Arthritis & Elbow Dysplasia

SamiSalo

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Aug 15, 2013
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4
Vancouver, BC
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Salo
Salo is 3.5 years old. Just had a CT scan & ultrasound, turns out he has arthritis & elbow dysplasia in both front legs. Specialist recommends exploratory surgery, 3 weeks recovery & 2 months of rehab. $4500. Meeting with my vet next week to discuss all this.

I'm happy to spend the money, so to speak. I'm having a hard time with a few things though:

1. Playing fetch (running) & long walks was part of our daily routine. He's in shape, lean, etc. Vet always assured me what I'm doing is fine in spite of him being a bulldog - if he's in shape and not overweight he'll be ok as he gets older. is this my fault? I understand arthritis can result from normal wear/tear but was I wrong to keep him so active? Too much wear/tear too soon?

2. What's his quality of life going to be now and in the future? Specialist says he's almost too old for surgery & there's no guarantee it'll help.
 

Karen100

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Apr 14, 2014
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Sadie,Taylor,Gatsby
My 8 yr. Old bully Sadie was diagnosed with elbow dysplasia and arthritis she was 1 yr. Old the vets wanted to operate but because of the arthritis we chase to wait. We put her on Meloxicam once a day. It has really helped. She also lost 10 lbs. Which really helped. She was very active before but we try not to let her run very much. Hope things go well.
 

natski282

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May 27, 2013
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Megan = Meg,
002.jpgTilly had surgery for her elbow , Now I would call her normal active walking around our 7 acres playing with 5 other dogs we have half of those dog are seniors so not like a bunch of puppies going crazy playing . Wow that is a lot they operated twice on her elbow and still that bill was under 800. CDN . Our vet the main reason for her issues was 1 a bulldog 2 jumping up and down off say the couch or bed or my lap . I bought stairs for everything but My lap , never had another issue with any of My bullies . Now after the op there was no more fetch but she was very much back to normal in all ways , instead of fetch i got a pull rope 011.jpg003.jpg ( pic 1 ) if I was not playing with her the other dogs would , (pic 2) are the stairs ( amazon ) those are a 3 step stair and we have a 4 step stair for the bedroom . Tilly or any of my bullies never developed arthritis we were lucky there it was all joint issues even 12 year old Diva did not have arthritis . GL I hope all works out well for you and Salo I would shop that or get a 2nd opinion , I live in Ontario just south of Algonquin Park, I see your from Canada .
 

ddnene

EBN's SWEETHEART aka our little GOOB
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I would get a second opinion... I'm just curious as to why they want to do exploratory surgery?!! Is something not showing up on x-rays?
 

TyTysmom

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Nov 4, 2014
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Tyson aka "Ty-Ty"
I would get a second opinion... I'm just curious as to why they want to do exploratory surgery?!! Is something not showing up on x-rays?

Agree, second opinion. I wouldn't rush into surgery just yet unless meds, and rest have not worked. He he limping and shows signs of pain? Do you have him on a good quality joint supplement?
 

Manydogs

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Agree, second opinion. I wouldn't rush into surgery just yet unless meds, and rest have not worked. He he limping and shows signs of pain? Do you have him on a good quality joint supplement?

I agree with trying all options before this surgery. The cause now is moot,the "cure" is what is important. Unless he is dealing with bone on bone,I would try joint supplements,and perhaps the meloxicam(which I,too take) and the steps,and more gentle exercise first. [MENTION=9655]SamiSalo[/MENTION]
 

RiiSi

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I also vote for second opinion and even after that trying something else before surgery. There are very good joint supplements, some are injected straight to the dog and some taken orally. Laser therapy. You should not avoid exercise completely, but rather not walks on hard surfaces. Hydro therapy or just swimming is good. good muscle conditions is very important when the joints are not good. IMO surgery in many cases is the last option, not the first.
 
OP
SamiSalo

SamiSalo

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Aug 15, 2013
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Vancouver, BC
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Canada
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Salo
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View attachment 101559Tilly had surgery for her elbow , Now I would call her normal active walking around our 7 acres playing with 5 other dogs we have half of those dog are seniors so not like a bunch of puppies going crazy playing . Wow that is a lot they operated twice on her elbow and still that bill was under 800. CDN . Our vet the main reason for her issues was 1 a bulldog 2 jumping up and down off say the couch or bed or my lap . I bought stairs for everything but My lap , never had another issue with any of My bullies . Now after the op there was no more fetch but she was very much back to normal in all ways , instead of fetch i got a pull rope View attachment 101560View attachment 101561 ( pic 1 ) if I was not playing with her the other dogs would , (pic 2) are the stairs ( amazon ) those are a 3 step stair and we have a 4 step stair for the bedroom . Tilly or any of my bullies never developed arthritis we were lucky there it was all joint issues even 12 year old Diva did not have arthritis . GL I hope all works out well for you and Salo I would shop that or get a 2nd opinion , I live in Ontario just south of Algonquin Park, I see your from Canada .

Hi,

Thanks for the input. Agreed, huge difference. Perhaps because the cost includes the therapy after the fact? Forgot to mention - one elbow has a bone fragment they want to remove too.
 
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SamiSalo

SamiSalo

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Aug 15, 2013
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Salo
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I would get a second opinion... I'm just curious as to why they want to do exploratory surgery?!! Is something not showing up on x-rays?

Hi. I forget exactly what he said. Something about removing any old/damaged (cartilage?) so it can grow back? Words to that effect. One elbow, there's a small bone fragment that they want to remove. x-ray led to the ultrasound and cat scan, which showed his tendons and shoulders are all good.
 
OP
SamiSalo

SamiSalo

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Aug 15, 2013
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Vancouver, BC
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Salo
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Agree, second opinion. I wouldn't rush into surgery just yet unless meds, and rest have not worked. He he limping and shows signs of pain? Do you have him on a good quality joint supplement?

Hi. What started all this was a lame leg. For 3 months, he limps when he stands up & then it goes away. I now have him on a joint supplement, yes. I'm limiting his activity but occasionally he tries to run & play (from boredom).
 
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SamiSalo

SamiSalo

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Aug 15, 2013
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Salo
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I also vote for second opinion and even after that trying something else before surgery. There are very good joint supplements, some are injected straight to the dog and some taken orally. Laser therapy. You should not avoid exercise completely, but rather not walks on hard surfaces. Hydro therapy or just swimming is good. good muscle conditions is very important when the joints are not good. IMO surgery in many cases is the last option, not the first.

Last option because of the cost? Apparently he'd be ok to go home the first day. Can it do any harm or make him worse?
 

TyTysmom

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Nov 4, 2014
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Katy, TX
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Tyson aka "Ty-Ty"
Hi. What started all this was a lame leg. He limps when he stands up & then it goes away. I now have him on a joint supplement, yes.

How about trying some laser therapy or Adequan injections? My Tyson has arthritis, and we've done both. The laser does wonders.. we used the Adequan injections for about a year, but then they kinda stopped helping so we switched to laser treatments. I also switched his joint supplement to a double dose, the strongest I could find. Which do you have him on currently? We have Tyson on Dasuquin. I found this one has the highest amount of glucosamine, and msm, etc.
51yOW81r-DL._SY300_.jpg
 
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SamiSalo

SamiSalo

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Aug 15, 2013
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Vancouver, BC
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Salo
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How about trying some laser therapy or Adequan injections? My Tyson has arthritis, and we've done both. The laser does wonders.. we used the Adequan injections for about a year, but then they kinda stopped helping so we switched to laser treatments. I also switched his joint supplement to a double dose, the strongest I could find. Which do you have him on currently? We have Tyson on Dasuquin. I found this one has the highest amount of glucosamine, and msm, etc.
View attachment 101571



Hey. I just started him on Recovery. The lame leg started 3 months ago. During that time, he had 16 laser sessions. The specialist mentioned a joint injection too, regardless if i proceed with the surgery.
 

TyTysmom

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Nov 4, 2014
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Katy, TX
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Tyson aka "Ty-Ty"
Hey. I just started him on Recovery. The lame leg started 3 months ago. During that time, he had 16 laser sessions. The specialist mentioned a joint injection too, regardless if i proceed with the surgery.

Great! did he respond well to the laser? I think we all hesitate just a bit when it comes to surgery just because we know it can be difficult for bullies.
 
OP
SamiSalo

SamiSalo

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Aug 15, 2013
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Vancouver, BC
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Salo
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Great! did he respond well to the laser? I think we all hesitate just a bit when it comes to surgery just because we know it can be difficult for bullies.


The metacam + laser helped but the limp never went away for good. Surgery, understood. All I can say is his breathing is great. My vet would say something if she had any concerns. My uneducated self is leaning towards getting a second opinion - provided its ok to have another CT scan so soon - and trying the joint injection and more rest first.
 

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