Dad's dog ran into a pole (injury?)

[Rain]

Now, I find this story slightly comical, but it's turning out to be not so funny anymore as it gets more serious.

Yesterday evening, my father's dog Mack (white collie), was outside running around and playing with the dog walker in an enclosed dog run that used to be a tennis court. There are a couple poles remaining in the tennis court from its prior days of glory, but people who run their dogs in the enclosed area have padded down the poles and put reflective tape over them so the dogs can see them and not get hurt on them. (or so we thought) Well, a couple joggers went by, and Mack started to run to the fence line so he can bark at the joggers (Mack has always hated joggers or cyclist). Apparently he hit one of the poles on his way to harass the joggers, and must have hit it really hard. The dog walker had her back to Mack so she didn't see what happened but she heard him yowl in pain and turned around to see Mack on the ground.

I was getting home at just about this time, and was picking up Reid from my parents house (he's over there for about an hour after the dog walker takes him out to play until I get home from work, and I only live a block away from them). I ran into the contractor who is working on my parents house on my way out, and he said Mack was hurt and the dog walker had called him and my dad for help. My dad, in turn, called me and asked me to find out what was wrong while he rushed home.

So, I rush off to the tennis court when is just half a block down the road. The dog walker is sitting on the ground next to Mack who is laying on the ground. Both were glad to see me, and Mack was whimpering in pain but refusing to get up. I checked over all his limbs, checking for obvious breaks or signs of discomfort or pain. No response from Mack besides his whimpering. So, I take the two dog leash and make a makeshift sling under Mack to hoist him to his feet. (80 lbs dog) We get him up, and it's painfully obvious that Mack wont put any weight on his front right, which is what I wanted to know. So, we lay him back down and wait for my dad to come so we can get him in the car and to the vet.

At which point 2 cop cars show up. LOL The joggers had called the police in concern cause they saw Mack was hurt and alone with our dog walker (who is a 15 year old girl). At which point we have to explain to the nosy and more than slightly arrogant cops that everything is under control and we're getting Mack to the vet asap. Talk about drama. One of the cops was literally fresh out of school, and took himself far too seriously. He almost looked younger than me.

Anyways, my dad arrives and manages to carry Mack to his car and off he goes to the vet. (My favorite vet was not in, so they had to use someone else). No obvious broken bones or dislocated shoulders. The vet refused to take x rays and instead sent my dad home with Mack and a prescription for anti inflammatory.

This morning, Mack was in rough shape. He hadn't moved all night and still refused to get up. Took some encouragement to get him up and moving to outside. When he came back inside, he laid down immediately and hasn't moved since.

I called the vet office this morning to get a second opinion with my favorite vet. He called me back "on a private phone" (which makes me giggle, cause he knows I only trust his opinion), and we discussed what was going on with Mack. Judging from the other vet's notes on how Mack responded to the examination last night, he doesn't think anything is broken or fractured, but there's probably some seriously bruising and muscle trauma. He said to keep a close eye on him for 24 hours and if there is no improvement or a regression in Mack, to bring him in again. But as long as he starts to improve after the initial 24 hours, we shouldn't be overly concerned. If he doesn't improve, he wants to examine him again and check for neck injury. He doesn't think it would be a spinal injury, since Mack will get up if encouraged. I feel MUCH better now after talking to him.

So, that's my story!

[Bclover92]

Ahh, poor dog...Hope he is okay, when i saw this it reminded me of the dog at the agility trial that ran into the weave pole(big black lab) and broke it right off...it was so funny!

[borzoimom]

WOW.. Okay.. I am not a vet but sounds like a tissue injury or strained muscle. If your vet doesnt think there is a need for xrays to rule out a fracture in the shoulder blade, short of a second opinion, I am not sure what to say.
I am hoping the vet gave anti- inflam. medication. Sounds like it. Hottie ran into a pole once and it brused his sterum like. He was on anti inflam for a week, but it was obvious in 24 hours a sign of improvement. I would safely care to venture that if there are not signs of improvement by tonight- you need to have the vet look again. Hairline type fractures are hard to see or feel at first- but become painfully ( sorry the pun) obvious after 24 hours. Hairline fractures in the shoulder are not cast-able. But they can be wrapped to provide support while the bones heal.
Meanwhile- add shark cartiledge or yogurt or Glycoflex. This is a joint but also bone support. .. Ask your vet but even simple asprin can help but make sure it can be mixed with what you have..

[Rain]

Originally Posted by borzoimom

WOW.. Okay.. I am not a vet but sounds like a tissue injury or strained muscle. If your vet doesnt think there is a need for xrays to rule out a fracture in the shoulder blade, short of a second opinion, I am not sure what to say.
I am hoping the vet gave anti- inflam. medication. Sounds like it. Hottie ran into a pole once and it brused his sterum like. He was on anti inflam for a week, but it was obvious in 24 hours a sign of improvement. I would safely care to venture that if there are not signs of improvement by tonight- you need to have the vet look again. Hairline type fractures are hard to see or feel at first- but become painfully ( sorry the pun) obvious after 24 hours. Hairline fractures in the shoulder are not cast-able. But they can be wrapped to provide support while the bones heal.
Meanwhile- add shark cartiledge or yogurt or Glycoflex. This is a joint but also bone support. .. Ask your vet but even simple asprin can help but make sure it can be mixed with what you have..

Yes, when I got a call back from my vet, we went over how Mack was doing this morning and how he refused to move and so forth. He said to give him 24 hours, and if there is no improvement, to bring him in again. And yes, he's on anti inflam right now. I highly trust my vet (who I called this morning for a second opinion) vs the vet who saw him last night. I'm very very picky about what advice is given me by vets, and I don't hesitate to get other opinions when what I'm told (or in this case, what my dad was told) doesn't seem quite right.

[borzoimom]

Originally Posted by Rain

Yes, when I got a call back from my vet, we went over how Mack was doing this morning and how he refused to move and so forth. He said to give him 24 hours, and if there is no improvement, to bring him in again. And yes, he's on anti inflam right now. I highly trust my vet (who I called this morning for a second opinion) vs the vet who saw him last night. I'm very very picky about what advice is given me by vets, and I don't hesitate to get other opinions when what I'm told (or in this case, what my dad was told) doesn't seem quite right.

Okay sounds great. Also you can add a ice pack wrapped in a towel on the chest. This slow down swelling. I put like 10 ice cubes in a zip lock bag- wrap it in a towel, then put in the area..

[Rain]

Originally Posted by borzoimom

Okay sounds great. Also you can add a ice pack wrapped in a towel on the chest. This slow down swelling. I put like 10 ice cubes in a zip lock bag- wrap it in a towel, then put in the area..

That's a good idea, thanks

[borzoimom]

Originally Posted by Rain

That's a good idea, thanks

First 24 hours cold- after that heat.. Same with people.
For heat I use hot water in a zip lock, wrap in a towel, make sure its not too hot, then apply in the area..

[EllyMay]

WOW. I'm sorry to hear that! They are often tougher than we think, but is sounds like Mack did a job on himself. I do hope he heals thoroughly and quickly.
PS cute story about the cops! I can just imagine!

[AtomicSkies]

aww poor guy...how did the dog walker take it?

[Hudsons~Mom]

Aww poor guy....but if it is a muscle strain...just like people he is going to more sore tomorrow then he is today...after tomorrow is when he will start getting better.

Try very softly massaging the area...if he is okay with that keep doing it, but a little bit harder. This will help with the pain tomorrow because you will be moving the muscle around so it wont be so stiff.

BM is right about the cold...cold for the first 24 hours then move on to heat....you want to do this for 10 minutes approx every half hour or so.