they also thought cruciate and he was booked in next day for xrays and scans. The scans comfirmed my worst fears and I was given an hours consult with the surgeon in the hospital next door, the surgeon was amazing and gave me all the options on the ops, I decided on the TPLO and Diesel was booked in next day as the surgeon was full for the rest of the week.

After taking him to the vet the first day everything moved very fast, I had to ring the Insurance and get preauthorisation before his op which luckily for me was on special offer, they also kept him in for 3days which is what they normally do,this was a big relief to me as I was worrying about pain relief for him. I absolutely highly rate Langford, they were brilliant and everything was made as easy as possible for me.

OP I would be angry if your vets were my vet, they are providing a service after all and from what youve said yours dont sound very good.

 

[Goldenstar]

In your shoes I'm not too sure what I would do. I am however certain of what I 'Wouldn't' do, I wouldn't contradict the vet, on this occasion and no matter the temptation!! I understand that you weren't planning to, but I'm just reinforcing the point!

There are Vet Nurses on here who will advise you of the best form of entertainment for your dog. Constant whinging is enough to try the patience of a saint, and a saint I aint, so you have my sympathies!

The only suggestion that I can make, and it's what I would do, is to go back to your Vet (by 'phone), explain that if there isn't a rapid prognosis then the Vet is about to lose a patient and a patient client too! Many Professionals tend to live in rarified worlds, and sometimes we need to make a point! The simple question, when asked "If I can't have a more rapid-response, then I'll have to go elsewhere", may elicit a speeding up of the process. Try it and let us know what happens!

Alec.

I do this all the time vets forget sometimes they are not running the animal NHS ,I often say no not good enough find me somewhere else it I don't like the wait .

 

[queenb]

Thanks everyone. So the short of the long he did it Sunday night I took him to vet Monday who gave him metacam and restricted 5 min walks till thur. Went back thur no improvement they suggested X-rays but said they had no space till tue as mon is reserved for wkend emergencies (wtf !!!??!! ) I got a bit stroppy and said it was unfair to the poor dog as that would be over a week. The X-rays were done fri ! Showed extensive cruciate damage and possible patella damage one of the worse cases they have seen.
They are not happy to do the operation due to the metal work needed and wanting to give him the best recovery chances, he's only 6. So refered me to a rather well know vet local to us. Today my vet rings and says well known TV vet can see him next wk. I'm in 2 minds, obviously want little dog to have the best but am I doing the best by him making him wait another week in the cage on pain killers or find someone else who maybe able to go it but not to the same standard ?
After this morning with the dog trying to chew his way out of the cage for over a hour I may see if the vet will give some acp or something if we decide to wait.

 

[Dobiegirl]

To be completely honest with you any good vet would do what NF does, I know Langford do apart from the artificial limbs, obviously its up to you but if it was me I would find someone else quicker, the reason why is the recovery is so long 12 weeks, your dog could have the op and be on week 1 by next week.

The butcher is your friend, gets lots of bones, no weight bearing ones to keep him occupied, I wouldnt want my dog full of sedatives prior to major surgery, and if you can keep your dog out of his crate where you can supervise without him jumping on the furniture and running up stairs that will keep him happier.

Queenb I hope it goes well for your dog, little dogs seem to recover quicker than big dogs but my dog was a nightmare getting at his op site after circumnavigating his cone and also getting the cone off. Diesel had fully ruptured his cruciate but the menicus was undamaged luckily. It is 18weeks since his op and only this last week has he been allowed off lead.

 

[Broodle]

In your shoes I would ring the well known tv vet directly and ask whether they really can't see you this week. If they say no - next week is earliest - then ask their advice about keeping your chap comfy.

Horrid situation - hope he makes a full recovery x

 

[queenb]

Ok I have phoned well known vet who is more than happy for dog to stay on cage rest because he's small with extra painkillers if needed and wait for his appointment next fri !! I have taken the oppointment before anyone else did and we get put any further down the list ! Going to chat with my own vet tomorrow and see what they have to say. Off to the butcher too ! Thanks everyone

 

[CAYLA]

If he is not used to being crated it's probably just that. But it's not a bad think to persevere knowing he will have to be in there post op. I waited over a week for both my dogs cruciate repairs and mine where done at work. I waited so i could have the vet of my choice operate. Mince is your friend lol (it's a good Kong filler)