Tendonitis and possible OA

[Abi90]

My poor big Spaniel has been lame after long walks for a little while and this hasn’t improved with rest. So took him to the vets today.

His carpal joint is warm and inflamed and there’s swelling on the tendon. Vet thinks tendonitis, after agreeing with my observations on the onset of the lameness (helps having had a walking vets bill of a horse) but thinks there may be some OA as the joint is bigger than the other one.

He was lame on it 2 years ago but after a massive faff at the vet’s nothing was found. I imagine that’s when the original trauma was, hence the OA, and this is a recurrence.

Poor chap hates the vets so it was a bit traumatic but going with conservative treatment of rest and painkillers. Which I was very impressed with, as normally they’ve liked to jump in with x-rays.

Here is the poor chap looking for some sympathy really:

 

[Clodagh]

Poor boy. Love the blue eye and the spotty nose. I hope he bounces back, is he old? He doesn't look it.

 

[Abi90]

Poor boy. Love the blue eye and the spotty nose. I hope he bounces back, is he old? He doesn't look it.

No he’s 4. It’s the tendonitis causing the lameness. It has all the hallmarks of a soft tissue injury.

Unfortunately for him this means strict rest for him, only going out for a poo, but luckily he is a very chilled out Springer who just sleeps whether he is walked or not. He’s just bonkers on a walk, which is why he’s hurt himself

 

[GSD Woman]

Strict rest is so hard on a fit dog, especially a young one.

You said your boy hates going to the vet but do they have a cold laser? Or maybe someone at your yard does. Several of my agility friends have the smaller, less expensive laser set ups.

 

[Abi90]

Strict rest is so hard on a fit dog, especially a young one.

You said your boy hates going to the vet but do they have a cold laser? Or maybe someone at your yard does. Several of my agility friends have the smaller, less expensive laser set ups.

The vet did mention a laser. I know my horse physio (also a dog physio) has a laser as well