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

[Nicola]

I know it's different but I get an inflamed shoulder , joint strain that then leads to that. Could it be that's why it's lasting, the same thing? Perhaps there is some homeopathic treatment if so.

It could be... do you know what causes it Vicky? What's the treatment for it?

[Coco]

Basically straining it and not giving it enough rest, however straining it can be changing gear or sleeping on it funny and not resting it can be the same    I take anti-inflammitorys and apply the gel to help with the pain and try to go as steady as I can, it usually clears up anything from 2 days to 2 weeks, but it's recurring.  Sorry, not much help actually am I  but at least I know it's not arthritis or something terrible and not causing further damage.

[Nicola]

It's been a while since I updated this but Tilly's shoulder has gone again. I took her to the vet the last time and they referred her to a specialist in chiro/acupuncture who thought it was definitely her shoulder causing the problems and it was definitely muscular. Anyway, she had a couple of pushing and pulling chiro sessions and all seemed to be ok for a while. Until yesterday anyway when she went really badly lame again on the way home from our big walk. She was fine when we got back in the car and when we got home 20 minutes later she couldn't get out of the boot and was really broken down on the leg. I rang our normal vet and they said to rest her overnight and bring her in this morning. She's still limping today and we've just been to the vet but the thing with Tills is still that she doesn't show any signs of being in pain other than the limping. The vet was pushing, pulling, poking and prodding her and she just stood there stoically. The vet was actually laughing at one point and telling her not to be so brave and start crying when it hurt her   although she did also say that if all her patients were so good it would make her job a lot easier   The vet could feel the tension in her shoulder muscles when she pushed really hard and said that she's definitely in pain but it would be a lot easier to feel what was up if she would yelp or flinch, at one point she was holding Tilly's head and pushing her neck around to each side so far that her nose nearly touched her shoulders and then right back so her chin was up in the air beyond the vertical and Tills still just stood without a murmur, I didn't know whether to be proud of her or frustrated with her

Anyway the upshot is that she's now booked in for x-rays on Friday. They're going to do both front legs and her neck and back. What's worse for her though is that I'm under strict instructions that she's to have no exercise for 3 weeks!!   And depending on what the x-rays show it could be longer. For a dog who is used to around 3 hours exercise a day and who gets 'antsy' to say the least when she thinks she's due a walk that is not going to be fun. I really doubt if she's going to be as patient about it as Rodaidh was   As for the x-rays, the vet is sure there's no fracture present but they're going to look for changes or abnormalities in the joints I think, and also any signs of osteoarthritis so fingers crossed please that it isn't that

[Helen]

Brave Brave (but a little norty!) Tilly  no exercise for 3 weeks

everything crossed that it's summat easily sorted - I don't envy you keeping one of the fittest working cockers in the world quiet for 3 weeks, and I know she won't be as accepting of rest as her little brother 

Jarv sez that he wouldn't have been half as brave and would definitely told the V.E.T when it hurt...and very loudly too... 

[JennyBee]

Aw poor brave Tilly, I hope the three weeks pass quickly for her and she’s soon back lugging tree trunks about the place .  Brodie sends healing licks

[*Jay*]

Vegas is the exact same! When Vegas went really lame, the vet poked, prodded, stretched and pulled every which way and that dog did not make a sound 

Hope all goes ok on Friday and the x-rays don't show up anything too serious.  Don't envy the no exercise though!

[lisalh]

Aww Miss Tilly what have you been doing to yourself this time

I hope you get to the bottom of the problem soon NIcola- 3 weeks is really going to drag by if Tilly not getting her walks.  {{{hugs to you both}}}

[speedyjaney]

Aww poor Tilly!

I hope the x-rays show something definitive so treatment can begin.....

Little Jessie hasnt had a walk now for 5 weeks.....and is desperate to go out but we have to stick to the rules! If sh doesnt stay calm we are going to have to get the crate out to confine her.....didnt want to do this but its for her own good whilst she is having her treatment!

Janey

[kalem]

Awww Tills you poorly girl, hope Friday comes quickly for you and your Mum 
           (((Hugs to you both)))

[gabbycocker]

Poor Tilly - Gabby says she hopes she feels better soon.  

Our Bengal Cat Amazon came in one night two years ago limping and not weight bearing on her right back leg. She jumped up onto the cabinet - where we keep her food (to keep out of the way of Kiwi - our Weimeraner at the time) and gobbled down her dinner. She still persisted to limp so I took her to the local vet (where I used to work) who pulled and pushed her leg in every direction. Amazon did not make a murmer and for a Bengal Cat this is very unusual. The vet administered an anti imflammatory and told us to bring her back in the morning if no better. In the morning she was crying to be let out but still limping so we took her back to the vet. I persuaded the vet that I would like an xray as although Amazon did not seem in any pain I really thought something was not right. The xray showed that her hip was fractured in three places and her femur was also fractured in two places. How on earth she did not show any signs of distress I do not know.   She was operated on the next day and to save her leg they had to put in metal plates to basically hold her leg together - we call her the bionic cat now (who can still scale a 6 foot fence with no problems)!!!!!! We then had to keep her in a dogs crate for 8 weeks - a hugely impossible task with a cat who is only 5 generations from a wild cat.

The upshot of this story is that animals can be very resilient and it is always best to get them checked by xray - I think you have definately made the right decision to get Tilly xrayed.

I am sorry if I have rambled on a bit but I hope that you get a diagnosis on Tilly soon.

Big kisses to her from us all here in London xxxxxxxxx

[Michele]

Brave Brave (but a little norty!) Tilly  no exercise for 3 weeks

everything crossed that it's summat easily sorted - I don't envy you keeping one of the fittest working cockers in the world quiet for 3 weeks, and I know she won't be as accepting of rest as her little brother 

Jarv sez that he wouldn't have been half as brave and would definitely told the V.E.T when it hurt...and very loudly too... 

Don't know how I missed this first time around but I hope you can get to the bottom of Tilly's problem very soon.
Another one here who doesn't envy the 3 weeks rest.

[Nicola]

Thanks guys   Gabbycocker I'm glad Amazon is ok now but what an injury to get   Tills is already wondering why we haven't been out for their big walk today, every time I get up she starts hopping around looking at me expectantly and even trying to do a very hobbly version of her spinning   I'm going to wait til OH gets home before I take Rodaidh out so she's not left on her tod, thank doG for the light evenings. 

[*Theresa*]

Awwww poor princess fuzzy butt 

Big kisses from me and mine 

[Sheryl]

What a shame....poor lamb.  One hug for one dog named Tilly coming up. 

[elaine.e]

Poor Tilly and poor you Nicola. I hope you get a diagnosis from the x rays and that treatment can start to put her right.

I know how it feels when your dog has something that keeps recurring but is undiagnosed. William is still off agility and banned from stairs, jumping in and out of the car etc. because of whatever has given him intermittent pain in his back.

He's had some physiotherapy (we're lucky to live within easy driving distance of a fully qualified and highly recommended dog and horse physio) and she's sorted out a number of problems, but not sure that we've got to the real cause of it yet.