Thank you Connie and you're right. These guys did an excellent job of bringing me back to reality. Not to mention Betty's very direct order, almost making me want to stand up and salute but not even so much as a glance back in non-compliance. It's being chalked up to bad string of luck.

It's hard though when you're sitting there watching them go through this agony and that hindsight is so 20/20. If only I didn't.....

And no, there doesn't seem to be any sensitivity. In fact I was kind of massaging his temples and a little higher to see if there was any reaction and there wasn't. He kind of likes that and didn't really seem any different this morning. Last night was another story.

And I don't know if it makes any difference but this stuff is called Meloxicam?

He has given his head two of those big shakes though. Interesting you ask cause I was going to mention it to the vet when she calls. Once right after he ate this morning. Thank goodness because he wouldn't eat anything yesterday and this boy is like clockwork. We had to miss breakfast as per vet's direction but he would not go anywhere near food last night. Breakfast was good though. And then when Bob took him out to relieve himself, Bob came in and said he shook his head pretty good.

And she said the consult and results are usually back within about 24 hours. However, being Sunday, she may not have the results until Monday. It's around 3:00 here now so I'll anxiously await the next couple of hours and if not, I should hear tomorrow.

And thank you Ariane. You and everyone else, it's nice to know I'm in good company.

CJ, you are not alone. High drive reactive dogs will almost always find some way to get themselves into trouble & scare the crap out of us. Most of us with these kinds of dogs have traveled down that road. No matter how carefull you are...SH%# happens! It is just life. Just a bad run of events.

Hang in there. I hope that Vince make a good recovery.

DITTO on the vet chiropractor. Mine holisic chiro/acupuntture vet is almost always my first stop when anything other then a CLEARLY presented normal medical problem arises. My 'regular' vet has now even started to use & refer patients to my chico vet. It may be a pinched nerve issue that may be causing the lack of normal hind end use. I would have a vet chiro check Vince out before you pursued any other medical interventions, depending on the outcome of the tests.

Holding good thoughts. Stop putting blame on yourself. It's NOT your fault!

Hey Anne, thank you, And yes, I meant to thank Mara for the chiropractor recommendation too. I will definitely look into one barring any fractures or abnormalities that require some kind of specialized treatment.

She felt his pelvis had been damaged. Just an educated guess by what she was looking at. And for some reason these x-rays aren't super clear. They looked much sharper on their machine but when she pointed out the inconsistencies, it was quite clear to me too.

A very strange thing too. There are supposed to be seven of these things that run down his spine/back. Apparently he has eight. She kept counting them. Said she's heard about dogs with an additional one but had never seen it personally. I hope the vet type people know what I'm talking about.

But again, she really wanted this second specialist opinion.

Oh, CJ, I am so sorry that this is happening to you!!

I have Toni, who I call my "walking accident" because it seems like I turn around and she's bleeding or limping or both. When she was 7 months old she ran into Paul's metal car ramps while he was carrying them and nearly gutted herself- 15 stitches later and we have our first two scars...

Just in the past 2 months she has pulled her groin muscle, was rammed into the truck hitch by Drift and had a fist sized swelling in her flank for a week, cut her right front pad, busted the tip of her tail open, cut her forehead right between the eyes, and sprained her right front leg for a few days. And believe it or not, I DO watch her when she's outside!!!

High drive dogs throw caution to the wind and have fun. They live hard and play harder. There are days though that I think Toni could sneeze and blow a lung up or something...

I know next to nothing about X-rays- but I hope it all turns out well for you and him. Back and hip problems terrify me, as they do you I'm sure.

I had a dog that had broken her lower back in 3 places- she was a stray that had been hit by a car that I picked up. My original vet missed the fractures but referred me to the University of Minnesota Vet School because she thought there was damage to the pelvis. When the vet school did the x-rays they didn't knock her out- they just doped her up like your vet did- they used some kind of morphine too. She had 3 surgeries and a ton of rehab, but that dog walked again, so even if there is major damage, there is hope.

Please let us know how it all turns out, and we are all sending healing thoughts your way.

PS, It's Drift's birthday today and she said her birthday wish is for Vince to get better

--Kel

CJ, sending healing, positive vibes your way. Vince is lucky to have you guys taking care of him - NO NEED to beat yourself up at all over a ball being thrown... good grief!! We'd be fussing at you more for NOT throwing the ball into an "unknown thicket"!! LOL!

Hang in there... these crazy beasts heal amazingly well.

CONGRATULATIONS!! Your Majesty(better than Grandma?) !

Poor Vince, if only he were left alone in a yard to exercise himself, overfed and too obese to run; none of this would ever have happened. Yes CJ, you are at fault, for having a healthy dog who is fully engaged in life.

All I can tell you from the xrays is that he is not having puppies......or is he?

I am sending healing thoughts your way, and Thor is too.

I'm feeling some of the same guilt over my GSD girl. She has an ankle issue that was getting better, and now is worse than ever because I let her romp in the snow. My fault, 100%! And these tick illnesses that so plaugue(d) us- if only I didn't take them to tick country...

Argh, these things are always, woulda-shoulda-coulda. I wouldn't be super concerned about the ear issues, or the cut paws. Those things will heal- they happen to every active outdoor dog in your area, I'd bet.

I looked over the x-rays but aside from obvious differences in vertebra spacing (which I didn't see) or obvious fractures (also didn't see), or hip socket issues (no), I can't tell that anything is abnormal. I'm sure you'll hear tomorrow.

Note of caution on doggie chiropractor- do not go to one unless you are cleared to do so by your orthopedic vet. Massage, acupuncture yes and yes. Chiropracture... not sure about it. Be careful who you go to, if you decide to go that route. A good one will insist on looking over x-rays first. An adjustment could seriously hurt Vince if there are other things going on.

Have you tried warm heat packs for his lower back area? If he'll tolerate this, it may make him more comfortable. I've also used Arnica rub for dog and human muscle/tendon/bruising injuries. It seems to work well and from everything I've read is safe.

I think time heals many wounds- he could have just really strained the muscles in which case enforced rest past the time he looks better (I just made this mistake of getting back to activity too soon with my girl) for a month to 3 months (or more possibly) is the best treatment. Muscle/tendon things can be so tricky to heal completely.

I know it's easy to blame yourself but these things happen. Healing thoughts for Vince and keep us posted!

Pain issues- you can use Metacam with Tramadol for pain relief. Otherwise, NSAIDS can not be doubled up on (eg do not mix deramaxx and metacam). Tramadol is a mild narcotic, but if it makes a painful dog more comfortable I'm all for it. Both are pretty safe for liver/kidneys.

OMG Sheila, that's hilarious. I have no doubt the son would reinforce that, you might say he was even raised with that honorable expectation but his wife might not see that handle so favorably. Maybe.... sure like it.

As far as Vince being pregnant, apparently all those squiggly lines are gases. His temperament mixed with the antibiotics he's on and the stress of past few days shows up quite nicely on x-rays.

And Kelly, thanks for reinforcing what Tracey and Cheri and few others have said. And what has been my experience with this adventure seeking boy. It's interesting to hear about your last couple of months. There have been other events with Vince too, one involving landing on his tail in an awkward position, almost too strange to mention but caused him a bit a grief for a few weeks.

It’s just these 4 things in a matter of a couple of weeks had me reeling for the poor guy. They're all pretty painful and he was just suffering so badly last night. Seems if he can handle it, so can I and we just role with it but I've never seen him in such agony, for whatever reason - the drugs, the pain from all the poking and prodding and me standing by his side allowing it all. We won't get into the toll this has taken on the pocket book. Vets are expensive, let alone this last specialist bill. But he's worth every penny.

And thank you Barbara. This dog can retrieve a ball or even a stick I've touched from almost anywhere and he'll keep at it until he does. I probably shouldn't be sending him into places blind like that though. Bob even took the opportunity to give me doo doo over that one.

Again, thanks for all the great wishes guys. Vince is resting peacefully right now. Full of dinner, antibiotics and his pain medication.

You guys have really put my brain to rest too and I’m going to go and enjoy a good night's sleep myself.

Kiersten, I totally missed your post last night, must have been typing at the same time. Great information.

And yes, she asked if he had any kind of pain medication, aspirin anything (which he hadn't) before she administered or prescribed anything.

She said with him being young and so healthy the meloxicam shouldn't present a problem with short term use. One 4 mg chew a day with food and there's 20 of them.

We went over the variations in his 'natural' diet and she said she wouldn’t change a thing.

And it's interesting about chiropractors. I've never been to one myself and have heard a few human horror stories however I have a friend that swears by them. So yes, I'm sure there's good and bad in all professions.

Great tip on insisting on x-rays first. If I end up exploring that route, I'll use that as a bit of test.

Oh CJ!!! I have no advice for you, but wanted to offer a word of support. Vince is SO lucky to have someone that "gets" him and will go over the moon and back to help him heal.
Also, congrats on having a new grandbaby!!! My mom was grandma at 41 and found it much younger sounding to be "Grandma Cindy" instead of using her last name as is so common. And "Grandma CJ" really does sound super cool Either way to the Gram, Grandma, Nanna, YaYa, Oma, or Abuela- Congrats on the bright spot in your "eventful" winter