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Another Elbow Dysplasia Lab here. *UPDATE*

9K views 66 replies 11 participants last post by  Harleys 
#1 ·
Following my first labs death from nerve cancer back in june I was lost.
Then in july I saw Max and fell in love. 8 weeks old fox red and the same personality pup wise as me lol. He even bit my nose on our first meeting.

Ive spent all summer off work with an injury with max we are truly best mates lol. Lazing about in the sun. Paddling in lakes

On Nov 4th I noticed Max had a slight limp front right leg , off to the vets who xrayed and checked. Xrays all clear vet hoped it was just a sprain or pano.

The limp has been on and off only slightly since and max hasnt cared a jot. Diving around and chasing the cats notjjng slowed him down.
Last night I noticed a fluidy lump. And today the vets re xrayed the leg and found that unfortunately Max had developed ED in that leg. Thus far the other leg is clear.

Working in Pet insurance I see and deal with these cases every day but I am truly gutted for my boy. I know its not the end of life I know he's a strong trooper but I feel so much for him poor little man.

Well. Onwards. Max has been booked for keyhole surgery to remove 1 poss 2 chips of bone from his leg. Luckily I had already started him on Yumove and would like to keep him off meds as much as tolerable so will be getting physio and hydro. (Thank god for insurance)

reading the other threads here has given me an insight into whats needed and what I can do for my boy. Great place.

Any tips for helping him. Bar keeping him lean. He is a big boy 35kg at 8 months old.
 
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#2 ·
My lot get Yumove daily I am sure it does make a difference to the joints, other than that I think you will find ways for the gorgeous boy to enjoy life and make adjustments if and when he shows signs of discomfort.

I agree the longer you can manage without the meds it will help but he may need them after surgery.

The water therapy is great, and once the weather improves I am sure he will love his walks if they include a lovely big lake or pond for those ball retrieves :) .

June
 
#3 ·
Hello and welcome to you and lovely Max. Has you will have read dogs with ED can lead a happy fairly normal life with a few adjustments. Good luck with the surgery and let us know how he gets on. There's some good posts on here re post operative care that you might find useful.
 
#4 ·
I think you've read my post on the other recent thread on the things I do to help my Luna keep looning...

I shall just add as he is having an op on the affected leg, follow the post-op care instructions closely, don't be persuaded by Max to speed things up! He may well convince you he is fine earlier than he should be but be disciplined, it is hard!!

Just to give you a bit of a heads up on what post-op care could involve: Luna was crated when I wasn't around so she couldn't attempt to jump on sofas. She was very sleepy for a good 24hrs after the op and was happiest sleeping safely in her crate. The stairs were blocked off. My sofas were covered in stuff or tipped up to prevent her getting on them when I was home! She usually sleeps upstairs with me but I moved a mattress downstairs and we all slept downstairs instead. She was on the lead in the garden for toileting. I used old bits of wood and planks to make ramps for her to use instead of steps. I covered tiled floors with rugs and carpet bits so she couldn't slip.

I cut her food back by a half-third and split it into kongs she could have throughout the day rather than in 2meals as usual. She was given the ok to swim by the specialist a week after the op at the hydro pool.

I have some videos of her post-op recovery somewhere....

24hrs after on a toilet pootle:
<embed width="600" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullscreen="true" allowNetworking="all" wmode="transparent" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf" flashvars="file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid706.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fww63%2Fluna-tic_photos%2FFebruary202013_zps169d04fe.mp4">

The 2 holes made by the op on the inside of her elbow pointed at by the white arrow:


20days after at hydro (Luna has the black harness on, Tucker the red):
<embed src="http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_view_player?p=1212048c73a5cbbe75d0d3c"quality="high" scale="noscale" width="408" height="382" wmode="transparent" name="FLVPlayer" salign="LT" flashvars="&p=1212048c73a5cbbe75d0d3c&skin_id=701&host=http://www.onetruemedia.com" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed>

50days after:
<embed src="http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_view_player?p=1222f6d292411871546957b"quality="high" scale="noscale" width="600" height="526" wmode="transparent" name="FLVPlayer" salign="LT" flashvars="&p=1222f6d292411871546957b&skin_id=601&host=http://www.onetruemedia.com" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed>

It snowed during restricted walk phase when she had to stay on lead:


53days after on her birthday with a brother unused to her attacks!
<embed width="600" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullscreen="true" allowNetworking="all" wmode="transparent" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf" flashvars="file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid706.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fww63%2Fluna-tic_photos%2F130413Loonysbirthday_zpsde3574f5.mp4">

and finally recovery complete, post-op restrictions lifted and reunited with her good friend Toby! She's the one in the pink bandana with a toy fish in her mouth:
<embed src="http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_view_player?p=122ee5d8f7d447ca0fb35c0"quality="high" scale="noscale" width="408" height="382" wmode="transparent" name="FLVPlayer" salign="LT" flashvars="&p=122ee5d8f7d447ca0fb35c0&skin_id=701&host=http://www.onetruemedia.com" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed>

Almost a year on and the removal of bone fragments from her right elbow has left her much improved on that side.

She's returned to Veteran agility, sometimes taking her own line around courses to avoid left turns on the arthritic left elbow, sometimes winning:


The latest video I have uploaded of her from over xmas, she's the one with the white football addiction and bounce/prance impatience!
<embed src="http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_view_player?p=12a0044fe073e9fc953822f"quality="high" scale="noscale" width="408" height="382" wmode="transparent" name="FLVPlayer" salign="LT" flashvars="&p=12a0044fe073e9fc953822f&skin_id=701&host=http://www.onetruemedia.com" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed>

The best advice I can give is to take each day at a time, cross off the days on the calendar and plan the following days feed, exercise, meds etc.

If I can help anytime just post or PM. xx
 
#5 ·
Laura / LT you are right at the top of my Christmas card list and I'm not sure you'll ever realise just how much your posts on this topic matter to those of us who have been given this earth shattering news
I've been truly gutted for two days since my Jude diagnosed -- making myself sicker with worry watching old videos of her charging around isn't helping!!!

To MaxsDad I wish you all the very best and I really hope Max makes a speedy recovery - tough little buggers those lab pups!

I'm so glad I've subscribed to this board and intend to contribute as much as possible, (and that's from a social media phobic!!!!).
Lets us know how Max gets on
 
#6 ·
Thanks all and special thank to luna tuck. Those have cheered me right up

Max is a hall dogat night anyway, no upstairs its gated off. I'll shut the living room and kitchen doors whilst out as he wont tolerate a crate. But its a small hall and its his domain well his and his 4 cat mates who tonight have been unusually cuddly with him.

I'm sure I'll have many questions so thanks in advance
 
#7 ·
****UPDATE****

Max had his surgery today. Just called the vets. And all went well
Max had a few bits of bone and cartiledge removed and the joint flushed through hopefully this will be the only time he needs opened up.
Arthroscopic treatment but with a little nip to get the fragment out.

The vet said early removal of the bits really helps limit future issues forming so I'm happy but dreading having to keep him so limited exercise wise
Don't want him in the vets overnight so he is coming home later with pills.

currently adapting the hallway into a pen to keep him moderately confined.

Glad I caught this early and hopefully slowed any arthritic issues
 
#11 ·
Thats great news and really hope the little fella is back to himself in 6 weeks time.

All the research and discussion I've had is that it is vital to resist going any quicker on recovery process. The dog will want to bound ahead of this but small steps far better in the long term.
If I recall rightly Luna-Tuck has said as much on a reply to this thread??

Keep us informed on his progress mate - if only from my own point of view so I can judge what may lay ahead!!
 
#12 ·
Very dopey. Very whiney but getting better every minute. I suppose he's still a little spaced out.

He had his drip and last painkiller/antibiotics at 7 he's eaten and drank and 4 pees later he's feeling sorry for himself.

But he is walking on the leg and bearing weight well which surprised me.

 
#13 ·
Sounds like he is doing well so far - I found Luna slept for much of the next 24hrs... meds induced or just plain exhausted from sending energy to healing? It is reassuring that he is bearing weight. Luna limped heavily initially which took a couple of days to go after her first op but 24hrs and it was barely noticeable on her second op.

Do you have meds to give him? From memory Luna took an anti-biotic for a 5/7days, tramadol and carprieve.

Sending him hugs! xx
 
#14 ·
Yeah antibiotics and painkillers for 7 days. Seeing vet for check on friday then stitches out in 10 days.

He's fast a kip in front of fire now. Laying on the bloomin leg but its how hes comfy.

Cone of shame on tonight though as he's discovered the stitches
 
#16 ·
Oh no! Not the lampshade head labrador?!?!? For the best though to ensure those stitches stay in

I've been told to man up by the Mrs as Judys ED position still taking over my every waking and sleeping hour!!!
Hearing the good news positions from people like yourself does inspire positive thoughts

GWS to Maxy boy
 
#17 ·
Yeah antibiotics and painkillers for 7 days. Seeing vet for check on friday then stitches out in 10 days.

He's fast a kip in front of fire now. Laying on the bloomin leg but its how hes comfy.

Cone of shame on tonight though as he's discovered the stitches
 
#20 ·
Hope he stops whining and feels more himself very soon. Luna isn't a whiner or complainer at all, I dread when/if tucker gets ill though, he's such a soppy sap! I was with Luna when she came around from her GA and it was awful to witness, she couldn't see properly, stand and the crying/howling was truly, truly heartbreaking, I couldn't do more than reassure and hold her until she came around to herself more..the op drugs can take a while to get out of the system, hopefully this time tomorrow he'll feel more himself.

If he keeps seeming uncomfortable after tomorrow I'd check the dosage of his meds is correct with the vet. Luna took 50mg of carprieve twice a day and 100Mg of tramodal twice a day as well as antibiotics initially, for comparison. This is the maximum she's allowed, she is around 22kg.
 
#21 ·
Just been to vet. He's amazed how he is walking so well on it already and pleased with him so far albeit only 24 hours.

Max was given a mild sedative to calm him during the hangover from anaesthetic and he dozed off in the car. Got home ate dinner and now he's zoggo on his bed. Love him
 
#22 ·
These hangover sedatives..... any good for humans?!?!

Pleased as punch the little fella is going great.
Do stick to everyones mantra on here - creep creepy catch a.. Take it easy and build him, sure he'll be crashing around in the summer

Keep us posted 8)
 
#24 ·
Day 4 in the post op house

Max has returned to normal. Mo more sleepy dopey dawg. He is brimming with energy I may have to tie him down.

He's trying to hooley round the house and is being a general pain lol

His appetite is slow but he has started drinking water again (he had stopped for a day or 2).

Currently distracted by a knuckle bone and a nice warm fire
Luckily he hasnt chewed at or even licked the stitches which is great
 
#25 ·
Great to read!

You can see now why a crate became my best friend... I had 2 dogs so when Luna was out of it tucker was in it unless they were both calm, tired or sleeping! after the first couple of Weeks when lead walks begin things become easier!
 
#26 ·
maxsdad said:
Day 4 in the post op house

Max has returned to normal. Mo more sleepy dopey dawg. He is brimming with energy I may have to tie him down.

He's trying to hooley round the house and is being a general pain lol

His appetite is slow but he has started drinking water again (he had stopped for a day or 2).

Currently distracted by a knuckle bone and a nice warm fire
Luckily he hasnt chewed at or even licked the stitches which is great

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat to hear that Max doing well! Make sure he takes it easy and the very best of luck with the next few weeks
As ever, keep us informed on the goings on in the post OP big Max house
 
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