So I took my pup to the vet last night.. she had gotten into an accident I could and should have prevented, and I don't want to get into it, I feel bad enough about it already.

The outcome, ( I was expected a sprained paw ) was a shoulder injury. His presciption, three weeks in the crate, carrying her to use stairs, leashed potty outings, and more crate time.

I know this now, that she is not going to be a happy camper about this, as she was trying her darndest to act like nothing was wrong, still wanted to play..

Any sort of exercise I can do with her to help get some of that energy out of her, or am I pretty much SOL until the three weeks are up?

I've tried looking online for anything.. but I'm not doing a very good job. I'm still searching.. but any advice from any of you?

Any sort of things I can do to help her heal? Would it be too much for her to massage the area, or is that a good thing for her? Stretch it out once in a while? Ice or heat?

She doesn't whine, whimper, or hardly make any sort of notice of it being hurt, besides her limp. I've touched it, carried her, even with the doc examining her, nothing.

I am in the same situation with my Tessa. She injured her shoulder about 3 months or so ago and didn't really limp or complain at all. She just kept going and I feel awful that I didn't notice that she was bobbing her head when she walked. It's only noticable when she walks or trots. First time owner of a working dog - not an excuse, just lack of experience.

I have had her xrayed etc. and it is definetly a soft tissue injury. She isn't as restricted as your pup but is only walk for 15 min at a time and absolutely no running. She lives for her ball and hasn't played ball since July.

I would also appreciate any suggestions on how to deal with all of her energy.

Something like a kong with frozen goodies, a recreational bone (a big knuckle is great), or anything else indestructable for them to chew will take away some of the edge, as they have to exert some of the energy in chewing.

With the kong, I use peanut butter, cream cheese or yogurt and mix it with Zukes Mini treats or Liver Biscotti, that way it makes them work harder to get the filling out.

Was the Dobe x-rayed and it was also deemed a small tissue injury as well?

I would say that after a week or so of absolute crate rest, you can go for short, controlled walks (still be careful of the stairs as that does put unwanted pressure when going down them. I would be concerned that three weeks of carrying her around and being in a crate will have her so stiff that you will have to work harder to get her back into condition. IF it is soft tissue....if there are fractures involved then follow your vets advice closely.

 Quote: Holly Ellis

I have had her xrayed etc. and it is definetly a soft tissue injury. She isn't as restricted as your pup but is only walk for 15 min at a time and absolutely no running. She lives for her ball and hasn't played ball since July.

July??? Is her limp getting better at all? That is a LONG time for soft tissue to still be aggravating her into crate rest and limited movement.

The Orthopedist vet told me it can take a very long time for a soft tissue injury to heal. Especially in the shoulder for a dog because they use the shoulder to stand, sit, get up, etc. and the shoulder is never completely rested. A human can put the arm in a sling and give it complete rest... I said I didn't think Tessa would let me do that to her . I think the next step for her is an MRI. Structurally there aren't any signs of fracture or damage to the shoulder or her elbows.

It could be that she has torn a tendon and with her nature, she won't complain about any pain or even stop if she were in pain.

I am getting frustrated that she isn't getting better but am not sure what to do.


Edited by Holly Ellis (09/27/2007 02:41 PM)
Edit reason: can't spell

Hmmmm...that is interesting to me.

My Bloodhound and I were trailing (at a run) and he fell into a deep "gopher" hole, (I actually think it was an old fence post hole since it was straight down) and he tore his shoulder up.....

Now carrying a 100+ lb BH around was not going to work for me so he was on crate rest and controlled exercise and his shoulder seemed to be better in about 4 weeks.
He would not put weight on it for a week, and the second week he was really careful with it.

After two weeks, I started to use massage therapy and he LOVED it. By the start of the 5th week we were back to doing short trails and some mild conditioning exercises that we just increased as time went on.

She puts and has put weight on it - will if I don't watch her like a hawk, run full out w/o a complaint. She doesn't like to have the shoulder full extended - resist this but doesn't respond to pressure being put on the muscle or the joint. It's very perplexing, to say the least.

I think part of the problem may be that I didn't pick up on her being injured - she never really limped or shied away from using the shoulder. I feel awful because we continued to play with the ball - her chasing it in a full run and this may be the reason it is taking so long to heal.

I worked with a trainer in August and he was the one who picked up on the head bobbing and possible injury. Thought maybe it could have been pano.

She wasn't x-rayed, but the doc didn't mention a fracture. She gets to walk around the living room area since my dad is home with her, and she lays on the couch most of the time while she's supervised. Otherwise, she'll be in her crate.

When I went home for lunch, I walked at a slower pace to keep her from wanting to keep up with me to be at my side like she normally would.

I think her kong got packed away with my stuff in storage.. so I'll have to buy her another one.. but that's a good idea.

I may end up getting an x-ray if I go back again, since there is something else I wanted to have looked at.. which would be by this weekend.

 Quote: amanda stone

So I took my pup to the vet last night.. she had gotten into an accident I could and should have prevented, and I don't want to get into it, I feel bad enough about it already.

Oh yeah....no feeling bad from you missy .....things happen with dogs that you do not know you could have prevented until it happens and then you know for next time.

None of us are "perfect" handlers and it is not fair to beat yourself up about it. (okay, maybe there is one or two perfect handlers here, I cannot speak for everyone)

Move on, take care of your pooch and do not become an over protective mom.

I have had my share of injuries to myself and my dogs, could I have prevented them, well yeah, if I never let them or myself do anything fun or go to work.

Yeah, I can be a little stress case sometimes.. it's taking time to figure out I don't need to worry about everything that I do.

Personal problem, but hey..

I'll probably keep up my mother hen attitude until the three weeks are up and she'll probably end up letting me know when enough is enough. x_x'

I think she's enjoying the pampering she's getting right now. And it also means she stays inside longer than she's outside, which'll make her quite happy since it is starting to get pretty cold now.

But thank you. :3