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Expert: - 1/21/2011


Question
I have 5 years old Bichon.  She's on medication Metacam for 2 weeks now (for her pain and inflame knee on her back leg).  She stop limping, but she starts to limp if she's running around (she loves to do bichon blitz).  My vet said, she will refills her prescription 1 more time and if she still limping after running around then she needs surgery, which I can't afford.  Is there a better way that to help her, cause she loves to walk and running around? Please help."

Answer
No medication will work if you don't confine her to leash walks and stop her from running around the house. She will heal if you do confine her.

She might love running around, but for her own good you need to be the Owner here and put a stop to it for a few weeks so she can heal. She won't hate you for it. She will be grateful that you helped her to get better.

She has probably torn a ligament or her knee cap is not staying in. Either way, she will need surgery if it doesn't heal with confinement but it is best to try and let it heal on its own without surgery if possible.

Check out this website:

http://www.tiggerpoz.com/

While I don't agree with everything he says, he has a lot of good advice on this site.

So get her a crate if you can't confine her on her own while you are gone and leash walks only.

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

Expertise

PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

Experience

I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

Organizations
Audubon,World Wildlife Federation, American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians.

Education/Credentials
Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

Awards and Honors
Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

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