Experiences with sprained groins?

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#1
...Or muscle sprains in general?

After 6 weeks of on-again off-again lameness in a hind leg (vet couldn't feel anything during exam because she is so nervous and tense it made palpation/extensions tough), rest, getting better with rest and then getting worse... I took Venice in to be heavily sedated for a physical exam and have xrays done.

He found extreme tightness in her adductor muscle (pectineus) on the inside of her thigh. He said it's basically an inner groin pull, and because that muscle is always in use whenever the dog is moving (to stabilize the leg) he basically said 8 weeks of crate rest.

Sooo while we do that, I'd like to help her along with exercises or any additional therapy. Does anyone know how to go about finding rehab/sports vets? I don't know of any in my area (Ottawa). Could I contact the veterinary college in my province or just ask around with sport people?

What are some additional treatments that are normally used with this kind of injury? And what's her future look like? Is this going to be a recurring problem, is she more likely to pull it in the future?

I clearly have no idea what I'm doing so just hoping some people will share their stories or offer input. I know a couple people on here have had dogs with iliopsoas sprains which I guess is similar?

I am SO bummed about the crate rest because it writes off the rest of our summer. But at the same time, I'm relieved it's nothing more serious. Her knees and hips are excellent so that's great.

Also, obligatory sad, stoned dog.
 

MrsBoats

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#2
Groin pulls suck...and they are very common in the agility world. Most regular vets aren't familiar with Iliopsoas strains. They take a long time to heal. Definitely go to a rehab/sports vet for treatment or physical therapy.

Look up Iliopsoas strains for dogs and you'll find a bunch of stuff on Google.
 

elegy

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#3
Ugh. Yes. Entirely too familiar. Been through it twice with my Border Collie. It's a miserable injury to rehab. Rest, stretching, cold laser, and rehab exercises.

I'd just do a web search for "ottawa veterinary rehab" or something similar and see what comes up.
 

JessLough

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#4
I've heard good things about rehab at cedarview animal hospital. I know Ottawa Vet also does rehab.

For both, you'll need a referral from your vet.
 
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#5
Thanks Jess, I'll look into those!

Apparently her pectineus is sprained, not the iliopsoas. I think they're pretty close to one another and both groin muscles, but the iliopsoas pulls the leg forward and the pectineus pulls it IN towards the other leg. But if they're both groin sprains I guess it doesn't really matter, they both suck.

Elegy, what does post-recovery life look like? Is she more likely to sprain it again in future now that it's been injured once? Is Steve back to full uninhibited tearing around?
 

Shai

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#6
It's a miserable injury to rehab. Rest, stretching, cold laser, and rehab exercises. .
^ This. True rest. Lo's uncle had this issue after a poorly bagged tunnel slipped as he rocketed through banking off the walls. Long road but full recovery is possible if you're diligent and lucky.
 
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^ This. True rest. Lo's uncle had this issue after a poorly bagged tunnel slipped as he rocketed through banking off the walls. Long road but full recovery is possible if you're diligent and lucky.
If I'm lucky? That sounds scary.
 

elegy

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#8
He has reinjured it once. I try to be diligent about warming him up before he runs agility or flyball, but he doesn't have any restrictions.
 

Shai

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#10
If I'm lucky? That sounds scary.
Soft tissue injuries can be, and often are, insidious. It is really really important to thoroughly heal them the first time else reinjury can occur, and each reinjury seems to make a subsequent reinjury even more likely.

Not trying to make you panic, truly, it just really is one of those things that is difficult to deal with because it takes a lot of time. And patience. Dogs are not known for their patience especially when they are no longer actively hurting but aren't fully healed yet!
 
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#12
We're on day 4 and it's going okay. I have her on house rest instead of crate rest - I'm leaving her loose while supervised AS LONG AS she doesn't try to jog from room to room.

It's not too bad yet. Granted I've spent like $60 in new chew toys.

We have an appointment with a rehab specialist on the 30th, it seems like forever away. :(
 

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