The results.

I'm trying to decide if this is better or worse than a torn cruciate.

The new vet at the practice finally managed to track down the source of Chandler's mysterious appearing and disappearing lameness. It wasn't his knee as we had feared; unfortunately it's not panosteitis either. His right hip is not very solid. The vet said he didn't have any problems repeatedly popping it out of socket while Chandler was anesthetized. I'll have to decide if I want to get him OFA'd or PennHIPed to get a better idea of what is going on. It actually doesn't seem to bother him unless he really jars it, and he's been put on joint supplements in hopes that they will help.

I'm not sure why this wasn't caught when the x-rays were first taken. This whole fiasco caused me to rest him and now he's lost much of his supportive muscle.


At least his MDR1 just came back as normal/normal. He should be ivermectin etc safe.

Upsetting end to a good weekend

Well, Friday night went very well at the Modernmyths party.
I took Chandler out for a great run in a local park beforehand,
he was quite happy to get petted by all the Smith girls, and didn't freak out at any of the men.
He actually stopped a car in the parking lot by being criminally cute while doing a high-5.

And then this morning happened...

I went out to the park today early when there was only three other dogs there.
Chandler was doing figure 8's around a friendly lab when he suddenly did a slight twist at low speed and yelped. He held up his right hind leg for about half a minute after that, and then started using it again.
Of course, now he seems to be putting weight on it, but I think that doesn't mean anything...
I'm calling the vet Monday to check for laxity and a cruciate tear.

He was zooming around hiking trails offleash Friday with no problems.
He just started agility class.
The MA English Shepherd meet is 3 weeks away.
*cry*

Minor update

I had a great trip to Ikea with friends last weekend. (You know who you are.) Amazingly, the cinnamon buns lasted until Thursday. I'm hoping everyone is enjoying their little globe lights, unfortunately I haven't had time to find a spot for my two lanterns yet. And yes, Chandler ADORES his dragon.



Lyssa and Tlttlotd- I am blaming my betta obsession on you. :)
I picked up Jabberwock, a white betta with blue wash and reddish fin tips soon after visiting, and have just gotten a blue crowntail as of yesterday. He doesn't have a name yet. (Name suggestions solicited!) I'm still searching for the perfect Boojum to replace my deceased Snark on my desk at work-none of the bettas at Petsmart last night seemed quite right.

Tomorrow Chan and I will hopefully be off to the birthday party of his cousin, Nixie. I'm expecting him to become a happy, muddy, tired mess.

Chandler update

Chandler is REALLY not having a good summer.

The good news:
His hot spot is better, and we're almost through with the antibiotics.
His lame leg seems to have cleared up, we went to the dog park for the first time in a month yesterday, and there was no yelping or limping.

The bad news:
He ripped up his pads zooming at the dog park yesterday.
I guess they've lost their toughness after a month of rest.
There's no sign of blood, but he has only a single paw that doesn't have some kind of scrape or a flap hanging off it.
Needless to say he's a bit sore, and we're resting.
(I'm also glad he's still on antibiotics)
I'm probably heading out later to look for some sort of dog booties for him to wear to keep the scrapes clean for a few days.

dog is better, fish is not...

Chan seems to be doing fine during his convalescence.
He's trotting around, and doing his best to bounce while I'm doing my best to stop him.
The cats are being driven crazy, because he wants to play.

So the dog is better, but my betta Snark is looking a bit ill.
He's all washed out and was sitting on the bottom of his little hex tank.
I've changed his water, and I hope that will perk him up.

well...

...the fish didn't make it, despite administration of medication. *sigh*
I'm bleaching his tank to make sure bacteria and viruses are dead before I try to put another fish in there.

Chandler is just not having a good summer.
I discovered a large hot spot with painful scabs on him.
So, after another trip to the vet, he's got antibiotics for two weeks,
and I'm trying to keep him from licking at the spot.
I may need to borrow an Elizabethan collar from a friend,
and I'm sure he won't like that.

In the meantime I'm trying some green tea compresses on the hot spot,
as I've heard these can help dry them up and stop the itching.

At least the weather is going to be beautiful this weekend. :)

The results of today’s visit to the veterinarian.

Although Chandler is favoring the leg, his limp is not pronounced, so they knocked him out to do x-rays and manipulate his leg.
There is no laxity in the right knee-so if there is a cruciate tear, it is tiny.
They also said xrays showed nothing abnormal.
(Plus his hips look good (informally); Yeah!)
Diagnosis was either a soft tissue injury or panosteitis, which I guess translates into he did something to a muscle or has growing pains.
The bottom line is that he is supposed to rest for another month, although he can go on leash walks and do other easy exercises like swimming. No bouncing or running allowed.