Limping JRT

Hello Everyone,
I am new here, its kinda unfortunate that I had to join at such an unpleasant time (for me and my dog that is). I will describe what happened so as to give a better idea of what may be the issue. Last weekend, so June 9th, we were having a BBQ at my house with my aunt, uncle, cousin and her bf. My cousin and her bf were playing with my Jack Russell Terrier, Yoda. Like all JRTs, he is very energetic when playing and never wants to let go of the toy. He will even hang on when the toy is over his reach, so that he is basically hanging off the toy, then eventually he lets go and lands on his feet and then runs off to anticipate the catch. So this is what he was doing, and everything was fine, until once when he was hanging on the toy, when he came back down his foot went between one of the slits of the wooden boards on the deck. It didn't go in very far and I figured I must have seen wrong because he acted as if nothing happened, if I hadn't been keeping an eye on him, i never would have known, because it was very sudden and he instantly ran off to catch the toy. However, he did not bring it back, and i noticed he was limping quite a bit. he wasn't even putting any weight on his leg. I was very worried, but my parents said it was probably nothing. He never cried not even once, but he doesnt usually cry over anything. He's very quiet and only like growls playfully when playing or barks occassionally when people come to the door. So by the time I convined my parents to take a look at his paw, all of the vets were closed, so they said that I should just wait anyways and see how he was the next day. I wrapped his leg up with some bandage I had to try to offer it some support and i kept him close to me all night and I carried him most places to avoid him having to limp or use the leg more than he had to. The next day he was still limping but it didn't seem to be as bad. So my parents said i was probably just a sprain. I couldn't leave the bandage on the dog because when he wasn't being watched he'd try to chew it off and that would only cause him more pain than anything probably and be dangerous if he ate it, so I've had to leav eit off, because my family and I all work, so i can't watch him 24/7. Anyways, its now friday, almost a week later and he is still limping, and not using his leg much, and he still wants me to carry him up the stairs (and this is not because he wants to be carried around because he is very independent and likes to do things himself). If i stand at the top of the stairs and call him hell just come and put his paws on the front stair and look at me until I come and get him. I am worried because I'm not sure its even getting any better now... And It will be difficult to try to convince my parents to take him to the vet because they don't think its necessary and they think that if he was injured he'd be more obvious about it, because he doesn't try, or anything when you touch it or when he walks, and he doesnt try to bite when you touch it. Anyways if anyone has any advice that would be great. Please don't think I am cruel for not taking him to the vet already, because it isn't under my control, i've been out of work for a long time so I cannot afford to take him out of my own pocket, so its up to my parents. :sorry: about such a long post! I would throughly appreciate a response! Thanks!

Hi, jessicarabbit. Welcome to the board! I wish it were under less stressful circumstances, too! :grouphug:

Your dog really does need to see a vet. If the limping hasn't resolved in a few days, it's probably more than just a sprain. A phone call doesn't cost anything--maybe if your parents called the vet and were told that they should bring your JRT in, it would carry more weight with them? At the very least, you should call the vet and see what they suggest.

If you leave some injuries too long, they never heal properly. So your dog really should see a vet soon.

Hi, I agree with Hazel, your pup really needs to see a vet. I suggest calling the receptionist and telling her the problem - I am fairly certain she will tell you that your pup needs to see a vet - and you can then pass this info on to your parents. I have a lot of experience with dogs with walking problems and you definitely want to have any form of leg/back injury looked at as soon as possible. Hope all goes well.

thankyou both for your advice, when my mother comes home I see if i can persuade her. Though I know it will be difficult and she will tell me that when she grew up with a dog they never took it to a vet and blah blah blah. *sigh* Hopefully this time I will be able to persuade her a little more, especially because JRTs are very difficult to get to rest. I mean when its just him and me, he usually sleeps or relaxes, but as soon as someone comes here, he will go see them and then follow them around for awhile and he always wants to play, and because he doesn't exhibit most signs of pain that other dogs would, its easy to think hes ok, like the only times he ever cries are when the phone rings (for some reason this bothers him) and if you step on his paw he'll cry like any dog would, but if he is playing and hits his head on the table he doesnt care, he just keeps going. Wish me luck on convincing my parents!

Good luck! :fingerscr :goodvibes:

Have you spoken with your parents as yet? Sure hope they agree to your pup seeing a vet. Jack Russells are very stubborn - as were my mini Dachshunds - it is the "terror" terrier in them. You can be absolutely certain though that the paw is really bothering your pup if he won't use it - terriers are very stoic and they will try to hide an injury if they think they can. Your pup might actually walk on the paw when at the vet's so vet might have to watch you walk away.

unfortunately, I have not been able to convince my parents. And its so difficult to tell if its getting better or not. I am so frustrated with them because they clearly do not understand that it is important to get it checked.

Is he still limping, then, jessica? Sounds like a pretty significant injury then. Can you tell where in the leg Yoda is painful?

sigh...I wish you could convince your parents that a trip to the vet is necessary. The longer Yoda's injury is untreated, the longer (and potentially more expensive) the recovery is going to be. Do you think you could convince them to just call the vet and ask for advice?

If you know your vet well and have a good relationship with him/her, now might be the time to drop in and see if you good work out something. I don't know how old you are though and if this could be an issue. Hope your pup can get help soon.

You are going to have to find a way to take Yoda to the vet as if it was "just a sprain" it would be better by now. I know you said that you've been out of work for a long time but you are working now so perhaps the vet will let you make payments. Or would your parents or a relative or friend lend you the money? Or do you have a credit card you can use?

Sorry That i have not been able to respond to your posts very quickly because of being busy lately. I mention this limp to my parents every day, and i am constantly worried over it. I will not give up on getting them to see the reality of the issue. I do very much believe if it was nothing it would be much better by now, but he doesnt even use his foot proplerly. Because when dog's put weight on their paws, it makes a certain shape, when his paw is on the floor, it does not look the same as the other paw, shape wise, it looks like it is being held smaller or something. I dont know if this description is very good, i hope someone will understand what im trying to convey. My parents think that because he doesnt fuss over it and because he doesnt like keep it off the ground all teh time, that it means hes getting better when that isnt hte case and frankly i think he limps aorund more when its just him and me. I will go approach my parents again, now, since i was just talking to them about it, I hope that they will come to their senses, i just wish there was something i can do myself, but i dont even know.

This has been going on for 2 weeks now so there is no way that Yoda is faking it. Do you have a credit card you could use? Have you asked a vet about making payments or asked your parents or friends/relatives for a loan?

Jessicarabbit:

Vet's do make payment plans and you mentioned you work and being young I'm sure the vet will give you a break. CALL THEM.