Severe Hip Dysplaisa (Boris 7 months)

Enjoimangos

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Jan 30, 2015
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Boris Bullski, Paco
Hi All,

I just got off the phone with the Vet and was informed that Boris has severe hip dysplasia in his rear legs. She stated that arthritis is already setting in and they expect within 1-2 years that he will be unable to walk on his rear limbs. They recommended we do TPO surgery and qouted me roughly 7k for the procedure, but I feel as that would be unfair to the pup and would be hard on our family to go through. I don't know what to do and am heartbroken to hear the news. I don't want to say goodbye to my best friend :(

I have emailed my breeder, but don't expect much as she's been a nutcase since i picked him up. I don't want another dog from their litters if they breed so terribly....

Thanks,

Matt
 

nycbullymama

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Dec 22, 2012
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TPO surgery has become very common , and just so you know- most english bulldogs have hip dysplasia to some degree.

If you can't have the procedure done for whatever reason, I would give him to a bulldog rescue before saying "goodbye" (if you're inferring to what I think you are?).

But all of this is moot. Have the x-rays been looked at by an orthopedic surgeon? When Wellie was first re-homed to us, I immediately took him to my vet for a check-up. She said his knees are popping
and he's going to need surgery (patella surgery).

I went to see an Orthopedic vet and she said, yes they pop but he doesn't need the surgery. Said that we'll deal with the arthritis as it comes with pain meds. and therapy if need be.
So before deciding on anything, that's the first thing I would do, see a specialist and have your vet forward them the x-rays so at least you won't have to pay for new ones.
 
OP
Enjoimangos

Enjoimangos

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TPO surgery has become very common , and just so you know- most english bulldogs have hip dysplasia to some degree.

If you can't have the procedure done for whatever reason, I would give him to a bulldog rescue before saying "goodbye" (if you're inferring to what I think you are?).

But all of this is moot. Have the x-rays been looked at by an orthopedic surgeon? When Wellie was first re-homed to us, I immediately took him to my vet for a check-up. She said his knees are popping
and he's going to need surgery (patella surgery).

I went to see an Orthopedic vet and she said, yes they pop but he doesn't need the surgery. Said that we'll deal with the arthritis as it comes with pain meds. and therapy if need be.
So before deciding on anything, that's the first thing I would do, see a specialist and have your vet forward them the x-rays so at least you won't have to pay for new ones.

We have submitted the Xrays to an orthopedic surgeon and should hear back by this afternoon regarding the surgery and all the costs. The vet said he has roughly 40% coverage on the ball joint in each hip joint and is developing arthritis. She stated it looks like extremely poor breeding. I will be calling his insurance (trupanion) to find out if the procedure is covered and move forward from there. If it's covered I can continue on, but otherwise I will need to give him up to a bulldog rescue group (I would never put him down as i know someone else may be able to assist) either way I don't want to say goodbye
 

Trishfahey

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Can you let me know what you hear. I have a 2yr old bully with similar issues and wonder if TPO is overed under Tranion
 
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Enjoimangos

Enjoimangos

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Can you let me know what you hear. I have a 2yr old bully with similar issues and wonder if TPO is overed under Tranion

I just got off the phone with Trupanion and the surgery is said to be covered, but they can't make a guarantee over the phone. They have sent me a pre-approval form that i will bring to the Vet today so they can fill in their information then I'll send it back to trupanion and they'll let me know if I'm covered for 90% or not. I'll keep you all updated as we go through this process. my fingers are crossed that it's covered and we can continue on with getting our little man all fixed up.

They stated that it is not covered if there were pre-existing issues prior to enrollment of the insurance coverage.
 

nycbullymama

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I just got off the phone with Trupanion and the surgery is said to be covered, but they can't make a guarantee over the phone. They have sent me a pre-approval form that i will bring to the Vet today so they can fill in their information then I'll send it back to trupanion and they'll let me know if I'm covered for 90% or not. I'll keep you all updated as we go through this process. my fingers are crossed that it's covered and we can continue on with getting our little man all fixed up.

They stated that it is not covered if there were pre-existing issues prior to enrollment of the insurance coverage.

That's great news. Fingers crossed.
 
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Enjoimangos

Enjoimangos

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Thanks everyone! I'll keep everyone updated as I hear more on this new adventure. There wouldnt happen to be anyone here who's gone through a TPO? The more I read the less worried I get, but I've yet to come across a case for a Bulldog...
 

2BullyMama

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Sorry you got this news! I agree with Ellie... get a second opinion from a specialist.

I was also told this by a vet when my girl was 8 months old, same thing... extreme case of HP, arthritis is already starting and she will not be able to live past 2 yrs old. Well, no surgery ever happen, she lived a very full and happy 9 years! Over those years, we maintained her pain via medication nothing made her loopy or 'out of it'.... so my point is, look at all the options and see what would be best after you get all the info.
 

Davidh

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Sorry to hear that about your baby. I am curious as to what the specialist has to say too. I would wait and see how she does. I have a friend who's bully has HD and he is doing fine still after several years with it. They do laser treatments on him every once in awhile and that helps. So don't jump to conclusions just yet or jump to surgery too fast either.
 
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Enjoimangos

Enjoimangos

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It sounds like the surgeons needs time to look over the Xrays as they're currently unsure if he even qualifies for a TPO due to the lack of coverage on the joints. The main surgeon stated that he's seen many bulldogs diagnosed with similar problems live decently good lives. It just depends on their daily routines and the stress they put on the joints. We will being starting up with Nuvets Nujoint plus vitamins and another supplement for fatty acids (recommendations open on fatty acids).

Also No arthritis yet from what the surgeon says :D

Here's the Xray in case anyone was interested.

BorisHDxrays.jpg

Any tips on addressing the issue with the breeder? They are clearly not doing things correctly...

Thanks all,

Matt, Boris and @bird
 

2BullyMama

I'm not OCD....now who moved my bulldog?
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It sounds like the surgeons needs time to look over the Xrays as they're currently unsure if he even qualifies for a TPO due to the lack of coverage on the joints. The main surgeon stated that he's seen many bulldogs diagnosed with similar problems live decently good lives. It just depends on their daily routines and the stress they put on the joints. We will being starting up with Nuvets Nujoint plus vitamins and another supplement for fatty acids (recommendations open on fatty acids).

Also No arthritis yet from what the surgeon says :D

Here's the Xray in case anyone was interested.

View attachment 83863

Any tips on addressing the issue with the breeder? They are clearly not doing things correctly...

Thanks all,

Matt, Boris and @bird


You can inform the breeder, it will let them know not to breed the same two dogs again, doubt it will get you any refund of any type, but you never know.
 

RiiSi

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I'm so sorry you're going through this, but actually I've seen worse X-rays....Luckily bullys are very muscular and that is what saves a lot of them with this condition. Of course strenuous exercise is out of the question, but exercise is what he needs. Swimming is the best, but also walks on a soft surface is good. They can give Cartrophen injections straight in to the joint and those supplements that you mentioned are good.

A lot of bullys with this problem don't show any symptoms and so and so breeders don't test them to be sure.
 
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Enjoimangos

Enjoimangos

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Boris Bullski, Paco
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I'm so sorry you're going through this, but actually I've seen worse X-rays....Luckily bullys are very muscular and that is what saves a lot of them with this condition. Of course strenuous exercise is out of the question, but exercise is what he needs. Swimming is the best, but also walks on a soft surface is good. They can give Cartrophen injections straight in to the joint and those supplements that you mentioned are good.

A lot of bullys with this problem don't show any symptoms and so and so breeders don't test them to be sure.

Yeah it had hit me pretty hard yesterday, but I'm feeling better about it today. I spoke with the Orthopedic surgeon on the phone and he stated the same thing "they've seen worse do well" so it was a bit of a relief. They've decided that he does not qualify for surgery so we're just going to see a specialist and work on keeping him in shape.

I contacted the breeder and she's requested to have my vet send all his information to her vet. Then she'll call me to discuss from there :unsure:. She was extremely apologetic, but also threw in the "its part of the breed" aspect so who knows. The vet made it clear that he wouldn't be surprised if his litter mates had the same issues.

Thanks for all the good mojo everyone its greatly appreciated.

IMG_20150213_141056.jpg
 
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Enjoimangos

Enjoimangos

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Jan 30, 2015
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Boris Bullski, Paco
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You can inform the breeder, it will let them know not to breed the same two dogs again, doubt it will get you any refund of any type, but you never know.

The breeder finally called me back after her vet looked over Boris's records... She is extremely apologetic and has offered me a new puppy, but she requires that I surrender Boris and she will take care of him. She has recommended we wait until he is fully grown to see if he grows into his rear hips. She has extended our 1 year health guarantee to 2 years for his hips and we will just take it day by day. If his condition worsens I will contact her and start the process for the adoption. I'm glad to know she'll work with us, but I'm also heartbroken. She stated we would be welcome to come visit anytime, but that would be hard on both of us :(
 

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