Puppy Question

brie&drew

I think Loki pulled a muscle yesterday. He was jumping onto our bed, let out a little yelp and has been kinda puny ever since. Ears are down and back and he's even cuddlier than normal. He's getting onto the couch just fine, but he's a bit skittish about approaching the bed. He doesn't seem to be in lingering pain, but he's a little whimpery when he moves around.

Any suggestions on how I help him feel better, or even confirm what's wrong?

Kupuggie

Mar would be the best one to answer this, but Puggie once jumped off our couch and was limping for awhile, when we finally did take her to the vet, she had torn cartilage and had a luxating patella she needed surgery on.

If he's limping, I might just make him rest(as hard as it is), and help him down and off the couch/bed for a day or so and see if that helps. If seems to be in severe pain I'd call the vet. We also put ice packs on Puggies leg when she hurt it. 

brie&drew

He hasn't been limping, so I'm taking that as a good sign. Drew's on his way home now so he'll be able to check on him. I think his client visits are done for the day, so he should be home for most of the afternoon. It just breaks my heart to see Loki so uncomfortable. It's like he's hesitant to move because it might hurt.

autumn wren

A friend of ours was staying with us a while ago and he had a puppy who did something similar. He didn't know what to do, but my nerdy nursing student self took care of him. I made sure he rested as much as possible and I didn't let him play with our dogs so he wouldn't hurt it any more than it already was. I would alternate between ice packs and heat packs (ice to reduce swelling, which is good the first 48 hours especially) and heat packs to reduce pain and increase circulation to the affected area. Make sure if you do this you don't apply the cold or hot packs directly to the area...wrap it in a towel or something. Extreme temperatures should never be applied directly to the area. Always begin and end with the cold pack, though, and never leave either one on for longer than 15 or 20 minutes. Allow a break in between each one...don't go from cold to hot instantly. It can cause trauma to the tissue.

I know it sounds weird, but it's what we're taught in nursing school and it seemed to work the same for the puppy. Since the poor pup is hurt, don't worry about him not sitting still long enough for you to do this. Give him extra love and chances are he'll sit there all day

Good luck....I hope he feels better soon!

brie&drew

Thanks, girls! I didn't see any swelling this morning, but I'll check again when I get home. I'm anticipating lots of snuggling tonight. 

If I'm like this with the dog I can only imagine what I'll be like when we have kids.

MarJo03

it could be anything from luxating patella, to a slightly slipped disc, to a pull muscled.

If he's not limping, I would put him on strict cage rest for the next few days to be safe. No running, jumping on anything, limited stairs, only going outside on a leash to do his business then coming right back inside. Sometimes, things get worse if you just assume they're fine because they're not limping.

Dogs are tough creatures, they hide pain. But the fact that you say he's not acting like himself, shows that something is going on. Do the strict bed rest, if he's not 100% back to himself in 2-3 days I'd call your vet.

brie&drew

He's curled up at my feet today. Much better after lots of sleeping and resting yesterday. We're still going to keep a close eye on him, but he's starting to seem like himself again.