tazziedog said:

It sounds like your vet is great!  Is there a reason why you are holding off on the Rimadyl?  If she has a pinched nerve or an arthritis flare-up she could probably benefit from the NSAID (Tramadol only treats pain not inflammation).  If Trouble is as tough as other Pitbulls I know she will bounce back quickly.

Pam

Pam,

Holding off on the Rimadyl just long enough to see if an increased dosage of Tramadol will be enough to do the trick. The last time she was on Rimadyl, her liver enzymes spiked - not to a dangerous level, but enough to cause concern.  Dr F is concerned that any of the NSAIDS will have the same effect.  We'll get through today and if she isn't better, I'll pick the Rimadyl up on my way home.

Denise,

Thanks for the glucosamine/alfafa suggestion. I may give it a try - depending on the source of the glucosamine.  She can't do shellfish.

And Everyone....

Thanks to all of you for the good wishes, I don't panic easily, but this shook me pretty badly.  She is so alert, it is heartbreaking to see her unwilling or unable to move. 

krun15 said:

A little better is good.  I hope she keeps improving.

Just out of curiosity- you said it was raining, does Trouble react to weather changes?  I know a couple of my joints let me know when rain is coming.

 

Karen

She does seem to react somewhat - not a great deal, but you can see a slight difference in how fast she moves.  She's a little more labored in some weather  conditions.  The heat seems to be really hard on her as wel..

Fortis said:

Fortis hates the heat. It's big time hard on him......He will no longer go outside in the rain either. No joke, I have to cover him not me with a golf umbrella (FYI...there really big) or he won't go out all day. He'll just hold it.

Here's a funny Trouble story to lift the spirits - pre tripawdism

Trouble would never go out in the rain AND the first 10 years of her life (pre tripawdism) was NEVER allowed out without a leash.  Bob was home with her one day, it was doing one of those all day Texas rains.  She began to get anxious needing out.  Not wanting to get wet himself, he opened the back door for her.  She stood and looked at him.  He closed the door.  She waited a few minutes and started her anxious routine again.  Same steps, he closes the door.  A few minutes later she asks to go out again.  He grabs her leash, puts it on her, opens the door, and she runs just outside the open door and pees really fast and comes back in.  Bob and dog - happy campers.

And BTW, we have one of those huge umbrellas too and use it for the dogs as much as for ourselves.