Limping Abby

[Abby&Fiona]

Our 8.5 y/o EM is limping today. She has limped before in cases where she jumped off the bed or played to rough with Fiona and she recovered pretty quickly. Today she seems like she hurts a little worse. Her left leg is the leg that is bothering her and when she lays down she does not straighten that one all the way out. I think, again, she may have hurt a muscle or something while playing. She did not eat this morning and she has been VERY loungy. I was able to get her to eat this afternoon but I brought her bowl to her- she didn't want to stand at her bowl, I think. We won't make a habit of this but we wanted to see if her appetite was still there- it was.
I wanted to get some input on minor pain relief. I want her to heal up and feel better but she is pretty uncomfortable right now.

What have you given your dogs for pain? I looked into baby aspirin and find recommended doses very consistent. I would not want to give her too much obviously, but something to dull the pain. Maybe a couple babies? Let me know what you think.
If she keeps up the moping and limping we will take her to the vet in a couple days since she usually recovers.... hopefully she does soon!

Thanks!

 

[Marrowshard]

I'm sure you've probably thought of this already, but if you think it's just a pulled muscle, a heat pack could improve circulation to help it heal and a little massage might help ease the ache. I've heard of giving baby aspirin or even the dog-specific aspirin but haven't used it myself. I know when my muscles hurt it I don't usually take drugs, I use a hot electric pad or a microwave pack (and sometimes a banana or two to shoot my potassium up).

~Marrow

 

[Abby&Fiona]

Thank you for the suggestions. I didn't think of heat actually. I WOULD have for myself, but didn't for her. I did give her a little baby aspirin and she was moving around a little more but still pretty cranky.
We are watching her through tomorrow afternoon if worse then going to the vet. It's almost as though she is aching all over, you know how we feel with the flu...

Thanks again! Keep pack coming up!

 

[ElJayBee]

dunno if u have taken her to the vet yet, but if not, i definitely would. in a mastiff that age you could be dealing with some joint disease and/or arthritis, or something as serious as bone cancer.... please let us know what you find out! i wish you luck

 

[Abby&Fiona]

She was back to normal within the next 48 hours or so(6/30). The limping lasted longest but she is a normal abby now. All of those things definitely crossed my mind. she gets a clear check every vet visit...no creaky joints our anything..... But I know things can start up out of nowhere. Thanks for checking!!

 

[ElJayBee]

glad to hear she is doing better. just keep some x-rays in mind for the near future...

 

[Abby&Fiona]

Absolutely. She isn't a youngen anymore.... but still a snuggler!