I was excited last night I got off work 90 minutes early. Had plans of watering and mowing when I got home. Always a list of things to get done and a free 90 minutes is like a gold mine.
Instead I got home to a note from the dog walker, along with the usual we had a good time it said FYI while we were walking to the car to leave Missy was going slower than usual. I can’t tell if she’s favoring her right front foot.
Well there was no Missy to greet me. In fact no sound of her at all. I called and went to the steps and called, not knowing if she was upstairs or downstairs and I heard her collar she came crawling out from under my bed and yelped.
I spent lots of time bending every joint, looking for thorns, cuts, anything swollen. I could not find anything but I did get big yelps out of her when petting or touching her right side. I went to the store and bought baby aspirin, thinking if it was a sprain then there may be swelling and either way this may take away some pain. After the aspirin the panting through pain slowed down a little.
Last night we didn’t sleep much, every time she got up or layed down or shifted she would cry out. I can only equate the feeling to a parent who’s infant is fed and dry yet won’t stop crying and having no idea what is wrong.
So first thing this morning we made a vet appointment 8:45 was the first one available and we were there.
The wonderful vet Stacy checked her out and thinks she sprained her neck. It is hot to the touch but cant really tell if its swollen cause Missy is so fluffy. It seems stiff and she yelps whenever she gets up or lays down and Vet-Stacy thinks the sprain is pinching a nerve in her shoulder probably feels to us what a pulled or torn rotator cuff would feel like. They lifted her tail and Missy yelped so loud, they think it was just from turning to look at them. (I think she just didn’t want the thermometer up her bumm)
Missy is on anti-inflammatorys for a week and pain killers for the next couple days. She should be just fine but if she is still having problems after that they will want to anesthetize her and take X-rays.
Poor thing, I am hoping she is at home resting thanks to the drugs and I am drinking lots of caffeine to stay awake at work. I have to say, three days into this schedule 11am to 7pm (That Charla so eloquently described as straddling the shit line) I was thankful for the shift that it worked for taking her to the vet.
July 3, 2008 at 7:59 am
I’m so glad my missy is out of pain for the most part. Those are adorable pictures. Lots of kisses to my other gurl missy.
July 3, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Get Well Soon Missy! Frank wants to walk when you feel better!!
July 4, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Darn! Poor things, both of you. Hope she is on the mend very soon and back to waggin’ status.
July 8, 2008 at 5:36 pm
OH! poor thing! do you use a halti to walk her? I do on my dogs, but i have read some studies where it can cause problems in the neck. let me know and I will e-mail you the paper I found on it. I also have been taking Sprock to an acupuncturist for his arthritis since he cant take alot of pain meds, so that is also an option if it becomes chronic.
July 8, 2008 at 5:53 pm
Missy is much much better. Didn’t even finish the three days of pain meds. She was back with her park group today and was leashed up a couple times just to calm her down. Taking it easy for this weeks visits but she is all better.
I just walk her on extending leash and collar, usually very little if any impact on neck (unless there is a cat near by – but they stay pretty hidden)
July 9, 2008 at 2:02 pm
my dog was just diagnosed with a neck sprain and is in so much pain. it has been 4 days and she is not better. we have her on meds, and anti-inflammatory but does not seem to be better. any suggestions?
July 9, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Oh Judy, I am so sorry.
My only suggestion would be to get her an X-Ray in case there is a fracture.
Unfortunately they have to anesthetize the pooch to keep it still and the cost of that and the X-Ray can be costly.
How long does the anti inflammatory prescription go for? Missy was much better in two days on them. But before that she could barley move her neck, leg or even tail without yelping.
July 11, 2008 at 7:22 pm
I am going through this now with my dog. Not sure if it is a neck sprain or spinal. She is limping on her left foot too. I took her to the vet, but did not get xrays.Vet said a possible sprain. Anyone has any advise. Thank You.
July 11, 2008 at 8:17 pm
James,
Sorry to hear about your dog. It is such a horrible feeling to not be able to help them.
Did your vet prescribe any anti-inflammatory? Missy was on Rimadyl and didn’t even finish off the prescription as she started feeling better within a couple days.
Before I got the prescription I gave her baby aspirin which seemed to help with the pain/swelling until we got into the vet the next day.
Good Luck.
January 23, 2012 at 12:18 pm
[...] see the joint swelling and wrapped it in an ace bandage and gave her an expired Rimadyl from her sprained neck in 2008. I called the vet but they had closed for the day, keeping her still for the night and [...]