Recurrent Shoulder Strain (Tilly) - UPDATED - going for x-rays

[Michele]

Oh dear, I don't envy you or poor Tilly for the next six weeks. Still, I do know that she is in the very best of hands so I hope that you can get to the bottom of this fairly soon. 

[Nicola]

Hi Nic

We thought it was good news nothing apparent showed up on Jessie's scans too until she ended up in so much pain she was zonked out on morphine for 4 days waiting for a scan appointment at the referral vet. I would push for the MRI scan date sooner rather than later, it has been this type of scan alone that could see BaileyBirmans problem in his spine and Jessie's cancer in her vertebra and leg joints......her x-rays were showing early signs of arthritis too but in fact it was the myeloma causing her bones to soften 

I don't want to worry you and Im sure Tilly wont have what Jessie or Bailey has but I dont have any faith in Xrays any more except for broken bones....

The technology is great and the scans so detailed........its just amazing.....

Jessie is to have her second scan soon (10th June) and I cant wait tbh as we will find out if the tumors are in regression phase.....

Janey

Oh cr@p   I didn't realise that. If they haven't called me with an appointment by Tuesday afternoon I'll start chasing them and try to get it for as soon as possible. Thanks for that Janey, it's really useful to know, I really hope you get good news at JessieKaKa's next scan

[Helen]

6 weeks of Mistress Huffy not going for a walk.... 

oh no no no no NO..... 


(my poor princess fuzzy butt - hope you can push for the mri scan to be bought forward  )

[speedyjaney]

I dont want to worry you Nic - remember that both Bailey and Jessie's illnesses are very rare .....something like less than 1% of the canine cancers detected are the type they believe Jessie has.....

Be prepared for Tilly to be sore when you collect her tho.....Jessie hobbles for 3 days after hers as they have to manipulate them into a position for the scanner to get the best shot.....have they said whether it could be a spnal issue rather than a shoulder issue? BAiley and Jessie's limps are caused by the vertebra having problems but to look at them walk you would say leg or shoulder...?

[Heatherb88uk]

Sending positive thoughts to you all that Tilly's problem can be resolved fairly soon, love Heather xxx

[Nicola]

I dont want to worry you Nic - remember that both Bailey and Jessie's illnesses are very rare .....something like less than 1% of the canine cancers detected are the type they believe Jessie has.....

Be prepared for Tilly to be sore when you collect her tho.....Jessie hobbles for 3 days after hers as they have to manipulate them into a position for the scanner to get the best shot.....have they said whether it could be a spnal issue rather than a shoulder issue? BAiley and Jessie's limps are caused by the vertebra having problems but to look at them walk you would say leg or shoulder...?

Thanks hun   Yes, she was pretty sore after the x-rays so I imagine she'll be the same after the scans. The vet did say it could be her spine and the symptoms are just showing up in her shoulder so I'm really keen to get these scans done as they're going to do her whole body. She did have good flexion in her neck when they tested that which he said was a good sign but he said it was impossible to rule anything out at this stage, basically they just don't know!

[gabbycocker]

I'm keeping everything crossed that Tilly is ok and it is nothing to serious. Keep looking back to find out how she is. Good luck with the scans. xxxxxxxx

[ClareB]

Only just seen this, Nic, and can fully sympathise.     It sounds pretty much what Mocha was like at the start of last year, although her shoulder was actually luxating so there was always an obvious problem when she went really lame.  After 3 weeks of onlead exercise only with no improvement, the vets took x-rays which showed nothing wrong - joints were all perfect, no signs of arthritis.  We were then referred to an orthopaedic vet who took more x-rays and did a joint tap, still showing nothing.  He basically came to the conclusion in the end that her ligaments and tendons are "loose" and don't hold the shoulder joint in place, that's why it kept luxating.  There wasn't any surgery to do, so it was basically lots of hydro and restricted exercise.  She was on the lead for 6-7 months in total and it was a nightmare.  She's pretty OK now, but once the muscle tone decreases around the shoulder joints, she goes lame again.     I know Tilly's incredibly fit and already swims lots so she'll be really well-muscled. 

Anyway, hope the vets come up with something soon and that it's nothing serious and can be easily treated.  In the meantime, I'll be thinking of you and your increasingly frustrated brown dog.   

[*jean*]

huge hugs hope you get it all sorted soon. 

[cadbury]

Hi Nic hope everthing goes great for Tilly lv and hugs Annxx

[Sadiebear]

Hello Nicola, I see you are online. I have read this thread with interest as I am a retired physio. A big clue for me was when you mentioned the vet was impressed when examining her that she was so stoical. That sounds like Tilly felt it was like a treatment, and was doing her good. In humans, I'd use massage regularly two or three times a week. I'm sure your vet will know of an animal masseuese, or you can do it yourself quite easily, just circling all around the joints with three fingertips, as though you were massaging cream in, but do it for three or four minutes if she will stand that long. It warms up the soft tissue and improves the blood flow. Dogs adore massage. Ask your vet where the joints are if you are unsure. My Sadie loves it

[Sheryl]

Hope all goes well with the scan.  Big hugs to you all xx

[Cath]

Only just catching up and seen this Nicola, healing thoughts to you all and I hope all goes well with Tilly's scan  to you both.

[baxterboy]

we're just back from the vet school with baxter today - their level of care and service is fantastic and i don't think there can be a better place in the UK (wait til you see the new hospital which is nearing completion). we were kept fully updated on baxters ops at all times and it seemed that every procedure was checked and verified by another surgeon or specialist

they only do MRI scans on Tuesdays & Thursdays so i know its very busy but fingers crossed they can see Tilly soon and get to the problem.

[Nicola]

we're just back from the vet school with baxter today - their level of care and service is fantastic and i don't think there can be a better place in the UK (wait til you see the new hospital which is nearing completion). we were kept fully updated on baxters ops at all times and it seemed that every procedure was checked and verified by another surgeon or specialist

they only do MRI scans on Tuesdays & Thursdays so i know its very busy but fingers crossed they can see Tilly soon and get to the problem.

That's really good to know, thanks.

Hello Nicola, I see you are online. I have read this thread with interest as I am a retired physio. A big clue for me was when you mentioned the vet was impressed when examining her that she was so stoical. That sounds like Tilly felt it was like a treatment, and was doing her good. In humans, I'd use massage regularly two or three times a week. I'm sure your vet will know of an animal masseuese, or you can do it yourself quite easily, just circling all around the joints with three fingertips, as though you were massaging cream in, but do it for three or four minutes if she will stand that long. It warms up the soft tissue and improves the blood flow. Dogs adore massage. Ask your vet where the joints are if you are unsure. My Sadie loves it

Thanks for this also, that's quite interesting. I'm not doing anything with her until she's had the scans but I'll definitely bear this in mind for afterwards.

I rang the vet today to chase up, they put her case through to Glasgow yesterday afternoon so just waiting to get an appointment date back, hopefully I should hear from them tomorrow.