Vet Visit/Lamenss Investigation

[SaddlePsych'D]

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

I'm grateful to have access to a 'specialist' vet practice as they see so many Greyhounds via the local rescue and then lots of adopters then continue to bring their dogs as on-going patients. The vet we saw was good and listened and took her time to investigate. I feel fairly confident that when we go back she will see a difference and I hope this will help narrow down what next.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Just back from vet follow up - overall we agreed things now wildly different with the Rheumocam, I thought moments of subtle improvement as per my previous post but because the discomfort seems quite subtle (I think most people wouldn't see any problem) it was hard to really say for definite if things had got better.

Ivy reacted pretty much the same to the vet doing flexion and extension of her hind legs as she did 3-weeks ago, with a clear difference in the right hind being more uncomfortable especially with the extension.

We discussed options including moving to Galliprant for long-term pain relief with less impact on digestion and kidneys, x-ray, and physio. Given that otherwise Ivy only 4 and is well, eating and drinking, happy on her walks, toileting fine, and that x-rays unlikely to change treatment plan at this stage we agreed with vet's guidance which was conservative. Plan is to run Rheumocam until we run out and then see how things go without any pain relief. If things deteriorate then we will look at the other option for pain relief and/or x-ray.

We thought that it would be a good idea to get in touch with a physio before Rheumocam stops so they can assess her with it (and she is still in discomfort with it) and again without it if needed which might help with determining how much it's helping.

Overall feeling pleased with that plan, vet not too worried but agreeing good to be looking into it as Ivy gets older. With this in mind I need HHO top tips/recommendations for joint supplements!

 

[skinnydipper]

Omega 3 is a mild anti inflammatory. 100 mg combined EPA/DHA per kg, can go up to 150mg/kg.

NOW Foods Ultra Omega 3 has 750 mg EPA/DHA per capsule, EPA 500mg, DHA 250 mg. If she has 2 meals a day give her half at each meal.

The oil is from anchovies and sardines.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Fantastic thank you! We do give ad hoc sardines and daily salmon oil but perhaps supplements are the way to go to ensure the levels she is getting.

 

[skinnydipper]

Fantastic thank you! We do give ad hoc sardines and daily salmon oil but perhaps supplements are the way to go to ensure the levels she is getting.

How much does she weigh?

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

How much does she weigh?

27kg

 

[skinnydipper]

27kg

3 caps/day 83 mg/kg, 4 caps/day 111 mg/kg of NOW ultra omega 3.

If you decide to use a different brand, check what the EPA + DHA is per capsule not per serving.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

3 caps/day 83 mg/kg, 4 caps/day 111 mg/kg of NOW ultra omega 3.

If you decide to use a different brand, check what the EPA + DHA is per capsule not per serving.

I have massively gone down the supplements rabbit hole (such a minefield!) and think I've settled on Riaflex Omega 3 oil. I think! Looks like one of our favourite indie dog shops stocks it and I do like to try to support them where I can rather than buy online.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Also Ms. Spaghetti Legs. Just because. Any excuse to share a pic of my dog!

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

ACPAT vet physio booked in a couple of weeks' time. I am weirdly looking forward to it. Probably because the 'people physio' helps me so much and I'm curious about what the vet physio might find out about Ivy. Will report back!

We have a lovely long-line walk yesterday. Ivy was full of beans! She can't flat out run on the long-line which is not such a bad thing for injuries but she can have a run enough to get the beans out. Big field being booked for some off-lead time tomorrow.

 

[MurphysMinder]

ACPAT vet physio booked in a couple of weeks' time. I am weirdly looking forward to it. Probably because the 'people physio' helps me so much and I'm curious about what the vet physio might find out about Ivy. Will report back!

We have a lovely long-line walk yesterday. Ivy was full of beans! She can't flat out run on the long-line which is not such a bad thing for injuries but she can have a run enough to get the beans out. Big field being booked for some off-lead time tomorrow.

When my younger heeler started physio after surgery I was so impressed I signed my other dog up for it too. 3 years later we still go regularly , the dogs love it and I can do exercises at home with them too .

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

When my younger heeler started physio after surgery I was so impressed I signed my other dog up for it too. 3 years later we still go regularly , the dogs love it and I can do exercises at home with them too .

How often do you take them?

 

[MurphysMinder]

How often do you take them?

The younger one, who has a metal plate in his leg and competes in agility, goes every 5/6 weeks, luckily insurance are still paying. The older one, who is 13 next month but was still doing agility last year, goes every couple of months just to check there are no "ouchies" starting. If either of them are a bit tight anywhere they have laser treatment, but normally it is just deep massage, which they love, and various exercises on wobble cushions, over poles etc

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Hmm...so we are a week without the Rheumocam now and I hate to say it but I think we've gone backwards.

Ivy seems more unsettled in the house, although part of me wants to believe it's the windy weather - she keeps looking out the back windows like there's something scary in the sky. She refused her walk with dog walker this week and a bit 'meh' about going out with me and OH in the evenings. She's been less inclined to come up or downstairs to hang out with me. She's still happy and eating etc., but it's like her 'volume' has been turned down. She ran fine at the big field earlier in the week and loved her new chaser toy.

I don't know what to do next. Vet physio is due to come two weeks today and I'm keen to get that assessment/feedback before going back to our vet. I also wanted a gap before starting any supplements so we can know what's doing what if anything so have not started that just yet. I'm not sure whether to leave it a little longer to see if things turn around or just get going with it. I plan to take her on one of her favourite walk routes this weekend so it will be interesting to see how that goes. We did it last weekend on day 1 of no Rheumocam and she was loving it and full of beans!

I have also just realised that she was getting an raw egg for breakfast every morning to help with getting the Rheumocam down her so that's a chunk of protein gone but not sure if that's enough for her to not be as full of beans as she had been.

 

[Clodagh]

Hmm...so we are a week without the Rheumocam now and I hate to say it but I think we've gone backwards.

Ivy seems more unsettled in the house, although part of me wants to believe it's the windy weather - she keeps looking out the back windows like there's something scary in the sky. She refused her walk with dog walker this week and a bit 'meh' about going out with me and OH in the evenings. She's been less inclined to come up or downstairs to hang out with me. She's still happy and eating etc., but it's like her 'volume' has been turned down. She ran fine at the big field earlier in the week and loved her new chaser toy.

I don't know what to do next. Vet physio is due to come two weeks today and I'm keen to get that assessment/feedback before going back to our vet. I also wanted a gap before starting any supplements so we can know what's doing what if anything so have not started that just yet. I'm not sure whether to leave it a little longer to see if things turn around or just get going with it. I plan to take her on one of her favourite walk routes this weekend so it will be interesting to see how that goes. We did it last weekend on day 1 of no Rheumocam and she was loving it and full of beans!

I have also just realised that she was getting an raw egg for breakfast every morning to help with getting the Rheumocam down her so that's a chunk of protein gone but not sure if that's enough for her to not be as full of beans as she had been.

That’s annoying. I’d stick her on a joint supplement anyway (I’m sorry if you already are) then not go too mad until the physio.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

That’s annoying. I’d stick her on a joint supplement anyway (I’m sorry if you already are) then not go too mad until the physio.

I faffed about/researched supplements and have decided which one to go for just need to go pick some up, will do that tomorrow and get it started.

 

[Clodagh]

I faffed about/researched supplements and have decided which one to go for just need to go pick some up, will do that tomorrow and get it started.

I really am a believer, they aren’t obviously going to fix it all but every older dog I have put on one has improved in its action.

 

[skinnydipper]

Deleted and reposted.

Does she need to stop the NSAID? Why not continue giving it if it is helping to control her pain?

Supplements such as Omega 3 take weeks to have any effect.

Just a suggestion, leave her on the NSAID to keep her comfortable, start the Omega 3 at a therapeutic dose, see the physio and then if you want to try her off the pain relief discuss with your vet then.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

On the NSAIDs, she could go back on them but it would be onto another type which the vet said is easier on their system for long-term use. We're being cautious about that given Ivy's age and that whatever is going on is not stopping her from doing her usual stuff.

She was a little brighter today and bobbing along very happily in the long grass on our walk. We were late getting out and so when I said 'do you want to go for a walk?' she was back to being quite excited about it, and OH said she was very bouncy when he got up to feed her this morning. This has been a bit reassuring

 

[skinnydipper]

On the NSAIDs, she could go back on them but it would be onto another type which the vet said is easier on their system for long-term use. We're being cautious about that given Ivy's age and that whatever is going on is not stopping her from doing her usual stuff.

She was a little brighter today and bobbing along very happily in the long grass on our walk. We were late getting out and so when I said 'do you want to go for a walk?' she was back to being quite excited about it, and OH said she was very bouncy when he got up to feed her this morning. This has been a bit reassuring

Sorry SPD, I deleted my post before you replied. When I thought about it I decided it wasn't my place to make suggestions .

I will repost it.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Sorry PSD, I deleted my post before you replied. When I thought about I decided it wasn't my place to make suggestions .

I will repost it.

Suggestions always welcome, I like to weigh up different options and am grateful for the ideas

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Hurrah! Finally a physio update and positive news overall.

Ivy has torn one of her iliopsoas muscles which is apparently very common in Greyhounds as it comes from the 'explosions' of movement when they run fast. Physio gave her the full body check over but found the ouchy spot quickly and said it was a classic presentation of this kind of injury.

The brave cheese was employed to help with a bit of an ouchy massage treatment. I am so proud of Ivy; she objected a couple of times but was very friendly with the physio and mainly able to focus on the cheese and let the physio do her work.

We've got to keep her exercise gentle for a couple of weeks so no big running and have some massage to do on her back and hind leg muscles. Will keep the Omega 3 going as it's not expensive and good for her anyway. Physio will be back in a month to check up on progress and hopefully we can get Ivy out running again soon.

She is absolutely pooped now but very relaxed post-treatment:

 

[skinnydipper]

Very pleased for both you and Ivy that it is something that she will recover from. Hopefully she will be back on form soon.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Very pleased for both you and Ivy that it is something that she will recover from. Hopefully she will be back on form soon.

It's such a relief! I had been so worried. I mean not good that she has an injury but at least it is muscular and with the right management it should heal soon.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Have just realised we probably need to keep Ivy downstairs for a couple of weeks. Physio said not to let her pelt up and down stairs on walks but this is exactly how Ivy gets up the stairs at home (three big strides of exactly the movement that can cause this type of injury!)

Any tips for settling her downstairs at night welcome! It always used to be that way but the routine now is very much (and quite literally) hall and stairs light goes off and Ivy brings herself up to bed in 'her' room.

 

[wren123]

I'm pleased it's something that will heal completely.

Can you not just take her up to bed on the lead to keep her slow?

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

I'm pleased it's something that will heal completely.

Can you not just take her up to bed on the lead to keep her slow?

I had not considered this option I will try it and if yes there's our solution. I was starting to plan sleeping downstairs for a couple of nights!

 

[oldandgold]

So glad to be reading this, hope treatment/recovery goes well. Definitely try the lead, we did it with one of our previous dogs and it worked well. Hugs for Ivy

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

We've reached a new level of 'prawn'. I don't think I've ever seen her fold herself in half quite like this before...

 

[SkylarkAscending]

I’m so delighted and relieved on your behalf @SaddlePsych'D I hope her treatment is effective and quick