This has not been a good week for Sadie. As you may know, a little over a month ago she started to display a “sometimes” limp. The vet suspects that this is symptomatic of an old injury to her hind left knee.. most likely involving a torn Cranial Cruciate ligament. Slowly, with medication and restricted activity, we had noticed improvement and the limp was all but gone.
Then, in our own backyard, Sadie suddenly decided to give chase to Bear who was slowly meandering across the grass. Bear has never ever shown any fear of her… so I am not really sure what she was thinking.
Bear simply looked up and stood his ground as she came barreling towards him. Trying to skid to a stop when she saw his total lack of concern.. they both collided and ended up doing a “as-one” somersault. Bear, his dignity shattered, took off for under the trees. Sadie got up, gave herself a shake and headed back to where I was now standing and now yelling, “Sadie.. Come!”
I noticed it right away as she hobbled over to me.. her left hind leg held up as if in an invisible sling. I felt sick at the sight.
“What have you done girl?” I said quietly as she paid me no mind and just carried on in her usually busy way.. only now on three legs.
That evening there was no improvement. I watched and I fretted. I made up an ice pack, had her lie down and held the cold pack next to her injured limb. She let me do it, looking up at me with those sad eyes, her stub of a tail vibrating at my touch. I don’t know if the ice made her feel any better, but it helped me some.
The next morning we were off to visit Dr. Karen once more, my heart in my throat, Sadie still walking on three legs, the fourth tucked up beneath her.
Dr. Karen was a bit behind schedule. Sadie and I sat in the waiting room, she shaking on the outside, me shaking on the inside. Finally it was our turn.
I had Sadie walk for the vet and then we all sat on the floor as the doc gave the joint a quick manipulation. Sadie, wearing her stoic face, calmly complied.
“What a good dog,” Dr. Karen practically whispered. I nodded patting Sadie’s soft head.
“Her knee is loose and it is swollen,” said Dr. Karen. “This is going to happen until her body produces more scare tissue to stabilize the joint. Just carry on with the meds and keep her quiet. I think she will be ok.”
I physically felt a wave of relief wash over me. I couldn’t help it, the tears that had been threatening for over a day started to fall. I thanked Dr. Karen with a touch to her hand.. but felt more like giving both her and Sadie a great big hug.
We headed back for home, post cartrophen injection, with a new anti-inflammatory to try and a new list of restrictions. No running, no jumping, no stairs, no walks (for now).
Five days later, Sadie is still carrying that hind leg high. The good news is that once in awhile she is attempting to weight bear. The stairs are blocked with baby gates and outside time is mostly limited to “potty breaks”. Coco’s nose is a little out of joint cause the gates and restrictions seem also to be effecting him.. but that’s just the way it is right now.
Bear in the mean time is one happy camper. The backyard is all his. :-)
———-
post note: I have found a wonderful Yahoo! Group entitled “Canine Conservative Management“. Its focus is to provide information and support to those providing conservative management to dogs with ligament tears and injuries. Would you believe there are over 1000 members. Suddenly Sadie and I are not feeling quite so alone in all of this. :-)
———-
related posts:
A Joint Endearvour (July 13, 2008)
Too bad, but on the plus side it sounds like Sadie continues to enjoy living in the moment.
Have faith in your veterinarian and be glad that she isn’t one who wants to rush to surgery. That is often not an answer to the limping problem after all that you and the dog have to go through.
Poor Sadie! With all the TLC you’re giving her, I hope she’ll be fully mended soon.
It sounds like she’s going to be pretty OK. It’s so hard when they hurt. And they can’t tell you what’s the matter.
Please give her an extra pat for me.
Cas
I’m so sorry to hear that Sadie is ailing. I do hope that she makes a decent recovery. I’m glad to know that you found an online support group and know that there are other dogs who have the same difficulty.
You’re a good mama!
Oh gosh, I hate to hear this. And I can understand your worry. But you are doing all the right things and it sounds like she is slowly…very slowly…improving. I’ll keep my fingers crossed! Sadie is lucky to have you for a Mama! And I’m so glad that you have found an online support group.
If Sadie hadn’t injured herself, I bet that somersault would have seemed pretty funny. :-)
Bless her heart. Col, I know you must have been just sick at the sight of her not using that leg. It sounds like she needs some real time off of it. You will all have to be patient….not your strong suit!!
Keep us posted.
P>S>…I can see Bear’s smug smile from here hahahah.
I know exactly how you feel, Coll. A while back during a walk I accidentally stepped on Angel’s rear left foot, which of course caused him to yelp in pain. He scurried away from me, ears down, and left foot tucked up under his belly. My immediate thought was I may have broken his foot, and I just felt sick about it.
I bent down to check my poor Papa’s toes, but he wouldn’t have it, and would pull his foot away from me and sort of limp away in the other direction. As luck would have it there was a park bench nearby so the three of us sat there in the shade for a little bit. Papa stood on three legs for a while before I was able to coax him to lie down for a little bit.
When we got up to leave Angel did limp for a few steps, which made my heart sink, but soon he was back to walking along in that jaunty little strut of his, and all was again right with the world.
When they show signs of pain or illness it can often be hard to muster the courage to do what has to be done for our dogs and cats. You always seem to be able to pull yourself together quite well. There really hasn’t been any real problems with any of my pets since my wife left, but the few we did have with them while we were married we took care of together as a team. My former wife is a very strong person, and between us we got through some scary situations, especially with Jackie.
Now that it’s just me, I hope I can manage my emotions, and keep focused on what needs to be done as well as you do when my time comes again, and I need to face another crisis.
{{HUG}} Coll. I could feel your heart breaking nearly just reading that.
I’m so relieved that Sadie is going to be okay. She’s such a lovely pet.
It sounds as though this is going to be a chronic thing with Sadie, since scar tissue isn’t as strong as the original injured tissue. Still, it’s clear she’s getting the best of care, both at home and at the vet. Coincidence — I just joined a Yahoo group too, for feline CRF.
Poor Sadie. To have so much energy and her poor body won’t let her have any fun. It breaks my heart and I know it must be terrible for you. I hate to see mine hurt or injured in any way and you can’t fix it for them. Last week the dogs were messing with Spirit at the fence and he stepped on Eudora’s foot. She was so upset. Crying. I thought she’d stay away but no the next morning when she could walk again she was out barking in poor Spirit’s face. Crazy.
Poor Sadie girl! Did the vet do what a chiropractor would do when you said “manipulate”? I think my husband has done that before on some dogs and even on a pet duck! And then he wrapped up the leg in DUCK tape!!
Hope Sadie gets all better.
Poor Sadie! At least she’s getting excellent care and treatment from both you and your vet. Perhaps some of your readers could send some Reiki Sadie’s way; I’ll start.
((((Coll))))
Sigh, I have the same issue with my parent’s golden retriever at the cottage. it is so hard to get them to slow down. Just when they are getting a little better they rush off and get hurt again.
I am so glad to hear scar tissue may save the day.
It’s hard for us people to stay off a sore limb. Sadie can’t do word-finds. Tricky boring time for her. Glad the leg’s mending tho.
Dear Sadie,
I hate it that you are having knee problems. I know you dislike the restrictions given the way you love to run and play. You must do what the doctor ordered so in a short while you will be as good as new.
Chancy
PS: I understand about the knee as my right knee has a torn meniscus which hurts especially on the stairs. my Doc has ordered an MRI for this Monday to guage the extent of the problem. I wish I could get the shot your vet gave you. I am taking Aleve.
Hang in there and just enjoy sitting around. Have you tried watching Oprah. My Mollie used to love that show.
Sadie
Another PS:
I just remembered what a friend gave me to rub on my knee and It does seem to give temporary relief. It is in a roll on and feels cool. It has a slight menthol smell that is not too terrible.
However the name may turn you off given your unfortunate accident with Bear.
The name of the med is
“CATS CLAW”
Yikes.
Since you might be prone to lick your knee I guess “Cat’s Claw’ is not for you anyway. but you might want to google it.
:)
I hope Sadie is faring better. I find it interesting that human beings are not the only ones that sometimes do crazy, spontaneous things and end up paying the price. But when it’s a pet it is that much harder to deal with because they cannot tell you how bad the pain is, or just where it hurts. Luckily it sounds like you have a good vet!
So sorry to hear about the hurt knee…. knees can be such a bother, for dogs and people. Mine have been giving me fits for almost a year now. But Sadie is so fortunate to have you… and Bear and Coco too.
Well wishes to Sadie.
Oh….Sadie girl; Get Well Soon!