Dog, moving kneecap and a holiday

[Goodgriefisthatrue]

Hi all,

I am due to go to Rome next week for 4 nights with DH. My issue is the dog!! I have an adopted frenchie who started to limp/hop about 4 weeks ago, not very often perhaps 5 hops every 2-3 days. The dog is frightened of the vet and won’t let them touch her, she becomes aggressive and quite nasty even with some sedation. The vet believes it is a moving kneecap, has prescribed pain relief and gabapentin.

In the past few days its got worse, this morning she hopped for about 10 seconds before walking normally. She doesn’t appear to be in any pain - tail wagging, trying to jump on sofas/ beg for food etc.

She is booked in for an xray/ bloods under anaesthetic in 10 days time to see whats going on.

I am not sure whats happened but this has really triggered my anxiety (suffered for years but have had CBT/ talking therapy etc and was really much better). This small thing has pushed me right back to panic attacks etc… I am so worried to leave her just in case……

My DH has said we don’t have to go, but isn’t worried it’s nothing thats going to kill the dog!

My 20 yo DD is at home, my sister is 15 mins away and my best friend is 10 mins away if she needed the vet urgently. Plus we have enough medication for the month.

The vet has said it’s not super urgent, but I can’t seem to get over myself. I am being totally pathetic I know that.

Wouls you go on holiday? Thanks

I don't understand are you scared of the anesthesia and this is setting off your panic or the dogs knee in general ? Either way I don't think you should cancel your holiday what are you going to do sit at home panicking?

Your Dd will manage won't she or you would have said she didn't want to look after the dog everything will be fine, are you on any medication for your anxiety you might need to go to the Dr's it sounds through the roof.

I don't think you are pathetic to be concerned about your pet they are family imo.

Thank you, you make a good point I am not sure what I am scared of, I think it’s that the knee will get so much worse in the 4 days!!! or that it goes from grade 2 to 3 and she is permanently hopping and in pain.

It has just got more frequent recently- she hopped this morning twice, but then has tried to search for more food by standing up on her back legs, kicked back after going to the loo - she doesn’t seem bothered at all!

If she was in lots of pain I am sure she wouldn’t be doing these things. My DD is happy to have her and knows she has lots of support around - we had the home vet out to her last week, he said it wasn’t urgent but it would need to be done at some point. He said many dogs live like this as their owners can’t afford treatment or the grading doesn’t go above 2.

She is on conservative treatment, short walks, no stairs/ jumping on furniture, painkillers if needed and gabapentin too. I don’t think I can do anymore at the minute before the xray is done.

I have a GP appointment tomorrow- thanks again.

What are you scared of? Luxating patellas are very common and are rarely (if ever) an emergency.

Yes, I would absolutely go - but I really do get your concern about your dog. However, this doesn't sound like an immediate emergency & sounds like you have a really good support network at home to rely on.
I say this having just cancelled a holiday because my dog is ill (end-of-life ill) - but I have been away several times over the past years while one or other of my dogs have been under treatment / pain relief for other issues. It has always worked out fine, even when I was worried about going.
I hope you do decide to go on holiday & are able to enjoy it - Rome is a fabulous city!

Thank you so much, I have never been like this before, worried a little yes, but not anxious about 4 nights away. The dog walker won’t walk her but will do low key playing - etc. You are all right its not life threatening its a dodgy knee (the vet diagnosed without touching her based on symptoms alone). The xray is in 10 days and we will know more then, and if it isn’t her knee its the tendons again something which is fixable.