Yesterday was a rough day. Tuesday Sampson started keeping his leg up when he was inside. When he’s outside he walks, but inside, he’s been a three-legged dog again.
He had physical therapy yesterday and the therapist said he’s not progressing, she also said she felt something ‘clicking’ in his knee and his hip is tight. I tried to get her to tell me what she thought, but she just kept saying “let’s wait until he sees Dr. Leshem again.” He’s slated to see him tomorrow for his six week X-rays.
She also said, it’s not fair, you get some owners who do everything right and the dog still has problems, while there are other owners who don’t do anything and the dog recovers in a snap.
It’s emotionally, physically, psychologically and financially draining. I’m totally exhausted.
To top it off, Sampson’s been at it again. By this I mean, he’s back to licking himself to the point where he’s worn the fur off. And it’s not just one spot this time, in fact he has a couple of spots on each front paw.
This is his paw. This is his paw with lick granulomas. Any questions?
I had a call in to my vet to talk about adding some Glucosamine to his diet so naturally I ran all of this by her. All I have to say, is I always feel better after talking with my vet. She’s just so awesome.
First she reassured me the surgery that Sampson had, has a very low rate of failure. She’s seen some screw back out sometimes, but it’s a quick and easy fix.
She said there’s a muscle that runs under the spine called a Psoas muscle, it is a very deep muscle that runs from the spine to the chest and she’s seen dogs who have had the ACL surgery end up straining the Psoas muscle, so if the X-rays show no issues with the surgery sight, have the Dr. check the Psoas muscle.
She is less concerned about the lick granulomas, as he’s more than likely very stressed at this point, with all his restrictions and the changes in his life and routine. She said let’s get him feeling better, and then we’ll worry about the granulomas.
Oh and yes, let’s add 1500 Mg of Glucosamine and 1,000 Mgs of MSM to his diet. 🙂
See what I mean? I always feel better after I talk to my vet.
All I want is to have my life back to normal. Is that too much to ask?
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Ah, the lovely psoas . .it is the bane of my existence and gives me all kinds of problems. I feel Sampson’s pain!! I can totally see why he would be licking his paw – I think it’s something they do to calm themselves – Cali used to do it when she was stressed out (lucky for us, we have adult beverages!) Big hugs to you – and please give him a big hug for me!!
Aw, poor Sampson. And, poor Mama! Been there, done that, as the saying goes. Thank God for our wonderful vets! I’d be lost without ours! And I’m with yours — get the leg feeling better, then deal with the lick granulomas.
I know you are just worn out and the pt made you feel like Sampson just isn’t progressing. I felt my shoulders droop a bit when I read all she said and then straighten back up when I read what the vet said. I especially liked that she said there is a very low failure rate and then had a solution for all aspects of his care. She sounds so positive and encouraging! Sampson will be fine, I am sure. I know Sampson is tired of it all, too and that in turn, makes you sad for him. But, you have so much behind you, he is only going to improve.
Hugs,
Gus’ Mom
Poor chap, and poor you! Your vet sounds fantastic though and here’s to her being spot on.
Poor Sampson and poor you. We hope that things improve. Glad your vet made you feel better. We continue to send healing vibes and POTP. Have a tremendous Thursday.
Best wishes Molly
Hi Y’all!
Oh dear, poor Sampson…I feel for you buddy! Let’s face it, the Humans are right, “it’s h-e-double L gettin’ old”. All it means is more vet visits and more life restrictions.
Y”all come by now,
Hawk aka BrownDog
Poor Sampson. Poor you. You’ve both got the I Want Life Back to Normal Blues. And I don’t blame either one of you a bit! So glad you talked to your own vet and hopefully that eases your worry a little. Hang in there!
You have a wonderful vet!!! I know it has to be so discouraging, but keep hanging in there. I do feel there is a light at the end of the tunnel for you. Sending healing vibes your way.
We all get a little run down and over worried sometimes. Just remember you are doing great and you will get there!
Hang in there. I know it is stressful. Sounds like you have a great vet. 🙂
Poor Sampson and poor you! Sampson, go lick something else that’s not part of your body! 😛 Get well soon!
Poor Sampson! Poor you, too! I definitely understand the emotional, psychological, financial burden of lots of time at the vet–for a while, both of my pets had so many problems (chronic FLUTD, xylitol poisoning, a worm, a run-in with a bottle of aleeve, lyme disease) that I was pretty sure they just wanted to spend more time with the vet than with me. It’s amazing how a good vet can make at least the emotional and psychological stress less painful! I hope that everything goes well with Sampson’s x-rays!
Geez, poor Sampson – recovery can be a real pain. He looks so sad and pitiful. Hang in there buddy.
Jodi, I’m glad you spoke with your vet instead of dwelling on/worrying about what the PT said. Sounds like the PT got all the book knowledge but none of the “bedside manners” while going through school. Just like some human doctors I’ve known! Sampson will be fine! Now, after his 6-week X-ray appointment is done, I want you both to go home and take a nap.
Mom has gotten herself all worked up about things but then a quick chat with the vet puts here at ease. One gets caught up in other opinions, the internet, etc. and that can get a human all worked up. I’m sure he just needs time.
WE are SURE that Sampson is going to show improvement VERY soon. It takes a bit of time for thingys to HEAL and for him to TRUST that he is actually BETTER. That is the hard part… learning to TRUST that it doesn’t Hurt to move around any longer.
I’m so glad you have a great vet to help you through this. It sounds like the therapist could do better, and not be so vague.
I can only imagine what a difficult time this is for both you and Sampson, and how much you both just want life to get back to normal. Hang in there, we’re all pulling for you, and I’m sure it’s all going to be fine.
It sounds like a very challenging journey. I do understand what a huge difference a competent, compasionate, and communicative vet can be in the process. I wish you well on your journey.
Poor thing, but I’m betting he just needs more time for that leg to feel better. Lamar sometimes gets terrible lick granulomas, and they don’t really seem to correlate with times of intense stress. If that were the case, you’d think he’d have had a huge one when Lars was with us, wouldn’t you? But he hasn’t had one in a while.
Try giving Sampson some nice slow massages, maybe that will relax him a bit.
Oh Sampson 🙁 I feel for you buddy!
I am so sorry for what you guys are going through, and it is sad to hear he is not progressing much.
I know he will come through this though. They are right, it is so crazy that someone who is doing everything right, is not getting to far, but someone who does nothing, things go perfectly for…..it is not fair! Wish I could help in some way…
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
I think..if I’m remembering right..that happened to donnas leah. I think it was the screw and was giving her pain..had it repaired…but..I’m getting old…lol..cant remember..cant think of why i would think that if not true..but hopefully donna sees this post. You did do everything right…and beyond…something’s are out of our control…hang in there
Having a great vet is so important and knowing that she has confidence. Big hugs from us.
I’m not sure who I feel sorrier for – you or Sampson! Recovery is so hard – dogs just don’t understand anything other than they can’t do what they used to. Poor fella. 🙁 Glad you have such a great vet though. Like everyone else has said – hang in there – it’ll be over soon and this will all be distant memory!
Once you do your best, there’s nothing else to do. You and Sampson are both doing your best.
I sure hope Sampson is feeling better soon. That way, you will feel better too. Like others have said, I’m thankful you have such an understanding and passionate vet. Hang in there!
Your life will be back to normal real soon. Hugs
Glad your vet set your mind at ease. Sounds like she knows what she’s talking about. That psoas muscle can be a pain- literally of coures! Hubs has problems with his sometimes. Sending good vibes to you and to Sampson!
I’m so glad that your vet set your mind at ease (some). I hope the x-rays go well and it is just a strained muscle. As for the screw coming out, if it is that, at least it’s an easy fix. I think I mentioned to you that Leah needed a follow-up surgery on her ACL (even though she had the different type of repair) but once the follow-up was done, she healed up within weeks! So, although I’m hoping Sampson doesn’t need any more procedures, there is a good news story for you just in case. 🙂