No running for Keegan!!

dogs rule · 10-18-2011

I had Keegan to the vet yesterday, as he was limping. It started with him just favouring his front right paw, but when he started to limp and not putting any pressure in it, off to vets we went.
With a through exam of all four legs and paws (to rule out joint injury), she (the vet) said that he has definetly injured his paw. Probably while running and rough housing with Brody, must have ran over a rock or stick.
Good news is he will be fine, as he on meds. for the pain.
But here is the real kicker, He has to be "quite" for 2 weeks. No running, backyard included in that, short walks with leash only, and no rough play with Brody.
Now I have Kongs ready to go with peanut butter, large marrow bones to chew, and so on.
Is there anything else that anyone could suggest, that would keep him from running around like any normal 7 month old puppy wants to do??
It's going to be a long 2 weeks!!

Lunareclipse · 10-18-2011

Tie him to you with a leash so at least he can't run far.

piratekitty · 10-18-2011

Good idea to keep him on a short leash. would a dogie boot help for protection if its bruise. I had to keep hunter quite for 6 wks when he was healing from a dog attack. And keep him from removing his bandage. I got very creative. Good luck and glad to hear he will be fine.

dogs rule · 10-19-2011

Thanks Luna
I tried your suggestion last night and so far today. I have a 20 ft. nylon training lead that I tied around my waist. And since Keegan pretty much follows me around the house anyways, this is great.
Although last night we had someone come to the door, and as soon as Brody flew down the stairs to the front door, Keegan was fast on his heels.
I almost was spun around like a top. LOL
Good suggestion for the dog bootie, but his paw is almost as big as the palm of my hand and I would doubt that he would keep it on anyways.

But, yes his paw is bruised.
I've also had to close the door to their dog door and the rec room since this room they see as their inside backyard.

Thanks again

lange · 10-20-2011

Poor baby. I'm sure the 2 weeks will be torture for you both. Work his little mind as much as you can.

If he's patient with Kongs, you can try using broth to entertain him longer. For us, PB kongs don't usually last long. You can start freezing the broth (or something liquid) long enough to make it slushy, then add it to the kong before letting it completely freeze the rest of the way.

Feel better little Keegan! 7 months old and can't run...no fair!! (but happy to hear it's not serious!)

dogs rule · 10-20-2011

Thanks Lange:
Your right it's not fair, poor little/big guy.
It would also help if his butt headed mommy didn't forget to close the doggie door yesterday. One of the kids missed the school bus, so I took off like a shot to the car and the left the door flap open.
When I got back, Brody and Keegan came inside just covered with leaves and all wet from the grass. Both were panting really hard, so it doesn't take a brainiac to figure out that they were rough housing. Keegan was limping pretty bad again, I feel we may be back to square one again

Thats a great idea for the kongs, peanut butter doesn't last long. I'll try it this afternoon.

Lunareclipse · 10-20-2011

If it's just a bruise, I would let your dog do as much as it can do. If it was a fracture, I would follow vet orders. Bruises will go away. If it's not bothering your dog that much anymore, let him be himself. But call a vet before you take my advice. I've never heard of a dog dying from a bruise though.

dogs rule · 10-20-2011

Thats the thing,it's so wierd, he doesn't seem to be put out by it. He will run and play, pounce on a ball, all things normal. But he's limping and bareing all his weight onto his left side. During the vet exam, she did say his left shoulder was stiff. He is over compensating for the right paw. She also said that he may have "bruised the bone" in his paw. I'm not sure if I've worded that right?
He has never yelped in pain (not that I've heard).
Keegans vet called today to check on him. I really have'nt seen to much progress, but then it's only been 3 days. She said that if there was no visable improvement in a week, she wants to do an ex-ray.
I would love to let him be and do what he wants when he wants, but this has to clear up first, as this could lead to other joint issues.

Lunareclipse · 10-20-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogs rule

Thats the thing,it's so wierd, he doesn't seem to be put out by it. He will run and play, pounce on a ball, all things normal. But he's limping and bareing all his weight onto his left side. During the vet exam, she did say his left shoulder was stiff. He is over compensating for the right paw. She also said that he may have "bruised the bone" in his paw. I'm not sure if I've worded that right?
He has never yelped in pain (not that I've heard).
Keegans vet called today to check on him. I really have'nt seen to much progress, but then it's only been 3 days. She said that if there was no visable improvement in a week, she wants to do an ex-ray.
I would love to let him be and do what he wants when he wants, but this has to clear up first, as this could lead to other joint issues.

You are correct in that. I thought the vet already took exrays and determined it was just a bruise. I had no clue they didn't exray it to see what the problem could be, since they didn't find anything in their initial examination.

dogs rule · 10-20-2011

Do you think a week is to long to go without an ex-ray?
I trust their vets opinion, but at the same time I wouldn't want to wait, if something else was wrong.

Lunareclipse · 10-20-2011

I think if the vet didn't find anything, I would have requested an exray that day. Maybe your vet was busy or something. Just do what your vet says. My vet would have taken an exray just to rule out fractures or something stuck in the bottom of the foot like a nail or a piece of glass.