Carbón has lost his happy :-(

[Emily_Babbelhund]

He was fine when we rolled into Siena two days ago, though I did notice he seemed extra tired on the train. But he had a bounce in his step and still his waggy tail. We’ve both had a rest the last two days, but instead of getting better, Carbón seems to be getting worse . He’s not happy and he seems to hunch in on himself and walk slowly like he could be having pain.

My first thought is always that he’s found something poisonous off the ground that I didn’t spot in time , but I realize that more likely he’s got muscle soreness and/or mental exhaustion setting in due to all the changes we’ve had he last month .

I also worry this could be the beginning signs of arthritis. Though I say he’s 5 or 6 years old, the reality I never admit is that he could be as old as nine.

We are going to Florence tomorrow which is a short train ride, and we’ll be there for a week. We can go to the vet if needed and I’ll continue to rest him as much as possible.

I just hope my little Señor gets his mojo back and it’s nothing serious .

 

[HAH]

Oh Emily, I can understand your concern - and poor senõr for being out of sorts. I’m sure you’re right that it’s most likely a bit of travel fatigue, especially given all the activity of the last few days. A couple of days rest could easily explain a degree of stiffness - and in my limited experience, arthritis comes in as a little creak here and there, rather than a whole body event. Hopefully taking it easy in Florence will make all the difference, and if needed a vet can check him out and get him back to his usual tail wagging guapo self

 

[edzbird]

You've both had quite a tiring time of it lately. See how he seems after a good rest - and yourself for that matter. Arthritis creeps up on all of us and must be managed.

 

[Cath]

Sending love and lambies to you both

 

[Granca]

 

[Candy]

I have started to notice that Joy, much as she loves train travel, can be quite tired for a day or so afterwards, particularly if it's been a long journey. I think perhaps it takes more out of them than we realise. I do hope the Señor is soon back to his usual self.

 

[Lisa]

Aw poor boy! Hopefully he will start to feel better after more restful days. You did mention he had to curl up pretty tight on one of your journeys, maybe his muscles got a bit stiff from having to do so?

 

[M.F.]

So sorry to hear. Do you keep pain killers for him on hand? Snowie was really miserable over the weekend, I was so worried. I had some Rimadyl left over from an op he had a few months ago so gave it to him. He woke up on Sunday morning full of the joys of life. We saw the holistic vet on Tuesday (for all his woes!) and he suggested keeping a stash of Rimadyl on hand all the time. I know it can be bad stuff if overused, but Snowie will be 12 years old in Jan, so it’s quality of life now. (Planning to start a thread on getting old. Just couldn’t face it yet!)

 

[Kelsey]

I hope he’s feeling more himself in the morning, it’s so hard to see them not acting like their normal selves

 

[Boogie]

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

Thanks for all the kind words and good wishes for the Señor. . He’s usually so bullet-proof that it is hard seeing him like this.

He’s unfortunately worse this morning - very hunched over on himself and where he usually feels soft and supple under his fur, it’s like he’s suddenly made of concrete.

I’ve given him half of a 2,5 mg Inflacam tablet that I’ve had in our emergency kit for eons - so I’m not even sure if it’s still good. I have to be careful because he’s got kidney issues now (long story that Carbón himself is blissfully ignorant of).

Tomorrow is a bank holiday in Italy, so I’ll need to make a call when we get to Florence if he needs to go straight away to the vet.

I’m thinking it’s likely all the stairs lately , but the next apartment is on the 4th floor with no elevator. If the cause is stairs, we’re going into a worse situation , so I’m worried .

Let’s hope the meds give him some relief and then we’ll see the next step .

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

I’ve looked up Inflacam dosage and it’s 5mg for his size, so I’ve given him the second half of the 2,5 mg tablet. I’ve also looked up a vet in Florence who is open until 7pm tonight. We’ll allow plenty of extra time to get to the train so he can go as slowly as possible. Poor Señor.

 

[Joy]

Very sorry to hear poor Carbon is worse this morning. I hope the vet in Florence can help. x

 

[Atemas]

I hope the vet in Florence can help

Yes

 

[Jacqui-S]

Poor boy.
Such a worry for you.
I hope he gets his mojo back

 

[Candy]

So sorry to hear that your poor boy is worse. A poorly dog is enough of a stressful situation when you're at home and within easy reach of a known and trusted vet, and it must feel so much worse in your current situation. I do hope you get a chance to rest for a while and find out what the problem is.
Thinking of you both and sending

 

[Stacia]

So sorry and concerned to read about Carbon the morning, maybe it is the travelling and walking on streets? If he feels like concrete under his fur it indicates that his muscles have gone into spasm to protect some 'injury' , I remember being like that and a good massage from a physio and finding out the cause, solved the problem. I hope the same can be for Carbon.

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

We made it to the train station. He’s such a trooper, because he clearly feels pretty bad but kept on walking.

Observing him, the problem seems to not be stairs or even really walking but rather either moving his tail or raising his head. His tail has a kink and swelling about 5 inches from the base. I’m thinking something is pinched, maybe like cold water tail?

Unless some miracle happens on the train, I’ll get our things into the apartment and then take him to the vet. Luckily I have all his latest blood work so that the vet here can take his kidney issues into account.

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

So sorry and concerned to read about Carbon the morning, maybe it is the travelling and walking on streets? If he feels like concrete under his fur it indicates that his muscles have gone into spasm to protect some 'injury' , I remember being like that and a good massage from a physio and finding out the cause, solved the problem. I hope the same can be for Carbon.

Yes, I totally agree! It’s like he’s one big knotted muscle.

 

[MellowYellow]

Oh poor Carbon! That does sound like a pinched nerve in the back somewhere. I hope you can get some help from the vet for him