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Post by hpdegus on Mar 27, 2023 23:01:19 GMT
So Mooney is still limping. He's not dragging a foot, but it's like he has less range of motion for both hind legs. This is most apparent when hes walking over substrate since the substrate sort of accumulates at his feet, he doesn't really step over it. He's still holding weight and gets around ok (very fast hops when treats are involved!).
I think it might be time to call the vet. I worry that it's a lot of stress and I'm not sure what they'll be able to do though.
Thoughts?
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Post by moletteuk on Mar 28, 2023 10:16:16 GMT
I think it depends how much it will help you to know what is going on. I would expect the vet to try to feel the depth of the wound and any scar tissue, articulate the leg and check for any separate bone or joint issue, and perhaps feel along the spine if both legs are affected. I wouldn't expect much treatment except perhaps a course of metacam and possible reassurance that they can't find anything wrong that shouldn't heal with time. Now that I've written this out and thought about it, I think I would take him since the reduction in range of motion in both legs seems a bit odd. I think it's your choice since you know how much the trip might upset him.
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Post by hpdegus on Mar 28, 2023 11:09:11 GMT
Yeah, the fact that it's both legs worries me. He has feeling in and can move his tail, so I think that's a good sign at least.
Edit: just got a vet appointment for a week out. I did ask if they could send me some metacam in advance since I'm running low, but fully understand if they won't.
This is a new exotics vet at their practice, but she worked at Tufts (in Boston) which I believe has a really good exotics speciality (correct me if I'm wrong please)!
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Post by moletteuk on Mar 28, 2023 15:02:45 GMT
I think it's good to have an appointment booked
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Post by hpdegus on Mar 28, 2023 23:00:35 GMT
I just put in several extra ramps. Does he use them? No, of course not. Let's climb all over the cage to hang out on tiny ledges 😑
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Post by hpdegus on Mar 29, 2023 1:46:49 GMT
Well, he overdid it. I've tried reorganizing so he has to use the ramps. He launched himself from one level and landed sort of on his back. He floundered a bit, looked like he couldn't use his hind legs at all to get himself upright again. He also scraped open his tail wounds again in the process. He's currently trying to destroy a toy and seems in good spirits at least.
Very glad I have a vet appointment, now just worried it isn't soon enough.
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Post by bouncy on Mar 29, 2023 18:41:47 GMT
I'm glad you're off to the vet. It's hauntingly like Spud's leg injury that led to his goo MRSA and amputation. Fingers crossed!
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Post by teemu on Mar 29, 2023 22:13:58 GMT
Yes, it does sound like there's something off with that. Best case scenario, he might have just been a bit off since it's still sore and things were not in their usual place, but that sounds like there could be nerve damage, or indeed an infection going on. Hopefully it'll be fine!
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Post by hpdegus on Mar 29, 2023 22:42:38 GMT
Yeah, my mind is currently running through worst case scenarios, including shattered bones and spinal damage.
He isn't losing weight though, other than the initial drop when he was wounded. So hopefully not an infection then? And would it be possible to have nerve damage in both hind legs but not in his tail?
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Post by bouncy on Mar 31, 2023 16:02:02 GMT
Spud didn't lose any weight or show any other signs, other than his leg, which is why I thought his was a break too. It could be any number of things, but only a vet can tell you what's really going on.
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Post by hpdegus on Mar 31, 2023 22:30:52 GMT
Good to know, Bouncy! I'm glad he'll be seen on Tuesday then. Really hoping its a soft tissue injury/sprain taking a while to heal. The previously scabbed area is still bruised looking (was over a boney area).
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Post by hpdegus on Apr 1, 2023 20:53:05 GMT
He's now dragging his right leg around some of the time. Previously, he'd at least shuffle around with the right paw pad on the ground and his butt off the ground. Now he's got the right side of his butt scooting on the ground as he drags his right leg foot stretched out behind him, paw pad up. It's not constant, but it seems like it's difficult to fix once it gets stuck under him.
Should I try to take him to the emergency vet? His appointment isn't until Tuesday evening (76 hours from now). However the emergency vet is very unlikely to be an exotics vet.
Edit: this is the same side as the wound (now bruise).
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Post by deguconvert on Apr 2, 2023 4:28:40 GMT
I think if you can take him to Emerg, you should, and keep the Tuesday appointment just incase.
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Post by hpdegus on Apr 2, 2023 14:58:42 GMT
Called the emergency line, they don't have am exotics on call and recommended waiting until Tuesday since he's stable (eating, drinking, holding weight) and not throwing up/having diarrhea/lethargic.
I'll try calling my vet tomorrow morning to see if they had any last minute cancelations for Monday.
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Post by moletteuk on Apr 2, 2023 17:22:33 GMT
Oh gosh, what a worry. I suppose the emergency vet is right that he is actually stable, so there probably isn't a whole lot they could do, unless there's a deep abscess or something.
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Post by hpdegus on Apr 2, 2023 17:33:32 GMT
Yeah, she was very practical, which I appreciated. She did give me the names of a few more places with exotic vets on call. However, since he's stable, she recommended waiting for my regular vet. Here's his a video of him walking yesterday. He seems a bit better today, but it is a few hours earlier in the day, which could play a role. youtube.com/shorts/bHkaiD1cSV8?feature=share
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Post by bouncy on Apr 2, 2023 18:35:20 GMT
That's exactly what Spud's leg did! When John manipulated it, he could turn the foot backwards, and Spud didn't even realise it!
And yes, definitely wait for your normal vet.
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Post by hpdegus on Apr 3, 2023 11:42:29 GMT
They had cancelations so I'll be taking him in in about 4 hours.
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Post by deguconvert on Apr 3, 2023 17:31:29 GMT
Oh my! His poor foot! I'm so glad there has been a cancellation! It's probably too soon to be back home with news, but I am anxious to hear how it went.
Thinking of you Hpdegus!
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Post by hpdegus on Apr 3, 2023 18:15:00 GMT
Just got home!
Mooney was very good for the new vet, though he didn't want to walk for her. She took unsedated x-rays (which they promised they'll send me!). He has lots of bone spurs and sever arthritis in his right knee (a few bine spurs on his left knee) and some spondylosis too. He's back on metacam as well as gabapentin since he has less sensation in his right foot. So hopefully between the two meds that will help.
I'm watching to see if he continues to drag his foot or if sores form. If so, amputation is one of the next possibilities. But hopefully he'll respond well to meds!
He already turned his nose up at the gabapentin, fingers crossed this won't be a twice daily fight.
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