INJURED MALE - Page 1

I AM LOOKING FOR SUGGESTIONS. A LARGE MALE HURT HIS LEFT HIND LEG EITHER RUNNING OR DOING THE SCHUTZHUND WALL. HE CAN WALK AND RUN AROUND ON IT, BUT HE WILL OCCASSIONALLY YELP AND HE DOES FAVOR THE LEG--TRYING TO TAKE WEIGHT OFF IT WHEN HE STANDS. THE VET FEELS IT IS A SLIGHT MUSCLE TEAR AND TO REST HIM AND HEAT AND ICE IT AS THEY COULD NOT ISOLATE THE INJURY. IT ONLY REALLY BOTHERS HIM WHEN TAKING OFF FAST OR JUMPING. ANY SUGGESTIONS ON BEST TREATMENTS FOR LONG-TERM RECOVERY, HOW LONG HE SHOULD BE RESTED, ETC.?

The answers to your questions should come from a licensed Veterinarian, not a bunch of strangers on the internet.

I agree in principle with MikeRussell. However, what I can also tell you is that strict rest is absolutely a must if he is to heal. Hopefully, it is only a muscle and not a knee ligament. If he does not improve soon, I suggest finding a good orthopedic vet specialist and check it out more thoroughly. The average vet does not know a lot about joint ligament/muscle injuries and they can be tough to find. If you work him or let him use that leg in any way that stresses it, you could be setting him up for a long time injury that compromises his ability to work. Good luck.

If the vet says complete rest how are you knowing he is in pain doing these things unless you are still allowing him to do them which is against what the vet has told you to do with him? He needs absolute rest and non exersion on the muscle to heal it, as vet and others are saying. It takes a long while for muscle injury too.

If he is to have complete rest, keep him in a crate adequate for his size and take him out only for relief and on a pinch collar so he does not pull and hurt himself further. Have him rechecked at the vet before allowing more exercise.

And you might seek the services of a chiropracter. When one of my dogs was seriously injured a few years ago, my veterinarian sent me to a chiropracter who uses a clicker method of release, not manual adjustments. The dog fully recovered, and now has regular checkups. Just thought after you vet checks the dog out...

Well the smart thing to do is to STOP all active acttivites that you're doing to this dog and let him heal up from his injuries. I also agree with Mike... you should be asking your vet theses questions, not here. If you're not happy with the requirements and treatment from your current vet go get other opinions from different vets.