Kirislin Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 (edited) On Boxing day I took Puck to the vet (yes expensive after hours ) because I thought he'd perforated something by eating raw turkey legs bones. Before I rang the vet I watched him doing the prayer posture, which incidentally he does alot as a behaviour, but he was whimpering as well and that's what had me concerned. The vet just gave him a meloxicam injection and sent us home. Well Puck didn't get any better but I came to realise it wasn't his gut that is hurting, it's his neck. Every time he shakes his head he cries or if he jumps off the bed (which I'm trying to stop) he cries. I also observed his neck muscles trembling and the hair standing stiff on end on part of his neck, and it wasn't his hackles up. So I took him back to the vets yesterday and asked for an x-ray to be done of his neck so that if I take him to an osteopath or chiropractor I can show them. The vet talked me out of it and said it wont tell me anything and I'd really need an MRI or some other test, cant remember what it's called, where they inject the dye. It would have to be done at a specialist vet and I dont have that kind of money. While there he examined Pucks ears, took a swab and determined he has a yeast infection. I've now got 2 lots of drops I'm supposed to put in his ears twice a day, which I can easily manage as he's very compliant with things like that. The problem is he naturally wants to shake his head to get the drops out and then screams in agony because it hurts his neck. I'm worried he's going to damage his neck even more! It's already cost me just under $300 and all I've come away with is ear drops that are hurting his neck and possibly causing more damage to it. Any suggestions as to my next move? Something that doesn't cost a fortune. Edited February 23, 2015 by Kirislin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlet Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 Sorry to hear about Puck so I hope the drops work. Could you just put in the drops when he is laying on his side and not allow him to get up for 10/15 mins. Even gently hold his head if you have to. I know with my own drops I'm usually told to remain still for that time and by then he may not even feel the drops. Then repeat for the other side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirislin Posted December 29, 2014 Author Share Posted December 29, 2014 I tried to stop him, and he realises himself that it's going to hurt, so he tried to do it carefully but he still hurt himself and cried, I suppose it would be like telling us to stop blinking, you just cant do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 Gentle massage to ease the tense muscles? Anti-inflams to ease the inflammation? Can the chiro maybe just feel for any irregularities, and then you can go from there with any scans (hopefully just an x-ray) ordered by the chiro? Is there any way you can get a more expensive scan (if needed) on some sort of payment plan... your vet should be able to vouch for your payment of bills promptly. T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirislin Posted December 29, 2014 Author Share Posted December 29, 2014 I've been trying to massage him, but I dont really know what I'm doing. He's on meloxicam now, liquid I had left over from his mum Penny. I'm reluctant to take him to a chiro without x-rays but the vet clearly stated he doesn't like chiros as they can do more damage than good, which I agree with if they didn't know the problem which is why I wanted the xrays in the first place Actually, I dont think I will take him to a chiro, I'd rather he see the osteopath I recently took Neko and Feather to, but he's injured his hand and is off work. I wish I knew when he will be able to return to work. He was very gentle and careful with them and I think he'd be safer than a chiro, but I still think xrays might give him information. I wish I'd just insisted on him doing them yesterday but at the time he said Puck would need a general and that combined with the xrays would have been close to $400 so I decided to leave it for now. It was only when I got home and started trying to put the drops in I realised I'm just making his neck worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 Were he mine - I would concentrate on the neck injury for now , and not use those drops until the neck is better. I would also use flexible heat wraps on his neck , as well as regular dosing with a rescue remedy . I would probably also be using a magnesium/calcium supplement , and putting a drop of lavender oil on his collar/bed to aid in relaxation. I have Devils Claw capsules here which I open, and give the powder according to weight for pain/inflammation . I hope the poor boy gets some relief - then so can you :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirislin Posted December 29, 2014 Author Share Posted December 29, 2014 Were he mine - I would concentrate on the neck injury for now , and not use those drops until the neck is better. I would also use flexible heat wraps on his neck , as well as regular dosing with a rescue remedy . I would probably also be using a magnesium/calcium supplement , and putting a drop of lavender oil on his collar/bed to aid in relaxation. I have Devils Claw capsules here which I open, and give the powder according to weight for pain/inflammation . I hope the poor boy gets some relief - then so can you :) I'm so glad you've said this. It's what I've started thinking too, although I also wondered if the neck injury was caused by shaking his head if he's had sore ears. But to be honest, I haven't noticed alot of head shaking..until I started putting the drops in. What does the magnesium/calcium do and where do I get it? I've got rescue remedy and lavender oil and was just given a wheat bag for Christmas! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirislin Posted December 29, 2014 Author Share Posted December 29, 2014 Off to read the instructions on the wheat bag right now!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 magnesium plus calcium aids in relaxing nerves/muscles .... not at all sure of dose , sorry .... if you have a decent health food /pharmacy - get yourself some magnesium colloid liquid ..and rub a small amount onto skin . You only need a fraction of a teaspoon .... it is useful for human cramps/stress as well :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Her Majesty Dogmad Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 (edited) I'd recommend a chiro too, an old dog of mine was suddenly in pain, vet just gave him painkillers which wasn't fixing it, the dog chiro determined the issue and over several visits, he got better. As someone who has a bad neck/back, I had many years where when something in my neck went out of position the pain was dreadful and really stopped me from being able to function properly. It would always take several visits to a physio/chiro to fix. I really feel for any person or dog in that situation. It's difficult with the ear infection because as they worsen, so many dogs will shake their heads. Edited December 29, 2014 by Her Majesty Dogmad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirislin Posted December 29, 2014 Author Share Posted December 29, 2014 He likes the wheat bag, good suggestion Perse. Puck and the wheat bag by kirislin, on Flickr I'm reluctant to go to a chiro without xrays DM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gapvic Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 Could you take him to a greyhound vet? They are much cheaper than normal vets, and used to seeing all kinds of muscular and skeletal injuries in hounds. They also won't make you sedate him for an x-ray. Sandown Vet Clinic would be the closet to you - ask to see Dr Alistair Smith. Otherwise Des Fegan in Cranbourne is very good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 awww- Puck - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diva Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 (edited) In Canberra I would send him to a very good local vet who is also a qualified chiro. I would suggest finding someone like that if you can, it may assuage your concern that you need xrays first if the person is also a vet. Just saw the suggestion for a greyhound vet above, that may be a good option. Edited December 29, 2014 by Diva Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirislin Posted December 29, 2014 Author Share Posted December 29, 2014 Could you take him to a greyhound vet? They are much cheaper than normal vets, and used to seeing all kinds of muscular and skeletal injuries in hounds. They also won't make you sedate him for an x-ray. Sandown Vet Clinic would be the closet to you - ask to see Dr Alistair Smith. Otherwise Des Fegan in Cranbourne is very good. I think in worrying about him I'd stopped thinking clearly. If someone else wrote about a problem like this they are exactly the vets I'd be suggesting!! I've taken whippets to both of them in the past. Thanks for jolting me into the present. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gapvic Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 No worries Kirislin :) . I'm sure either vets will be able to sort out what is wrong with poor Puck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natsu chan Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 (edited) Take him to Sandown, we go there too after going through lots of vets trying to find one who would help my old girl and actually cared about her. Very happy with them though I see Elissa usually not Alistair. Their fees are very reasonable and all the staff I've had contact with are lovely. Best of luck I hope he feels better soon! ETA Elissa does acupuncture as well which is another thought but not sure if she's there at the moment. Edited December 30, 2014 by Natsu chan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 Poor darling. I don't have anything constructive to add except to say that I hope you get someone who can help Puck. Thumbs down to your vet for not realling dealing with the problem and bagging other specialities. That photo is beautiful and I will be nominating the Wheat Bag for Australian of the Year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirislin Posted December 30, 2014 Author Share Posted December 30, 2014 thanks everyone. I haven't made a booking as yet because I think perhaps the meloxicam has kicked in and he's only whimpering occasionally. We've all just been for a walk at the park and he was happy to trot around as normal so I will see how he is tomorrow. If it continues to improve I'll hold off with any more vets for now and try to save up some more $$ but if it gets worse or has a fresh flare up at some stage he'll be off to Sandown or Des Fegan. Much as I hold my usual vet in high esteem I've never been happy taking dogs to vets for vague spinally things like this. I must add, it wasn't my usual vet I saw anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justrace Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 have you considered Bowen? My friend had a dog that was totally crippled, somehow stumbled onto a Bowen Therapist, the result was so wonderful that she decided to study it herself and now treats dogs, horses and people. She's not far from Cranbourne if you were interested Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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