What has he done to himself?!

[ThymeLord]

So pooch is a 9 year old greyhound. He has a touch of arthritis in his front left leg which causes him stiffness and a bit of soreness if he's cold. Other than that he's fit and well. This morning we came back from our early AM walk, soaking wet. He came into the house as normal, went into the lounge, gave a great big 'wet dog shake' and instantly started screaming and crying and holding up his left leg. Since then, he won't get up off the floor not to eat or anything. He's clearly hurt himself but what on earth could he have done just from shaking himself? I rang the vets this morning and they are going to ring me back around lunchtime to see if someone can come out and look at him. In the meantime, I was wondering if anybody has a clue? Could he have sprained something or twinged a muscle?

He could have pulled a muscle, and being a greyhound is now being a drama llama about it. My lurcher will limp even when he's forgotten why he's limping - and how do we know? Because he'll limp on the other leg...
But only a vet exam can tell really

Thanks for replying, that's what i'm hoping he's done to be honest. He is a big drama queen but i've never heard him scream like that before, it was bloody awful and for him not to get up to even eat is unheard of.

We have a little terrier with v fine legs that does this all the time. Pulls a muscle, screams and limps for a day or two then suddenly - bam - is fine again. Defo worth a vet visit if this is the first time this has happened but I suspect nothing too serious.

I hope you're right. Thanks

He's got a fracture in his shoulder. They think it's bone cancer. Will update.

Oh no, thats awful news! Thinking of you both

Oh no. That’s awful. I hope they’re being overly pessimistic.

Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear that

Hoping for good news op

His scan/x-ray has come back clear for cancer, thank god. He has a massive fracture in his shoulder and enormous swelling. Vet said that it looked like a massive impact injury but he hasn't had a massive impact so i'm at a loss as to how on earth it has happened. He has to stay in the vets on morphine and he will have an operation on Friday to put a plate in his shoulder to repair him. We are going to see him tonight as he is still coming round from the anaesthetic at the minute. Thanks for the kind words.

I can't believe I thought he had pulled a muscle. What a totally shit mum I am to him

Maybe it has been weakened over the years and now it just fractured, thinking of you both.

That's what I think retirednow. I felt like they were trying to insinuate that I had done it to him Probably over stressed and paranoid.

He had been limping for a few days but I honestly thought it was his arthritis bothering him because it has been cold and damp.

Oh gosh - poor you and poor ThymeDog!

Perhaps as PP says it’s a very old injury exacerbated suddenly? Has he been x-rated before when arthritis diagnosed, or could it have been there a while perhaps?

Thank goodness it’s not cancer. Wishing your pup a speedy recovery.

Don't blame yourself, it could have happened anytime, just love him like you always have.

He wasn't x-rayed when they diagnosed arthritis no. They just said that, because of his history as an ex-racer, and his age and the fact it only seemed to present when he was cold or damp, that it was almost certainly arthritis. I can't wait to see him later. Thanks everyone. It's a year to the day since my dad died and this was not needed today!

Maybe its an old racing injury and the big shake broke the already weakened bone. We have no idea what happened to them before they arrive with us.

I hope he makes a speedy recovery and do not beat yourself up, there is absolutely no way you could have known it was something like that.

How awful, poor Thymedog :(

Just got back from seeing him and he's a mess. Poor baby. He's on methadone not morphine, but was trying to stand up when we went in Can't believe he has to wait until Friday for surgery, seems so cruel.

Wishing ddog a successful operation and a speedy recovery - what a shock for you and him but he is very lucky to have you as his owner as so evident how much you adore each other good luck

What a shame they can’t do the op sooner. Your poor baby. Must have been a shock hearing that when you thought it was just a pulled muscle. Hope he recovers quickly, keep us updated.

What a shock. Poor pooch. You were so smart to take him in.

oh thyme . what an awful shock for you. Sending your greyhound the biggest, gentlest hug.

Maybe when he is better and up to walking again get him the equafleece suits. It keeps them warm and dry in awful weather and covers their legs and shoulders too. I have one for my dog and it makes a huge difference as he feels the cold but loves being out in all weather.

Thanks for all the kind words

I spoke to the vet this morning and she said he was very painful this morning when they came in They have upped his methadone. He won't eat at all, which is hardly surprising, but they want me to take something in for him so i'm going after work with some roast chicken to see if I can get him to eat that, before they take his food away ready for tomorrows operation.

I will have a look at those Jax, thanks for the suggestion. Although anything that he would have to put his legs into would be a big no-no from him!