So, Gypsy had her vet appt today to evaluate her condition. {She hasn't had any more dragging episodes for the last three days.}
I am happy to report that he believes there is some neurological damage affecting her
right hip/leg, but that her overall health is still good. He likened the damage to that similar
to what a person may have after a stroke when perhaps a leg may occasionally drag or an arm will be weak.
He felt along her spine and joints and didn't feel anything unusual, such as an obvious tumor.
He pulled her leg and did a complete range of motion, and everything seemed fine there and she did not appear to have any pain during that. The weight is being pretty evenly borne on each leg when she stands.
So, we decided to let things go as they are for the time being. If she had shown any sign of pain during
the range of motion exam, he would have been more insistent on x-rays but at this point he doesn't feel
an emergent need for that. He is fairly confident it is simply some nerve damage. We are to watch for
any hair loss and/or scraping of the leg that drags, etc. but otherwise just continue as we have been.
I have been using this same vet for many years now and have come to trust his judgment. He's not one
to recommend or push pricey tests if he feels they are unnecessary, and he's not one to rush to put animals
down either. He takes a more conservative, common sense approach and has yet to steer me in the wrong direction
with any of my pets.
I am much relieved…...for now.
I know it's a bit morbid, but I had all my kids get together for a picture with Gypsy, "just in case".
Now I am happy that these not their last pictures with G, but just some pictures of kids and their dogs!
{Okay, MY dogs hee hee}