Disappointing news...would love some opinions (xrays) - Page 3

KristiM · 12-28-2012, 10:15 PM

Ya the more I read the more it doesn't make sense that this would be happening so young. Maybe it's just a pinched nerve!

If anything I think the hip is mild, probably something that will never be a huge problem with appropriate strengthening and exercise.

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Jax08 · 12-28-2012, 10:19 PM

In my experience, just call the ortho. It might be an expensive visit but it beats screwing around and wasting time and money for inconclusive xrays and expensive MRI's. Then you get a straight answer, more in depth xrays of the correct area and you don't waste time. Then, if the ortho does not find anything, call a chiropractor. They can help keep pressure off of the hips by keeping things lined up.

**MaggieRoseLee** · 12-29-2012, 12:13 AM

Had he been swimming lately? Dead tail is fairly common and doesn't need anything but rest and maybe some meds.

:-)

KristiM · 12-29-2012, 12:18 AM

Nope no swimming since October (it's pretty stinkin cold here!) My other dog gets swimmers tail fairly often, unfortunately it's not that

It started DURING agility, if I remember correctly I noticed it after working on weave poles. So maybe a pinched nerve??? The tail itself is not sore but his lower back is.

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Jag · 12-29-2012, 12:58 AM

I am so sorry!! I can't imagine trying to keep Havoc even semi-inactive!

I think you're going to need the MRI, as nothing with connective tissue or disks is going to show on Xray. I agree with Jane that the socket on the right doesn't look deep at all. I don't think an even film would change that. I'd be more concerned about his back, though. Age doesn't always matter. Heck, I'm proof of that. I know from stuff with Grim that it's nearly impossible to keep a positive attitude and not drive yourself nuts while waiting. Try to hang in there, though! Hopefully it's temporary swelling that is pinching a nerve. Can he take prednisone with his allergy meds? Did the vet give him anything medicine wise?

KristiM · 12-29-2012, 01:14 AM

Thanks Jag, I'm sure you understand what it's like facing the prospect of RESTING this dog for several days! The biggest problem is that he starts to get nasty and will take it out on poor Odin

or anyone else that happens to be around. MRI sounds expensive lol, I do have insurance but completely wiped out my savings/credit card paying for a $4000 surgery for my Aussie this year. (Not having much luck with my dogs this year!)

There is prednisone in his allergy meds, it's a super low dose but man I do not want to give him more than he is already getting, it's nasty stuff and its looking like he is going to have to be on it long term. (I honestly would not be surprised if some of these problems came from almost constant scratching starting at 4 months old.) I do have some natural anti inflammatories but they don't generally have a dramatic effect with this kind of stuff.

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KristiM · 12-29-2012, 01:15 AM

Funny part is the vet asked me if he had a "bad" side and I have always thought he looked just a little funny on his right. Guess unfortunately I was correct.

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onyx'girl · 12-29-2012, 09:12 AM

I know of a 2.5 yr old that has a compressed disc. He has been on rest for quite a few months and hopefully will get healing relief w/ no surgery. I'm sure it has been so hard keeping him on restrictive activity. He's a pretty high drive WL and was use to actively training(he was doing HR detection as well as IPO). There was no one incident that triggered his issue. I feel so bad for him and his handler.

Jax08 · 12-29-2012, 09:17 AM

An xray won't show soft tissue but what it will show is the disk space between the vertebra and arthritis due to the inflammation around the disk. I would start there, with good back xrays before going to an MRI.

Crate rest...been there...it's no fun.

KristiM · 12-29-2012, 12:03 PM

Well I just booked him in for an assessment with a canine fitness and rehabilitation centre. I am looking forward to a second opinion on this back/tail issue, the more I read the more lumbosacral disease at this age just doesn't make sense. On the plus side his tail looks much better today, now its just a matter of keeping him quiet...If I don't update this thread in the future it is because he ate me

12-28-2012, 10:15 PM	#21 (permalink)
KristiM Master Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 598	Ya the more I read the more it doesn't make sense that this would be happening so young. Maybe it's just a pinched nerve! If anything I think the hip is mild, probably something that will never be a huge problem with appropriate strengthening and exercise. Sent from my iPhone using Petguide.com Free App __________________ Havoc ~ (aka "Super") GSD Odin ~ (aka "Dude") Bh, ADC, NAC, WV-N, TG-N, FDCh (GSD) Keeper (rest in peace little stinker) (Aussie) I live for the moments when there is nothing in the world but me and my dog.

12-28-2012, 10:19 PM	#22 (permalink)
Jax08 Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NNE PA Posts: 19,009	In my experience, just call the ortho. It might be an expensive visit but it beats screwing around and wasting time and money for inconclusive xrays and expensive MRI's. Then you get a straight answer, more in depth xrays of the correct area and you don't waste time. Then, if the ortho does not find anything, call a chiropractor. They can help keep pressure off of the hips by keeping things lined up. __________________ Michelle _________________________________________ Jax Von Monkeybutt, CGC Queen Banshee Boo Sierra the Undecided Cracker, The Great Shedder Rich N Handsome, "Red"

12-29-2012, 12:13 AM	#23 (permalink)
MaggieRoseLee The Agility Rocks! Moderator Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Bushkill, PA (The Poconos!) Posts: 24,183	Had he been swimming lately? Dead tail is fairly common and doesn't need anything but rest and maybe some meds. :-) __________________ MACH3 Bretta Lee Wildhaus MXG MJG MXF MFB TQX HIT CGC TC Glory B Wildhaus AX, AXJ, XF "*It is absurd to divide people into good and bad. People are either charming or tedious."* - Oscar Wilde

12-29-2012, 12:18 AM	#24 (permalink)
KristiM Master Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 598	Nope no swimming since October (it's pretty stinkin cold here!) My other dog gets swimmers tail fairly often, unfortunately it's not that It started DURING agility, if I remember correctly I noticed it after working on weave poles. So maybe a pinched nerve??? The tail itself is not sore but his lower back is. Sent from my iPhone using Petguide.com Free App __________________ Havoc ~ (aka "Super") GSD Odin ~ (aka "Dude") Bh, ADC, NAC, WV-N, TG-N, FDCh (GSD) Keeper (rest in peace little stinker) (Aussie) I live for the moments when there is nothing in the world but me and my dog.

12-29-2012, 01:14 AM	#26 (permalink)
KristiM Master Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 598	Thanks Jag, I'm sure you understand what it's like facing the prospect of RESTING this dog for several days! The biggest problem is that he starts to get nasty and will take it out on poor Odin or anyone else that happens to be around. MRI sounds expensive lol, I do have insurance but completely wiped out my savings/credit card paying for a $4000 surgery for my Aussie this year. (Not having much luck with my dogs this year!) There is prednisone in his allergy meds, it's a super low dose but man I do not want to give him more than he is already getting, it's nasty stuff and its looking like he is going to have to be on it long term. (I honestly would not be surprised if some of these problems came from almost constant scratching starting at 4 months old.) I do have some natural anti inflammatories but they don't generally have a dramatic effect with this kind of stuff. Sent from my iPhone using Petguide.com Free App __________________ Havoc ~ (aka "Super") GSD Odin ~ (aka "Dude") Bh, ADC, NAC, WV-N, TG-N, FDCh (GSD) Keeper (rest in peace little stinker) (Aussie) I live for the moments when there is nothing in the world but me and my dog.

12-29-2012, 12:58 AM	#25 (permalink)
Jag Knighted Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,683	I am so sorry!! I can't imagine trying to keep Havoc even semi-inactive! I think you're going to need the MRI, as nothing with connective tissue or disks is going to show on Xray. I agree with Jane that the socket on the right doesn't look deep at all. I don't think an even film would change that. I'd be more concerned about his back, though. Age doesn't always matter. Heck, I'm proof of that. I know from stuff with Grim that it's nearly impossible to keep a positive attitude and not drive yourself nuts while waiting. Try to hang in there, though! Hopefully it's temporary swelling that is pinching a nerve. Can he take prednisone with his allergy meds? Did the vet give him anything medicine wise?

12-29-2012, 01:15 AM	#27 (permalink)
KristiM Master Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 598	Funny part is the vet asked me if he had a "bad" side and I have always thought he looked just a little funny on his right. Guess unfortunately I was correct. Sent from my iPhone using Petguide.com Free App __________________ Havoc ~ (aka "Super") GSD Odin ~ (aka "Dude") Bh, ADC, NAC, WV-N, TG-N, FDCh (GSD) Keeper (rest in peace little stinker) (Aussie) I live for the moments when there is nothing in the world but me and my dog.

12-29-2012, 09:12 AM	#28 (permalink)
onyx'girl Crowned Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SW, MI Posts: 21,175	I know of a 2.5 yr old that has a compressed disc. He has been on rest for quite a few months and hopefully will get healing relief w/ no surgery. I'm sure it has been so hard keeping him on restrictive activity. He's a pretty high drive WL and was use to actively training(he was doing HR detection as well as IPO). There was no one incident that triggered his issue. I feel so bad for him and his handler. __________________ Jane~ Kept by Onyx, Kacie and Gideon v Wildhaus aka Karlo

12-29-2012, 09:17 AM	#29 (permalink)
Jax08 Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NNE PA Posts: 19,009	An xray won't show soft tissue but what it will show is the disk space between the vertebra and arthritis due to the inflammation around the disk. I would start there, with good back xrays before going to an MRI. Crate rest...been there...it's no fun. __________________ Michelle _________________________________________ Jax Von Monkeybutt, CGC Queen Banshee Boo Sierra the Undecided Cracker, The Great Shedder Rich N Handsome, "Red"

12-29-2012, 12:03 PM	#30 (permalink)
KristiM Master Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 598	Well I just booked him in for an assessment with a canine fitness and rehabilitation centre. I am looking forward to a second opinion on this back/tail issue, the more I read the more lumbosacral disease at this age just doesn't make sense. On the plus side his tail looks much better today, now its just a matter of keeping him quiet...If I don't update this thread in the future it is because he ate me __________________ Havoc ~ (aka "Super") GSD Odin ~ (aka "Dude") Bh, ADC, NAC, WV-N, TG-N, FDCh (GSD) Keeper (rest in peace little stinker) (Aussie) I live for the moments when there is nothing in the world but me and my dog.

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