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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

My dog is really unwell- any thoughts?

149 replies

SirVixofVixHall · 26/06/2016 12:20

My dog (two and a half) spend a day with a friend on Friday as we had to be in the city for the day. She had two long walks, seemed fine when she got home and yesterday morning. Early evening yesterday a friend called round with my dog's great pal, another young terrier. They played like mad and then my friend offered to take Vixdog out for a short walk with hers. While on the walk friend noticed Vixdog limping, by the time she got her back to us she was limping badly. My friend is very caring and careful, she hadn't noticed any sudden movement or squeak, or anything that might have led to the limp. At first we thought maybe she'd just had too much walking the day before, perhaps her paw was sore, perhaps her muscles etc. As the evening wore on she really looked in pain and wouldn't eat, so we took her to the OOH vet. He gave a painkiller jab, and thought she might need an x-ray on Monday. This morning her whole foot was badly swollen, and she looked really unwell and in pain- straight back to the OOH vet (we saw a different vet on call) who was baffled. She has a really high temperature, so she's had antibiotics, and more painkillers. The foot is hot and swollen, she is panting and her eyes look sticky and dull. Both vets (and DH and I) have looked gently all over the foot and there is no obvious puncture wound. It is a mystery- anyone had anything similar? We are in a rural area and she did briefly wade in the river as it runs into the sea yesterday. I wondered about Weever fish, but they are normally further out, and she surely would have squealed and swollen up right away? Vet asked if a cat could have bitten her, that is a no. An adder bite would have made her very ill very quickly. Spider? Anything else? I am really worrying, she isn't getting out of bed at all and looks very unhappy.

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SirVixofVixHall · 28/06/2016 11:53

She likes to put her head on your knee and gaze at you. That's what she's doing there. She's an Irish terrier.

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KoalaDownUnder · 28/06/2016 13:45

Awww...my dog does that. I'm so glad she's on the mend.

This thread has really put the wind up me, actually, as my girl loves to take off into the sand dunes at the beach. Which are known to be full of snakes (mostly poisonous, as am in Australia!). Sad

villainousbroodmare · 28/06/2016 16:05

Go girl! Delighted she's improving.

CrossfireHurricane · 28/06/2016 17:06

So pleased she is out of danger
Beautiful dog

ExitPursuedByBear · 28/06/2016 17:24

Irish terrier? Oh. Off to google.

Sorry for being nosy but are you North or South Wales?

CommunistLegoBloc · 29/06/2016 13:38

How is she today?

tinymeteor · 29/06/2016 16:29

Beautiful dog! So glad she's pulling through.

SirVixofVixHall · 29/06/2016 17:45

Am West Wales.
Catherine - a nest in a muck heap is much more likely to be a grass snake (harmless). They can look similar. If there were eggs it was definitely a grass snake as adders don't lay eggs.
Well bit of a blip today as her bloods showed abnormalities and they may have to give her a transfusion. They have slightly improved so they are holding off but monitoring kidney function closely. She is zonked out on the pain relief, the foot and lower leg (she was bitten near her toes) look nasty but better than they did. The colour is better for a start.

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CatherineDeB · 29/06/2016 20:39

No, definitely adders Vix because I squashed one driving in with my car - have got a picture somewhere of the flattened one!

Fingers crossed for your lovely dog.

CatherineDeB · 29/06/2016 20:49

Here it is - I feared 'family' revenge for a long long time!

My dog is really unwell- any thoughts?
SirVixofVixHall · 29/06/2016 22:28

Her bloods were a bit of a worry today, they are monitoring her kidney function, but they've held off on the blood transfusion for now, as there was a slight improvement in the bloods later in the day. I miss her so much! She was dopey when I saw her, due to the pain relief.

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boobyooby · 29/06/2016 22:37

Aww Vix, am thinking of you all and hope your furbaby pulls through.

Dontyouopenthattrapdoor · 29/06/2016 22:45

She's gorgeous.
All our paws are crossed for her here x

ExitPursuedByBear · 29/06/2016 22:47

Here's a pic of my boy. Been like this for two weeks now following an incident with Ducks and a barbed wire fence and a wound that won't heal. He is a very miserable spaniel.

My dog is really unwell- any thoughts?
DramaAlpaca · 29/06/2016 23:00

Aww poor boy. He's a springer, isn't he Exit? I have one that looks very similar snuggled up next to me on the couch just now.

Our old springer had a couple of nasty barbed wire injuries, one after the other. It's horrible stuff. I think it was a hare, rather than ducks in our case.

Glad your hound is improving SirVix.

ExitPursuedByBear · 29/06/2016 23:12

Yes he is. It's his second bad injury. But they never learn.

We go to Wales a lot so an adder bite could be next.

DramaAlpaca · 29/06/2016 23:15

They don't do they? One whiff of something interesting and that hunting instinct kicks in. Hope his injury heals soon, poor lad.

SirVixofVixHall · 30/06/2016 10:21

Poor spaniel, I hope he is bouncing about again soon (although not near any adders obv.)
Catherine- um....Are you sure that's not an old bike inner tube? Grin.
Waiting for an update today, will go in and see her this afternoon and try to remember to take a picture. I've been so stressed I keep forgetting. Keep everything crossed for her that bloods improve .

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ExitPursuedByBear · 30/06/2016 14:41

Fingers crossed here too.

Is she insured?

CatherineDeB · 30/06/2016 15:57

Grin Vix, I had nightmares for a week, I looked it in the eye at close quarters believe me and poked it/moved it about with a stick.

I hope your lovely dog is better again today.

When you said you missed her upthread I really felt for you, we were away at the weekend. Got home late on Monday and collected our dog from the dog sitters on Tuesday morning - the house was so empty without her just for a short time and without worry.

SirVixofVixHall · 01/07/2016 19:37

SHE IS HOME!!! Bandaged leg, and bandaged body to hold the strong pain relief patch on. Whimpering and very traumatised, but home. I've taken her cone off for a bit as she HATES it, but we have to put it back at night and if no-one is with her. The RELIEF!

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SirVixofVixHall · 01/07/2016 19:39

She does have tissue damage on her leg, some areas have necrotised, but it has been cleaned today and should just come away as the leg heals.

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NeedACleverNN · 01/07/2016 19:42

Fantastic news! Brave little soldier

Floralnomad · 01/07/2016 19:51

Congratulations , hope the leg heals ok , my patterdale X has had 2 foot surgeries and the healing on both occasions was problematic.

ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe · 01/07/2016 20:04

Very very happy for you and for her!