New Member

Posts: 5
From:California
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 12-10-2003 12:08 PM         

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Hello, I have a 13 week old chocolate colored pitbull mix puppy. He has been very active and happy however, just the other morning he slept later than usual and when he did get up he was limping and wanted to lay down a lot. He had been playing with other dogs the day before, so I thought maybe he was just sore and tired. I called the vet and he agreed so I just let him rest for the day. The next day he seemed the same, sleepy and not wanting to walk much. I took him to the vet, as we had an appointment to get him fixed. The vet checked him out and noticed that his wrist area(the joint above his paw) seemed nobby, he then said that maybe he had just sprained his wrist while playing, and that he just needed rest. He gave me the OK to leave him and that he would proceed with his surgery, since neutering is fairly simple. I agreed and picked him up later that afternoon. When I picked him up he was very out of it, however the vet explained that it was from the surgery and he should bounce back around dinner time. Well it has know been a day and a half and he is still pretty listless. In fact he can't really stand up on his own, as he collapses due to being so weak he seems to be in pain (arms and legs). I was able to get him to eat some wet food, however I am concerned. I don't know if he is just taking extra long to recover due to the fact that he had somekind of injury to his front leg prior to surgery or if it may be a combination of both things. I have an appt. with my vet today, and he does not seem to concerned. My puppy has been having plenty of water and a little food but he just seems so said and in pain. I was reading one of the other postings and I saw something about skelatal growth problems, and I thought that maybe has has grown too fast and that has caused his wrists and joint to be sore. When I got him he was only 6.9 pounds, and then 3 weeks later he was 9.7. This week he is 20.9 pounds. So he has gained a lot of weight in the last month.I understand that the poor little guy has gone through alot in the last 48 hous (hurt wrist/limbs, surgery, and vaccinations) However any advise or help you could give would be much appreciated.

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Member

Posts: 1387
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 12-10-2003 12:30 PM         

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I have never had a dog who was neutered, "bounce back" by supper time. it's usually the next day before the anesthetic seems to have worn off and they are more awake. Witt was fine the next day and I don't think he even ever looked at the stitches, he just didn't seem to notice. Dooley had to wear a cone and was miserable, he had a reaction to the stitches and wanted nothing more than to pull them out. I would definately be concerned if it's been 48 hours and your puppy can't even stand, I'm not a vet, but if he's too weak to stand, or in too much pain...I'd be looking for a second opinion. He may have injured his carpus when playing with the other dogs, Since your pup was already put under anesthesia I would have wanted an X-ray when he was being neutered. Most of the expense in having an x-ray is the anesthesia. Thats just me though. Let us know what your vet says today. As for growth problems..I think you might mean the posts regarding high protein foods and panosteoitis(sp?). Too high protein in a food can cause rapid growth in puppies, I'm sure someone else here could offer more info on skeletal issues and the one I mentioned above, I just don't know enough about them.

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Member

Posts: 228
From:Grand Rapids, MI
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 12-10-2003 01:12 PM         

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Definately get a second opinion. I really like my vet as a person, but I think sometimes she has so many animals to deal with that she tends to overlook things that don't seem too serious. For example, Cameron had runny, mucus filled stools for weeks and weeks, and the vet kept telling us to change her food, limit treats, etc, but I just knew it was something more than that. After doing tons of research on my own, I diagnosed Cameron myself with Whipworm, and convinced the vet to give me a special dewormer for it (whipworms weren't covered in her regular dewormer.) Anyway, after a few days Cameron's stool was completely fine- it had been whipworm, and had I not pushed my vet to treat her for it, we might still be trying to figure out the problem!! Anyway, the point of my story is to never accept what your vet says as the final say- they obviously have a lot of knowledge and training on animal care, but often they overlook things they shouldn't. Get a second vet opinion, or push your current vet to take a closer look at your puppy. I hope all works out for your little one

[This message has been edited by puggleowner (edited 12-10-2003).]

[This message has been edited by puggleowner (edited 12-10-2003).]

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Member

Posts: 1387
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 12-10-2003 01:32 PM         

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Whats hard about the problem she is describing above ...at leaste it was hard for me with Witt when he injured his elbows, is that it's very expensive to do x-rays and other tests. You get.."it could be just a pulled muscle or strain" BUT it could be something more serious. So here you are trying to decide if you should spend tons of money or wait it out...it's a hard thing. I told my vet to go ahead and X-ray Witt while he was already under for being neutered, my vet thought for a minute and took Witt outside, he watched him walk, he moved his limbs around etc...he spent a bit watching him and looking him over. He told me he really thoguht that he has hyperextended his elbows, one worse than the other. He recommended that I not do the X-ray, give him a people aspirin twice a day and keep him calm for a couple weeks. I did and he was right. I have had the same vet for a long time, he knows me and how I think, we don't always agree, but we have that long term rel;ationship that helps me make decisions. She may not have that yet with her vet. My concern would be that he is still so lethargic and not eating much and that he can't stand on his own. If it were one leg injured he would favor that leg, but would still be able to get up.

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