Gah! Bitch in season or something else? Or lots of things?

PucciNPoni

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My min poodle bitch is 6 1/2 months old. I suspect she's coming in to season - but it's been so long since I've had an entire bitch that I honestly can't remember it being such a miserable experience!

Almost overnight, my pup went from 110mph Hurricane Alice who spends a good portion of her time on her back legs waving her front ones about, who would stand stacked beautifully (okay, maybe a wiggle too -- because it's all just SSOOOOO exciting) greedy to the point of chasing the boys off their bowls unless I'm watching --- to withdrawn, sleeping constantly, restless at night, no appetite, not playing, and oddly - LAME? I noticed it last time we were at ring craft - she suddenly didn't want to stack - she kept sitting. I thought operator error or just back to some basic training at home required. So did a bit the next night and she kept sitting or refusing to put weight on LH leg. Still not hugely concerned it didn't worry me til she became restless at night, and when the other dogs are playing she's no where to be found - oh there she is - in her bed. I checked for breathing a few times as I was that worried.

Brought her to work with me (at a vets) and she had a slight temperature 102f - somewhat off her back leg but seemed jolly enough to anyone that doesn't know her well. Vet thought maybe a low grade infection of sorts - went home with some antibiotics.

Brought her back in a few days later, still not happy. Even more depressed and still not eating. Poos/pees seem normal, no vomiting. Just really really flat and still lame. I brought her back mainly to address the lameness as I was hoping the antibiotics might be doing their thing but perhaps the lameness was something else. Checked anal glands - full. Okay, maybe we're getting somewhere. Ran urine - a little concentrated but not desperately so. Checked temperature later that day and back to normal.

Next day she seemed brighter - and tonight she's a bit brighter again. I still think she's coming in to season but she's still not quite sound. She's not wanting to jump up and rather than sitting like a normal dog,she's sort of slouching on her tailbone.

Sorry for the long version - but I'm wondering if anyone has any other thoughts?

Our plan of action is to finish the antibiotics and if she's not improved significantly on the soundness thing to stick her on metcam and I've got the physio booked as well.

I swear to doG this better not be like this every six months ;)
 
The lameness sounds more like the problem here... She needs rest and if that's not improving it a proper lameness exam by a good vet.
I would say it's all related to the lameness tbh and doubt a season has anything to do with iut.
 
Ive never had a bitch act like yours coming up to a season, I would say its pain related and as Susie T says a proper lameness exam by your vet to get to the bottom of it.
 
Thanks for the replies. Two vets had a look for lameness stuff as well - both think she does have some pain but neither can agree where, but they both agree that its more likely soft tissue. Have my physio coming out on Monday and if need be I'll bring her to my boss (I don't see him very often) but he's the man for that sort of thing.
 
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