[inluvwithfluff]

I can’t believe I’m back here again.

Through a series of events I’m too tired to explain at the moment (I had two hours of sleep last night) an ER vet gave us the shocking news that Biscuit has Grade 3 LP on his left leg and Grade 1 on his right. He was in a lot of pain so they gave him a shot and sent us home with Tramadol. This is the first time he’s presented any pain related to his knees and I hate myself because I should have seen the signs before it got to this point. He woke up this morning still in pain, so my parents (I know I should have gone but I only had two hours of sleep and was literally shaking) took him to his general vet and he says there’s nothing we can do about the pain but give him the Tramadol. Both suggested surgery in the future. We are trying our best but we may have to put off the surgery until next year. I also want an opinion from a specialist before we do anything but my parents are fighting me on this. I know I have to convince them. Biscuit is shaking (looks like muscular contractions), panting occasionally, arching his back and staying off his feet. He is wobbly on the Tramadol. This started last night at approximately 12:30. We were at the ER by 1:00.

I’m wondering in the back of my mind if this is something other than LP. Would LP cause this sudden constant pain? I was under the impression it caused discomfort instead of pain unless arthritis or other damage was involved. Maybe he teared something? He didn’t struggle when they manipulated his legs but he kept stretching out his Grade 3 leg when he was standing. I’m worried he might be suffering from something that requires immediate attention. I brought up how he had bloody stool a month ago (which hasn’t recurred) but the ER vet reassured me it wasn’t related. His follow-up blood work came back fine for that and we opted for an x-ray (just in case) which also came back fine. The only recent problem was a urinalysis that showed an infection which he's being treated for. No straining to urinate. We even checked for stones and he doesn't have any. I asked the ER vet if the pain could be related to the uti and she again said no. She performed a physical. I’m not sure what to believe.

I can’t stand seeing him like this and I don’t know what to do. I know I have to see a specialist about the LP soon (the ER I went to has board certified staff, I used ACVS.org) but right this moment I feel lost and like a failure.