I hate this snow

[carol pearson]

I don't believe it, after 6 weeks of walking brilliantly and further than he has for about 18 months,  trotting and even little runs he is now limping.

I did not realise that the snow had built up by the porch door, he jumped over it and started limping immediately on his left leg. I am not sure if it was the jolt of the jump of if he slipped.

Ozzy is 8 and 3 months ago x-rays identified mild arthritis in 4 joints and a calcified disc in his back, really poorly with his back at this time but this responded well to Metacam and Tramadol also started Synoquin.
Long story but when he started having problems about 2 years ago my vet did not think he had arthritis because he had no problems at home, up and down stairs etc.

I am now paranoid about him jumping, (my family think I am mad, ) I have the coffee table in front of the settee and cushions on the seats so he does not jump up.
I have brought an armchair for him, removed the legs and he has a little ramp.
For 2 weeks I slept down stairs on a mattress, we are now back up stairs but I carry him up and down and he is not allowed on the bed (which I miss)

He was fine on the Metacam for a few weeks but then he vomited  twice, there could have been another reason for this, but I took him to the vets for blood test and these came back absolutely fine so vet did say to put him back on the Metacam.
But I had noticed he was walking better than he had for a long time so decided to see how he was without.

So up until today he has been a much happier, fitter dog although I am not sure why, could it be the Synoquin? could it be anything to do with his change to raw (Natural Instincts)? could it be that I don't let him jump? could it be a bit of all three?

Anyway I hope we are not back to to square one and I hope it is just his leg and not his back.
Not happy but have given him some Metacam this morning hope this clears it up and we can get back to his happy little self.

[elaine.e]

Fingers crossed that it's nothing more than a pulled or strained muscle from jumping over the snow and that he'll be right as rain in a day or so.

It's really good to hear how much he's improved recently and I'm sure that's down to your care of him and ensuring that he doesn't do stairs, jump on the bed etc. and (IMO) a raw diet and supplements such as Synoquin help too. William has some damaged discs and I've placed some limitations on what he does, although not as far reaching as yours as he hasn't had as many problems with it as Ozzy has in the past. So I understand what a worry it is when something goes a bit wrong. William only has to trip over something and hobble for a few strides for me to be convinced that his back has suddenly got worse and I have to remind myself that most dogs will have the occasional incident of lameness or stiffness, same as us humans when we do ourselves a minor injury. So please try not to worry too much

[johndoran]

I think you should get a little ramp up on the bed, go on, you know you want to.

[carol pearson]

Hi, johndoran, thanks that made me smile, don't believe I have not thought about it but as I said my family already think I am mad 

Thanks elaine, the Metacam is working so he only has a slight limp now. Think it might be just be a pulled muscle, no walks today though shame has he likes the snow.

I am not sure if I am a bit over the top with the restrictions,although the vet did say no stairs, it is mainly because I am worried about his back, the arthritis I can deal with.

We did not see a specialist about his back because he responded well to treatment so it is just my gut reaction not letting him jump and frightening myself researching on the net.

As you say it is such a worry and like us has they get older they are bound to have little sprains and soreness from time to time. 
                                                                 

[MIN]

I love the idea of the ramps. We had  a little border terrier who as she got older could not make it up on the bed. I had the idea to make a step. Me. Got down on all fours and she jumped on my back and then on to the bed. Trouble was, the staffies got lazy and I found all of the dogs waiting till I made my little step 

[cfordham2710]

Also have a look at Yumove and Riaflex.  Worked for my Skye