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Original poster

I'm worried about my dog!

32 replies

SpringChicken · 23/11/2004 09:30

We have got a puppy chocolate labrador who is just over 3 months old.

He hasn't had all of his injections yet so is unable to go out for walks but we let him out in the garden for long stretches which he absolutely loves.

He is a very active dog - unsually runs around like a headless chicken - running from end of the house to the other and skids along the floor. As soon as someone walks in through the front door he goes mental and just wants everyone to play with his all the time.

however yesterday, he sat all day long either behind the sofa or in his bed - when DP and I finally managed to coax him out we realised he was struggling on his back legs to stand up - once he is up he seems OK but actually getting up looks like a problem.
I laid on the floor for about an hour trying to encourage him to play but he just wasn't interested - kept walking off to go and lie down.

I've called the vets but can't get an appopintment until 7.10 tomorrow night - I am really worried about him - He is just not himself.

On Saturday he learnt how to get up the stairs - i was bathing DD and suddenly he appeared at my feet - we obviously don't want him doing this so have now invested in a stair gate.
I thought maybe it had tired his legs out as he managed to do it a couple of times but that was Saturday and now it's Tuesday.

Don't really know what i expect anyone to say - just thought i would post incase anyone had any idea's. I can't believe i cant get in the vets until tomorrow night.

OP posts:
SantaFio2 · 23/11/2004 09:35

cant you get into another vets?

Freckle · 23/11/2004 09:37

Do your vets not do emergency appointments? Or try another vet. I wouldn't leave it too much longer. Hope he's OK.

Original poster
SpringChicken · 23/11/2004 09:40

Didn't think of that - thought it would work the same as our doctors do!

Will ring around now and see if i can get in. Also doesn't help that i have no way of transporting him.
We don't have a dog carrier and i have no-one to come with me which means i would have DD in the back in her car seat and the dog in the front with me - although, doubt he will be moving around too much - he hasn't done so far this morning.

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CountessDracula · 23/11/2004 09:41

Springchicken, I would get him to a vet asap. This happened to my pup and it turned out to be gastroenteritis - she couldn;t walk for 2 days and was dragging her back legs around, it was horrible. Has your puppy been sick or had diarrhoea?

It could be the stairs, as you probably know biggish dogs shouldn't walk up stairs for the first few months (with ours it was 6 months, not sure for labs).

Finallly, were his parents hip scored? They can have an hereditary hip problem called hip dysplasia, but generally the breeders will breed from two parents with good hip scores to elimitate this.

Call the vet and say you want an earlier appt. They will usually tack you onto the end of morning surgery if it's an emergency. Make sure they know how young your pup is and what the prob is.

best of luck xxx

Blackduck · 23/11/2004 09:43

Agree with CD - phone vet and stress how urgent this is and how worried you are....we have a problem with our dog and like CD said they tagged us onto the end of the morning surgery...

artyjoe · 23/11/2004 09:43

You should be able to get an emergency appointment and most vets will come to you if you tell them your situation, I've had this before.

It sounds like he might actually have a temperature so I'd definitely class it as an emergency.

Good luck - Joe

Original poster
SpringChicken · 23/11/2004 09:45

Thankyou so much CountessD.
I've just spoken to my mum and ended up in tears
He did have diarrhoea a few days ago but didn't really think anything of it.

He didn't touch any of his 3 meals all day yesterday so this morning i made it up with gravy to try and make it really soft for him but he just sniffed at it and walked off

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CountessDracula · 23/11/2004 09:47

He probably has gastroenteritis I would say. When they are off their food and feel weak and feeble they do find it hard to get up sometimes.

However, I am not in any way qualified to diagnose this, it could be something completely different so do get to the vet asap. xx

Original poster
SpringChicken · 23/11/2004 09:48

I know it's awful as i would pay any amount of money to make sure he is OK but i kept forgetting to sort pet insurance out and now i am absolutely panickign about the vet bill!

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KangaMummy · 23/11/2004 09:49

How was he on sunday?

Have I got it right that there was 24 hours between him climbing the stairs and not wanting to walk/get up?

I am just wondering whether he may have come down the stairs awkardly. Maybe twisted his hips?

Our labrador used to come down the stairs leaning against the wall because she found it too hard but would run up the stairs. We got a stairgate too.

sadly she has died now but she was 14 years old.

Really hope you get it sorted.

Why will they not see him as emergancy?

Does he react if you touch his hips or back legs or spine?

Blackduck · 23/11/2004 09:51

SC even with insurance you will end up paying an excess (ie you can't claim until the fee is over a certain amount...) so if its somethng minor (and hopefully it is..) you'll probably find you would end up paying it anyway...we always do with our dog....

SantaFio2 · 23/11/2004 09:51

they will usually see you at the end of surgery SC, go and ring them again or just turn up

Original poster
SpringChicken · 23/11/2004 09:52

They were great - they want to see him straight away.

Just nto sure how i am going to manage this with a 4 month old and the puppy - Nevermind - will report back when i get back.

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Original poster
SpringChicken · 23/11/2004 11:39

Well he's got Ear drops, Anti Inflamatories, Anti Biotics and Painkillers.

He's got an ear infections and vet things he's either got Hip Dyspraxia (sp?) or OCD - both to do with hips, joints and cartalidge.

Bless him - he was such a good boy - they can't do anything until he is 6 months as they will need to X-ray him and maybe he will have to have surgery but because he is so young and his bones aren't formed properly there is no point in Xraying now as it will just incur Xtra costs.

Have got him eating Puppy treats now so that's better than nothing - Vet said i've got to Syringe feed him for the next few days then he is going back on Friday for a check up.

Thanks for your advice - I was panicking majorly!

OP posts:
SantaFio2 · 23/11/2004 11:41

aww the poor thing

hope he gets better soon and the hip thing isnt too serious. Start saving just incase he needs an operation

Original poster
SpringChicken · 23/11/2004 11:43

Tell me about it SantaFio, what with Xmas round the corner too, i can tell the next few months are going to be fun

Ringing round about insurance now.

OP posts:
CountessDracula · 23/11/2004 11:44

Poor little pup

OCD? Not as in human OCD surely!

Check with his breeder on the hip score of his parents. You need to see if there is an hereditary problem there. Also don't let him climb any stairs, pick him up all the time until he has had xrays. Ditto with jumping into the back of the car etc.

CountessDracula · 23/11/2004 11:45

Springchicken sadly insurance will not cover pre-existing conditions. Now as this has not yet been diagnosed I don't know whether they will count as pre-exisiting. Check with your vet before doing this, he may be able to recommend someone.

Original poster
SpringChicken · 23/11/2004 11:45

Tell me about it SantaFio, what with Xmas round the corner too, i can tell the next few months are going to be fun

Ringing round about insurance now.

OP posts:
KangaMummy · 23/11/2004 11:47

I am glad that they saw him so quickley

sorry that he may need more treatment

Good luck with insurance

glad he is starting to eat a little

What is his name?

Original poster
SpringChicken · 23/11/2004 11:47

Don't know what happened there!

Will check that out before i arrange anything CD.
His parents hip scores where brilliant - think they were both 4/5.
Vet said unfortunately it is hereditary but doesn't necessarily mean it came from his parents - could've been grandparents.

What is Human OCD?

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Original poster
SpringChicken · 23/11/2004 11:48

His name is Luther.
He has always had these big Hazel sad eyes but they just look even sadder now!

He's fast asleep again now but Vet did give him his jabs so maybe that's knocked him out a bit.

OP posts:
CountessDracula · 23/11/2004 11:49

Obsessive compulsive disorder

KangaMummy · 23/11/2004 12:08

SC please could you put a photo of him up here.

Original poster
SpringChicken · 23/11/2004 12:10

Haven't got the feintest idea how i do that - Anyone tell me?

He is the most gorgeous little puppy in the land

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