Naya
Moderator
- Location
- Bristol, UK
Glad that the vet is hopeful that it will heal. I will keep everything crossed that it does heal by itself x
Poppy limping on front left leg
- Thread starter MellowYellow
- Start date
OH took Poppy to the vet again today, for a second opinion, as we are still seeing no improvement at all.
This second vet says the issue is not the swelling on the side of her toe (never thought it was...). She says the little flecks between her toes are splinters where arthritic growth has broken off, and that is what is causing her pain. That makes MUCH more sense to me! We have a different pain medication to try, but ultimately she suggests we take her to the local veterinary clinic (which actually we were planning to do anyway) and have a consultation with them. She thinks they may suggest operating, either to remove the splitters or at worst case to amputate the toe. If we were to go down that route it would not be until after the summer, as it would probably mean she will be out of action for some time... but if it means she has another few years of pain-free movement, it would totally be worth it.
We really are in the wars at present!
This second vet says the issue is not the swelling on the side of her toe (never thought it was...). She says the little flecks between her toes are splinters where arthritic growth has broken off, and that is what is causing her pain. That makes MUCH more sense to me! We have a different pain medication to try, but ultimately she suggests we take her to the local veterinary clinic (which actually we were planning to do anyway) and have a consultation with them. She thinks they may suggest operating, either to remove the splitters or at worst case to amputate the toe. If we were to go down that route it would not be until after the summer, as it would probably mean she will be out of action for some time... but if it means she has another few years of pain-free movement, it would totally be worth it.
We really are in the wars at present!
What do humans do when they get splintered bone? Is that such a thing in humans? It seems that with dogs, the drastic measures are taken. With humans, we have so many more options for less invasive therapy. 
Have you considered seeing a physiotherapist? In my experience, they tend to go the less invasive route first.
Have you considered seeing a physiotherapist? In my experience, they tend to go the less invasive route first.
They take bones splinters out in humans too. Bone splinters damage surrounding tissues and can compromise healing so often need to come out. It's not seen as an unnecessary surgery whether dogs or humans. Dogs have short lives and need to pain free if possible.What do humans do when they get splintered bone? Is that such a thing in humans? It seems that with dogs, the drastic measures are taken. With humans, we have so many more options for less invasive therapy.
Beanwood
Administrator
It looks like the "splintered bone" are fragmented osteocytes. Osteocytes are extra bony growths, which can develop due to a number of reasons, trauma, mal-aligned joints, or immune mediated. They can impede joint movement causing inflammation, further exacerbating the root problem.
Good news that the cause of Poppy's pain has been identified, that is half the battle at least!
Good news that the cause of Poppy's pain has been identified, that is half the battle at least!
Of course! I was thinking more about the toe amputation.
First available appointment at the clinic is on 26 June... 
The clinic have just called - they have a cancellation next Friday on 09 June! I am very pleased. Sooner we get her in there the better.
- Location
- Cornwall , UK
Oh thats better , Karen , I will be thinking of you with much hope xx
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
Everything is crossed for a quick resolution
So... just back from the clinic. Bad news and good. The orthopedic vet very quickly ascertained that yes, she has arthritis in her paw, but that the major problem is from her elbow. She manipulated all her joints, and Poppy gave a little shriek when she moved her left elbow. So they did an x-ray, which showed arthritis in her left elbow but was not conclusive, so we agreed to do a CT scan then and there, which showed a bone spur has broken off in her elbow, causing her quite a bit of pain.
So the bad news is, it sounds as though an operation on the elbow is the only real option. Good news is, the prognosis is good, that she will recover well and be pretty much pain-free afterwards. Bad news is the recovery period is around 12 weeks...
It's been a bit of an emotional roller coaster morning. We certainly were not expecting this outcome when we went in there! We are both a bit stunned, but very very glad to have a diagnosis, a prognosis, and a plan. Oh, and a date for the operation - 26 July, when we are back from our UK holiday but before I have to go back to work. (Good thing we paid for the holiday beforehand, otherwise we might have ended up cancelling it due to the costs of the operation and associated work).
I am very, very cross though about my local vet who has misdiagnosed Poppy's limp badly over several months. Livid actually. She's a good vet to have just around the corner for ordinary stuff, but for anything more complicated we really need to go to the big clinic. However, I am grateful that we were able to get an appointment at the clinic fairly quickly, and in the long run, if this means Poppy has a few pain-free years of good mobility, then it will absolutely be worth it.
So the bad news is, it sounds as though an operation on the elbow is the only real option. Good news is, the prognosis is good, that she will recover well and be pretty much pain-free afterwards. Bad news is the recovery period is around 12 weeks...
It's been a bit of an emotional roller coaster morning. We certainly were not expecting this outcome when we went in there! We are both a bit stunned, but very very glad to have a diagnosis, a prognosis, and a plan. Oh, and a date for the operation - 26 July, when we are back from our UK holiday but before I have to go back to work. (Good thing we paid for the holiday beforehand, otherwise we might have ended up cancelling it due to the costs of the operation and associated work).
I am very, very cross though about my local vet who has misdiagnosed Poppy's limp badly over several months. Livid actually.
She's a good vet to have just around the corner for ordinary stuff, but for anything more complicated we really need to go to the big clinic. However, I am grateful that we were able to get an appointment at the clinic fairly quickly, and in the long run, if this means Poppy has a few pain-free years of good mobility, then it will absolutely be worth it.
Lisa
Moderator
- Location
- Alberta, Canada
Ah, poor Poppy. And poor you. A shock indeed. I’m glad you have a holiday beforehand but I imagine you will be worried about Poppy. But as you say, you now know what is wrong and a plan going forward.
- Location
- Isle of Man
That was a bit of a bombshell. A relief that her prognosis is good though.
She's coming with us on holiday, so we will be able to look after her. Guess we won't be walking much of the South West Coastal Path though!! At least not with Pops. Maybe next year... this year it'll be more gentle toddles.Ah, poor Poppy. And poor you. A shock indeed. I’m glad you have a holiday beforehand but I imagine you will be worried about Poppy. But as you say, you now know what is wrong and a plan going forward.
"I've had a bit of a shit morning, to be honest"
- Location
- Cornwall , UK
I`m glad you have a plan , Karen , albeit not the one you wanted . I would also feel very let down by your Vet, poor lass has been in pain but hopefully the pain will decrease once the surgery is over and recovery too xxxx
Atemas
UK Tour Guide
- Location
- North Cambridgeshire
I hope you can enjoy your holiday and then all goes to plan for Poppy
- Location
- The Hague, The Netherlands
We have a similar thing with our local vet. Good for general well being but not on the ball for joint issues and thinking out of the box. Frustrating to say the least.
We used to have a vet who specialised in pain relief but a big company bought the practice and it's about the money now and not the care.
Don't worry about the reduced walks on your UK break. We have the same thing with Hunter. It makes you more imaginative when planning your visits and walks! I am so pleased you have a path forward for Poppy. She is a very lucky girl to have loving parents loving her and looking after her well being. Well done for being so persevering x
We used to have a vet who specialised in pain relief but a big company bought the practice and it's about the money now and not the care.
Don't worry about the reduced walks on your UK break. We have the same thing with Hunter. It makes you more imaginative when planning your visits and walks! I am so pleased you have a path forward for Poppy. She is a very lucky girl to have loving parents loving her and looking after her well being. Well done for being so persevering x