Bingo has hurt his knee

[Vally]

The dud has done it again.

He was fine on Monday evening, went for a walk, demanded food and then I’m sitting down later and see him get up and he can’t put weight on his back left leg. He’s feeling very sorry for himself and I’m feeling sick. Tuesday morning, maybe a tiny bit better in that after he starts to walk on it, he’s walking better on it. I made an appointment with the local vet for that afternoon after work. By the time I got home, it’s much better, but we go to the vet anyway. Yes, it’s his back left knee. That’s the one that had pins in it, which I think are pretty much not doing anything, ever since he lost a lot of muscle in the legs from the pred.

Anyway she gave me some homeopathic drops for the arthritis and I made an appointment for some acupuncture on Monday night. He’s looking great on Wednesday and I’m much relieved.

I had Thursday off as I wanted to take Bingo to the specialists after having stopped the cyclosporine and to check his liver enzymes in particular as they had been a bit out last time we went. He also checked his joints and yes, the back legs are very weak.

PCV was 47 which was good. Liver enzymes :

ALT is 145 (10-100) High – end of January it was 134, so up a little more (buggar). His specialist wasn’t too worried due to the pred and his age. We’ll check again in 3 months.

We go home and he goes outside for a wee, coming back in, he looked as though he kind of missed a step and the knee is bad again!!!

I’ve rung the vet and spoken to a nurse there. The vet will most likely call me back as they know he’s such a dud and she knows I’m a “dud” too. But the nurse has said, there’s not really anything you can do other than keep them quiet and pain relief if required. He doesn’t seem to be in any obvious pain, although I know that he must have some pain or he’s be putting weight on it – but he doesn’t show it. He will reluctantly hobble on it, but is very unbalanced and usually drops into a sit and just lays down again.

This terrifies me as it must be very unstable to cause problems twice in a matter of days. Do you think they’re likely to suggest surgery at his age? Why can’t you bandage up the knee like people. Wouldn’t that support it somewhat???

Dud & the dud!

[admin]

Hi Vally

Whooppeeeee on that lovely PCV. He’s doing brilliantly without the cyclo. That ALT is not too bad – nothing to stress about – are you using Denamarin still? Or similar?

I’m sorry Bingo is having knee/leg problems – he loves to give you something to think about, the little monkey. If it got better temporarily, that is a GOOD sign – maybe he’s just pulled something. Keeping him quiet is good advice until the vet has had a good look though. Is it possible those pins are causing a problem because of the muscle loss now? Maybe they will want to x-ray it, or maybe with a bit of feeling around they will be able to tell you which bit is actually painful. And he’s not OLD !!! Anaesthetics are very good nowadays, Vally, but we’re jumping the gun here. I’m no expert on strapping for legs, I’m afraid – they tend to chew these things & you’d have to be careful to maintain good circulation, so it may not be possible. I know strapping works really well for some human knee conditions, but the tape is mega-sticky – not a good mix with dog hair! Sorry I’m not much help on this one – fingers crossed that he has just wrenched something that will get better on it’s own.

When are you taking him in? Let us know how it goes – I will be thinking of you & Mr Blue Shoes

Love & hugs
Sheena & the boys xxxxx

[Jen]

Vally, so sorry to hear bingo’s knee is bothering him! I’m def no help but want you to know I’m thinking and praying for him to feel better soon! You have all been so helpful to me that I wish I could do something for you to help you! All I can do is send my love & prayers!

Hugs & kisses
Maggie & Jen

[Vally]

Thanks Sheena. Jen, you’re prayers and love are very much appreciated.

We were sitting outside the vet’s office at 7.30 this morning (they open at 8, but no consults before 9). It was cold and I’ll bet we looked pathetic, but anyway, she took pity on us and let us in, even though I didn’t have an appointment.

She had a good feel of it. She said there’s nothing broken, his knee is in place and her checking of it didn’t seem to hurt him at all – he was busy at the time scoffing down treats.

She’s given him a homeopathic injection of something. She’s reluctant to use drugs for this as he still takes prednisone. I’m to up his prednisone from 1.25mg daily to 1.875mg for a few days.

Love Vally & the dud.

[admin]

Sounds really good Vally! Hoping the injection & small raise in pred will help him – keep us posted. He’s no dud – he’s a lovely boy, full of character & fight.
Love Sheena & the boys xxxxx

[Vally]

Well we’re both limping now and it’s HIS FAULT!!!!! Can you hear me screaming. He stands on all four legs, but he’s carrying the leg when he runs. He can’t walk. I don’t think he can keep his balance unless he gets into a trot.

I rang the vet this morning about him as he looks the same. The vet said not to panic and I have to give it more time. He’s due to have the acupuncture on Monday by another vet there, who is supposedly brilliant doing acupuncture.

Now…my clutsiness, which is HIS FAULT!!! It’s night, I carry him outside to have a drink and do a wee before we go to bed. Of course he can’t drink from the bowl inside, it’s poisoned. He starts to take off, so I grab him and carry him over to the grass to do a wee. Well carrying him, I slip off a step and almost go down. All I could think of during the slow motion fall, was “Don’t drop Bingo, or his leg will break off”, so I manage to not actually fall, but I heard the crunch and saw the stars. I stagger over to the grass to put Bingo down, as I didn’t want him to have to step over the 2 inch concrete edging and maybe hurt himself.

My head is now spinning, I’m feeling sweaty and faint and I stagger back inside to get my phone to call my nephew (you know the dr in training who lives across the road). Well, of course he doesn’t answer. I send him a message and remember they’ve gone out to an engagement tonight.

Head spinning less now, I realise Bingo hasn’t come back in, so I’m picturing him lying down on the grass unable to get up. So I stagger out the back and he’s somehow managed to get himself up a 20cm embankment, is sitting in the dirt and is looking for cat poo. No way. I grab a poo bag and stagger over to pick up the poo and toss it, and then go back, pick him up because he’s just sitting there, and carry him inside.

No peas, I used them for dinner, but rice works. It’s swollen up to the size of an half a tennis ball.

Are we a pair or what!!!

His left leg, my right leg. So maybe we can hang on to each other and get around.

Lefty and righty

[admin]

Vally

I have entered you both as a team in the next Olympic three-legged race. You have a good chance between you as you are indeed a right pair.

Seriously, you need to elevate your ankle/foot, frozen peas (or rice!) is good too – good thinking. Strapping is very effective for sprains, but get a professional to do that for you if you can. If not, a good strong support bandage from the chemist. If you think there is a possibility it could be broken, please get an x-ray. Ankles are a real sod to get healed properly, so rest it – that’s an order!

Love Sheena xxxxx
PS, I didn’t laugh, honest.

[admin]

Oh Vally

I didn’t laugh either. Actually I did, but only at the refusal to drink from a water bowl. I’m really sorry to hear about your poor ankle, and Bingo’s leg! How are you both?? Is the raise in pred to reduce swelling?

Neither you or Bingo are duds. You are a right pair though! I do hope you are both feeling a bit better now. Fabulous PCV. Well done Bingo!

Lots of love, Mary and Mable x