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Obi · Post by **Obi** » Wed Aug 20, 2003 12:46 am

Hi all. New here. I have a 8yr old beagle. He is overweight and not "fixed". Seems all of a sudden lately, he's rather stiff or babying one of his hind legs. He used to run up the stairs and jump up on you just to go out, lately he just slowly walks up the stairs and looks rather "down". Today I moved his back legs around a bit to check for pain, didn't make a sound. But while he was in sitting position i pressed into his hip joint (from inside of joint or at the inner bend) and he howled. I did this again and he let out a howl or cry. Any ideas what this could be? Also, while he was in sitting position I was looking at him and it seems he's breathing from his stomach, rather than chest and it looked a bit labored. Is this normal? PLEASE let me know, we are REALLY worried about him. ANY advice or opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Doc S · Post by **Doc S** » Wed Aug 20, 2003 6:16 pm

Sounds as if you may have multiple problems going on here at once: osteoarthritis, cardiac or respiratory disease, and obesity. I would highly recommend you have this dog examined by your veterinarian as soon as possible. Doc S

Obi · Post by **Obi** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 1:50 pm

Hi all! I just wanted to say Thank you to Doc S for replying. I took Obi to the vet. He checked the motion in his hips, checked his heart and lungs and said everything was fine. He thinks he might have twisted wrong and his spine might have been affected. So he gave him a cortizone shot and prescribed Rimadyl for a week. Obi is now walking around and running up and down the stairs as usual. Dr said to give him about a week to recover and then see what happens. We have our fingers crossed!!! Thanks again!

Doc S · Post by **Doc S** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 6:36 pm

KEEP HIM OFF THE STEPS!!! The steroid injection and Rimadyl will have him feeling better, and he can re-injure himself readily. Always a big problem I have with folks. The dog looks better, wants to be active, and then ends up hurting himself worse. Try to keep him quiet for a week or two, especially while on the meds. Doc S

Obi · Post by **Obi** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 1:17 pm

Hi Doc. Obi finished his meds about a week ago and was doing great in the movement department, but he seems to be slowing down again. We've noticed a small hesitation in getting up from the sitting or laying down position this weekend. My husband was on vacation the week he started taking his meds and I'm thinking he probably didn't get as much rest as he should have, should we get another shot and more Rimadyl for him? Or should we give him the rest of the week to determine that? Also as for the stairs, if he must go up or down them, should we be carrying him?

Thanks again for all your help, hope to hear from you soon.

Doc S · Post by **Doc S** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 3:53 am

Did they do any radiographs last time you took him in? I would recommend a recheck for sure if he is relapsing this quickly. And, yes, I would carry him up and down the steps for now if possible. Doc S

obi · Post by **obi** » Tue Sep 16, 2003 1:18 pm

No radiograph was done. What will that show? And by the way, the first time he went down it happened in as little as 3 days. It's been about a week now and he seems to getting up and down fine. He's even running around. Should we still get a radiograph? And is he doing too much to soon? (sounds like it, to me)

Thanks again!

Doc S · Post by **Doc S** » Sat Sep 20, 2003 11:53 am

I like to keep these dogs VERY QUIET for a month generally. If he has another episode, then I would for sure recommend radiographing him. Doc S

obi · Post by **obi** » Wed Sep 24, 2003 1:32 pm

Wow. O.k. Thanks alot, I really appreciate your help.

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