Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 9:18 pm Post subject: Help please!!!!!!! Dog with hd and elbow probs.
Hello all,
We're new to the forum but have been reading the stories about labs with hip replacements with interest but cannot find anything similar to what we have had diagnosed with our lab Jet.
We have just had Jet diagnosed with chronic hip displacia - both hips are out of place. To make matters worse, he's got problems with his front elbows to the extent that he keeps them tucked under his chest most of the time while walking. The vet has recommended a double hip replacement but is unsure if the front elbows will fully recover.
Although he's insured, cover seems to be limited to 2.5k per symptom per year (Tesco insurance). If money were no option, we would not be writing this. We really want to know if anyone has experienced a dog with problems with all limbs this young and what the outcome is.
Jet's an 8 month old black lab and we really don't know what to do. How do you keep a lab puppy from bouncing about? How do you stop 2 boys (5 & 8 years old) from wanting to play with him? We're seriously concerned about his future quality of life.
Any help would be gratefully received.
Kindest regards,
Rose & Steve,
Cornwall.
Last edited by Steve_P on Sat Aug 04, 2007 9:54 pm; edited 1 time in total
So sorry to hear about Jets problems I have no experience so can't offer any advice, but one way to keep a puppy confined whilst recovering post op, is to have them crated 24/7, it's not nice, but we did have to do it with Izzy for 5 months after she tore her cruciate ligament-she was a similar age to Jet, 7.5 months when we 1st had to crate her.
What a dilemma you face, its a tough one when all 4 limbs are affected, I know a few members have gone through hip replacement surgery and the cost is not cheap.
I am going to play devils advocate here, I think you have to weigh up everything.
There is a story on here of a Lab called Ollie who had both Elbows pinned as he had Elbow Dysplasia, there were complications and he then favoured both elbows which caused his cruciate ligaments in his back knees to tear, in the end sadly he had to be PTS as his quality of life was so poor he could only shuffle around on his bottom, he was 16mths old, I was there when he went through the operations it just wasn't fair to put him through anymore.
I know it maybe not what you want to hear, but when all 4 limbs are affected the prognosis is not as bright.
You really need to discuss the issue with your vet, can his Elbows take the pressure of weight bearing whilst his hips are recovering and vice versa.
On a positive note, my Utonagan has appalling hip dysplasia in both hips, she is now 6 years old and has had No surgery, we have managed the disability with weight control, homeopathy and exercise inlcuding swimming as well as Supplements.
At 8mths old. you must limit the exercise to soft ground, short walks, no jumping for balls or hairing around, swimming is brilliant.
I really hope that it all works out for you all.
____________ Natalie x
LAB LINK RESCUE Co ordinator and Forum Administrator for my sins
Jack, Molly & Maia, watched over by Tara Banana from the Bridge
Keira has HD & ED, she had TPO surgery at 4 1/2 and 5 1/2 months of age as far too young for replacement but unable to walk, riddled with arthritus. My ortho vet told me that her elbows should be okay after her hips were done and the strain was off of her elbows. 2 years later and fingers crossed everything is fine. She is as fit and agile etc as the next lab
8 months would be too young I would think for replacements and really best to limit what he does, stairs and jumping around a no no but yes swimming is fine and great for them. If you are careful now there might be a slim chance of him not needing them replaced.
Hi Rose and Steve
Firstly welcome to the forum, I am so sorry to hear about poor Jet.
Puds is my yellow lab who has just had his first hip replacement, he has had HD most of his life, although we only had him as a foster boy at 13 months. He hasnt got Jets elbow problems though.
Here is the xrays of pudseys hips before his op
He has his first op in May but sadly he broke the cement so had to have it redone a few weeks back, he is doing great. I would look round for the best specialist, where in the country are you?
Once a dog has a hip replacement, it should last the rest of his life.
After the operation it is hard keeping a lab quiet, the only option is a crate, we crate Puds alot when our other dogs go into play mode, its very sad to see, but will be worth it in a few weeks when he is able to run around.
I would also edit your title so more people will see it, i would put dog with hd and ebbow probs, or something along them lines.
Im sure Wendy (charliesmum) will be here to help you soon.
First of all I'm really sorry you have had such bad news about Jet.
My dog Charlie was diagnosed with HD when he was only 6 months old. He has now had both his hips replaced - the first one when he was 11 months and the 2nd a month later. He now leads a full and active life.
When we were referred to the specialist, Charlie had his elbows checked as well as it's common for a dog with HD to also have elbow problems too. luckily Charlie's were ok.
I know there is another dog on LF - Oscar who has had both his hips and his elbows operated on.
Charlie's story and others is on a website that another LF memeber (Sue51) ad I set up after harlie's surgery to hopefully educate others on how to only buy pups from healthchecked parents to reduce the risk of HD and other problems
Here's the links
A double hip replacement isn't cheap but luckily we have him insured for £7000 per year. I know if there is a limit, our specialist would try and do one op during one insurance year and the other during the next
I think you need to have a good chat with your specialist and see wht he thinks the prognosis is for Jet. From my own personal experience it has really been worth doing and if you want to see some videos of Charlie post op i can show you some - you wouldn't know what he'd been through.
Good luck and please ask away if you want to know anything else
edited to say - are you the same Steve who me and Sue have spoken to on MSN?
Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 10:26 pm Post subject: Jet the pet update. . . . .
There's good and bad news.
Firstly, thank you all for the kind advice.
After a weekend of heartache, we got hold of the vet who is looking after Jet's case today and it seems that the vet who took over from her on Friday gave us totally the wrong advice. There is no plan to operate on his hips - yet. They think we will be able to build the muscles up and possibly pop them back in place, with weight control, supplements and careful excercise.
She is more concerned about the front elbows at the moment but still does not intend to operate yet.
We are currently feeling a mixture of great relief and anger. Needless to say a letter has been sent to the senior partner at the practice as a weekend like this could have been avoided.
We will of course post updates as soon as we hear more. The next appointment is on Wednesday this week with a follow up towards the end of the month.
Thank you all again for all the help and advice,
p.s. the picture's of a 4 month old Jet. I'll get a more current one on here soon.
I know many dogs with HD & ED done require any intervention with surgery.
I had the same scenario with my vets and now before I go I check which vet in taking the surgery. At the time, the advice given to me by my vets, was really bad so I referred Keira to the Ortho vet myself as he had previously operated on Eliza after an accident. Your insurance should cover a referral, so if I were you I would ask for one.
Sorry for the delay in replying here but the news isn't good . To save typing the full story here (and in a lot of other places) I've set up a small web site about Jet http://fp.princepweb.f9.co.uk/Jet/. I'll be posting more pictures there when I can collate them and will probably post information, at some point, about the probable cause of Jet's problems.
There is some other news but that's for another day.
In the meantime, thanks to all of you for the help and support. We will be back soon.
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I have no experience so can't offer any advice, but one way to keep a puppy confined whilst recovering post op, is to have them crated 24/7, it's not nice, but we did have to do it with Izzy for 5 months after she tore her cruciate ligament-she was a similar age to Jet, 7.5 months when we 1st had to crate her.
