[antheawad]

Hi guys Im Anthea, and I own an 8 year old golden lab called Sasha. She is my absolute world, so I get alot of joy out of seeing you fellow labaholics on here speaking about your bundles of joy!!

Sasha has always been a 'daft' labrador, won't sit still, and definitely is full of beans!! She has been my rock ever since a relationship of mine broke down back in 2001. There is no 'Anthea', its always 'Anthea and Sasha'. Without her I wouldn't be the person I am now!!

Over the last year, we've had big mobility issues. Sasha had a cruciate ligament injury last year which led to a TPLO procedure being carried out last July. after a long recouperation, she came through it and was no longer depressed. Thinking we were getting somehwhere, I began to feel relieved that she had made such a wonderful recovery.

However, three weeks ago, Sasha became lame in her other leg. Having read lots of literature on the ACL injuries, I was sure that the other leg was suffering from the same condition, as in 30% of original cases the injury reoccurs in the other leg and relatively soon too.

Thinking the worst, we went to the vet who did xrays. thinking ACL could be the worst outcome was WAY off the mark. Initial xrays reveal she has severe arthritis in her left hip, and broken bone in the joint is the most probable cause of her lameness.

We have been lucky enough to have gotten an appointment with the specialist Davis White in Higham Gobion, Hertfordshire on 10th Feb, but Im so scared for both of us. I suppose Im looking to you guys for advice really. Has anyone got experience of hip replacement, or indeed, hip replacement in addition to TPLO???

Also, Rimadyl features in our daily routine along with glucosamine and chondroitin, and omega 3 oils. Ive heard bad things about the NSAIDS so does anyone know of any less risky alternatives?

Ive become abit fanatic about it all really. Ive even checked back to the original KC registration doc which shows the hip score of the sire as being 6/7. Is this good? can anyone translate what a 6/7 hipscore really means??

Thanks guys, any help is greatly appreciated.

Love, Anthea and Sasha

 

[Poppydog]

Hi there, i have just joined this list and saw your post and think i may be of help for the lameness. Our dog poppy got arthritis in her left elbow last year and we put her on rimadyl, but after speaking with my vet who said it can cause long term liver damage we decided not to case another problem by helping the lameness.

Now she has devils claw, flexicose and a magnet collar and i am pleased to say she is much better.

I have another friend who got one of these magnetic collars for thier dog as it was in so much pain it would'nt go out 4 weeks ago, now it bounces round the field. I have a magnetic bracelet and i take flexicose for joint problems but i have only just started so cant comment from a personal experience just yet.

I do hope this helps your Sasha, i am a big believer in herbal remedies as they were here long before conventional medicines. It is always best to get a vets opinion but mine supports me.

If you want to read more about flexicose as it contains glucosamine and chondroitin and aloe vera, the devils claw is an anti inflammatory and painkiller, then go to poppys website at www.poppydog.co.uk Theres a link on the first page to all 3 places i got my products from.

Good luck Anthea, let me know how you get on. My poppy is 8 too, she'll be 9 this May. Where are you from?

Love Hazel

 

[antheawad]

Hi Hazel, thanks so much for your advice. I'll look into the devils claw and magnetic therapy immediately as anything is worth a go!!!! shes only been on the gloucosamine/chondroitin just over a week so im still observing...

Sasha will be 8 on 1st March. We live in Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire, but only moved here in 2003 from Halifax West Yorkshire. How about you?

 

[bradleysmum]

Hi Anthea & Sasha,

Welcome to our site.

I'm happy you have found us, and i hope you will find the help you are looking for, for Sasha. It sounds like you & Sasha are very close, our labs certainly have an impact on our lives don't they.

I'm glad you have got an appointment with the specialist for her, i hope you will find some answers. I have found some useful links, hope they help. Keep us posted ok, all the best.

Julie

http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/ccl-injuries.html

http://www.mirage-samoyeds.com/healthlinks3.htm

 

[NicolaL]

Hi Andrea and Sasha

I cannot offer any advice I'm afraid on the problems you are experiencing but just wanted to welcome you as well - I'm sure you'll get lots of help here. The site's been a great help to us as new lab owners!

All the best to you both and keep us posted,
Nicola.

 

[daisydoodle]

hip scores

Awww, she doesnt sound a happy bunny at the moment. Hip scores, as i understand them, is the amount of 'faults' along the joint and the surrounding bone on the left and right side. They shouldnt really add up to more than 15, or so I am told. Really you should look for low hip scores in the dog's lineage when buying a pup, and clear eyes also. I hope your baby feels better soon.
all the best

 

[lablover]

Hi Andrea
Metacam is an alternative to Rimadyl which does not appear to cause as many reactions in dogs. (although still a NSAID). Many dogs have been fine and have been greatly helped by rimadyl, but as you have found out, some have had severe reactions to it.
The most important thing is, if your vet hasn’t already discussed it with you, to ensure you know what the side effeds are and watch her very carefully for any signs of problems.

With regards to hip scoring – a brief outline.
A panel of specialist vets assess a given dogs set of xrays. They measure shape, angle and fit of the pelvic socket and femoral head. Nine points are examined and awarded points 0 = perfect, 6 = worst. These are then added together to give a maximum score of 53 points per hip , total 106. The score is then give, in your sires case 6/7 total 13. Fine for breeding (although you don't say what the dam's scores are) The mean average of all dogs (in a particular breed) is then published each year by the kennel club. Currently it is 15 in Labradors. The best explanation I have found is here
http://www.thedogscene.co.uk/articles/health/hdscore.htm
This however, doesn’t give the whole picture. A score of 6 (as an example) could mean that there are very minor deviations on six of the points. It could also mean that one point has been awarded the worst possible score, which could cause a problem.
Also, just having one set of scores doesn’t give the whole picture. Dogs inherit genes from both parents. What are the dam’s scores? What are the grandparents and great grandparents scores? Do we know what siblings and other offsprings scores are, and thus know what this sire is throwing? It is possible that only one or a few pups in a litter are affected, siblings may be free, however they should still not be bred from. Genetic problems (and virtues) can skip several generations before reappearing.
HD is a polygenetic inherited trait (in other words caused by lots of genes, not one) Add to this the fact that genetics is only part of the story, growth rates, nutrition and exercise also play their part you can start to see that it is incredibly complicated, we still have a long way to go before it is really understood, and there are no guarantees. The most we can expect is that both parents are hips scored, that breeders do more than just scoring the parents and research grandparents, great grandparents etc and any offspring. And with proper care we hope our dogs will grow up HD free, but even then, HD can still strike when least expected.
I do feel for you. It’s so hard to watch our beloved pets suffer, but there is a lot that can be done these days and she is obviously in good hands. Hope all goes well with the specialist and keep us posted.

 

[Poppydog]

Hi Hazel, thanks so much for your advice. I'll look into the devils claw and magnetic therapy immediately as anything is worth a go!!!! shes only been on the gloucosamine/chondroitin just over a week so im still observing...

Are they tablets or liquid form as the liquid is much quicker at absorbing into the body than pills.

Sasha will be 8 on 1st March. We live in Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire, but only moved here in 2003 from Halifax West Yorkshire. How about you?

I'm from Wakefield in West Yorkshire so not much further from where you used to live

Love Hx

 

[lablover]

Hi Hazel
I give my dogs flexicose - it's good stuff. I buy it on the internet and it's shipped over from the States, do you know anywhere in the UK that sells it?

 

[antheawad]

Hi lablover

In my investigations I have come across someone on eBay selling flexicose. his username is flexicoseuk but I'm thinking there is not much difference in price to have it shipped from America :?

In the meantime, here's an update. Sasha's normal vet returned to work this week and he confirmed the concern over Sasha's hip. He also said there was slight swelling to her knee. He has grown so fond of Sasha and is gutted at this recent development. He has referred her urgently back to the specialist, Davis White in Higham Gobion (one of the most prestigious and expensive specialists in the UK so Ive been led to believe!!) and we already have an appointment for 10th February sowish us luck - we'll keep you all posted.

You'll be happy be happy to know that Sasha's spirits are high at the moment. She is an absolute inspiration to me and my family in light of the circumstances. She's getting away with murder thought at the moment - no different to normal though ha ha. what Sasha wants, Sasha normally gets!!!

Hazel, thats a small world you living in Wakey, I have friends who moved from down here last year to Pontefract too. In fact, Im up home a week today to see my friends for a beer in Heckmondwike, and see my family in Halifax. Maybe when Sashy is recovering, I can bring her with me for a visit when Im on my travels???? I'd love to meet Poppy. Love your website by the way!!!

In the meantime if anyone wants my email, its [email protected] or [email protected] if you are sending attachments. It would be nice to hear from you

Re the hip scoring, thanks for the knowledge that you shared with us. I only had the score for the sire, not the dam. we didnt get sasha from a professional breeder as such. I think the family we got her from simply wanted a litter with their bitch and paid for the services of the sire by means of a puppy from the new litter. I dont think they scored her at all.

Thank you all so much for your lovely words of advice, support and kindness. I hope to speak to you all lots and lots in the future. I think ill log onto the gallery too to share some of mine and Sasha's special moments

With lots of love and licks and snuggles

Anthea and Sasha (aka pedigree name Sally Superlass!)

xxxxxxxx

 

[suzy]

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]

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]

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]

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 )

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]

Well hi there again to all my friends

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

Love and licks from Sasha

(hugs from her mum Anthea) x

 

[bradleysmum]

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.

I've even decided I'm going to sleep with her downstairs for a while to make sure she's OK!!

You are one sweet mum! :wink:

Regards,

Julie

 

[antheawad]

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]

update

Hi guys

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

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]

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 8O

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

Love from Anthea x[/u]