boxer can't stand up

[Angelika_23]

My sister's husband just called, he said their boxer was lying on the floor for about 3 hrs. He thought it was a bit strange, but thought maybe she was tired. When he called her to feed her, she tried to get up and started yelping. She couldn't stand up at all. He called me in a panic, but I haven't dealt with that problem ever, so I told him to go to the emergency vet here in town. They are on their way there now. I hope their girl is okay. She is about 6 years old. I am waiting for them to call. Does anyone know what may cause that problem? Could it be hip problems?

Please send positive vibes for Lacey!

Angela

 

[MxRxSth]

I am sorry that I have no advice as to what this can be but definitely sending postive vibes your way and please let us know when you hear something.

 

[Connor2617]

We had a dog do that to us once. By the time we got to the vet she was walking around fine. The vet said to us that often if they lay in one spot for too long they can get the equivalent of pins & needles when they try to get back up. This can cause them to yelp & get distressed because they're not sure what's going on.

Sending positive vibes that it's something similar for Lacey & nothing serious

 

[Angelika_23]

sister just called

They are at the vet, they are waiting for Lacey to come back from her x-ray. The vet has told them if the x-ray shows nothing he will keep her for a few days and give her anti-inflammatory drugs. She still cannot stand up. I am waiting anxiously for another call. My sister does not want to leave her at the vet's, she wants to take her home and give her the meds there.

Sister says Lacey was fine earlier, went out to play twice and came in fine and laid down. Then, after 3 hours she couldn't get back up. That sounds really odd.

Angela

 

[Shakira's Ma]

Yes it does sound odd. :confused: I will be sending prayers and postitive thoughts to you and your family that Lacey will be just fine. Please keep us updated.

 

[Angelika_23]

Not good at all

Well, the vet says Lacey has double hip dysplasia, worse on the left. Plus she has arthritis. My sister is beside herself. Her husband says they cannot afford the surgery, they will just have to put her down. We can't help them, we are still recovering from the hospitalization(s) and surgery for our Beau a few months ago. I feel so awful about this. She is only 4 (earlier I said 6, but I was mistaken) and full of life.

The vet did say something about a course of shots over a 4 week period as an alternative to surgery. Has anyone heard about this? As I am hearing everything secondhand from my distraught sister, I'm not sure what I am hearing is correct.

Thanks everyone for your kind words.

Angela

 

[missysmama]

My girl is just over 1 year and she too was diagnosed with bilateral hip dysplasia. I was told that it was going to cost alot to have surgery, like $5,00 for both. She will eventually need it but if your sister can give her glucosamine it helps. Also my vet put my girl on Rimadyl and that along with the glucosamine, it has helped alot. My girl hasnt needed meds in few months, but I have it on hand if she needs any.Your sister can check around and see if there are any vets who will work with her on payments. Hope it helps.

 

[vetstudent]

I am so sorry to hear about Lacey. Which surgery was recommended? My Emma (only 1 year old) was also diagnosed with this and already had signs of arthritis visible on the x-rays. She had an FHO done on one side (her worst side) and has recovered remarkably well and was back to normal after about 2 months. The FHO is considerably cheaper than a total hip replacement, but you will have to check with your vet to see if Lacey is a good candidate for that surgery. There are several good posts on here about hip dysplasia and different hip surgeries, so doing a search in the forum may give you some more good info. Also, if your sister and her husband cannot afford the surgery, I would suggest to them to see if they can find her a home or get her into a rescue where she can get the help she needs and still live out the rest of her life -- especially since you said she is happy and healthy otherwise. Good luck to you all and I hope you get some better news soon.

 

[pmari3]

Get A Second Opinion!

Been there, done that! Tell your sister to get a second opinion! There are some vets out there that will only give you the option of surgery knowing that some people will go that route before trying other measures! If they can reduce the inflammation and limit the dogs activity to keep the inflammation down, she may regain use of her legs. There are alternative treatments out there and this girls is too young to be a lost cause. Good luck to your sister, I hope her baby is up and walking soon.

 

[beasleymom]

Been there, done that! Tell your sister to get a second opinion! There are some vets out there that will only give you the option of surgery knowing that some people will go that route before trying other measures! If they can reduce the inflammation and limit the dogs activity to keep the inflammation down, she may regain use of her legs. There are alternative treatments out there and this girls is too young to be a lost cause. Good luck to your sister, I hope her baby is up and walking soon.

I would definately get a second opinion and I would also request that additional views of the hips and spine be taken. Basic X-rays really don't show a whole lot that a vet can make a firm diagnosis from. Myelogram (injected dye) will help identify problems much more definitively and a CT scan would be ideal. Trust me...my boy just recently had a spinal embolism which has left him unable to walk by himself and the initial Dx I got from the Emergency Vet was that he had a herniated disc. Big difference between a herniated disc and a spinal embolism. Had I relied strictly on the Emergency Vet's opinion Beasley would have required surgery but after having my vet and an Orthopaedic Surgeon examine him we have a very different diagnosis - and course of treatment. Beasley undergoes some serious physical therapy and is learning how to walk again. No surgery, no meds. Just a lot of TLC. See if you can get a confirming Dx on the dysplasia and also alternatives to surgery. Sending mega (((healing vibes))) Lacey's way...and tell your sister and her hubby not to give up too quickly on her!!!