Not sure what's going on with Hattie. Any ideas?

[waggytails]

A couple of months ago Hattie stopped jumping on the sofa, a good thing i know, but this was because of pain, she also stopped walking up the 5 steps to the back door.  So we rested her, short lead walks only and after a week or so everything was back to normal. 

Then around 2 weeks ago same thing, so I rested her again and she seemed fine, as we were at the end of our walk on the beach i chucked a ball and when I looked at Her she had not picked it up and was kind of biting her bum/tail area and then walked to the side of me, I new she had hurt something. So she has been on rest again but does not seem to be getting any better.  We took her to vets yesterday, the vet gave her a very good examination, moved her back legs in all directions, checked her spine, nothing.  She did have her anal glands done and the vet thought it could be this.  So told us to rest her a little longer and if no change bring her back. Last night she seemed more uncomfortable than before, panting and restless.  She went outside and pooed and then later did another poo. 


This morning she is just the same.  She is still avoiding steps and not jumping on the sofa. I'm not sure what to do,Oh says give her until Friday and take her back to vets if no different.

Do you think anal glands can cause this kind of thing?

Just to add Hattie is nearly 5,she is walking normal and has had her anal glands done on average 2/3 times a year.

[honeysmun]

Sorry no advice
but just want to send Hattie and you these
I'm sure other's on here will be able to help.
Val xx

[elaine.e]

I don't know if anal glands would cause 3 bouts of recurring pain like you've described, but when William had similar incidences a few years ago I became worried. He had 3 episodes of discomfort over a period of a few months. He was moving normally but was reluctant to jump onto the sofa and in and out of the car or to go upstairs. After the first 2 instances I rested him for a few weeks each time until the symptoms disappeared. When it happened a third time I was sure it couldn't be coincidence and that there was something going on that needed to be diagnosed. My vet had diagnosed back pain but couldn't find anything specific so I asked for a referral to an orthopaedic vet. William was examined by the specialist and had an MRI scan which showed lumbosacral disc damage. By then I'd already stopped doing agility training and competitions with him. The specialist advised that William didn't need surgery at that point and suggested that I stopped doing agility permanently but otherwise carry on letting William do things as normal. 3 and a half years later and William is still basically sound, thank goodness.

I'm not suggesting that Hattie has disc damage, and I really hope she doesn't, but I think you should take her back to the vet if she hasn't fully recovered in a few days and ask for further investigations. If she recovers quickly this time and it then happens again I'd still suggest another vet visit and further investigations in case there's something underlying that needs diagnosis and treatment.

Hope she's better very soon

[carol pearson]

This is sounds similar to the problems Ozzy has been having.
About 2 years ago when Ozzy tried to jump on the settee he screamed in pain and fell to the floor.

This was diagnosed has a pulled muscle in his back. After rest and pain relief he recovered, he had a small relapse a few months later but once again recovered well.

Twelve months ago I noticed that he had started to walk slow and hold his head down, I suspected arthritis but my vet did not think it was because he was still normal at home, up and down the stairs etc.
At this time he was also having stomach problems and he was diagnosed with IBS, my vet thought that he may not want to walk because of stomach pain associated with this.

After a change of diet he seemed much like his old self.

Then a couple of months ago he seemed in a lot of pain and this time started to struggle to jump on settee, vet moved all his limbs and he reacted to his left front shoulder, vet thought arthritis and was prescribed Metacam and Synoquin.
Once again he seemed to be doing well but 2 weeks ago once again in a lot of pain vet check him over and decided he had a problem with his lower back. He was given Tramadol for the pain and booked in for x rays.

The x rays have highlighted mild arthritis in 4 joints and a calcified disc in his back.

The pain relief has worked and he is doing well at the moment although he is banned from jumping up on to furniture etc. because I am afraid he might hurt himself.

I now think that Ozzys problems started 2 years ago and I wish I had insisted on further investigation at the time.

Same as Elaine, not suggesting she has a disc problem and hope that she doesn't but I agree that if she has not recovered soon to take her back to the vet and ask for further investigation.

It is so horrible seeing them in pain.

[Maria n Dennis]

I would also ask for further investigation if she continues as she is. Being reluctant to jump on the sofa , go up and down stairs , not wanting to pick things up and for Dennis not pulling on the lead (when he usually pulls like a steam train ) where signs of his spinal injuries. Im certainly not suggesting things would be as bad as dennis's but if you have any worries i would ask to be transfered to a specialist for an MRI scan, if something was to be wrong the earlier they diagnose it the better.

Hope Hatties feels better soon 

[waggytails]

Thanks everyone for your advice, Hattie seems a little more settled this afternoon. I think I will keep her rested this week and see is she improves.  I will definitely take her back if no improvement or if it recurs.

I took Darcy to the beach on his own today, although it was good giving him full attention, we did miss her. Although Darcy got to play with the ball. Don't you feel guilty leaving one at home.