Extremely Inactive Dog (particularly Acute Inquiry).

[Tralee]

why in the hell have you taken on this dog if you do not have the knowledge or skills to care for it or access to a decent vet ?

How extremely and unnecessarily rude and insensitve.

I'll send you the bills I am paying if you think you can do a better job

Edited July 19, 2012 by Tralee

[jrm88]

Ask for the history to be sent to new vet. Results of X-rays will b in there. They should only charge around $55-60 for a consult so they can check the dog and be happy to dispense the pain relief.

[Tralee]

Ask for the history to be sent to new vet.

Results of X-rays will b in there.

They should only charge around $55-60 for a consult so they can check the dog and be happy to dispense the pain relief.

Seems the second Vet I called on may be 'buddies' with this other surgery.

I need to find a Vet who is neutral.

Anyway, I will be taking one of my teaching colleges who is a retired Vet along with me tomorrow.

We still have to collect the referral.

I am also planning on talking to the specialist tomorrow and getting instructions about pain management to relay to the current Vet.

[Salukifan]

Why on earth would it cost $360 for an ordinary consult??

That was the cost for the initial anaesthetic, X-rays, recovery injection and consultation.

Well, you WON'T be doubling up on most of that then.

Seriously, spend the cash and get the dog some pain relief ASAP.

[Tralee]

Seriously, spend the cash and get the dog some pain relief ASAP.

It should be all squared up tomorrow Haredown Whippets.

It should also be the end of a very dissatisfied chapter in my dogs' history with this current Vet.

Edited July 19, 2012 by Tralee

[Tralee]

My friend recently had something similar occur with a dog she adopted from me in 2010 - very lively dog normally but suddenly dog was down and hardly moving.

Went to 1 vet who diagnosed dental issues and removed 15 teeth. Dog sent home WITHOUT painkillers and laid around for 2 weeks without improvement.

She went to a second vet, they said pain from the mouth and gave her pain killers for 5 days, small improvement but then back to lying around.

Denise from PAWS suggested my friend go back to our rescue vet who is very good and thorough and get some xrays, she had a suspicion it wasn't related to the teeth but perhaps arthritis (dog is around 10 or 11 we think).

Xrays of back, hips and legs showed considerable issues with the hips and one leg with an arthritic knee.

Dog was put on anti inflammatories and a course of Zydax - the change in her is amazing - she's just like she used to be.

Sometimes you have to keep going until you get an answer - for a 6 yr old dog, what you are describing is of real concern and needs to get sorted -asap for his sake.

I do wish old people wouldn't get young active breeds and then confine them, it's very sad and sometimes the dog learns to cope with its restrictions so sometimes you have to get them out of that but this one also has an injury and perhaps other stuff going on.

I hope you find someone to help urgently.

I did read your response dogmad.

I am aware that there may be pain from other sources, but first things first.

[Bullbreedlover]

Tralee

Is there someone else who can take this dog in and make sure it receives proper medical attention?

Because clearly the poor dog is not and has not got the treatment it deserves.

You said the first trauma happened 11 WEEKS ago. And that the owner had not taken the dog for correct diagnosing and treatment.

You said on the 6th of July that you had taken the dog in and were nursing it to prepare it for surgery.

You said after a vet consult it was mentioned about pain relief but you never took any home to give to the dog.

You said the dog was extremely thin and would not eat and had not been receiving a proper diet but yet you have no idea what that diet was.

You said you didnt like the vet you saw after a previous stuff up yet you took another dog to the same vet and all you can go on about is how the vets work together.

Tralee if there was a problem with paying for the surgery then how about asking the owner for assistance?

If the owner can not help then why are they still owners of this dog?

I can see this thread going the way the other one did with oh woh is me blah blah blah.

The fact is

The poor dog is in pain and has been for weeks while all you can do is prepare it for life on three legs while it recovers from the surgery it hasnt yet had.

So many things and people have failed this dog.

I hope it has a good recovery(when it finally does get surgery) and that it finds a loving home and doesnt go back to the one it had and the one it has now.

(backs away shaking head in utter amazement)

[Tralee]

Tralee

Is there someone else who can take this dog in and make sure it receives proper medical attention?

Because clearly the poor dog is not and has not got the treatment it deserves.

You said the first trauma happened 11 WEEKS ago. And that the owner had not taken the dog for correct diagnosing and treatment.

You said on the 6th of July that you had taken the dog in and were nursing it to prepare it for surgery.

You said after a vet consult it was mentioned about pain relief but you never took any home to give to the dog.

You said the dog was extremely thin and would not eat and had not been receiving a proper diet but yet you have no idea what that diet was.

You said you didnt like the vet you saw after a previous stuff up yet you took another dog to the same vet and all you can go on about is how the vets work together.

Tralee if there was a problem with paying for the surgery then how about asking the owner for assistance?

If the owner can not help then why are they still owners of this dog?

I can see this thread going the way the other one did with oh woh is me blah blah blah.

The fact is the poor dog is in pain and has been for weeks while all you can do is prepare it for life on three legs while it recovers from the surgery it hasnt yet had.

So many things and people have failed this dog.

I hope it has a good recovery(when it finally does get surgery) and that it finds a loving home and doesnt go back to the one it had and the one it has now.

(backs away shaking head in utter amazement)

Well jump right in with a sledge hammer.

shaking head

Extremely Inactive Dog (particularly Acute Inquiry).

Canvassing Possible Causes.

This thread is in context of the previous thread.

Palmar Luxation Of The Antebrachiocarpal Joint Advice Sought

After taking the dog, finances had to be arranged and guaranteed.

$5000 is not something many people can find over night.

I had the dog re-diagnosed. OK

While attending the dog 'pre-surgery' naturally a number of questions arose.

Lets be clear about this, this is not my dog and other than the dislocation of the front paw the dog appears very well cared for.

The injury has cast a palour of suspicion over his condition but surely that is natural.

finances have now been arranged and guaranteed hence the request for a referral.

As I said not a lot of people have that sort of money.

So lets evaluate.

DOL provides some expert and often well meaning advice.

I am providing adequate care, for what I have said is not my dog.

If you don't pay for it Vets won't do more than that either.

But that doesn't mean I cannot seek to move beyond basic Veterinary advice which is what I have done.

Problem????

Edited July 19, 2012 by Tralee

[Andisa]

I'd leave the sling off. You're restricting the movement of more than the leg if you have it tied around his body.

If the injury was created by trauma, then a chiropractic visit might be worthwhile after the surgery.

I only sling the leg up if he wants to hobble around outside.

I put it inside the front strap of the harness shown below.

So it prevents him putting weight on it.

The leg can slip out when he wees, so he can balance.

I refit the leg when he starts to walk again.

You can also see his morale is quite good.

Has the dog been in this state for 11 weeks?

I have changed vets for much less reasons, I have no idea how this dog has been left like this for so long...What is the rope for?

At the risk of sounding rude - I just don't get it ..

[Rebanne]

He most likely isn't eating much due to pain.

I too have no idea why you are still going to the same vet that you deemed useless last time?

[Tralee]

Has the dog been in this state for 11 weeks?

I have changed vets for much less reasons, I have no idea how this dog has been left like this for so long...

What is the rope for?

At the risk of sounding rude - I just don't get it ..

Its not a rope.

The dog been on the terrace for short periods infrequently, and has jumped over.

What you can see is two tethers, one each side, to allow the dog to move without being able to climb over the ballustrade.

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

Sorry Tralee but I'm not getting it now. I have had vet records transferred for a number of dogs for various reasons, without a problem.

THIS DOG NEEDS PAINKILLERS. Please, please get his records sent to another vet and get them to review them and prescribe painkillers accordinglhy.

It will not cost you more than a consultation and perhaps less if you explain the situation.

Are you in Sydney?? I can recommend a number of vets here.

[Tralee]

Sorry Tralee but I'm not getting it now.

I have had vet records transferred for a number of dogs for various reasons, without a problem.

THIS DOG NEEDS PAINKILLERS.

Please, please get his records sent to another vet and get them to review them and prescribe painkillers accordingly.

It will not cost you more than a consultation and perhaps less if you explain the situation.

Are you in Sydney??

I can recommend a number of vets here.

Thanks.

It should all be squared today.

[Salukifan]

Tralee, forgive me for sounding harsh but... "adequate care"... "not my dog".

You can do better than that. If the dog is in your care, then it deserves the best you can give it and that means as good or better than your own dogs.

At the risk of sounding impolite, I think the secret to really good veterinary care is often an informed and assertive owner. I suggest that you probably need to be a bit more demanding of vets and have a clear idea when you walk in of the outcome you want.

Get it sorted today and start over with a new vet. I really don't understand why you'd darken the doorstep of any vet you have no confidence in if there are alternatives.

Edited July 19, 2012 by Haredown Whippets

[dogbesotted]

Good on you for taking on this lad BUT

if he is in pain ,which it surely sounds as if he is, it is the duty of the carer to demand that the vet give adequate medication. we carers see our dogs more frequently than the vet and are therefore in a position to better asses those behaviours.

DEMAND pain medication.

Good luck

helen

eta: a full blood panel is also called for and also considre that the dog in question not only has an injury but is also away from his home environment.. that could cause a level of depression and inappetance

Edited July 19, 2012 by dogbesotted

[persephone]

I hope that you can source a vet who will do a good service to this dog.

re: 'sling' and a bilateral tethering arrangement ..

every thing you attach to the dog alters to the dog's range of movement/balance ..putting different muscles under stress .

A tether as used - is just one other thing for the dog to negotiate ..which I feel he doesn't need.

You have other dogs .. do you not have crates/small pens ? IMO a pen would be more comfy for that dog -- as then HE could choose when & where to place his feet ..or how to lie down . Too bad if he doesn't have a view ..provided he's comfortable .

I will also suggest using RESCUE REMEDY on him ... this will help lessen any anxiety .

[Andisa]

every thing you attach to the dog alters to the dog's range of movement/balance ..putting different muscles under stress .

A tether as used - is just one other thing for the dog to negotiate ..which I feel he doesn't need.

You have other dogs .. do you not have crates/small pens ? IMO a pen would be more comfy for that dog -- as then HE could choose when & where to place his feet ..or how to lie down . Too bad if he doesn't have a view ..provided he's comfortable .

^^ This.

Surely you have a decent sized crate that you can use for this dog. I hate the thought of the poor bugger having to negotiate a rope as a boundary - something as simple as tripping over it will do more damage to his leg or possibly injury another, the photo you posted earlier he already had the rope between his front legs and touching his injured leg - it's obvious to me that rope will only do more harm than good. . If your going to keep him on the veranda area why not block it off with properly so he can't hurt himself any further. Anything would be better than a piece of rope.

Tralee - you said this earlier " After taking the dog, finances had to be arranged and guaranteed. $5000 is not something many people can find over night" - Why did you have to come up with $5000 - Did you buy this dog when you first got him?

If the dog suffered a fracture 11 weeks ago and it has been left to dangle like that for so long - what are the chances of the leg ever being any good again? I just don't get why the leg was not attended to on the very first visit!

[persephone]

I

f the dog suffered a fracture 11 weeks ago and it has been left to dangle like that for so long - what are the chances of the leg ever being any good again? I just don't get why the leg was not attended to on the very first visit!

My guess is , having a diagnosis and deciding on surgery .. Tralee then had to find the $5000 to pay for said surgery . Not a task I envy.

just a thought .. perhaps entirely off the scale ..but would amputation be a consideration in a case like this ?

[JulesP]

I

f the dog suffered a fracture 11 weeks ago and it has been left to dangle like that for so long - what are the chances of the leg ever being any good again? I just don't get why the leg was not attended to on the very first visit!

My guess is , having a diagnosis and deciding on surgery .. Tralee then had to find the $5000 to pay for said surgery . Not a task I envy.

just a thought .. perhaps entirely off the scale ..but would amputation be a consideration in a case like this ?

I think it is the owner that is trying to find the money. Tralee has said he doesn't own the dog that it is going home after it has healed.

The problem was also originally thought to be a break and it is only recently that it has been found to be a dislocation that needs an expensive surgery. This was discovered on the 6th July. Tralee appears to have been investigating options since then and the owner finding money. There was another thread on the subject. So the dog hasn't just been left for 11 weeks with a dangling leg.

Should it have had pain killers? Maybe. I don't always give painkillers as I don't want the animal to do more damage to the limb.

Tralee I would probably do bloodwork before giving painkillers anyway as some painkillers are not good with certain conditions. ie I have to be careful what I give my dog with a liver shunt and am very restricted with drugs. Hopefully doggie is just sore and missing his mum and nothing else is going on.

[Andisa]

I

f the dog suffered a fracture 11 weeks ago and it has been left to dangle like that for so long - what are the chances of the leg ever being any good again? I just don't get why the leg was not attended to on the very first visit!

My guess is , having a diagnosis and deciding on surgery .. Tralee then had to find the $5000 to pay for said surgery . Not a task I envy.

just a thought .. perhaps entirely off the scale ..but would amputation be a consideration in a case like this ?

I think it is the owner that is trying to find the money. Tralee has said he doesn't own the dog that it is going home after it has healed.

The problem was also originally thought to be a break and it is only recently that it has been found to be a dislocation that needs an expensive surgery. This was discovered on the 6th July. Tralee appears to have been investigating options since then and the owner finding money. There was another thread on the subject. So the dog hasn't just been left for 11 weeks with a dangling leg.

Should it have had pain killers? Maybe. I don't always give painkillers as I don't want the animal to do more damage to the limb.

Tralee I would probably do bloodwork before giving painkillers anyway as some painkillers are not good with certain conditions. ie I have to be careful what I give my dog with a liver shunt and am very restricted with drugs. Hopefully doggie is just sore and missing his mum and nothing else is going on.

Thanks for filling in the gaps...

Edited July 20, 2012 by Andisa