Scout and the vet

[Jennifer]

Never, ever in my wildest dreams would I have believed one of my dogs would allow a vet to stand over his back raising one front leg than the other and then, get this, move his head side to side and up and down !!!!! That's what happened yesterday to Scout. Admittedly if it was going to happen to one of them it would have to be Scout no way would Scott allow that much touching but I couldn't believe it. No grumble no struggle. He was very tense so I don't think she got much info from it but still WOW !!!
In April Scout injured his neck/shoulder on the left side. I think it was racing around playing rough with his brother after getting worked up by bitch in season scent that did it. It was horrible. If he turned his head too much to the right he squealed really loud and he couldn't get comfortable lying down.It was a Sunday and the vet closed when I realised there was a problem. I ended up staying up all night with him because he couldn't get comfy in his crate. At about 2am he did a big stretch, a very good downward dog and then a salute to the sun for you yoga fans, and improved enough to sleep. The next day he was improving so I decided not to put him through the vet trauma. Their fear of the vet does make life difficult and worrying when anything is wrong. He was back to normal in a couple of days.Yesterday morning he obviously had pain again. I don't know what he'd done exactly this time. He'd been playing with my cousins dog Friday afternoon and first thing yesterday morning he'd launched himself on the couch rolling and flipping over so either could've set it of. I realised there was a problem when we got back from our big walk as he couldn't get comfortable. No way was I going through all that again so off we went to the vet. The vet we saw was a locum which is a shame because she was really good with him. She came outside to us, got me to walk him up and down then run up and down, it was a bit like being at Crufts, and decided it was more his neck than shoulder as he wasn't lame. She then examined him !!!! I couldn't believe what Scout let her do. She thought it muscular and gave him rimadyl. He sort of slept last night squeaking a little bit when he woke to change position. Thankfully today there is some improvement and he's able to lie down comfortably and sleep. Hopefully he will be back to normal in a couple of days like last time but WOW an almost normal vet visit !!!

 

[kateincornwall]

What a good boy Scout , result !!! Kudos to the Vet, for understanding too ,hoping he improves real soon , good to read Jen xx

 

[Charlie]

Wow, wow, wow Jen, that's a great vet visit you must be thrilled. What a good boy Scout I really hope he feels better soon poor boy. xx

 

[Boogie]

 

[Jennifer]

What a good boy Scout , result !!! Kudos to the Vet, for understanding too ,hoping he improves real soon , good to read Jen xx

The vet was South African so maybe she was used to dealing with wild animals. Unfortunately she's off back home in a few weeks.

@Charlie I was thrilled Helen and shocked. A shame he had to be in pain to prove he can be a brave soldier.

 

[SwampDonkey]

That's great what a good brave boy. Hope he's better soon xxx

 

[MellowYellow]

Glad the vet visit went so well, and hopefully he will continue to improve and get better soon. Pain like that is horrid - Poppy had it about a month ago, could barely move her neck up and down. We think she sprained something doing very long swims holding a dummy in her mouth...

 

[Jacqui-S]

What a good boy.
One positive experience will hopefully make the next one easier.
I do hope he is feeling more comfortable x

 

[Granca]

Well done, Scout!

The desensitisation sessions at our local vets have certainly helped Wispa. When I had to take her (and Tuppence too) for injections to induce vomiting recently after they had both eaten fungi, Wispa allowed the nurse to give her two injections without any fuss, even though she wasn’t feeling ill. The nurse was one she had only met on a few occasions, not her ‘special’ nurse, and the vet was completely new to both of us, yet Wispa only barked briefly and then settled down, although the vet kept her distance!

We have our next desensitisation appointment tomorrow, so it will be interesting to see whether that experience has set her back at all, particularly as the treatment was given in the nurse’s consulting room, which is usually her ‘safe place’.

I hope Scout builds on his recent experience too and is less fearful if he has to go to see the vet again.

 

[MaccieD]

Oh well done Scout. Hope you are feeling better soon xx

 

[Jennifer]

Thank you all very much. I'm pleased to report Scout slept soundly last night and so far today you wouldn't think there'd been anything wrong with him. He started to stretch yesterday afternoon which like last time seems to help. It's a bit like his muscle is in spasm when it first happens and he can't stretch it out. Once he starts to stretch he starts improving. I think one more dose of rimadyl tonight just incase then, as the vet suggested, I can keep the rest incase it happens again.

@MellowYellow Poor Poppy did it affect her eating and drinking Karen? With Scout it's turning his head to the side that's the problem. The squeal of pain is just awful to hear. Touch wood no squeals since first thing yesterday. I'm trying to be very careful when we are walking not to pull him which is not easy when they get their noses stuck into a smell we can be stood for ages.

@Granca I hope it goes well at the vets tomorrow Carol. Desensitisation with the vet is a very good idea. It sounds like Wispa is doing really well with them.

 

[MellowYellow]

@MellowYellow Poor Poppy did it affect her eating and drinking Karen? With Scout it's turning his head to the side that's the problem. The squeal of pain is just awful to hear.

It didn't affect Poppy's eating or drinking Jen, but she did give the horrible shriek of pain for no apparent reason every now and again. It's awful when they are in pain, isnt it???

 

[Jennifer]

It didn't affect Poppy's eating or drinking Jen, but she did give the horrible shriek of pain for no apparent reason every now and again. It's awful when they are in pain, isnt it???

It makes me jump everytime. It's just a horrible sound of pain. Scout did it about half an hour ago although only a slight squeal. It was my fault. He was rolling about behind the couch with his ball. I should've stopped him but yesterday he started to roll then stopped himself today he was obviously feeling much better unfortunately he did too much. There are certain things I'm waiting for him to do then I'll know he's ok.