GSP Hind Leg Injury Question **UPDATE**

[prairiefirepointers]

My brother has a 7 yro GSP that has recently suffered a Left Hind leg muscle injury. He is taking the dog to the vet Monday, but if anybody might have some experience or knowledge I would greatly appreciate it.

First, my brother (19) is in the Army and was gone for 2 weeks doing more training before going to Kuwait in Feburary. When he returned, he noticed "HAUS" was all gimped up in his back leg. He asked mom what the deal was and why he was'nt taken to the vet...She remarked that he had come back that way after being let out to run and just figured he pulled or strained a muscle or something. :roll: (I am not very happy with her)

Anyways, I think the injury is to the dogs BICEPS FEMORIS, but I am no vet. The muscle is bulged out bilaterally (inside and out) and is causing alot of pain apparently. He just lays around and won't hardly eat, he has lost weight, & I could see the pain in his eyes. When I seen him yesterday I had to go over to him to pet him and he just stood there sadly and looked at me. Hardly even moved is tail much. Usually HAUS is going 90 to nothing and can be in the next county in a few minuites if he wanted, however, now he cannot even negotiate the steps to the house and won't wander more than 20 feet from the house to potty. Then he usually lays down instead of running about. This really has me worried for Haus and for my little brother. I hope this isn't some career ending injury, or something that would seriously limit his way of life. Has anybody any knowledge of an injury that sounds similar to this? And if so, what is the prognosis?

With the muscle being bulged out bilaterally and the lameness it has subsequently caused, I hope it isn't something really bad.

This is why I never wait for veterinary care.. Better safe than sorry. My brother has to go back to Lincoln Nebraska in 2 weeks to train until he ships out for 15 months. I just hate to see him all stressed out right before he has to leave again.

[briarpatch]

I have no clue about the injury, But I would suggest you call the vet right away most vets have an emergency number or will tell you an emergency Vet you can contact..
..

just a suggestion
briarpatch

[prairiefirepointers]

If it was my dog, he would've been at the vet within an hour. However he's not, and had I been privy to the situation I would have taken him to my vet.

[snips]

I am not a fan of Em clinics. If it is not life threatening I will always wait for my own vet. It may be a cruciate tear being hind leg, but never know...

[Sharon]

Trying PMing dog dr on here. He may check his messages before Sunday night.

As this sounds like a problem that can't be fixed quickly, the emerg clinic wouldn't be much help except for pain meds.I'd wait till Monday. It could be one of many things. Hope it works out simply.

[prairiefirepointers]

I will try pming him. I loaned my brother some METACAM from my supply. So he has that at the very least...

[Sharon]

I will try pming him. I loaned my brother some METACAM from my supply. So he has that at the very least...

You're brother's lucky he's got you.

[prairiefirepointers]

I called my brother to get some idea of how long ago this happened. He said that she told him it happened shortly after he left. So by our estimation, the dog is in week 3 since onset. :roll:
Like already stated, obviously its not life threatining, so it can wait till Monday, but its rediculous he wasn't taken previously. I guess I had better keep a eye on things for when he leaves for Kuwiat for 15 months, instead of relying on moms lacksidasialness... That's why she has cocker spanials I guess. They don't need legs to be a pain in the

[ezzy333]

I called my brother to get some idea of how long ago this happened. He said that she told him it happened shortly after he left. So by our estimation, the dog is in week 3 since onset. :roll:
Like already stated, obviously its not life threatining, so it can wait till Monday, but its rediculous he wasn't taken previously. I guess I had better keep a eye on things for when he leaves for Kuwiat for 15 months, instead of relying on moms lacksidasialness... That's why she has cocker spanials I guess. They don't need legs to be a pain in the

Mom just may know what she is doing. Because you wouldn't handle the way she did does not mean she was wrong. I wouldn't even expect my Mom to check the dog that carefully. Sounds like you would be happier if you just took the dog and cared for it till your brother gets home. That way the dog will be well cared for and you won't have to complain about how somewone else is doing the work.

If the muscle is really bunched it could be a tear or a ligament or evena broken leg. I would get it checked out Monday and then take the dog home with you.

Ezzy

[prairiefirepointers]

Sounds like you would be happier if you just took the dog and cared for it till your brother gets home. That way the dog will be well cared for and you won't have to complain about how somewone else is doing the work.

It is common sence to know that the dog should have went to the vet when the leg was not getting better after at least a weeks period of time. However, we don't all have the best of judgement sometimes... or advice. :roll:
Yes she is my mom, no I do not agree with every decision she makes, nor does she agree with mine.

The whole Idea of the thread WAS to see if anyone could contribute insight on the injury to my brothers dog, rather than share obscure dizzying rhetorical intellect. JMO.

I appreciate everyone elses helpful and compassionate comments and posts. Thanks.

[ezzy333]

The whole Idea of the thread WAS to see if anyone could contribute insight on the injury to my brothers dog, rather than share obscure dizzying rhetorical intellect. JMO

When he returned, he noticed "HAUS" was all gimped up in his back leg. He asked mom what the deal was and why he was'nt taken to the vet...She remarked that he had come back that way after being let out to run and just figured he pulled or strained a muscle or something. (I am not very happy with her)

I guess I had better keep a eye on things for when he leaves for Kuwiat for 15 months, instead of relying on moms lacksidasialness... That's why she has cocker spanials I guess. They don't need legs to be a pain in the

Since you mentioned your unhappiness with your moms poor judgement twice in your first posts, I did get the idea you were concerned about her lack of judgement. Since you point out I am wrong to bring up your Mom I will let it drop. Just wish you hadn't put her in the middle of your posts since that doesn't have anything to do with providing insight on the injury.

Ezzy

[prairiefirepointers]

Thanks for clearing me up. :roll: I was not the only one who thought a certain comment lacked class. NBD.
After all.. had I not expressed my disapointment about the lack of action, someone would have thougth I was promoting animal neglect or had some gross misrepresentation to exploit. IMO a musculoskeletal injury on a gundog is nothing to take lightly..

[Sharon]

Make sure you let us know what happens with the dog.
I would have given my husband heck for not looking after my dog if I asked him to - however he probably wouldn't have noticed any problem. He wouldn't notice if a fire ripped through the house. I always say to him, "Why does the dog always pee on the carpet when I'm away? Do you remember to let her out?" Not. :roll:

[prairiefirepointers]

I will.. He goes in Monday.

[winchestermodel50]

I've been through similar experiences and am going through one now. You might save some time and money by taking him to Helten Veterinary Clinic at 6630 W Central in Wichita, or the veterinary clinic in Abilene Ks. Abilene's clinic is amazingly diversified and would be my first resort before going to KSU. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think this will be a cheap fix. Sorry to hear about the injury.

[Sharon]

Any word on the dog PFP ?

[prairiefirepointers]

Well the news on Haus is pending... For starters, Sunday night he put on a bunch of fluid in his chest prior to seeing the vet on monday. She seen him and imediately done a blood scan which shockingly showed his liver was shutting down.
They never got a chance to look at his leg due to trying to get him stabilized. However she thought that perhaps the build up of fluid pushing out to his extremities may be the culprit there. The vet was pushing large amounts of protien and giving antiboitic shots and intraveinous fluids, and trying to get him to eat. She says she would like to give him 2 days before a decision on euthenizing him was made.

As of this morning, no good news.... He had made no marked improvement. We tried to collect our thoughts and wonder why something like this would happen to a perfectly happy healthy dog. We cut from the jobsite today early and built a box... and prayed some more.

As of late this afternoon (around 4:30) MAYBE a ray of hope. Haus' eyes were starting clear up, he was wiggling his tail and licking. He had ate a little, lost a bunch of fluid from BOTH his back legs, and chest. He looked like he was giving it a heck of a fight. The vet said his liver can regenerate, and if he continues to improve, he might pull this out.

We would really appreciate your prayers.

[Sharon]

Absolutely praying for your dog. The living God sees him and cares.

[romeo212000]

You've got mine. I don't understand how someone can let a dog limp around for 3 weeks. But that's not the important thing now. We're pulling for him.

[snips]

I had a young dog that started with symptoms of lameness, then fever. Got real sick real fast and it was his liver. He spent 5 days in on IV's, and a long period of antibiotics. He came home and recovered fine. Never knew what effected him.. Good luck..

[Ruffshooter]

Prarie, We are praying for Haus and you. Hope all is well and your vet is aggressive.

Rick & Janet

[prairiefirepointers]

Okay, as of 10' Oclock this morning this is what's happening.

The vet called this morning and explained that Haus has weakened, but his eyes are still clear, he is showing signs of 'perkiness' (wiggling his tail still, licking, ect) She thinks because he will not hardly eat for her that perhaps at home he would. So.. They have headed to the town where the vet is to take him home. The vet is sending all kinds of stuff with them, lassics, antibiotics, ect. She thinks that as long as we can get him to eat, have someone carry him in and out to potty and rest, he may very well make it.

I will post additional information as I get it. Thank you all so much for your thoughts and prayers.

Jess

[Killer Instinct]

Thinking of you & yours.... Keeping him in my prayers....
Good Luck....

[prairiefirepointers]

Well, I headed out to the house (moms) to see Haus. They had made him a place over by the fireplace and he was laying comfortably. After he got home they offered him some food the vet sent (special high protien stuff) and he ate pretty good. They had some left over porkchops and stuff and they deboned them and ground them up in the food processor and he scarfed them right down. Dustin (my brother) said that he actually walked from the car to the house on his own which is about 40 yards. His front legs are still holding fluid but his back one's look decent. He is far from given up. With all the prayers and optimism he might actually pull this out.

Once again, thanks for the support you all have been great.

PFP

[pear]

Now that is good news !! ..."pear"

[Dennmor]

Add my thoughts and prayers to the GDF pool.
Really pulling for this guy!
dennmor