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Wrist Injury
Rock fell quite a few times in the last few days, the last time I suspect may have lead to a front leg injury. His left wrist doesn't flex like the right one and while he isn't limping visibly his gate is a bit off I think at times. I am stressing. My vet appointment is in two weeks, and I can't see my vet before that (I am on a waiting list for cancellation but he is out of the office until the end of next week). I could go and see anther vet if I feel it is urgent (but this is an added vet visit as I need to see my regular oen for treatment).
I guess my question is - how do you judge if you should just rest it (no walks) for a few days and then see or rush to the vet immediately? I was used to this with Penny, she would limp and we'd just stop activity for two weeks and it would be better (or if not off to the vet - well aside the knee injury that was non weight bearing so we immediately went). But with Rocky it isn't even a full out limp. But his body is already unbalanced...
Oh he fell because it was cold and we were trying on the booties and I think they are causing issues which I need to investigate, but for now he is ok with the plastic balloon booties. I am working on ensuring he is safer - the last fall was unexpected and he was doing so great on that walk until then. He got up and walked home fine.
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I think I would wait a little while. Gabe will limp a little when it is cold out, but I think it is cold feet and he is somewhat wimpish, so over exaggerates.
The main thing is to keep him from falling again and causing more injury.
Sending healing thoughts and MOJO for Rocky.
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I would wait a bit and rest him as much as you can. I’ve had several dogs with wrist injuries, and the treatment has always been rest and anti-inflammatories, so if you aren’t already giving him something, you might want to ask about it, but if you are, then there’s not much else you can do, especially if he is bearing weight on it (so probably not broken). Poor Rocky - getting old isn’t for sissies!
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thanks guys
He is weight bearing. it's not really a limp per say but maybe a bit ginger here and there (maybe sometimes but it's hard to say as his gate is not 100% at any time anyway). but then, you know when you start LOOKING for something off you see it as being off? :p
I assume if broken he'd be limping significantly....and broken would need surgery but otherwise it would just be managed i guess.
Will white knuckle it and only do potty outings for a few days (or a week). worse case i can go in earlier with another vet, worse case our appointment is in 15 days (which seems long! LOL)
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hmmm...might not be the wrist (or not only the wrist). he is licking that leg a lot.
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I've had several that tweaked a leg and found that restricted exercise did the trick, usually 4-5 days.
Sending good thoughts.
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Is it swollen? If he's not limping much it's probably not so serious, but dogs can be very stoic.
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I hope a bit of a rest will help to make him feel better.
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I would also check for swelling in the leg and whether the area is warm compared to the other leg. I would ice on and off if you can during this acute stage and definitely rest outside of potty breaks. Whatever anti-inflams you have would also be appropriate (with vet guidance of course).
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Thanks everyone. So he never went into a full limp. But then I royally messed up yesterday morning and took him out back and didn't notice the ramp was slippery. he flipped off. I feel horrible, i know accidents happen but this was one I should have caught. But, learn from your mistakes and move on. We won't be going out back anymore, that ramp has been a hazzard almost as much as it has helped.
His wrist doesn't seem to be the major issue. I haven't tried to see the range of motion again as I want him to rest. But he isn't licking it more and no it doesn't feel swollen at all.
His gate is off but that may or may not be due to those falls. I mean let's be honest, his gate has been off for a year or more. His front end is bad in general, we knew that and it makes sense with his back end not doing much work. One thing I am seeing NOW (and i don't know if it is new) is his front legs are held quite stiff. They shake more now too. Not always but more (his back legs were already doing that). They are placed farther back not straight from the shoulder, but the physio mentioned he was using the muscles of the back (past the shoulders). Her recommendation in general was just to get him using the back end more (but I hesitate to do exercises right now).
I managed to help with the muscle "jumping" by doing the skin rolls. neat little trick I learned.
We got our vet appointment advanced to Tuesday (a week earlier). In the meantime i'll keep him to shorter walks to potty. I am quite worried about the coming weeks and months with the rain, snow freezing on the ground making is slippery not to mention actual freezing rain.