Dog is "snuffling" & lame
 

Sorry guys, this is gonna be a long one...it's a long story of symptoms.

First, hi! I'm new to the forums. I'm here because my vet is a money monger (it's a diagnostics clinic and they have to pay for those fancy machines somehow!), and I don't trust them to give me sound advice as they have performed and charged me for minor things like blood tests that weren't necessary. I want to change vets, but I don't know which ones around here are any good. So I don't really know what to do which is why I am here.

My dog is a 9 year old Pit Bull/Boxer cross altered female. She is an indoor dog. She turned up lame on Friday Jan 11 on her front left, and her hind rear. I assumed she had slipped on the ice while out for a walk, but I didn't notice any "incident". She is very hyper and agile, normally performing "airs above the ground" while playing. Haha! So the idea that she may have slipped isn't far fetched at all! I decided to wait and see as she was still able to walk, although she spent all day lying down, and had to be coaxed up to eat or drink or go outside.

She got worse to the point she wasn't putting hardly any weight on the hind leg, so I gave her some buffered aspirin with small meals. I was giving her one 320mg tablet every 6 hours. She weighs 72 lbs. We carried on like this for 3-4 days. During this time is became obvious it was the tendon that goes from her hock up the back of her leg as it was swollen. After this 3-4 days we noticed she was licking her lips a lot, and started to wonder if the aspirin was bothering her stomach, so I stopped the aspirin. She is still limping a bit on both the hind and the front (the front never got too bad, just a slight limp), but has much improved. She worsens with exercise (like going out to the bathroom).

Now, I'm not overly worried about her lameness right now. It's the lip licking thing she's doing. She does this quite often...and will just sit there and lick her lips repetitively. Her nose is always really wet (for the last 18 months or so), and drips sometimes, and in the mornings it seems like she's a bit congested, and often sneezes in the morning when she first gets up and sprays clear fluid.

Another reason I took her off the aspirin was because she was getting even more congested sounding in her nose, and it has worsened into being all the time, not just in the morning. She's congested enough that it sounds like she's snuffling. Just before I took her off the aspirin and for a few days after she would do a big sneezing cough thing maybe 2-3 times a day that would send a giant gob of yellowish mucous flying. A couple times this mucous had a bit of blood in it, and I noticed once after feeding her that there was a bit of blood in her bowl. I assumed that the aspirin had caused her a stomach ulcer which would repair itself in no time.

She has carried on this way, but only showed that bit of blood for maybe 1 day before stopping the aspirin and 3 days after stopping the aspirin. So for the last week she's just been doing this snuffling thing, but it doesn't seem like it's going away.

She seems depressed. Her hock still hurts her. Her front leg is still a bit lame too. She's not herself at all.

To put a twist to the whole story...I have been "sick" for about 4 months. Sniffling, coughing up green plegm from my lungs and sinuses, typical cold, but for a LOOONG time. I haven't gone to the doctor. It seems like my dog is suffering the same thing...

I haven't taken my dog to the vet because of the reasons mentioned in the very beginning, but also because I'm not sure that the vet could actually treat anything. I'm pretty sure the blood was from ulcer which as an isolated incident wouldn't be treated as far as I know. The snuffling is a cold maybe? Also not treatable...unless there's bacterial infection I think. I'm worried she may have a growth or something in her nose.

I dunno...what do you guys think? I'm getting real close to taking her to a vet. What is wrong with us??

[U]You need to take your dog to the vet![/U] If you don't like yours then go to someone different. The dog is in pain and unwell and you need to know what you are dealing with.

I do believe that asprin will make them sick (toxic for cats/dogs?). Good that you stopped that. She does need to see a vet so what I would suggest is to call around in your area and find a new one, sometimes you have to see several before you are comfortable sticking with one. If you let the forum know where you are from too, someone might live in your area and be able to recommend one. Depending on the severity of that injury and the time that has gone by untreated, she may need surgery or something so try not to put vet care off any longer. After all her health is the priority. Depending on what is wrong, letting it go could be making it worse and leave her permanently lame. :goodvibes: going out to your girl... :pray:

We are not vets here. Your dog needs to see a vet NOW. In fact, she needed to see a vet 10 days ago. I don't understand how you can leave your dog in pain this long. :eek:

I gave her aspirin after reading this website: [url]http://www.school-for-champions.com/animalhealth/aspirin.htm[/url]

Last time she hurt herself (2 yrs ago) she had hit the end of her extendable leash real hard with a regular buckle collar (she wears a harness now), and hurt her neck. I took her to my vet (the diagnostics one who is also 1 hour away). The vet gave me a painkiller and told me to use the muscle relaxant Robaxin. Use them for a week and see how she is. Well she was fine after that week of painkiller/muscle relaxant, but the vet charged me almost $500 in rediculous unnecessary treatments (blood test, ultra sound, and some other stuff I don't remember).

The limp that she has now is likely not detectable if I didn't point it out to someone, and her snuffling is much better today I have noticed.

I know you guys aren't vets, I'm not here for vet advice. I'm looking for you guys to toss something out there that I haven't thought of yet.

She's eating and drinking fine on her own. Although she'll drink when I tell her to (she's very well trained), so I have been making sure she's drinking a little extra. She's alert, her eyes are bright. She really just seems like she has a cold to me. :shrug:

I'm wondering if you had a previous problem two years ago with the vet why you didint' get some referrals from other dog owners as to who is a good vet they'd recommend :shrug: Gotta be prepared just incase.

So when will you take the dog to the vet?
The symptoms are varying and maybe some of them started after your 'home remedy'. Sometimes it can be okay to treat some things at home but others like what is going on with your dog need more attention and care that only a vet will help you with.

You 'should' be worried about the lameness. The lip licking could be done because of pain or a reaction to the aspirin. Pls take this dog to a vet. ASAP!

I just recommended a vet to you in your other thread.

Your dog has a whole collection of symptoms and is obviously sick and/or injured. Dogs are very good at hiding their illnesses/injuries because in a pack, the sick ones are often left behind or killed so they don't slow down the rest of them. I think you could be endangering your dog's life and I totally agree with all the other posts and that is SEE A VET asap.

[QUOTE=rainbow;534950]I just recommended a vet to you in your other thread.[/QUOTE]

Thanks! I saw, and called them already. :goodvibes:

So, I made an appointment for my dog with a vet that specialises in orthopedic surgery which should be a good choice considering her lameness. I couldn't get an appointment until Saturday though because I am unable to take any more time off work right now.

They have a drop off service:

[QUOTE]

Appointment Hours

For your convenience the clinic is open from 8:30 am-5:30 pm weekdays and 9:00am-1:00 pm on Saturdays.

We also offer a convenient drop off service. You can drop your pet off with us during the day and pick him/her up at the end of the day, so that your schedule is not interrupted and we get to spend quality time with your pet. Please do leave a phone number where you can be reached at with the reception.
[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=rainbow;534965]They have a drop off service:[/QUOTE]

I saw that...but I can't do that. I am (probably over) protective of my dog. The one and only time I left her with someone other than relatives was when a family member died, and I took her to a "retreat". They were kind enough to send me videos of her every day otherwise I would not have gone to the funeral. :eek:

I don't see how they would be able to thoroughly check her over without me answering questions...?

Over protective? Doesn't sound like that to me.
Here you have a dog with lameness and pain and other symptoms and you're willing to put it off to Saturday. I'd choose a different word for that and there's no need to look for orthopedic at this time a regular vet will do for step one.

[QUOTE]So, I made an appointment for my dog with a vet that specialises in orthopedic surgery [/QUOTE]

You have no clue what the true problem is. I am surprised the office would give you an appt with what a surgeon? Without a referral or consult? Hmm sounds fishy to me.

You were able to type things out on here for us to read, why can't you do that for the vet and take it with you drop the dog off for an appt immediately if you have to go to work.

Now you are starting to piss me off. I was convinced to get an appointment with the vet. This is a small town...a vet who specialises in anything won't have full time work without "supplemental" appointments. The vet clinic is the most recommended one in town (I found this through research a year ago, but they weren't accepting new clients then), and the vet she has an appointment with is the owner of the clinic.

Sorry if my chemotherapy appointments have gotten in the way of taking time off for my dog, among many other "life troubles". Sometimes life doesn't let you do things the way you'd like to. :frustrated:

My dog isn't suffering. Don't believe me? Take a look yourself. I'll freakin video her if you'd like...

I thought it was because of 'work' that you couldn't take the dog?
Seeing as you state you are ill yourself, you must then understand why it's so important to get medical care and treatment 'early'. What if your dog has a disease requiring treatment?

When I said it sounded fishy to me, I meant fishy in the way of the vets office. They never give out specialist appt without referrals so you ought to look into that further. You may have misunderstood your phone conversation.

You obviously had concerns enough to post about it here, and I do hope you work things out to take your dog sooner then Saturday. We all have life problems and illness, I am no exception to that. However you don't seem to like the advise we've been giving you so I'm not sure what else we can do. I cannot come there and take your dog to the vet for you.

[B]Luba,[/B] I recommended the vet to her. He is an ordinary vet that has been certified to do TPLO surgeries.

[QUOTE=Luba]However you don't seem to like the advise we've been giving you so I'm not sure what else we can do. I cannot come there and take your dog to the vet for you. [/QUOTE]

I think that remark was rude and uncalled for.

I don't feel it was rude, however this certainly was:

[QUOTE]Now you are starting to piss me off[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Luba;534981]I thought it was because of 'work' that you couldn't take the dog?
Seeing as you state you are ill yourself, you must then understand why it's so important to get medical care and treatment 'early'. What if your dog has a disease requiring treatment?[/quote]

I have been taking too much time off work due to the chemo treatments, and I am unable take any more time off. It is actually my mother that I take to chemo treatments, Dr appointments, etc. Before you ask, no I'm not a kid. Not even close. In the case of cancers, yes it is important to get treatment early. I doubt my dog has cancer.

I was raised around very expensive show horses, and have ridden, trained, and shown horses that are likely worth more than your house. We don't even rush [i]these[/i] animals to vets every time they come up lame. We worked very closely with a few different large animal vets, and most of the time we were able to treat issues ourselves. We knew when we could handle it, and we knew when we needed the vets. I'm not ignorant to vet care, and I'm not ignorant to my own ability to diagnose. On Saturday when my dog goes to the vet, I don't think he'll tell me anything I don't already know, and I don't think he'll treat her any differently than I have already.

[quote]I cannot come there and take your dog to the vet for you.[/QUOTE]

I don't need you to either. I already told you I'd video tape her so you can see she's not suffering.

I don't go running to the Dr every time I strain a muscle either. My dog is showing improvement everyday. If she wasn't improving she would have gone to the vet long ago.

Regardless, you had concern and that is why you posted here right?
And your dog is doing more then just limping. As I posted before some things are treatable at home (like your situation with the show horses) and others that have accompanying symptoms need more direct care from a medical professional.

Your home remedy could be making things worse at this point and if there is injury putting it off for another week could make it worse.

While it's none of our business about your health issues, you stated it was your chemotherapy and now you are saying it is your moms chemo. I'm not sure why the misrepresentation? Prior to that you said it was because of work you couldn't take your dog and initially because you thought your vet would rip you off. I hear a lot of different stories for one situation.

Having had show horses you would also know it's best to have a vet lined up that you can go to, and your dog deserves no less.

I'm stumped as to why you started this post then if your dog is improving every day? Your original post below with some things highlighted that you stressed, and therefore why you received so many replies from different people suggesting a vet appt asap.

You have stated your dog is in pain, yet you state your dog isn't suffering. I have concerns about what is / isn't truthful in your posts. You indicate presence of blood, yellow mucus and your dog being depressed and suffering. This all started Jan 11th and you've done nothing to date to get care and it's now 10 days later, and you are willing to wait another week. This to me is neglectful.

While I can sympathize with anyone's time constraints and your mother or you with having to go for chemo and the stress you are under I don't think I can add any more to this topic for you. Perhaps you need to read over exactly what you wrote. I again stand firm in stating your dog is suffering according to your first post and needs to see a vet to #1 determine what is happening and #2 receive something for pain relief.

[QUOTE]First, hi! I'm new to the forums. I'm here because my vet is a money monger (it's a diagnostics clinic and they have to pay for those fancy machines somehow!), and I don't trust them to give me sound advice as they have performed and charged me for minor things like blood tests that weren't necessary. I want to change vets, but I don't know which ones around here are any good. So I don't really know what to do which is why I am here.

My dog is a 9 year old Pit Bull/Boxer cross altered female. She is an indoor dog. She turned up[B] lame on Friday Jan 11 [/B]on her front left, and her hind rear. I assumed she had slipped on the ice while out for a walk, but I didn't notice any "incident". She is very hyper and agile, normally performing "airs above the ground" while playing. Haha! So the idea that she may have slipped isn't far fetched at all! I decided to wait and see as she was still able to walk, although she spent all day lying down, and had to be coaxed up to eat or drink or go outside.

She got worse to the point she [B]wasn't putting hardly any weight on the hind [/B]leg, so I [B]gave her some buffered aspirin [/B]with small meals. I was giving her one 320mg tablet every 6 hours. She weighs 72 lbs. We carried on like this for 3-4 days. During this time is became obvious it was the tendon that goes from her hock up the back of her [B]leg as it was swollen[/B]. After this 3-4 days we noticed she was licking her lips a lot, and started to [B]wonder if the aspirin was bothering her stomach, so I stopped the aspirin[/B]. She is still limping a bit on both the hind and the front (the front never got too bad, just a slight limp), [B]but has much improved[/B]. She worsens with exercise (like going out to the bathroom).

Now, I'm not overly worried about her lameness right now. It's the [B]lip licking thing she's doing.[/B] She does this quite often...and will just sit there and lick her lips repetitively. Her nose is always really wet (for the last 18 months or so), and drips sometimes, and in the mornings it seems like she's a bit [B]congested, and often sneezes in the morning [/B]when she first gets up and sprays clear fluid.

Another reason I took her off the aspirin was because she was getting even more congested sounding in her nose, and it has worsened into being all the time, not just in the morning. She's congested enough that it sounds like she's snuffling. Just before I took her off the aspirin and for a few days after she would do a big sneezing cough thing maybe 2-3 times a day that would send a giant gob of [B]yellowish mucous flying[/B]. A couple times this mucous had a bit of [B]blood in it[/B], and I noticed once after feeding her that there was a bit of [B]blood in her bowl[/B]. I assumed that the aspirin had caused her a stomach ulcer which would repair itself in no time.

She has carried on this way, but only showed that bit of blood for maybe 1 day before stopping the aspirin and 3 days after stopping the aspirin. So for the last week she's just been doing this snuffling thing, but it [B]doesn't seem like it's going away.[/B]
She [B]seems depressed[/B]. Her [B]hock still hurts her[/B]. Her front leg is [B]still a bit lame too[/B]. [B]She's not herself at all.[/B]

To put a twist to the whole story...I have been "sick" for about 4 months. Sniffling, coughing up green plegm from my lungs and sinuses, typical cold, but for a LOOONG time. I haven't gone to the doctor. It seems like my dog is suffering the same thing...

I [B]haven't taken my dog to the vet because of the reasons mentioned in the very beginning, but also because I'm not sure that the vet could actually treat anything. I'm pretty sure the blood was from ulcer [/B]which as an isolated incident wouldn't be treated as far as I know. The snuffling is a cold maybe? Also not treatable...unless there's bacterial infection I think. I'm worried she may have a growth or something in her nose.[/QUOTE]

Please get this thread back on track and be more civil to each other or it will be closed. We are here to educate not to attack each other.

Just to add my voice to the general clamour, I agree that your dog needs to see a vet. As you probably know, coloured mucous means infection, which unfortunately won't clear up on its own. And if you suspect she has a stomach ulcer, aspirin is a bad idea.
I have no idea about the lameness but she sounds poorly. Maybe she could use some painkillers for that tendon as well. As competent as you are, why let it drag on?

[QUOTE=badger;535007]Just to add my voice to the general clamour, I agree that your dog needs to see a vet. As you probably know, coloured mucous means infection, which unfortunately won't clear up on its own. And if you suspect she has a stomach ulcer, aspirin is a bad idea.
I have no idea about the lameness but she sounds poorly. Maybe she could use some painkillers for that tendon as well. As competent as you are, why let it drag on?[/QUOTE]

I think the aspirin caused the suspected stomach ulcer. Once off the aspirin the symptoms of ulcer disappeared within a few days, which I expected as I have dealt with stomach ulcers in horses many many many times. She is not limping enough to warrant pain killers at this time. It is a slight limp. I am "letting it drag on" because she [i]is[/i] getting better.

I came on wondering if someone would say "hey my dog did that too, and it wasn't what I thought it was, it was actually this". I think my description makes her condition seem much worse than it is. I honestly don't think she's in need of veterinary care. I'll let you guys know what the vet says on Saturday.

Yes please keep us updated, and good luck at the new vets! :goodvibes:

(I knew someone would know of a better vet in your area...:D) Thanks Rainbow!

I am glad to here that your dog is finally seeing a vet. Being a horse owner as well.....I can understand how sometimes we have to decide whether or not to seek veterinary care, or if it is something easily treatable at home. I also know that it is not wise to "assume" a diagnosis, which may become a more serious threat to health and the pocketbook if left. If one of my horses or dogs was lame, and had a snotty nose....they would see a vet because even though I may have some experience treating sick/injured animals...I am still not a vet and CANNOT offer a definitive diagnosis. Good luck, and let us know how your appt. goes. :fingerscr

Good luck with your vet appointment on the weekend. I'm not sure where you live but somewhere in the okanagan region of BC. I'm in Burnaby. If you go to yellowpages.ca, there are tons of vets in your area. Yes, some may be high end vets that charge a fortune but not all of them are. In Burnaby (near Vancouver, for those not on the west coast of Canada) I had to search but have found a vet that is very reasonably priced right here in the middle of the city. Many vet also have evening hours for your convenience. Please let us know how the appointment goes.

[QUOTE=Hogansma;535588]Yes, some may be high end vets that charge a fortune but not all of them are.[/QUOTE]

I don't mind paying for "high end" vets, but I do not enjoy paying for unnecessary treatment and tests.

UPDATE: The hound is 98% back to normal. No runny nose, no coughing, no snuffling, and she's only "barely off" in her lameness. Pretty sure she won't need to go to the vet on Saturday, but I'll keep the appointment since she's due for shots in a month anyway.

[B]Myka,[/B] even though she is only "barely off" in her lameness it is likely because she is compensating. If you don't get it checked out now it will only get worse later.

I also think you should get a complete blood panel done on her because of all the other issues she was having. The suspected ulcer could be causing a slow bleed which could end up being fatal.

Also, since she is 9 yr. old she is considered a "senior" and should have the blood panel done yearly. This is not an unneccessay test by any means.

Good luck and please keep us posted. :fingerscr :goodvibes:

Thanks for your thoughts rainbow.

(The following is not directed at you rainbow, just general thoughts on my behalf...figured I should be clear so I don't offend) :)

There's all sorts of possibilities that are hugely not likely to happen. Truth is she slipped on the ice and pulled a tendon (which the location I can clearly see). I gave her aspirin which upset her tummy (possible ulceration), which isn't unheardof at all. The ulcer will go away, in fact I'm sure it has already, and her tendon will heal just fine. I will be absolutely dumbfounded if the vet tells me anything otherwise. :dog:

Have you ever pulled a muscle or tendon? I have...several times. In fact, I jammed my thumb from falling on ice just a couple months ago. It took 4 weeks before the pain was gone. It is fine now...

Honestly, I think some people wrap themselves and their pets in bubblewrap...too many prissy people with prissy pets that get all sorts of odd maladies. :shrug: :2cents:

Well Hrmphhhhhhhhhh I am one of those people who bubble wrap their pets. I find that comment inflammatory and this thread should be closed.

[QUOTE=Shaykeija;535870]Well Hrmphhhhhhhhhh I am one of those people who bubble wrap their pets. I find that comment inflammatory and this thread should be closed.[/QUOTE]

LOL! That is being rather overly sensitive I should think.