Our poor Molly.. i think i may faint

[sheshistory]

Also, don't be mad at your vet for giving Molly a clean bill of health - without x-rays, there is no way of knowing that her hips could be loose and puppies hips are always loose since they tighten up with growth.

I would be mad at the treatment plan because it sounds to me like the vet has really jumped the gun and probably isn't qualified to make that type of diagnosis or recommendation.

 

[LynnA]

I'm so sorry to hear about Molly and a second opinion is where I would be headed for sure.

What a great site, so much concern, love and advice.

Please keep everyone posted. Prayers headed your way....

 

[acarabias]

I agree with [MENTION=860]sheshistory[/MENTION] A specialist would be better qualified at this point I think the vet jumped the gun, I remember reading that surgery for hip dysplasia is only recommended on severe cases for bulldogs... I remember a picture of Truman sitting funny, does Molly do anything like that?

 

[TheLost]

Thank you [MENTION=860]sheshistory[/MENTION].. you have talked me off the ledge! I may be (just a wee-little bit) prone to panic .

I read your post to my wife and she did say our vet was very 'non-committal' about the surgery and said we really need to talk to the specialist (Everything i know about the visit is through txt messages and my wife's quick tear-filled call)... he will get a grilling from me ASAP.

I am very grateful we found out about it now. I had hoped i was done with having a 'special needs' dog after my Frankie passed away in December... But maybe its fate that we got Molly (Frankie's back-end was a mess due to being hit by a car before i adopted him.. nothing surgery could fix... oh, and he was shot at one point in his life).

I need to remind myself that Molly isn't in any pain right now. Being the DRAMA QUEEN she is... we would know if it was bothering her. My wife is having a hard time keeping her from jumping around... as seen by this current photo of her trying to figure out how much of an xbox controller she can fit in her mouth..

 

[TheLost]

I remember a picture of Truman sitting funny, does Molly do anything like that?

We she sits on command its a normal sit... but i cant say I've noticed her sitting in the classic 'bad hip' type position. I'm going to have to pay more attention to it now..

 

[sheshistory]

Thank you [MENTION=860]sheshistory[/MENTION].. you have talked me off the ledge! I may be (just a wee-little bit) prone to panic .

I read your post to my wife and she did say our vet was very 'non-committal' about the surgery and said we really need to talk to the specialist (Everything i know about the visit is through txt messages and my wife's quick tear-filled call)... he will get a grilling from me ASAP.

I am very grateful we found out about it now. I had hoped i was done with having a 'special needs' dog after my Frankie passed away in December... But maybe its fate that we got Molly (Frankie's back-end was a mess due to being hit by a car before i adopted him.. nothing surgery could fix... oh, and he was shot at one point in his life).

I need to remind myself that Molly isn't in any pain right now. Being the DRAMA QUEEN she is... we would know if it was bothering her. My wife is having a hard time keeping her from jumping around... as seen by this current photo of her trying to figure out how much of an xbox controller she can fit in her mouth..

Whew good! I know it's scary though!

Just for reference, Truman didn't need a TPO for his hips. He had his hip out of socket stitched back in and the Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis (JPS) and has been fine ever since - and he was literally unable to walk when he was diagnosed so I can't really imagine that Molly's case would require even more invasive treatment since she's getting around well.

Update us as soon as you get that second opinion!

 

[TheLost]

Thanks for everybody's support!

Molly hasn't limped once since Monday... he's her normal bouncing off the walls self. We are trying to get an anointment next week with a specialist.

The breeder was distraught (to say the least) when we contacted her. Molly is her favorite of that litter and she actually comes over often to visit. Once she calmed down she and my wife contacted the other owners of molly's brothers and sisters seeing of they've had any problems... so far none have shown any issues, most said they'd get checked out on their next vet visits. I think i said before, but we talked to other people who have 'adopted' from this breeder and they all said their dogs have been very healthy. However... It sounds like molly's momma is getting spayed.

They also contacted the fathers owner, who lives on the other side of the state... He also seemed concerned and is contacting other 'adopties' and seeing if they have any issues. I'm not 100% sure he'll stop using Molly's dad as breeding stock.. but the owner of molly's mom won't use that sire again.

Hopefully its a big hubba-baloo over nothing... We'll know more next week.


However, i have a HUGE dilemma now (one that will be moved to another post).

 

[JeannieCO]

Poor Molly. It does sound like your breeder is a responsible one though. My best to you and Molly for what's to come.

 

[TheLost]

My wife spoke on the phone today with the orthopedic specialist that our vet sent Molly's xrays to... Molly's hips are fine!

[MENTION=860]sheshistory[/MENTION] was correct.. he said bulldogs hips are a bit different then other dogs and hers look 100% normal.

We are getting her knee's checked out next week but it sounds like the same thing @acarabias is going through with Katara. We saw her limp yesterday after skidding on the tile chasing our other dog. Her leg looked a little 'off' but after a quick second she was back running and jumping like it never happened. It does seem like it pops out of place for a second.. then pops back in.

Thanks again to everybody on this site!

 

[sheshistory]

My wife spoke on the phone today with the orthopedic specialist that our vet sent Molly's xrays to... Molly's hips are fine!

[MENTION=860]sheshistory[/MENTION] was correct.. he said bulldogs hips are a bit different then other dogs and hers look 100% normal.

We are getting her knee's checked out next week but it sounds like the same thing @acarabias is going through with Katara. We saw her limp yesterday after skidding on the tile chasing our other dog. Her leg looked a little 'off' but after a quick second she was back running and jumping like it never happened. It does seem like it pops out of place for a second.. then pops back in.

Thanks again to everybody on this site!

Great news! Relatively speaking...of course. Molly is so lucky to have found such loving parents that take special care of her!

 

[acarabias]

I am so glad her hips are fine!! I have been reading about the condition, katara pretty much limps allthe time grde 3 sounds to me Molly is a grade 1 or maybe 2 and surgery is not recommended for her. I alsoread that it could be congenital but also could have been an injury so with Katara and Molly being such active pups And so young I wouldn't scratch injury as a cause.. It sounds like your breeder is great! Mine said she has never had joint problems like this an she was surprised as well she did say her friend that also breeds has used Dasuquin with Msm and says her friends swears by it. My vet said to wait until 1 yr old for supplements and just guve her rynadyl now but I might go back sooner and see what he thibks about this supplement. Also I noticed if she's
limping very bad just flex and extend the knee and it will put it bck in the socket. Best of luck!!

 

[lexterwayne]

Just be careful lex had started limping a few months ago really bad and we just thought he pulled something. Vet gave us some antiflammatory med and he was fine. Now a few months later after a few more limps we got X-rays done he has hip dysplasia and 2 torn acls. I blame myself everyday for not having X-rays done sooner and catching the first torn acl. Lex is such a big boy and didnt ever show us that he was in pain even when the vet palates hid knees. I'm glad y'all caught this soon and not a few months down the road. Never found any hip dysplasia in his family, but his mom and grand ma died of bone cancer and that scares me if we did do the surgery. We have opted not to do surgery since he had bad hips and knees it would be a very long and hard recovery for him.