Pulled Muscle?

[VetPrincess]

Thank you for considering my question/concern.  I worked as a Vet tech many years ago, so I have some knowledge of protocol.  I have a 1 year old Pomeranian.  Very healthy & active. She was doing her normal running through the house because she was getting a treat (canned food) and she landed apparently wrong on her left hind leg.  She now is not wanting to put a lot of weight on it, or walk on anything but carpet.  I have palpated it, she does not cry out when any area is touched, and will walk on it for short periods of time, I don't feel that it is so serious I need to rush her to the Vets office, but was wondering if there is some homeopathic things I can do to help her until the muscle feels better?  She has strength in her leg and foot, nothing to the feel or naked eye is swollen, and no bones feel out of place.  Is it just a matter of rest, and trying to keep her from jumping up/down from funiture etc.  I prefer to go the least evasive route as possible, and try other means before giving her meds. She is resting comfortably in her crate, and still has her particular appetite.  She is special, like everyones pet is to them, but she has brought such joy to our lives. My daughter who is 10yrs old,  wants to be a Veterinarian, did not want to go to school this morning, she thought our Pom needed her to take care of her.  I told her I would do my best while she was at school, and that she could take over when she got home.  Do you have any suggestions, or opinions?  Thank you for your time.

[VetPrincess]

Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to address my issue.   I appreciate it very much.

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

It would be best to have her checked by your veterinarian ASAP.

This could be:

a sprain or a strain,

a partial or complete tear of a ligament, such as the cranial cruciate ligament or meniscus,  

invertebral disk problem, where the disk is pressing on a spinal nerve,

an excerbation of an existing luxating patella problem, or hip problem

a fracture,

and lastly,  it could be Lyme or other tick borne disease.

If she is able to put some weight on it and she is not too painful it than try to isolate the painful portion and use ice on and off at the painful site, beginning now than later (after 24 hours) alternating with a warm compress.  If it is just a bruise than Arnica would help.  You could also give her a baby aspirin twice per day.  Do not give Tylenol, Advil or any other human anti-inflammatory except baby aspirin.

If she is not getting better very quickly, she should be seen by a vet.  Swelling of the knee, hip or ankle may not be evident to the naked eye.  An anti-inflammatory, such as Rimadyl would be more effective than aspirin, but is only available by prescription.