erinonthefarm Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 Hi everyone, my 19 week old Dobe had unintentional rough play with another puppy three days ago, the usual zoomies and running into each other that puppies do resulted in a big stack for Sniper. He is limping slightly since the day after, not straight away though. When he stands or sits he holds the sore leg out to the side a bit but still touching the ground. I have checked his pads for cuts, checked the range of movement in that leg compared to the other front leg, used pressure along the leg to try and find any painful areas, observed for heat or swelling and Sniper does not react to anything, but he is not using it 100% My feeling is that it is his shoulder due to the way he holds it when he sits or stands. Even though we have been confining him most of the day, he has been out free ranging in the yard to go to the toilet and has been running around. so my questions are As we are 220km from our vet, how urgently should he go? Should I not allow him out of confinement in the house and crate except to go to the toilet on his lead? Can it be assumed by the late onset of the pain, that it is muscular and not skeletal? If so should I ice it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bundyburger Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 Confine him, toilet on lead only (surprised you're letting him free range at loo time when you know he's sore) and reassess after the weekend. That's what I'd do anyway as it's not so easy for you to get to the vet. You could also call them and ask for their advice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra777 Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 Shoulder injuries can be really difficult to solve. How long before you could realistically get him to a vet without making special trip? I would confine the pup and not allow any running, no more activity than is required for toileting. Keep him occupied by teaching him some tricks which don't require him to use his shoulder (eg not down or roll over). If he improves in 1-2 days of confinement then I'd be less concerned but continue the confinement, if he doesn't improve then I'd be having him to a vet. That said though, unless there's an actual break that needs pinning there's probably not a lot a vet can do except advise crate rest and provide anti inflamatories, so not going to a vet if you are absolutely sure there's no break isn't the end of the world in the short term. A crack in the shoulder blade would be virtually undetectable except by x-ray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erinonthefarm Posted February 11, 2011 Author Share Posted February 11, 2011 Thanks, I will confine him over the weekend and will take him to the vets on Monday if no improvement, but I would like see if it's just muscle soreness, I have rang the vets they have advised to confine him but otherwise can't tell me anything without seeing him. I shouldn't have been letting him outside by himself I know :D , and I will go out with him on a lead until it improves. I will try and keep him occupied for the weekend and see how it goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tilly Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 Poor baby :D If it is something like bruising then applying ice for short periods of time and rest may help. I know when my now older GSD was a puppy he injured his leg and was sooking and appeared in great pain (I thought he had broken a bone or something with all the carry on) ... so with a frantic telephone call and an emergency dash to the vet I was stunned to find he suddenly made a full recovery the moment I carried him into the vets!!!! Mongrel dog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chran Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 Ice doesn't hurt - first couple of days then swap to hot compress (from third day). Sounds like he's resting the leg (not putting weight on it) - this is a good thing. I wouldn't be too worried if he's in good spirits - maybe just a soft tissue damage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erinonthefarm Posted February 11, 2011 Author Share Posted February 11, 2011 Poor baby If it is something like bruising then applying ice for short periods of time and rest may help. I know when my now older GSD was a puppy he injured his leg and was sooking and appeared in great pain (I thought he had broken a bone or something with all the carry on) ... so with a frantic telephone call and an emergency dash to the vet I was stunned to find he suddenly made a full recovery the moment I carried him into the vets!!!! Mongrel dog Thanks, yes when he was outside and not on lead he ran at the chickens and didn't look sore, but maybe it was only because he was excited at the time. My son does the miraculous recovery upon entering doctor/ emergency room/ clinic nearly every time, especially when they bring out the jelly beans. I will try ice on his shoulder, though not totally sure where he is sore Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erinonthefarm Posted February 11, 2011 Author Share Posted February 11, 2011 Ice doesn't hurt - first couple of days then swap to hot compress (from third day). Sounds like he's resting the leg (not putting weight on it) - this is a good thing. I wouldn't be too worried if he's in good spirits - maybe just a soft tissue damage. Thats what I'm hoping..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinbcs Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 At that age I would be enforcing strict rest. If he has torn the shoulder or elbow cartledge he is at real risk of OCD developing. Rest now may allow to heal completely and not cause any further issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erinonthefarm Posted February 11, 2011 Author Share Posted February 11, 2011 At that age I would be enforcing strict rest. If he has torn the shoulder or elbow cartledge he is at real risk of OCD developing. Rest now may allow to heal completely and not cause any further issues. Yep, he will not be going anywhere, right now he is on lead sleeping near me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BMAK Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 we had a similar situation about 3 months ago with a pup she hurt her leg somehow ?? and was limping around for the day. thought she might have jard it so i stretched, massaged, heat pack, cold pack and she showed no signs of discomfort or pain one week later after two trips to the vet fractured leg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chran Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 we had a similar situation about 3 months ago with a pup she hurt her leg somehow ?? erin (OP) saw how he got hurt so the severity can be assessed. Vet is the only option otherwise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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