Hi, we're new and seeking help & advice for my poorly Sa

suzy · Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 7:49 pm Post subject: torn ligament

hellow all you fellow lab lovers my girl is 7 black and she is the light of our lives unfortenaqtly she came from adodgy breeder she has had a skin allergy since birth it makes her very itchy her coat is very flaky and smells alittle she is on steroids for that now a few weeks ago she tore a ligament in her back leg she is on metacam for that i bought a bioflow collar and i have just started her on syn flex so i am keeping my fingers crossed we cant go on long walks as she keeps sitting down my girl is so deepressed she sleeps alot has any one tryed syn flex and can anyone offer any advice sally gives you all licks

antheawad · Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 9:50 pm Post subject:

Hi suzy

Im so sorry to hear you and your girly are having probs. I know how you must feel as Sasha is the light of my life too.

I would personally recommend seeing a vet ASAP to confirm the injury and then get the best treatment money can buy. The worst thing we did was to leave Sasha whilst we awaited a 2nd opinion. In those 5 months, she developed serious arthritis which is obviously irreversible. She also damaged the cartilage which is often a common thing when the cruciate ligament tears.

Please see a vet. I know alternative medicine is recommended by all, but rest Sally lots and lots, and ask your vet about TPLO's (tibia plateau levelling osteotomy). It cost us almost £3,000 last year but it was the best money I ever spent. I'll spend it again and more if I have to if it means Sasha will recover with this poorly hip.

Where are you anyway. If you're in the UK, I could recommend a really good specialist.

Keep in touch - Love to you and Sally

Love and licks,

Anthea and Sasha xxxxxxxx

suzy · Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 3:59 pm Post subject:

hi Anthea and Sasha thanks for replying sally has been to the vet as soon as i noticed the problem with her leg he gave her the metacam but it isn't very good we make sure she has lots of rest and lots of love we live in Scotland iam married with 2 grown up sons how about you our vet is great he loves the animals unfortunately i don't have the money for specialists treatment but we do our utmost best for her she had a big operation not long ago for a tummor in her neck the results was not what we wanted because they could not say if it was malignant or not so we hope and pray it isnt how is sasha is she on trhe mend now i bet she is spoilt rotten why not they are werth it i will speak soon give sasha abig lick from sally bye now suzy and sally

antheawad · Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 9:25 pm Post subject:

Hi again

Thanks for your lovely reply. I live with my fiance Gareth near Luton - no kids - just the dog!! wouldnt have it any other way Surprised

)

Im so sorry that Sally is having so many probs. Sasha had a tumour removed from her mouth about 4 years ago but luckily it was benign. I hope the results come good for you.

I can somewhat identify on the cost front. I wouldnt be able to afford such wonderful care if Sasha wasnt insured with Petplan. They will pay up to £4k per year. we used £3k last year, and expect costs to exceed this amount this time.

If metacam isnt working, ask about rimadyl. it is an NSAID but it works wonders as a short term treatment.

Sasha also takes flexijoints (glucosomine & chondroitin). we get these tax free from VETVITS - £9.70 for 240 tablets. She's getting by alot better on this combination of tablets, although she is far from being normal. I do miss walking her around the park. She loves running around like an idiot and i really miss that. She still has all the energy though and her spririts are far from broken which makes it even harder to see her struggling to walk.

Specialist appointment is on Thursday so I'll update this page ASAP.

Much love and hugs from Anthea and Sashy xxxx

antheawad · Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2005 12:05 am Post subject:

Well hi there again to all my friends Smile

Well Sasha had her consult with the specialist this morning and I have to say that the outcome was not as bad as we had originally feared.

The vet was satisfied that it was NOT her hips that were causing the lameness. He had xrays from 6 months ago to compare against and there had been no real change in the arthritis in that time. He then examined her hip and her knee, and out of the two, the knee was the one causing the most discomfort. In fact the hip was causing no signs of discomfort at all!! oh my what a relief!

Xrays of the knee do indicate early signs of a cruciate ligament injury. So before arthritis takes a hold like it did on the other knee, he is going to perform another TPLO on the knee on the 28th February 2005.

I know I say this is a relief, but I speak only in terms of the outcome we were expecting, i.e. hip replacement and/or TPLO. The fact that 7 months have passed since Sasha's first TPLO is a good sign and therefore she has a better prognosis than many. Cruciate Ligament injuries reoccur in 30% of cases, and can happen as soon as 6 weeks after the initial procedure, hence I think Sasha has done really well.

Hopefully, Sasha will recover from this just as well as she did the 1st time around. I feel alot more confident too, having been through it with her once already. I've even decided I'm going to sleep with her downstairs for a while to make sure she's OK!!

So for now guys I'll leave you be. Please get in touch soon - it will be nice to hear from you Smile

Love and licks from Sasha

(hugs from her mum Anthea) x

bradleysmum · Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2005 9:29 am Post subject:

Hi Anthea,

I'm so pleased to hear about Sasha's progress - that's excellent news. I can imagine the relief you must be feeling. We will be here for you when she has her next TPLO - and we wish you, and Sasha all the very best.

[quote:9a65436007]I've even decided I'm going to sleep with her downstairs for a while to make sure she's OK!! [/quote:9a65436007] You are one sweet mum! Wink

Regards,

Julie

antheawad · Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2005 9:44 am Post subject:

Thank you so much for your kind message Julie. I'll keep everyone updated every step of the way!!

With much love

Anthea & Sashy xxx

antheawad · Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2005 7:48 am Post subject: update

Hi guys

just taking Sasha to the vets in a mo... today is the day. Incidentally, not just for the TPLO Sad

We discovered a lump in her armpit a few weeks ago. Luckily it's only a fatty lump but because it's very likely to grow, they want to take it out at the same time as her TPLO.

Say a prayer for my girl - She should be home tomorrow and I'll keep posting updates as available.

Thanks again for all your support.

Love and hugs from Anthea & Sasha xxxxxxx

branwen · Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2005 11:11 am Post subject:

Hi Anthea,Hope everything goes well for Sasha,bet you can't sit still can you?anyway, will be thinking of you so take care, and a big kiss from Dylan to both of you,keep us posted.Lynne.

antheawad · Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2005 11:23 am Post subject:

Hi Lynne

thanks for your reply. Funny you should mention sitting still - I have done a silly amount of cleaning already.

We should hear something from the vet by 3:30 so fingers crossed.

Incidentally, the bill for this TPLO has gone up since last time. They want approx £2k + VAT this time around Shocked

Anyhow, bye for now and I'll post a msg as soon as I hear anything.

Love from Anthea x[/u]