Pain in Hip Area

[Erin & Maizey]

Not sure this is the right forum, but hopefully somebody has some ideas.  Maizey (my 1.5 year old) has been super sleepy today and refuses to sit and when you kind of push (very lightly on her hip area) she lets out a whimper.  She was kind of like this last night (although I didn't realize the pain thing) but she woke up every few hours and kind of whimpered and then went back to sleep.  I didn't realize it was a whimper until today.  Now she's resting quietly on the couch and is kind of curled up.  Should I be concerned?  Did she just maybe tweak a muscle?  Am I overreacting?  Should I make an appointment at the vet?  I tried to put an ice pack on it but it didn't do much.  She ate breakfast / dinner and has been drinking and going outside just fine just really, really sleepy.  I am just really worried and googling things has only mad it worse (and my dad is in town visiting and thinks I'm a little crazy).  Has anyone seen this?  She didn't really do anything out of the ordinary yesterday that I can remember.

Thanks!

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Well, I would be concerned. Any time one of my dogs is in obvious pain is reason enough to have it checked out by a vet.

[Erin & Maizey]

Thanks - yeah that's what I'm leaning towards. I will call them tomorrow.  I was actually just at the vet on friday for an upset stomach and now she's on antibiotics also.  It's just my dad who's making me feel like i'm being overly neurotic.  Poor Maizey.  

[Linda And Loo]

I would let the Vet check her out! Good luck!

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Sometimes I probably take Libby to the Vet a little prematurely, but I alway say it's better to be safe then sorry!  It is most likely something very minor, but the vet should at least see her.  I'm sorry she is in pain.

[Cathy, Fozzie & Shaggy]

I completely understand the dad thing, I get the same reaction when I see something off with one of my boys. I've had to remind myself I know my boys and if something is off there's a reason and I want to know and fix it asap. Trust your gut feeling and I hope all goes well!!

[Kristine and Luna]

Have you checked her temperature or looked for any scratches or wounds?
Give her some aspirin if you think she may just be sore.
Regardless, I would take her to the vet, just in case.
Good luck and keep us posted..

[Erin & Maizey]

Thanks everyone.  I've checked for wounds (nothing I can see) and hopefully she just tweaked something and needs to rest.  I'll see how she's doing in the morning and call my vet.  She's sleeping now.  Hopefully it's nothing major!!!  I'm so worried.  :(

Is there a way to check temperature roughly (kind of like with people how you can feel your forehead) without a dog thermometer (which I don't have)?

[Erin & Maizey]

Well they're doing x-rays to rule out structural issues like hip dysplasia.  But the vet seemed concerned that's what it might be.  The other option is a muscle strain.  I am really, really worried now.  :(  

[Linda And Loo]

Hang in there! Let's hope for the best! Keep us posted on her progress! Doodle hugs for you and Maizey!

[Bonne Bouche]

Did s/he test for Lyme? I know that is basically the first/only symptom of Lyme Disease... Definately have her tested to rule that out...

[Linda And Loo]

Erin we live down in Yorktown and I have had a dog with Lyme disease. Carla is right, muscle and joint pain is a symptom of Lyme disease. Those little ticks r very hard to find. Lyme disease is treatable with antibiotics. Good luck!

[Erin & Maizey]

Thanks everyone!  Just came back from meeting with the vet.  They did xrays of both the hips and knees. The vet described her hips as 'mildly dysplastic' but she says it doesn't seem like it rises to the level of being concerned about and doesn't seem to be the cause of the issue, particularly since her right hip seems slightly worse than the left, which is the tender leg. She says all big dogs have some mild dysplastic which can lead to arthritis when she's older, but she was very emphatic that she thought it was a very mild issue.  The statement that all big dogs have this seemed like a gross overstatement but I'm not a vet, so I don't know what to think.  The knee xrays seem to show a minor inflammation / possible tear in her left knee which may very well be the cause for the pain.  All sets of xrays are being sent to the orthopedic surgeon though for his opinion on both the hips and knee.  Of course he's out of the country for a week.   

We were sent home with pain meds and strict instructions to rest for 2 weeks.  No running or doggy daycare or playing hard.  It's really so hard to see her like this because she seems so sad.  :(  I'm hoping it's just a mild knee sprain and that  I don't need to keep researching hip dysplasia - that said, the "mild hip dysplasis" is certainly concerning to me.  The internet seems to suggest that a puppy developing hip dysplasia after extensive genetic testing (maizey's parents and both sets of grandparents were tested) is pretty rare.  But who knows.  I followed every single precaution.  

I feel like i'm kind of where I started and waiting on the surgeon but do feel a little better that at least the xrays didn't come back looking terrible and she has pain medicine and hopefully rest will help.  I just want to make her feel better and back to happy bouncy playful maizey.

I'll ask the vet about lyme disease too- thanks for the idea!! And will look for ticks. She's actually still on antibiotics from her stomach issue last week so I guess I'm one step ahead on that front.  I'm glad I have this forum and you all are so nice and helpful - not a lot of people seem to understand my crazy attachment to her / overly worried behavior.