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Luna just has some mystery surrounding that paw from before. I wonder if the injury (bite or what ever it was) caused a relapse of the previous unknown problem too, or it might be all part of the same picture that involves some inflammation too, which can come and go.
Hang in there Marianne and hopefully this will all be better soon. I'd probably limit long walks for a bit though don't ya think.
hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin
Well, come on sweet Peg,give mama a clue as to what is wrong with your foot.
If only they could talk
Remember Addy, it's Peg's thread, but Luna's foot. ;)
Geez, is it contagious!? Yesterday Fox got up limping and holding her right front paw up when standing. On inspection, nothing but she would react when I touched one particular toe. I looked very closely, nothing to see, massaged it a bit then put her back down and she was better but still limping a bit. This morning, nada, no limp, and she's springing and jumping as usual. :rolleyes: She's a bit like Tigger - boing boing boing! :D
I hope Luna is better and not worse this morning! I was thinking about how to better protect the foot and thought about the rubber traction footies...but if she will eat a sock off she could sure eat those things off! :p
Hi Marianne, awww stink with the renewed limping, darn foot!! :eek::eek: on eating the sock though... that won't do Luna!! Oh dearie me, the tummy was a bit off a while back I seem to remember, well now it is getting an inside scrub from passing sock :eek: Hmmm wonder what that long term limp is due too.. then this sudden flare... now back to occasional limp. I hate not knowing lol... hope something declares itself soon!! xx
Saw this on my FB this morning, something for you labs to do?!?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5tYeyChFB0
dang, I called Luna Peg:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o
Awwwwww....TOO CUTE!!!!! :) :) :) :)
OK, Trish, to take your mind off Flynny, here's a "what would you do" question...
It is now two weeks since the bite/sting/whatever. After a couple of days, the horrible acute issues all resolved, but we were left with a limp and a scabby area on one of the toes. Took her back to be seen a week ago, which I now regret because the scab was torn off and the toe shaved, all for naught because nothing was seen. But of course, that irritated the skin and also made Luna fuss with the toe. I was to put on antibiotic ointment, but of course she licked it off. So I taped on a sock which she pulled off and consumed. So I've left the toe open to the air with no more ointment because there is no redness and no open lesion. She finished 5 days of pred at the beginning, finished 10 days of oral antibiotic over the weekend.
But...she is still favoring the paw and the toe is still "bigger" than it should be. Not red, not inflamed, but a bit swollen. Kind of like lick granuloma which would make sense although I never catch her licking. And otherwise she seems to be her happy energetic normal self. Monday is a holiday here so we are facing a three-day weekend and I don't want an emergency crisis, though. So here comes the drum roll...and what would you do???
I can take her back to the vet tomorrow, but I truly don't know what there is to see. She's been x-rayed once and examined twice and nobody sees any foreign object or stinger. I really don't like the limp and I really don't think it's right that her toe hasn't normalized, but maybe she is still having residual inflammation?? I have four doses of the same antiobiotic left from Peg's UTI and could give it through the weekend. But after a break of five days, is that a bad thing to do in the absence of a confirmed infection?
My own thought is that I will definitely take her back next week if this hasn't resolved, but I'd rather just limp through the weekend (no pun intended) if we can because if I take her in, the vets will feel obligated to "do" something (like I wish hadn't been done last week because I think the shaved toe may have contributed to this while mess!). So I absolutely will not hold you responsible for any recommendation, but would you give the antiobiotic? (And of course I am happy to hear opinions from everybody else, too!)
Hi Marianne
If it is not red or inflamed looking I think I would hold off. No fluctuant areas to indicate a collection under the skin??
Flynn has had a couple of inter digital cysts, they did take quite a while to get back to normal. He had antibiotics and I remember it was not totally back to normal by the time they finished. He is hopeless with creams as well and I would usually put the cream on and sit next to him with the paw under the blanket until it had at least 'sunk' in a bit and not have a big blob of it on there. Think I would keep on with that. It was weird as I was sure something was in there, but they had a real good look with a big set of magnifier glasses thingamy and turns out they were right! Sounds like it has got re irritated with the cleanup... so think if it was me I would give it a bit of time.
What are the antibiotics you have?
Back in action again after my brief dinner break :)! Just checked your thread, so we are still awaiting news on Flynny!
Yes, I'm inclined to agree with you re: Luna. Nothing sinister that I can tell under the skin. The oral antibiotic is simplicef for cellulitis. The ointment is a bit more complicated, because AMA I did not apply what the vet gave me :o :o. ( I always confess, and thank goodness my vet usually forgives me). But when I got home, I found he had given me a quadruple thingey that included neomycin. When Hubby had a basal cell taken off his nose, his surgeon specifically said no, no, no to neomycin because it triggers so many allergic reactions. So I had some Polysporin on hand (which the surgeon had approved) and used that instead. The loss was a steroid component, but I could mix some cortizone cream in with the Polysporin...:o
My "ole country" doctor would recommend witch hazel to reduce swelling and for stings/insect bites. I keep it in my frig so when I need to use it, it has a soothing coolness to it. Witch hazel can be used on dogs so maybe try it on dear Luna's paw?
I have an antibiotic cream, must be similar as it has neomycin in it too. Plus the steroid. It has always worked well on Flynny :eek: I always have some in his med container and put it on anything itchy, sore or red! It also has some local anaesthetic in it which relieves things too.
Funny about confession time with the vets, think a few of us do that!! I know I do too :p
I am so very sorry she is having these problems still! This is a mystery for sure.
It seems to get better and then there is a relapse. She may have to have a break from walks for a bit.
I am wondering if there is something else going on further up the leg and this is just a by-product. I know you mentioned she had an x-ray....was that just the foot or entire leg and shoulder?
Not to add to your worries on this but this was my experience with Myclan and Lyme. For months she limped or had a hoppy gait intermittently and would lick her back feet til parts were raw. X-rays, antibiotics, steroid cream, diet change, little exercise and it would "go away" only to return. I asked for another Lyme test and yep that was the problem. Since her last dose of 35 days of antibiotics no symptoms at all and she has not licked her feet at all.
I am not saying this is what is happening, but have you had a Lyme titer done?
T.
Well, I took Kathy's wonderful suggestion ;), and split off Luna's posts to create a thread that's her very own. :)
Thanks everybody for all your thoughts and suggestions from yesterday and today, and I will come back later to mull them over with you...
(And Luna thanks you especially, Kathy, for prodding her mom into starting a new thread and suggesting such a lovely name. :p)
Yes, love the new thread title. It's brilliant! lol :D Yes, our sweet girl deserves her own thread. :p
I don't have any suggestions for her troublesome paw, so I'm sending hugs instead. :p
Oh Good, Luna has her own "home":):):):):)
Love it and I hope things get figured out.
Well isn't that something. I had a moment of what the ^%$# when I went to pop in and check in on Luna and couldn't find her!! hahahaha Luna's thread is a great idea!! Just what Luna ordered. LOL
Not sure about the paw, other than let it rest and see if it goes down on it's own.
hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin
How is the paw today? Trinket is gnawing on mine instead of her own at the moment! :p
What is happening with Lovely Luna's paw today? Still limping?
Thanks for asking, girls! I left Luna home both yesterday and today while I took Peg all on her own for a walk. Thankfully dad was home (four-day holiday for him) and could spoil Luna by fussing over her in the house. I think the enforced rest may have helped because I am not noticing her limping and I think the lump on her toe is smaller today. At any rate, she is mot worse so I will take that as a victory. :)
whoo hoooo! A bit of a break may help things more than anything else at this point. Good job mom!
hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin
It's a win, win all around!:p Luna gets to spend quality time with dad while her paw rests. Peg gets to spend quality time with mom. So glad Luna's paw seems to be doing better.
Well Marianne, has Luna's paw healed up or is she still favoring it? Checking in with you for an update on our girl.
Hi Marianne
I always think about your lovely labs when one pops up on my timeline.... this one was really, really, REALLY in a hurry for a swim! :eek::D http://twistedsifter.com/videos/gopr...ints-to-water/
Hope all good with the girls! x
Thanks for checking in on us, girls. And I love how you keep your eye out for the Labs, Trish! :p
Luna's paw looks pretty much normal now except that it is still fairly naked from the shaving. I'm surprised the fur is not growing back any faster than it is. It seems to me that there is still a bit of residual "fullness" between her two toes, but the area is smaller than before and it may just be appearing that way because I scrutinize it so much more without the fur there.
It also seems as though she may still be slightly favoring that leg, too, but it is no longer pronounced and may have nothing at all to do with the paw, even if she is. I keep promising to post her whole long history of intermittent limping and will still do so when I can get my brain organized, because she definitely has had issues that preceded the whole swollen paw crisis and may be resurfacing again.
We are in the midst of having the siding replaced on our house and the whole exterior repainted, and that is claiming my attention for the moment. I feel guilty because I have not proceeded any further with the urine testing of Peg or any more follow-up with Luna. But I am not a good multi-tasker and it seems as though something new keeps cropping up to stress me in relation to the home improvements :o. I have to say the girls have been angels, though. I can't let them loose in the backyard at all, so I have to take them out front on leash any time they need to potty. And what with all the noise and ladders and windows wide open, I can't believe how calm they've been. They are handling the uproar a whole lot better than I am, that's for sure. I am hoping that things will mostly be done by the end of the week.
But Miss Luna appreciates you asking about her, and would be much happier if we were taking more walks regardless of whether she's still slightly gimpy or not!
good to hear!!
T.
Such good girls you have there!;) Happy to hear that Luna's paw is healing. :p
Well I was quite surprised and pleased to find this thread and realize you have 2 more babies at home named Luna and Peg! I'm off to find pictures and read stories. :D ;)
This is most excellent news in regards to Luna's paw. Home repair can drive anyone nuts.
Hugs
Sharlene and Molly muffin
So glad to hear that Luna's paw is better!!
Sooo...Luna was in for her annual exam in January. All her labwork was normal except for her ALT being just a couple points above range. Her ALKP was clear down in the bottom range of normal. A week after she'd been in, a small clump of fur pulled out on her back leaving a nasty, red, goopy lesion. Called the vet back, I put some ointment on it for a couple of days, and the skin quickly healed. So that was that, or so I thought.
Since that time...the skin remained healed, but the fur never really grew back fully. Every time I see that little divot, I think "that is odd." She developed one more spot about a month ago, and I have recently noticed what seems like a symmetrical thinning of fur on both of her haunches. It reminds me of the beginning of a hair loss pattern that I've seen once before :o. She has been shedding abnormally crazy -- whole clumps of fur. Her whole life up until the last few months, she hardly drank or peed much at all. Now, whenever I turn her out, she pees and pees and pees. Today I found three new angry lesions erupting on her back.
So obviously there is some sort of chronic infection going on.
People, you know where I am going here. :eek: :eek: :eek:
Not leaping to any conclusions, mind you. Could be multiple reasons for multiple issues.
But you know what I am thinking. :o :o :o
Just had to go ahead and voice it for a moment, but now I will try not to stress and just follow along the diagnostic path. Taking her back in tomorrow and I suspect we will start with a dermatology referral. Luna herself is happy and energetic and carefree except for hating me examining her skin so much! She hightails it into her crate whenever she sees me coming toward her today. :rolleyes:
Surely hoping for some easy answers and a problem that will be solved with medicated shampoo. No need to borrow trouble yet, right?
I'm not liking the sound of any of this.:o Hopefully it's just a little infection that will quickly clear up. Get any Cushing's thoughts out of your pretty little head right now! I refuse to go there and you should too for now!;):eek: Keep us posted!
Kathy
It's hard once we know or have experienced something, not to be worried about seeing elsewhere too. So I'm hoping this is nerves and she's got a bit of skin infection going on, and that it will clear up. Maybe take a pee sample in and have it cultured to see if there is any infection there that she might need some antibiotics for too.
We can totally be proactive on other fronts before opening the gate to any other paths.
Hang in there Marianne! Dang ole devil on your shoulder scenerio.
hugs
Of course you are right, girls. But no matter what kind of skin infection I google (fungus, yeast, bacteria), they all say that adult dogs do not have chronic multiple lesions in the absence of a suppressed immune system. And of course the C word is typically at the top of the list of underlying issues.
[And yes, I also know I should STOP GOOGLING!!!!! Somebody needs to put a lock on my search button...]
I know what you mean. Google is both a blessing and curse sometimes.
But you don't know anything YET, so eliminate the other possibilities first.
If it is the "c" word, then that is a bridge to cross when we get there.
huggers lock and key that search button!
Okay, it's time for a break, or maybe an intervention.;)
Put your iPad down and step away
It's not going anywhere. It will still be there happily waiting for you when you return. Luna feels fine, but doesn't like being messed with. So, go play with those beautiful girls for now. That's an order!:D
Yes, ma'am! :o :o :o :o
Actually, it's their suppertime and The Girls really love their Mama at suppertime. :) :) :)
So off I go. See you later. ;)
Marianne - From what I can recall as to your menu selections, I would probably LOVE you at suppertime too! :D:D:D I rushed my dad to the ER a few days ago with chest pain. I've been going back-and-forth to the hospital, so the menu selection around my house has been sparse. Your girls are probably eating better than I am these days.;)
Please try to remember your vow to enjoy every precious moment and try not to fret quite so much. it's hard! Believe me I know!:o
I hope you have followed orders and stayed away from your computer!
Praying this is nothing major and just allergies, right? Right! Allergies.