Vet Visit/Lamenss Investigation

[SaddlePsych'D]

Looking for a bit of hand holding here, as only had to take Ivy for one non-routine vet visit in the two and a bit years we've had her. I'm going between worried about nothing and something awful could be wrong.

We are booked in for vet on Friday as I'd like them to thoroughly check her legs, particularly the back ones. She's not very obviously lame but I'm seeing subtle things like paw licking, possible slight stiffness in back legs, one foot she is particularly unhappy for me to handle for nail grinding, and subtle shaking in back legs (she used to get shaky/twitchy muscles after a particularly fast run which I thought was normal but noticed it happing more over the last few days).

I'll get her weighed at vet but suspect she has lost a little. Other than this she's well in herself, eating and drinking just fine, toileting as normal, and seems to be happy. She's refused a couple of walks recently but suspect that was weather related.

Questions are:

I have some leftover Metacam prescribed to her last year - if she is in pain I'd like to give her some but unsure if this is wise if it masks the problem when we see the vet?

What might be next steps? I'm guessing bloods and/or x rays? Do they sedate or G.A for things like this? I know we won't know until we are with the vet but it's all new to me and I guess I'm quite anxious about what could happen.

Is there anything else I can do to prepare for vet visit? I will try to get some video of her and I've tried looking for lumps/bumps/heat/injuries but not found anything obvious.

Eta - she is a 4 year old Greyhound, am I right in thinking she is still young for age-related stiffness/arthritis? Not that I wouldn't get that investigated and treated as want her comfortable and well at any age!

 

[Clodagh]

I would check the withdrawal period for metacam and maybe give her some until a day or so before, but try to get good clear videos before you do.
Vets may want to go straight to x ray. Yes that’ll be a GA so they can pull them around a bit but modern anaesthetia is pretty well as safe as can be so don’t worry in advance. That’ll be a new appointment so you can starve her.
I hope it’s just something and nothing and try not to google. Google always panics me!

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

I would check the withdrawal period for metacam and maybe give her some until a day or so before, but try to get good clear videos before you do.
Vets may want to go straight to x ray. Yes that’ll be a GA so they can pull them around a bit but modern anaesthetia is pretty well as safe as can be so don’t worry in advance. That’ll be a new appointment so you can starve her.
I hope it’s just something and nothing and try not to google. Google always panics me!

Perhaps I will give them a call to check the metacam thing. She slipped on wet garden path yesterday which I don't think will have helped so I'd like her to at least have some in case she is sore from that. I've also asked OH not to off-lead her this week so that she can't do full zooms as I worry about injury from that at the best of times let alone when thinking something not quite right.

Our vets are the chosen vets of our nearest Greyhound rescue centre so hopefully they are well aware of GA specifics for the breed. I forgot she had GA with no ill effects to be spayed before we got her so I will tell myself not to worry about that too much.

Googling is definitely banned on this!

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Don't know if I'm just seeing things not there now but dog walker reported every day this week that Ivy wouldn't go out with her and hasn't been so enthusiastic to greet her. We usually only have one day a week walker but I have a training course this week so can't do my usual half day at home. Ivy hasn't refused walks like that for a while and even if she didn't want to walk she'd be bouncing with excitement to see the dog walker. Really starting to worry about my noodle girl now, she looks a bit glum

 

[Clodagh]

Only one more day until Friday. I don’t think greyhounds are very stoic so hopefully she’s being a bit dramatic about not a lot.

 

[AmyMay]

Hope everything goes well on Friday xx

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Only one more day until Friday. I don’t think greyhounds are very stoic so hopefully she’s being a bit dramatic about not a lot.

She's a bit of a funny one on the drama. We've had Greyhound Scream of Death for things like something brushing up alongside her unexpectedly or once because my OH appeared next to her without her noticing (in fairness to her I have also screamed when he has done this to me!). The only other time we've had a non routine vet apt she was walking on three legs but vet didn't find anything wrong. This time is like the other way around, low drama but something really seems not quite right.

Hope everything goes well on Friday xx

Thank you. The 'not worrying' isn't going too well with this extra information from dog walker. Plus also just been told Ivy yelped yesterday when dog walker went to take her coat off and touched one of her legs.

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

Keeping my fingers crossed for you and Ivy on Friday x

 

[SkylarkAscending]

Ah greyhounds….. they are so special it’s great you are seeing a vet used to them, because some vets are useless with them!

Yes they will do a check over, test responses to manipulation of joints etc, to try and find a specific area of pain. It’s unlikely they will scan or x-Ray until they have some idea where the problem is - then they can dip her under the anaesthetic just enough for the process. I have to say in 20+ years none of mine ever had a bad reaction to an anaesthetic (I think I had about 14 hounds over that time)

Do let us know what the outcome is, I miss my greyhound fix

Oh and yes I’d stick some metacam into her to see if it makes a difference, just give enough time for it to wear off before the vet appointment

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Ah greyhounds….. they are so special it’s great you are seeing a vet used to them, because some vets are useless with them!

Yes they will do a check over, test responses to manipulation of joints etc, to try and find a specific area of pain. It’s unlikely they will scan or x-Ray until they have some idea where the problem is - then they can dip her under the anaesthetic just enough for the process. I have to say in 20+ years none of mine ever had a bad reaction to an anaesthetic (I think I had about 14 hounds over that time)

Do let us know what the outcome is, I miss my greyhound fix

Oh and yes I’d stick some metacam into her to see if it makes a difference, just give enough time for it to wear off before the vet appointment

We are lucky to have the practice there with all their experience with the rescue Greyhounds. We're not there until the evening on Friday but I will make sure that I update afterwards.

I gave her metacam on Sunday but was hard to tell if it made any difference as it's not obvious where/what's wrong. When she did the on three legs 'look at my poorly paw' thing before it was very obvious when the medication started to help! I've asked OH to keep her on lead this week anyway, don't want to risk aggravating anything by zooming.

 

[BlueDiamond]

From what you have said relating to her symptoms I don’t think it necessarily is this but Greyhounds are particularly prone to getting corns much more so than other breeds.
They can also be very dramatic over the tiniest thing which may cause a red herring re symptoms.
Noel Fitzpatrick had a Greyhound on one of his shows a few years back, other Vets were baffled by the dog’s symptoms but he used toothpaste on the paws which showed up the corns.

 

[oldandgold]

Silly question so apologies, have you checked her pads for corns? Sorry just seen BlueDiamond's answer - note to self read all comments before posting

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

From what you have said relating to her symptoms I don’t think it necessarily is this but Greyhounds are particularly prone to getting corns much more so than other breeds.
They can also be very dramatic over the tiniest thing which may cause a red herring re symptoms.
Noel Fitzpatrick had a Greyhound on one of his shows a few years back, other Vets were baffled by the dog’s symptoms but he used toothpaste on the paws which showed up the corns.

I've been having a look as I always have a nosy at her pads when I do her nails and haven't seen any corns but will try the toothpaste thing just in case.

 

[SkylarkAscending]

I certainly wouldn’t consult Fitzpatrick about corns (or anything else for that matter!) but Shropshire greyhound trust have a great vet who specialises in them

 

[AmyMay]

I certainly wouldn’t consult Fitzpatrick about corns (or anything else for that matter!) but Shropshire greyhound trust have a great vet who specialises in them

The toothpaste test is a really good one for corns.

 

[SkylarkAscending]

The toothpaste test is a really good one for corns.

Yes it is, that’s not what I said

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Just popping back with an update post-vet visit. Vet was so helpful despite my very vague description of the problem. Straight away agreed that Ivy's back legs looked a bit stiff and the right hind in particular. Ivy helpfully put herself on the weighing scales as soon as we got in the consult room (she loves the vets/the treats they have) and surprisingly to us hasn't lost any weight so that is good news.

Vet did a thorough inspection of all four legs and suspects the problem isn't necessarily in the foot but higher up in the hips. She noted Ivy's back legs are quite straight/she walks with them quite straight - I don't know if that's how she is put together or compensating for something uncomfortable.

We have come away with plan for 2-3 weeks Rheumocam for pain relief then to see the vet again for re-evaluate with view to x-rays and/or physio. Physio was my idea but vet seemed positive about that suggestion. We agreed we need more information before deciding next step.

I am so glad I booked this in, I had been doubting myself and OH didn't think there was a problem. I just hope that whatever is going on we can help Ivy with it.

Here she is being unimpressed in the waiting area. There were two cats in the non-cat waiting area meowing very loudly so we ended up in what's supposed to be the cat area. I was so proud of Ivy for not trying to investigate!

 

[SkylarkAscending]

She is beautiful I’m glad you’ve got some pain relief for her, it will be interesting to see what the next steps show up - it does sound logical that the pain is higher up from what you describe

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Quick update here, just a week into daily pain relief. Not completely sure if it's making a difference as I still think Ivy's looking a bit stiff. That said there's also been moments I think she's using her knees more when she walks and trots. Also today I thought her bum was wriggling more when she walked so perhaps her hips are more comfortable. Perhaps it's wishful thinking! I haven't done her nails yet so I don't know how she will feel about me handling that foot. She definitely seems to be tiring out more quickly on her walks recently.

 

[skinnydipper]

Vet did a thorough inspection of all four legs and suspects the problem isn't necessarily in the foot but higher up in the hips. She noted Ivy's back legs are quite straight/she walks with them quite straight - I don't know if that's how she is put together or compensating for something uncomfortable.

Quick update here, just a week into daily pain relief. Not completely sure if it's making a difference as I still think Ivy's looking a bit stiff.

Could it be spondylosis not hips?

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Could it be spondylosis not hips?

I had to Google that as I have not heard of it and the vet didn't mention it. From the very brief read I have done I would think if it was that it would be early stages (hopefully a good thing) as whatever is happening is subtle. Ivy's muscle is good, she's not having any difficulty with stairs or getting in the car. I guess if we go to x-rays next it would tell us?

 

[skinnydipper]

I had to Google that as I have not heard of it and the vet didn't mention it. From the very brief read I have done I would think if it was that it would be early stages (hopefully a good thing) as whatever is happening is subtle. Ivy's muscle is good, she's not having any difficulty with stairs or getting in the car. I guess if we go to x-rays next it would tell us?

Did the vet examine her spine, push down along the vertebrae?

 

[gunnergundog]

Alternatively, DISH….diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis. Similar to what Skinnydipper suggested but very subtly different.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

I could send you a pm if you don't mind?

That would be fine.

I'm now realising how many questions I didn't think to ask the vet at the time. Trying not to worry too much as she is happy in herself, eating really well, and enthusiastic about seeing family this weekend (my mum is her favourite). I won't book big secure field as I think big zooms might not be a good idea just now but she was walking and running gently on the long line today and seemed quite happy.

 

[SkylarkAscending]

Seeing as she is a greyhound there is one thing which immediately comes to mind, but hopefully it won’t be that…..

I would agree hold off the zoomies for now

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Seeing as she is a greyhound there is one thing which immediately comes to mind, but hopefully it won’t be that…..

I would agree hold off the zoomies for now

She's only 4, I really really do not want to think about that as a possibility

 

[SkylarkAscending]

She's only 4, I really really do not want to think about that as a possibility

No me neither - I lost my big lad at 6

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Potentially positive update, inspired by Ivy just now taking up interest in her treat ball. She used to love it but hasn't played with it for a while and just watching her now I realise how she is having to use her back legs and hips to play with it. It makes me wonder if something had got a bit too ouchy and put her off using it.

Yesterday I caught her rolling more on to her back in her bed. She's never done the classic Greyhound 'roaching' with us but it did look like it was easier for her to pull her back legs up.

Today she went out very happily with the dog walker and, although I don't particularly want Ivy jumping up at people, I noticed her being able to take her weight more on her back legs in her excitement at the dog walker's arrival.

Also, and I know this is weird, but her butt/thigh muscles seem more relaxed whereas before they were really solid which makes me wonder if she has been tensing/guarding pain.

We did nails yesterday and I'm still convinced there's something going on with the right hind foot (she's flat out on her side and it really does seem to be me touching the foot she doesn't like because I'm only aiming to support it in place and slightly move the toes rather than move it in a way to impact other joints).

Vet is booked for follow up on Thursday next week so keeping everything crossed for more obvious signs of improvement and for further diagnostics/treatment plan to get to the bottom of things. It's hard to see change when the problem is quite subtle in the first place and I see Ivy every day, so I hope seeing the same vet who will be getting 3-weeks' worth of difference in one go will be able to tell more clearly if things have changed.

 

[skinnydipper]

It's good to hear that Ivy is feeling more comfortable. Well done you for noticing the subtle signs of pain.

 

[SkylarkAscending]

I do hope the vet is able to help - with greyhounds it always reminded me of being a horse owner, when you would say “but he/she is not right!” And the vet would say “carry on riding and break them properly!”

A total generalisation of course, but we know when our animals are not right, sometimes it is difficult to illustrate to a vet who doesn’t know them as well.

Sounds like Ivy has the best possible care