On Sat, 04 Feb 2017 01:28:28 -0500, wrote:

On Fri, 03 Feb 2017 16:38:33 -0500, Poco Deplorevole
wrote:

On Fri, 03 Feb 2017 15:38:59 -0500, wrote:

On Fri, 03 Feb 2017 14:59:25 -0500, Poco Deplorevole
wrote:

The English Pointer, Kiya, had a 'play date' with the Lab pup (5 months) next door this past Sunday.
She came in with a slight limp, which I didn't think was too worrisome. Took both my dogs for a
walk, and after only about 4 blocks the limp had gotten much worse. That evening the limping stopped
because she wouldn't put that leg down. Next day the vet examined, but couldn't find the exact
problem. Couldn't get any 'drawer movement' at the stifle joint.

As of today, she still won't put any weight on the foot. Vet says he's now about 90% certain of the
problem. He suggested 'light duty' for at least 8 weeks and see if there is significant improvement.
'Light duty' means no long walks, no chasing squirrels, peeing and pooping only on a leash in the
back yard, no climbing stairs, no jumping in the truck, etc. Pain in the ass. Both the dog and I
will be putting on the pounds! If there is significant improvement, then the restricted activity is
working and will have to be kept up for another couple months. If no improvement then a brace may be
the next course of action. Then surgery.

Had the same issue with a Lab about ten years ago. The drawer movement (sliding the joint apart) was
about three quarters of an inch. She got the operation and about two months of physical therapy at
home. But all went well.

Oh well, **** happens.
Try a course of prednisone. It does wonders for Ed

She doesn't seem to be in pain. Don't know what the prednisone would do for the ACL, but neither doc
mentioned it.

All it really does is bring down joint inflammation but that can go a
long ways.
I start Ed out with one a day and start tapering that off as soon as I
see some improvement. Usually by day 4 or 5 he is finishing his last
half a pill day, Pred is good stuff but it is tough on you long term
(people or dogs)

She's not in pain, so there's little, if any, inflamation. She's not too hardcore and will whimper
when something painful happens. The vet couldn't get a whimper out of her, and he twisted and
prodded much harder than I would.

I did buy some Glucosamine HCI and Chondroitin Sulfate to help in rebuilding the tissue surrounding
the joint.

I had this occur with my Lab, which was a much heavier dog. I had the surgery done almost
immediately, but this time my vet recommends trying restricted motion for a couple months. Here's a
good site with a tremendous amount of info about the problem:

http://tiggerpoz.com/index.html

I spent half the night reading this. The guy, Max, has put a lot of effort into providing the
information. and he doesn't even ask for contributions.