SamsonsMom (07-22-2018)
Yeah, that is exactly what happens with arthritis. One day they are fine, then they wake up the next morning and they are limping.
However, I would insist on x-rays to get a definitive diagnosis and move from there. Arthritis is a constant roller-coaster, but it's manageable.
Cookie Black Snowflake
July 12th, 2006. - May 25th, 2023.
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SamsonsMom (07-22-2018)
My next appointment is 8/30. If he's still limping I'm requesting x-rays. I have his swim therapy scheduled for twice a week -- Thurs and Saturdays. On Thurs he will get an hour session with the therapist at my vet with the water treadmill (includes 30 minutes of massage therapy) and on Saturday we will hit the pool that Samson swims in. Starting 15 minute walks today and then will pick up the length/time based on how he reacts. I'm hoping the activity will stretch out that cartilage. The CT scan before the surgery did not show any arthritis in his right and only slight in his left. Hopefully I can get it under control for him.
Thanks for all the well wishes and input. Much appreciated. I started him on Nordic Cod oil yesterday. He already takes Glycoflex and Ester C.
Beth C (08-09-2018)
His left elbow so swollen. Does arthritis cause so much swelling? Did not have this beyond week 2. No swelling at all. But now, it's so swollen. Poor guy.
We walked 15 minutes today. I will say, he holds his head up. Pre surgery, he never walked with his head up. It was always down and following his left leg. He limped in the beginning, then it somewhat stopped, toward the last stretch home, he had a little limp. We'll see how this week of walking goes. It was raining today but he doesn't mind the rain!
Keeping my fingers crossed that this gets better. Thinking of you
Yes, basically arthritis IS inflammation. Cookie's whole leg was swollen and x-rays showed end-stage arthritis in his elbow and mild arthritis in his shoulder. Icing and warm towels helped a lot to reduce the swelling and the limping, and we did physical therapy along with exercises for range of motion which I do on a daily basis.
Since I started the warm towel wrapping 1-2 x a day, he has yet to have a major flare up.
I'll try to find a picture so you can see how swollen his leg was!
Cookie Black Snowflake
July 12th, 2006. - May 25th, 2023.
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Here it is. Notice his left leg and how swollen it is compared to the right leg which is normal.
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Cookie Black Snowflake
July 12th, 2006. - May 25th, 2023.
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Wow, very swollen!! This just baffles me. It literally changed overnight. I do the massage and attempt ROM twice a day. I'd like to buy a laser or something similar for home. I don't think young Asher is going to let me wrap a towel around his leg. This boy is fully charged. Just maybe after a swim session to get him used to it? Time will tell.
Oh sorry, I didn’t explain well. You don’t have the towel wrapped around his elbow all the time. You just wrap it for 10 minutes or so while he is lying down. It won’t stay hot long enough anyway.
Cookie’s physical therapist told me that dogs are stoic and will compensate until the pain becomes more severe. Cookie literally started limping badly 10 minutes into our walk! And he was fine before.
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Cookie Black Snowflake
July 12th, 2006. - May 25th, 2023.
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Cookie Black Snowflake
July 12th, 2006. - May 25th, 2023.
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