With Jasmine, I learned to watch for problems. I didn't even have to see her limping, I could hear it. I could tell whether she was limping on front or rear leg and how much.
This habit of paranoid observation spilled over to JD and Cookie as well.
Even more so with Cookie, because she started her life with us lame on her hind leg on the second day. It looked so much like a busted knee, my heart stopped. Fortunately, it was all from a piece of porcupine quill hidden in her foot.
Shortly after, an encounter with an electric horse fence ended up with a limp again.
We also found on from x-rays that she had an old pelvic injury, which might be contributing to her getting hurt easier. It was an old injury, never treated though I can't imagine how it could have gone unnoticed.
The fact is that her back end is a bit off, even though it doesn't slow her down much.
We started chiropractic adjustments for her after the initial period of limping because of the porcupine quill. Since then we get her adjusted regularly.
However, the other day I noticed something I wasn't sure what to make of. She jumped off the couch, rushing to the door to greet our friend and I thought I saw her bunny hop couple of times on the way. All looked normal after that. But the observation got filed in my mind and I was watching more carefully.
There was no visible limping.
But for the next couple of day, every now and then, things didn't look right. You know, that kind of thing when you can't quite put your finger on it but still you know.
I could have shrugged it off since she wasn't lame, wasn't slowing down and wasn't complaining. But I had my suspicion that something got tweaked.
I made a chiropractic appointment for her for Monday, just to be on the safe side.
Sure as shooting, she had a serious tweak in her sacroiliac joint lower back were quite off. She actually yelped when the chiropractor touched one of the spots. That never happened before and clearly it was more painful than usually.
The chiropractor adjusted it, then went over it again at the end of the visit to make sure it's happy. It was.
How much pain was that causing Cookie we'll never know.
But I'm pretty sure it would have been quite painful. With her enthusiasm for physical activity, she wouldn't let it slow her down but was compensating for it.
I feel it still needs to be revisited some time soon. But I'm glad I did believe my instinct that something was off.
Is the pelvis behind all that?
Perhaps. Sounds like a reasonable assumption. With that, and Cookie's activity level, I can see she'll be seeing her chiropractor for her entire life. It is something we're going to have to stay on top of.
Related articles:
Don't Knock It Until You Tried It: Animal Chiropractic
From The End Of A Lead Line To Casa Jasmine: Meet Cookie, Our New Adoptee
And So It Begins Again(?) Our First Health-Related Heart Attack With Cookie
I Didn't Know I Could Fly: Why Cookie Wears A Harness Instead Of A Collar
C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Chews For Dogs CAN Be A Choking Hazzard
Our First Health-Related Heart Attack With Cookie: The Knee Or The Foot?
Creative Solutions And An Incidental Product Review
Too Young For Pot: Cookie's Snack With A Side Of Hydrogen Peroxide
Taming Of The Wild Beast: Cookie's Transition To Civilization
Staying On Top Of The Ears: Cookie Is Not Impressed
Putting The Easy Back Into Walking
Cookie's Ears Are Still Not Happy
The Threat Of The Bulge Is Always Lurking
Today Is Cookie's Three-Months Adoptoversary
Cookie Meets The Electric Horse Fence And Her First Chiropractic Adjustment
Why Examine Your Dog's Vomit?
Why Is That Leg Still Not Happy? Cookie's Leg Keeps Getting Sore
Cookie Too Is Insured With Trupanion
Does Being Insured Mean Being Covered? Our First Claim With Trupanion
Is Cookie's Leg Finally Getting Better?
Is Cookie Going To Be Another Medical Challenge Or Are We Looking To Closely?
The Project That Is Cookie: Pancreatitis Up Close And Personal
Pancreatitis: Cookie’s Blood Work
Another Belly Upset: Pancreatitis Again Or Not?
Happy Birthday, Cookie
Incontinence? Cookie's Mysterious Leaks
Who's Training Whom? Stick And Treat
Don't Just Stand There, Do Something? Cookie's Mysterious Bumps
Cookie's Mysterious Bumps Update
One Vomit, No Vomit
Happy One-Year Adoptoversary, Cookie!
Cookie's Leaks Are Back: Garden Variety Incontinence Or Not?
Cookie's Leaks Update
Don't Panic, Don't Panic: Know What Your Job Is
The Continuing Saga Of Cookie's Leeks: Trying Chiropractic Approach
Cookie's Minor Eye Irritation
Regular Wellness Exam: Cookie's ALT Was Elevated
Cookie's Plantar Paw Pad Injury
How Far To Take It When The Dog Isn't Sick?
Cookie Has Tapeworm Infection
Cookie's Elevated ALT: The Ultrasound and Cytology
Cookie's ALT Update
Do you have a story to share?
Your story can help others, maybe even save a life!
What were the first signs you noticed? How did you dog get diagnosed? What treatment did/didn't work for you? What was your experience with your vet(s)? How did you cope with the challenges?
Email me, I'll be happy to hear from you!
This habit of paranoid observation spilled over to JD and Cookie as well.
Even more so with Cookie, because she started her life with us lame on her hind leg on the second day. It looked so much like a busted knee, my heart stopped. Fortunately, it was all from a piece of porcupine quill hidden in her foot.
Shortly after, an encounter with an electric horse fence ended up with a limp again.
We also found on from x-rays that she had an old pelvic injury, which might be contributing to her getting hurt easier. It was an old injury, never treated though I can't imagine how it could have gone unnoticed.
The fact is that her back end is a bit off, even though it doesn't slow her down much.
We started chiropractic adjustments for her after the initial period of limping because of the porcupine quill. Since then we get her adjusted regularly.
However, the other day I noticed something I wasn't sure what to make of. She jumped off the couch, rushing to the door to greet our friend and I thought I saw her bunny hop couple of times on the way. All looked normal after that. But the observation got filed in my mind and I was watching more carefully.
There was no visible limping.
But for the next couple of day, every now and then, things didn't look right. You know, that kind of thing when you can't quite put your finger on it but still you know.
I could have shrugged it off since she wasn't lame, wasn't slowing down and wasn't complaining. But I had my suspicion that something got tweaked.
I made a chiropractic appointment for her for Monday, just to be on the safe side.
Sure as shooting, she had a serious tweak in her sacroiliac joint lower back were quite off. She actually yelped when the chiropractor touched one of the spots. That never happened before and clearly it was more painful than usually.
The chiropractor adjusted it, then went over it again at the end of the visit to make sure it's happy. It was.
How much pain was that causing Cookie we'll never know.
But I'm pretty sure it would have been quite painful. With her enthusiasm for physical activity, she wouldn't let it slow her down but was compensating for it.
I feel it still needs to be revisited some time soon. But I'm glad I did believe my instinct that something was off.
Is the pelvis behind all that?
Perhaps. Sounds like a reasonable assumption. With that, and Cookie's activity level, I can see she'll be seeing her chiropractor for her entire life. It is something we're going to have to stay on top of.
Related articles:
Don't Knock It Until You Tried It: Animal Chiropractic
From The End Of A Lead Line To Casa Jasmine: Meet Cookie, Our New Adoptee
And So It Begins Again(?) Our First Health-Related Heart Attack With Cookie
I Didn't Know I Could Fly: Why Cookie Wears A Harness Instead Of A Collar
C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Chews For Dogs CAN Be A Choking Hazzard
Our First Health-Related Heart Attack With Cookie: The Knee Or The Foot?
Creative Solutions And An Incidental Product Review
Too Young For Pot: Cookie's Snack With A Side Of Hydrogen Peroxide
Taming Of The Wild Beast: Cookie's Transition To Civilization
Staying On Top Of The Ears: Cookie Is Not Impressed
Putting The Easy Back Into Walking
Cookie's Ears Are Still Not Happy
The Threat Of The Bulge Is Always Lurking
Today Is Cookie's Three-Months Adoptoversary
Cookie Meets The Electric Horse Fence And Her First Chiropractic Adjustment
Why Examine Your Dog's Vomit?
Why Is That Leg Still Not Happy? Cookie's Leg Keeps Getting Sore
Cookie Too Is Insured With Trupanion
Does Being Insured Mean Being Covered? Our First Claim With Trupanion
Is Cookie's Leg Finally Getting Better?
Is Cookie Going To Be Another Medical Challenge Or Are We Looking To Closely?
The Project That Is Cookie: Pancreatitis Up Close And Personal
Pancreatitis: Cookie’s Blood Work
Another Belly Upset: Pancreatitis Again Or Not?
Happy Birthday, Cookie
Incontinence? Cookie's Mysterious Leaks
Who's Training Whom? Stick And Treat
Don't Just Stand There, Do Something? Cookie's Mysterious Bumps
Cookie's Mysterious Bumps Update
One Vomit, No Vomit
Happy One-Year Adoptoversary, Cookie!
Cookie's Leaks Are Back: Garden Variety Incontinence Or Not?
Cookie's Leaks Update
Don't Panic, Don't Panic: Know What Your Job Is
The Continuing Saga Of Cookie's Leeks: Trying Chiropractic Approach
Cookie's Minor Eye Irritation
Regular Wellness Exam: Cookie's ALT Was Elevated
Cookie's Plantar Paw Pad Injury
How Far To Take It When The Dog Isn't Sick?
Cookie Has Tapeworm Infection
Cookie's Elevated ALT: The Ultrasound and Cytology
Cookie's ALT Update
Your story can help others, maybe even save a life!
What were the first signs you noticed? How did you dog get diagnosed? What treatment did/didn't work for you? What was your experience with your vet(s)? How did you cope with the challenges?
Email me, I'll be happy to hear from you!
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