leg pain

Question
my Pekingese jumped off my couch and maid a cry and now is limping on her back leg.pretty sure she tore ligaments in knee,will this heal by itself?will she be able to walk on that leg ever again?

Answer

Hi Deana,

It's impossible to guess at what happened when your dog jumped off the couch and hurt herself. Since your dog is in pain, she needs to be examined by a veterinarian. Your dog probably requires pain medication.

Until your dog can be seen by a doctor, restrict her movement and especially prevent her from jumping onto or off of furniture or stairs. If your dog is crate trained, keep her in her crate. Also, until you see your vet give your aspirin for her pain. For a dog weighing 10-30 pounds, you can give 1 baby aspirin up to twice a day as needed. Give the baby aspirin with food, but if she starts to refuse food or begins to vomit, stop giving the baby aspirin. Aspirin has blood thinning properties, and continued usage can be dangerous for some dogs. For long term pain relief there are better alternatives your vet can give you.

Conservative, non-surgical treatment for torn ligament injuries are typically only used for dogs weighing less than 30 pounds, so you may be in luck. This includes rest and anti-inflammatory medications for six weeks to two months, followed by a gentle program of exercise and, if your dog is over weight, weight loss. Without surgery, the joint can be subject to degenerative changes, such as development of bone spurs, pain, arthritis, and a decreased range of motion.

If you are having trouble afford veterinary care, first talk to your regular vet. Ask your veterinarian if he or she will let you work out a payment plan. Many veterinarians are willing to work out a weekly or monthly payment plan so that you do not have to pay the entire cost of veterinary care up front. Another option is to contact local animal shelters or the Humane Society. Some shelters operate or know of local subsidized veterinary clinics or veterinary assistance programs. If you happen to live within driving distance to veterinary school, check with them to see if they offer discount services to the public. There are two special credit cards to apply for which help with medical bills (including veterinary bills) read about them here:

http://www.carecredit.com
http://www.healthcard.citicards.com


I hope I've been a help.
Best of luck,
Patti