Sofie's turn

[alfina]

So, on Monday while at work I received a message from my daughter that she found Sofie sitting in a corner of our loving room, where she usually doesn't spend any time. She moved slower than usual but nothing more than that. When I got home, she was slower but looked ok. She did turn her dinner down and looked a bit stressed. I checked her out and her tummy appeared to be tight. I pushed everywhere on her back, legs etc, no reaction from her. I had some Metacam saved from a previous dental visit, so I gave her some and she definitely relaxed afterwards. On Tuesday, I was again at work, I got a video from my daughter of Sofie moving. It appeared that she was having some trouble with her left rear leg. Limping as it looked and that she mentioned that she thought she saw her dragging it a bit outside. I called the vet and made an appointment to bring her in the morning. I figured if she moves we could wait until morning. When I got home, she was uncomfortable, moving ok in the house. But when we went outside, she was more unsteady, wobbly in the rear at times. I did not see any dragging. I checked her out again, no reaction at all. Again gave her Metacam. At this point I knew she is most likely starting to develop some back problems.

This morning I took her in. It was not our usual vet as she is out of town. She moved her neck around, pushed on the back and the only reaction we got was that Sofie lowered her rear when pushed on her back. No wincing, no crying, just lowering her rear down. The vet also reviewed her xray from 8 years ago as she was trying to decide if it could be her hips and should another xray be done. She decided against it because course of treatment would be the same. And xray doesn't always show conclusively one way or another. So, Sofie is on activity restriction, prednisone, and pepcid. She did offer Tramadol, but because Sofie didn't seem to be in a lot of pain, she gave me a choice of getting it or calling for it later if Sofie does need it. We also did a double laser treatment today. I am hoping that this would prevent her from going down completely. Laser definitely relaxed her. She immediately wanted to go to sleep afterwards.

She is moving slower than usual tonight, again more pronounced unsteadiness outside on uneven surface. It is about the same as she was yesterday. I started her on prednisone and will take her for another laser on Friday when I am off. So sad.

[Yolanda]

What can I say except sadly we all know the routine and you are a great Mom. Take care and follow the protocol. Should she start to deteriorate any get her to a specialist.


I just went though something very similar with Stella and also notice a hard long "limp" on her right side", turns out she had a pulled groin muscle and it is the same protocol. Took a while and she did great.

Hugs and Prayers for Sofie.

[Alex's Mom]

Well, that sucks, Olga! At least you're on top of it and know what to do. What Yo said. Many many and . Keep us posted, ok?

[lotsadox]

I agree. It does suck, but you are doing the right things. Bogart never showed any pain when poked and prodded on his back but after one day, he was very wobbly. The prednisone and crate rest worked for him. He was 15 years old at the time and it took about 10 weeks of crate rest, but he did recover and walked very well (with a very slight hump in his back) and could even run! You know the drill and don't let her talk you into that she's okay once the pred kicks in. Bogart thought he was Wonder Dog and wanted to go run around so had to live in a harness in order to keep him from getting away from me.

Sending tons of Please keep us posted.

[Lisa]

The only thing I would maybe recommend would be a tensor bandage for support while she is outside. Sending Sofie oodles of rayz.

[alfina]

Well, she did feel like a wonder dog last night, but back to about the same today.

[oceangirls]

insurance rayz

[LexieLuvr]

You are doing everytthing right! More

[alfina]

Sofie completed her course of prednisone. Dr Lantry viewed the video that Natasha shot of Sofie walking at the beginning of this and is pretty sure something happened to her (fell, hurt her back etc). So, she cleared us for some slow walks, but still restricting her activity at home. Sofie acts like she is fine and I do not see any deficits.

[lotsadox]

Great news, Olga!