Possible stretched muscle? Vet trip?

[Diamond]

Last Thursday at school, Roxy did something to herself.

*Beginning of long explaination*

We were doing the seek back excercise. You know how dog's nails sometimes "scrape" (it isn't the right word but couldn't think of another) against the matting? Well that happened, and immediately after I heard Roxy have a high pitched cry.

My trainer or my mother didn't hear it. She seemed fine after, so I let it go.

We moved on to the drop on recall. Roxy's favourite excercise. She didn't drop, but she stopped, standing. Weird I thought. So I gave her the command again. She just looked at me. Than sat. We walked her out and we couldn't see anything wrong with her. Only when she lied down, after some convincing, would she have that high pitched cry.

I figured she'd just pulled something, perhaps stretched something when her nail got stuck on the matting. Later on that day after a nap, it had stiffened up as I imagined, and she wouldn't jump into the truck. I had to pick her up. Even when she lied down by herself she would do that high pitched cry. The next day, nothing. She appeared totally fine.

Now today, she was hestitant to down still, every few times she would yelp.

I'm worried that it's her hips, but she has no problems sitting or getting up from the down. It's just when she puts her legs up onto something like the couch, or in the actual motion of going down.

Should she go to the vet's? Any ideas on what it is, or what I should be doing? I'm hesitant to get x-rays done again as my vet told me putting a dog under so often is a risk, but I'm starting to really fret...

[Deb's Tiny Dogs]

I've never had to put my dogs under for a standard x-ray. If she's real hyper and wiggly, have the vet give you a sedative to give her about 45-60 minutes prior to the x-ray.

Sounds like she's really hurting. I'd just be afraid of her doing something to injure it further. But, you know me, I'm off to the vet for hangnail!

Keep us posted - poor thing!

[borzoimom]

Maybe she strained a toe? ( like stubbed it). Or a slight strain in the knee?
With your experience, you would be able to tell if you baby needed a vet. Giving a little asprin which is an anti-inflamatory might help. If its not better by the next day or showing more obvious signs of strain, a trip to the vet is warrented. Keep us posted how it goes..

[golden&hovawart]

I would take her to the vet to make sure it's not a torn ligament or something.With a strain,she wouldn't keep crying.

[EmmaGirl]

Is there any noticeable swelling or heat? If not and she continues this yelping...then a vet visit is in order. I agree with aspirin and would also suggest a cold pack to the area. Please keep us posted.

[Diamond]

She hasn't cried yet today and we've been out and about in the truck, off for a long walk and working in the backyard doing agility so I *think* she might be okay now.

Deb, Roxy's very iffy about being touched by strangers. So it's impossible for her to be relaxed enough to get a good x-ray. That is if you can even get her to lie on her back with anyone else around.

I'm usually the same way Deb! LOL. But my vet told me I'm too much of a worry wart!

No swelling and no heat either.

My trainer and I talked about it on Tuesday, and we're thinking that it might have something to do with her side, like underneath her pit area....

That would explain why she's walking fine, but only when she stretches, (Roxy does "sphinx" downs which would stretch that area, or when she climbs up onto stuff.. ) was when she was crying...

A cold pack is a good idea, but I can't even tell which area it is that's bother her for sure..

Thanks guys! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this little injury has come and gone!

[borzoimom]

Several days later now.. Still going well???