Michelleva Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 I haven't been here much lately. I'm back because I'm very worried about our little cavaliler. He's 8 1/2 and we rescued him when he was 7. He has a grade 4 heart murmur, which he's not yet on medication for, but probably will if we can get him through his current woes. On New Years day he started crying badly like he was in pain. It was just after he got out of bed and went outside to the toilet. He came inside and started yelping, like someone was killing him. After a while I got him calmed down and he slept for the rest of the day. So I took him straight into the vet the next day, and the only thing she could find was that his neck was stiff and he resisted the movement of his head down towards his feet. She sent him home with anti-inflammatory tablets and that was it. I thought it might be because of the heart murmur but she assured me that wouldn't give pain. Then for the next couple of days he was fine. Then Sunday night he woke up at 1am screaming in pain again. I rang a different vet in the morning this time and thought I'd get a second opinion. The second vet was much more thorough and checked him over completely. She even checked his prostate, which was good. He has no temperature, but I had blood taken anyway to rule anything else out. Both vets seem to think its a muscular thing, maybe even cramping. The new vet has given me more anti-inflammatories as well as valium to make him relax so his body can recouperate. We have no idea how he could have strained muscles etc, because he's a pretty lazy dog overall. He gets light exercise like having a stroll at the park regularly and is not overweight. Has anyone else ever experience anything like this? This morning he has been yelping and crying again, which has got me really worried. Today he's also been pacing around the house, walking very slowly and panting. He was also hiding under a desk, which is not normal for him. The most concerning thing to me at the moment is that we have holidays booked and are leaving on Sunday. He was to go and stay with my inlaws, I know they would not cope with him the way he is at the moment. I'm terrified I'm going to lose him before we go away. I really hope someone has some words of wisdom or hope for me. I'm really getting worried about my little Jakey boy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissMolly Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 Hi Michelle, I wish i had words of wisdom for you... I would think though if it is a muscle issue it would take a few weeks to heal and maybe that is why he is yelping because it hurts.. The hiding away and the panting could be another sign of his pain.. Hope you find out what is wrong with your boy.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cockerlover Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 My thoughts r with you ,so very hard when our babies r sick . did th blood tests come back clear ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fastgals Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 Have you noticed any difference in the way he's been holding his head - ie. not holding his head up, or to one side a little? It could be that his neck is "out", or that he has the beginnings of a degenerating disc, or perhaps he's pulled or torn a shoulder muscle. Most vets aren't so good at diagnosing muscle and bone problems (this is not a criticism of vets - ours freely admits this is not his area of expertise). If you can get your little fella to a chiro or manipulator, they might be able to better diagnose his problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelleva Posted January 5, 2009 Author Share Posted January 5, 2009 My thoughts r with you ,so very hard when our babies r sick .did th blood tests come back clear ? The blood was only taken yesterday, so they said they'd call me before lunch time. He just jumped off the couch and yelped. I don't know. My biggest worry is my in-laws are meant to be looking after him while we're on holidays and they're real worry warts. Its just how they are and they will panick big time if he's still like this. Otherwise I don't know who else I can get to look after him. Mum is down from Wagga at the moment, I'm considering asking her if she'll take him back home with her, but I don't think thats a great idea either because that would mean he's away from us for 2 weeks. He's an anxious dog at the best of times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelleva Posted January 5, 2009 Author Share Posted January 5, 2009 Fastgals - no I haven't noticed any difference in his neck/head area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puggy_puggy Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 Could it be Syringomyelia? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelleva Posted January 5, 2009 Author Share Posted January 5, 2009 Could it be Syringomyelia? I just did a quick check on google on that disease, because I hadn't heard of it. Both vets did alot of checks for spinal cord injuries. Like making him walk on his front legs etc. The first vet was quite confident it wasn't that because he could do all the exercises with ease. Of course both times he's been at the vet he's been the perfect patient, not a single yelp or cry. He's settled down now because I was able to get the meds into him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CavsRcute Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 Are you in Sydney? If you are I can recommend a couple of people that I take my Cavalier to for various joint"issues" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelleva Posted January 5, 2009 Author Share Posted January 5, 2009 Are you in Sydney? If you are I can recommend a couple of people that I take my Cavalier to for various joint"issues" No I'm in Narre Warren, Melbourne. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckie500 Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 One of mine about 2 years ago just woke up one day and didn't want to walk for more than5 metres. He just kept on sitting. Normally he loves his walks but didn't want to walk at all. I took him to the vets a couple of time of this as we couldn't work out what was wrong. To cut a long story short, we think it was muscular, like a sore muscle/strain. The only thing that really made a difference was a injection of metacam (antiinflammatory), and a course of oral metacam for about 5 days. He slowly got better. Its better that your inlaws are worry warts rather than not caring i think. I's be happier leaving mine with someone that was a worry wart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InspectorRex Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Michelle, my suggestion is you get your Vet to refer him to Dr Charles Kuntz( Specialist Vet) at the Southern Animal Referral Centre in Highett. Charles is absolutely wonderful and is also a DOL member. Ring your your NOW and get them to fax a referral so that you can take your baby to Charles asap. This sounds like something a Specialist needs to look at Let us know how you go. If I didn't have Dad gravely ill in hospital I would offer to mind him for you Colleen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rappie Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 I would consider the possibility of a neck injury (either muscular, spinal or a nerve entrapment from spasming muscles) given that he is stiff on manipulation and it occured acutely after jumping off the couch. He is on appropriate treatment if this is the cause, however I obviously have no personal knowledge of your dog. I would also suggest strict rest and once improved, discouraging jumping from heights (even small ones). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mita Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 (edited) I would consider the possibility of a neck injury (either muscular, spinal or a nerve entrapment from spasming muscles) given that he is stiff on manipulation and it occured acutely after jumping off the couch. He is on appropriate treatment if this is the cause, however I obviously have no personal knowledge of your dog. I would also suggest strict rest and once improved, discouraging jumping from heights (even small ones). Good advice here. The little Cav's behaviour sounds exactly my tibbie girl who has a vulnerability to any big strain....in the shoulder/neck region. First time it went, she'd just jumped off a garden terrace onto concrete & screamed. She couldn't move for pain & held in neck in a fixed position. She was rushed to the vet's & required pain relief & a course of anti-inflammatories & keeping her quiet. Another time, the problem broke out, was when I was holding her tightly to try to get some medication (for something else) into her mouth. With all the wriggling & struggling and me holding tightly....that shoulder/neck strain problem happened again. This time she held her neck in a rigid, odd position, as before. But also she had trouble standing on front & back leg on one side. After thorough exam by the vet.....it was revealed as the same problem. She needed pain relief & a course of inflammatories....she was hospitalised for 2 days to make a start. And needed keeping from jumping when she came home. I hope all goes well with you little one. Edited January 6, 2009 by mita Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tassie Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 This may be completely irrelevant, but my previous BC boy injured his neck, and was quite lethargic and depressed. It seemed to recover, but then he became symptomatic again. Vet diagnosed an abscess at the site of the injury - prescribed antibiotics, and Sam recovered fully. From what you describe, it does sound as though your little one is experiencing considerable pain -not fun. I'd be getting a second opinion - maybe from an orthopedic specialist vet. Why do these things happen at the most inconvenient times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cavandra Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 With any luck he has a pinched nerve........I have had this between the shoulder blades, which isnt a common injury in an old dog, my greyhound guy fixed my girl , needed 2 sessions, as she slipped it again the next day, but has never done it again, cost me $30....she doesnt complain about anything but this was excruciating for her, and panting is a sign of extreme pain & distress Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jed Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 This morning he has been yelping and crying again, which has got me really worried. Today he's also been pacing around the house, walking very slowly and panting. He was also hiding under a desk, which is not normal for him. These are all signs of pain. I would consider a GOOD chiropractor - someone can probably recommend one, and maybe speak to the vet about stronger/different pain medication. Like a few others who have replied, it does sound like an injury/strain to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordelia Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 And look into getting him a crate and using it for the next couple of weeks while you are away so he has limited ability to get on the couch in the first place (so he can't jump off it).... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelleva Posted January 7, 2009 Author Share Posted January 7, 2009 First of all thank you to everyone for your compassion and suggestions, its very much appreciated. I just thought I'd come back and update you all on my little Jakey boy. Mum has been down for a few days and I asked her yesterday if she would be able to care for Jake while we are away, she was more than happy to do it. I know my inlaws care but they are very nervous people and Jake is a nervous dog normally. I just think in that environment he would get worse instead of better. I spoke to the vet about the predicament we found ourselves in and she agreed letting Mum care for him was the best option. Mum is a carer for my step dad who has very bad epilepsy. So she's good at handing out medication and watching for changes in behaviour etc. So as Mum was going home last night she took Jake a few days before we leave for our holiday. He slept the entire 5 hour journey home, only lifting his head when they stopped for a cuppa. I spoke to Mum again this morning and he has not had any bouts of crying, but he did yelp when he got off her couch. I've asked her to make a rule, no more couches for him. I was going to tell her to buy one of those bunnings compost things to make a temporary enclosure in so he is forced to rest. My suspicion is that due to him loving sleeping on the couch, jumping on and off he has damaged his neck somehow. So when he returns home after our holiday its time for tough love and no more couch sitting, unless I can get him some steps. He's a senior citizen afterall. So onwards and upwards for our little man. He's in good hands and I'm finally feeling a little better about it all. Thanks again for listening and offering your advice. He's by no means cured but any improvement makes me happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InspectorRex Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 That sounds promising Michelle If he is still yelping etc you need to get a good Chior Vet like Dr Ferguson or Dr Foley at Monash(Clayton) or Dr Barry Haywood(Cranbourne) to go over him and try and determine the cause or perhaps your Mum could take him to a chiro whilst you are away Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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