with worry when your lil' one has issues?

Our miniature dachshund Theo had a seriously rough go two years ago when one of his vertebra collapsed and instantly paralyzed his lower half.
A harrowing week of specialists, two surgeries and then 60 days of crating to keep him immobilized for a full recovery just about destroyed my soul.
Fortunately he recovered beautifully.
Ever since then I don't waste a second enjoying every moment with him (even when he's barking and driving us mad as a family) yet I have never been able to forget what happened, how it's part & parcel for his breed, and that it could happen again (~ dwarfism gone wrong).
Today he started limping which immediately sent me and my family into a maelstrom of checking him and worry.
Seems like it's something else... front right paw, favoring it and not wanting to step down on it yet will occasionally. We've gone over the paw, and him, tooth & nail, can't find anything... daughter is currently napping with him, wife is also napping after a long day at the hospital in the trauma unit but me, no I am mind racing while concern.
Possible it's a barbed end from a goathead - plentiful around here in the desert - but we can't find it. He's not yipping or wanting to nip at us when we touch his paw or look at his pads, etc... but yet he keeps licking it and holding it up -- either doesn't want to walk on it or does but sort of limps or occasionally takes off for a treat or toy like there's nothing wrong at all.

Madness.

I wish he could talk and just tell me what the hell is wrong so I could fix it or take him to the Vet to have him fix it.

 

Yes, it's excruciating knowing something is wrong with them, been there too.

Best of luck.

 

My guess is that the irritant is no longer there, the wound is healing but the paw is sore.

 

We woke up to projectile vomiting and diarrhea in bed a few weeks ago (3am changing sheets and scrubbing carpet)…so much stuff coming from a 7lb dog.
To the vet the next day and her pancreatitis is flaring up- may turn to diabetes soon. She’s been on the special diet for years, but she getting old and has little bird bones. When she’s sleeping peacefully, we sometimes check to see if she’s still breathing.



Rock out with your tongue out!

 

Had the same a few weeks ago with our Company Director of Security , Dash the fierce Guard Poodle. Daily Beach walk. Jumps out of the car, as always, and starts limping/ avoiding right front paw. Friday, 2 pm. Me anticipating a lousy weekend ahead with a terminal ill dog, straight to the Vet. Was lucky to get an appointment. Nothing broken, nothing serious. Stretched tendon from jumping out of the car and landing awkward on his paw....

 

Future trouble maker.

 

I spent a small fortune on PT and tests for Banzai, my late Avatar. He made it to 16. Mrs S was incredulous.

 

My daughter lost her beloved Dachshund earlier this year to old age. The replacement is still in training, but appears ready to step up to the plate. Sweet with people, but a ruthless killer of dog toys and stuffed animals.

 

Seeing the replies above makes me smile and feel less horrible.

Vet is seeing Theo this afternoon - hoping this is something minor and nothing related to two years ago.

 

Besides getting his paws covered with tree sap, our little dude gets the occasional fungus between his pads and toes. Irritating but treatable.

Hopefully Theo will have a minor issue that won't require you to liquidate your bike or watch collection.

 

We have so many animals 10 cats, 5 lizards, 2 dogs right now-- so yes, when one of them isn't eating or acting right, poof, off to work with my wife the vet tech. She's amazing, one of a dying breed of vet techs who learned by living and breathing with these animals. It doesn't hurt she's got a bit of Dr Doolittle in her as well.

 

All good, all clear... Vet did a full neurological exam with palpations - perfect. Back & neck are A-Okay.
Thank all good things in the entirety of the Universe for that.
He's exhibiting zero symptoms today - just like a problematic car taken to a mechanic, that's my Theo - so between the Vet and us the best we can conjure is:
A. Something got stuck in a paw pad but came out and he didn't like the feeling of it.
B. His luxating patellas, which he was diagnosed with three years ago, flared up and made him change his gait in the rear legs and that bothered the front paw.
C. He just felt like stressing the absolute shit out of me with worry for nearly 24 hours.

 

C.

 

Of course it's always good to check the paw carefully. But sometimes they take a bad step and sprain something in their leg and won't put weight on it. My dogs have come up lame on many occasions where they are back to normal the next day. I usually just crate them overnight to make sure they don't exacerbate things, and try not to worry for a day or two.

 

Ah yes, the old water treadmill...

Our late Whippet, Raven, was a regular on that after she had spinal surgery. I did physio with her several times a day back then. Now I do it several times a week with Remi.

 

My big regret is that I didn’t start him on PT when the symptoms first manifested. I think his later quality of life might have been better. He got the treadmill, laser heat and massage.

 

Laser was good - Raven loved the cool glasses...