Minxy
LIFE MEMBER
- Aug 22, 2007
- 33,963
- 71,481
- Funster No
- 149
- MH
- Carthago Compactline
- Exp
- Since 1996, had Elddis/Swift/Rapido/Rimor/Chausson MHs. Autocruise/Globecar PVCs/Compactline i-138
Our Lily is nearly 14 years old and has a wonky front leg, it's a case of loose joints and arthritis/wear and tear, consequently she's been on Onsior tablets for a while now, only having them when really needed as sometimes she has very little sign of having a problem.
Unfortunately though she can suffer quite badly when it plays up and starts panicking, panting and shaking badly, getting herself in a right state (she's prone to shaking anyway). We don't let her do too much but obviously being on holiday she likes her potters but the other night she was very restless and in the morning wouldn't use the leg at all, and yelled when we touched her, not from us inadvertently hurting her but just as a warning that she didn't want to be moved. Fortunately we'd planned on going to Peso de Regua which fortunately had several vets listed so hubby dropped in on one and explained the issue and Lily's medical history etc. He was advised that she couldn't have anything that day as she'd already had Onsior that morning however to try a different tablet which is a bit more effective and kinder to her generally (ie less likely to cause issues with her organs etc which some can). We went back later in the day as whilst hubby was there he'd arranged for our dogs' pet passports to be done (details on appropriate thread) and the lovely vet gave Lily's leg/shoulder a really good check over, manipulating it like mad, but Lily didn't make any 'comments' at all, no growling, screaming, whimpers, nothing, just giving him the 'eye' as if to say, you hurt me and I'll bite you! He had her do a little bit of a walk and she very reluctantly used it but mostly managed on 3 legs, the conclusion the vet came to was that there was nothing which actually prevented her from using her leg, she just preferred not to due to discomfort etc.
Fortunately we've got a baby carrier, a simplified version of the below, which works a treat but she's still a bit of a lump to carry after a while even with 'hips' taking some of the weight.
Before we left for holiday I put in our shopping trolley just in case we needed it for her and I'm glad we did - for longer distances or where there are good paths etc it is ideal - she goes in it with a nice fat comfy cushion in the bottom ... at first she wasn't sure about it but now quite happily lolls about with her legs out enjoying the ride!
It's been a few days since the first 3-legged incident and she's been on strict rest only going out for 'necessaries' but she's started to use the leg a bit now, nothing like she would normally, but once she's done what is needed she can't half hot-foot it back to the camper using all 4 legs with a wonky walk ... we have to get a trot on just to catch her! It's gonna be a while before she's anywhere near to how she is normally, ie without any major issue, but at least she's not missing out.
Unfortunately though she can suffer quite badly when it plays up and starts panicking, panting and shaking badly, getting herself in a right state (she's prone to shaking anyway). We don't let her do too much but obviously being on holiday she likes her potters but the other night she was very restless and in the morning wouldn't use the leg at all, and yelled when we touched her, not from us inadvertently hurting her but just as a warning that she didn't want to be moved. Fortunately we'd planned on going to Peso de Regua which fortunately had several vets listed so hubby dropped in on one and explained the issue and Lily's medical history etc. He was advised that she couldn't have anything that day as she'd already had Onsior that morning however to try a different tablet which is a bit more effective and kinder to her generally (ie less likely to cause issues with her organs etc which some can). We went back later in the day as whilst hubby was there he'd arranged for our dogs' pet passports to be done (details on appropriate thread) and the lovely vet gave Lily's leg/shoulder a really good check over, manipulating it like mad, but Lily didn't make any 'comments' at all, no growling, screaming, whimpers, nothing, just giving him the 'eye' as if to say, you hurt me and I'll bite you! He had her do a little bit of a walk and she very reluctantly used it but mostly managed on 3 legs, the conclusion the vet came to was that there was nothing which actually prevented her from using her leg, she just preferred not to due to discomfort etc.
Fortunately we've got a baby carrier, a simplified version of the below, which works a treat but she's still a bit of a lump to carry after a while even with 'hips' taking some of the weight.
Before we left for holiday I put in our shopping trolley just in case we needed it for her and I'm glad we did - for longer distances or where there are good paths etc it is ideal - she goes in it with a nice fat comfy cushion in the bottom ... at first she wasn't sure about it but now quite happily lolls about with her legs out enjoying the ride!
It's been a few days since the first 3-legged incident and she's been on strict rest only going out for 'necessaries' but she's started to use the leg a bit now, nothing like she would normally, but once she's done what is needed she can't half hot-foot it back to the camper using all 4 legs with a wonky walk ... we have to get a trot on just to catch her! It's gonna be a while before she's anywhere near to how she is normally, ie without any major issue, but at least she's not missing out.