colochoclab
Arvada, Colorado
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Joined: 05/24/2006
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Poor Hershey is not feeling very well.
It started about three weeks ago. He was getting limpy in one of his front shoulders, was feeling "down" and just no pep at all. I thought it was due to the sudden weather changes here, snow, sun, snow. He has been eating, drinking and going normally. No new foods or anything. He just seems to have lost his zest. He rebounded slowly with some baby asprin about 10 days later and seemed to be back to his old goofy self.
2 days ago he lost his zest again. No limping, but he appears to be sore/stiff in his muscles. This morning he was pretty bad. All he wants to do is sleep. He walks ok, but his back is hunched like a person would do with body aches. Again, eating, etc all okay. He sleeps very soundly at night,
Can dogs get "flu"? And by flu, I mean viruses, colds and the like that might make him feel like crud? H1N1?
It concerned me enough to call the vet and Hershey has an sppointment tomorrow morning. The vet did give us some new Metacam. (Hershey has been on/off Metacam due to his extensive orthopedic history.) I has some old (over a year) Metacam around, but I was advised against using old meds.
Baby asprin and the Metacam is helping, he's a little more lively, but still "down". We made him "speak" for a treat and when he barked, he yiped a bit like it hurt.
I am worried. He's 9 years old, and the thought of losing him...
-Lab
2008 Nissan Titan LE Crew 4x4
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"Hershey" & "Snickers" My Chocolate Labs!
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trop-a-cal
Palm Coast Fl
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If it's a slipped disc, it probably is pinching a nerve, in his back. Let the vet take an x ray that will tell.
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USA Traveler
Lewisville
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Poor Hershey, let us know what the vet determines is the problem. Keep positive thoughts!
Cody, my little guy (Maltese)
2005 SunnyBrook Titan 31, BWKS
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baubalu
Kansas City Missouri
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Yes dogs do get the flu. My vet just gave my dog 2 shots, spread out over 2 weeks.And some states are worse than others. And it's spreading. Hope your dog comes around.
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dturm
Munster, IN
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Canine flu H3N8
Sorry Hershey is under the weather. Glad you've got an appointment, let us know how it goes.
Doug
Doug & Sandy
2008 Southwind
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colochoclab
Arvada, Colorado
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Took Hershey for a short walk, he did ok, but his rear legs appeared a bit stiff at first. It was a slow zestless walk. Very out of the ordinary. He's now snoozing on the couch.
After some searching, if it is not viral, I am leaning towards arthritis. He did have TPLO on bolth knees 5 years ago and the surgeon said arthritis would appear one day. I don't think it's hip displasia, he was x-rayed at the time of his surgery and his hips were good then. Observing him closely, it really looks musclear and is also involving his front legs a bit. What gets me was the suddenness of the onset.
-Lab
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sue.t
Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
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I truly don't want to put fear in your heart ... BUT ... when our 9 year old Kuvasz had similar symptoms I tried aspirin for a few days. He had been limping a bit, favouring one side, being careful getting up and down, seemed out of breath sometimes, and not too keen on his food.
The aspirin seemed to help a bit but the poor fellow still limped a bit and favoured a side. And he wasn't sleeping well at night ... he seemed too warm and panted a fair bit.
Took him to the vet after a few days to get it checked. Poking, prodding and manipulating didn't reveal anything, so the decision was made to do some x-rays of the hips to check for arthritis. The hips were clean, but the vet noticed something odd on the lower edge of one of the x-rays so took some more of that area.
Later that day we were told our big fellow had a bone tumour in the right femur. The mass wasn't large yet, and we were fortunate the vet noticed it on the hip x-rays and took the initiative to check further. The cancer hadn't spread, but was enough to make our fellow feel out of sorts.
If a dog seems to not feel well, please take it seriously. I surely hope your dog doesn't have anything as serious, but I also wanted to be sure you are aware that it could be more than arthritis or a viral infection.
sue t.
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Viajo
Pickerel WI
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Positive thoughts and hugs coming for Hershey's quick recovery...
Lisa & Bill
Dozer (Golden) & The Monsters (Cats Amiga, Gata Lu & Pumpkin)
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bullydogs1
New Jersey
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Any possibility of Lyme disease...it turns them lame in a few days....get blood test and vet gives anti-biotic.
Stuart and Stella Denning
2009 Holiday Rambler Endeavor 41SKQ
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2 plus 2
Nevada City, CA
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Sorry to read that Hershey is not feeling well. Let us all know what the vet has to say. Keep him comfortable in the meantime.
2 plus 2
Ken and Jodi
Fur Children Max & Mitzi - smooth hair dachshunds
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