Arthritis & Elbow Dysplasia

[TyTysmom]

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.

If your vet is experienced with the breed, and putting them under than I would feel much better. Did he get put under the the CT scan as well? A second opinion would never hurt! It would at least confirm your next step.

 

[SamiSalo]

If your vet is experienced with the breed, and putting them under than I would feel much better. Did he get put under the the CT scan as well? A second opinion would never hurt! It would at least confirm your next step.

Yes, ultrasound and CT scan 2 days ago.

 

[2BullyMama]

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.

I would get a second opinion and also look into water therapy. My girls was diagnosed with arthritis in her hips and spine at age 2.. she lived a great life and passed of unrelated issues at the age of 9. Nothing stopped her but when she was in pain she would rest herself, she knew her limits. We did her life with pain management, laser, tramol, deramaxx and gabapentin. of course, joint supplements too, but we managed her pain without surgery and it worked. So there are options without surgery -- look for another bulldog vet or ortho specialist for a second opinion before you make your decision just so you have as much info as you can get. since there is a bone fragment, surgery may have to happen, but at least you know there were two doctors agreeing on that part.


Best of luck.... and please keep us posted

 

[ddnene]

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.

My hubby actually had this done to his knee to remove cartilage (arthritis) damage, and he noticed a huge improvement in his flexibility. I wasn't aware that they will do this to dogs as well... I would still go for the second opinion.

 

[natski282]

Hope all works out for you guys let us know how it goes

 

[SamiSalo]

I would get a second opinion and also look into water therapy. My girls was diagnosed with arthritis in her hips and spine at age 2.. she lived a great life and passed of unrelated issues at the age of 9. Nothing stopped her but when she was in pain she would rest herself, she knew her limits. We did her life with pain management, laser, tramol, deramaxx and gabapentin. of course, joint supplements too, but we managed her pain without surgery and it worked. So there are options without surgery -- look for another bulldog vet or ortho specialist for a second opinion before you make your decision just so you have as much info as you can get. since there is a bone fragment, surgery may have to happen, but at least you know there were two doctors agreeing on that part.


Best of luck.... and please keep us posted

Why didn't you do surgery?

My feeling, surgery is his best chance for the best quality of life. He's young (like yours was) & they're not concerned about him waking him up from anesthesia. It's not like he'll be more arthritic & there is that bone fragment that they should probably deal with (even tho it's not bugging him now).

Apparently they're a top specialty vet in Canada (Canada West Vet Specialists). They have folks who do arthroscopic surgery too but I think I prefer open. Open surgeries offer stronger repairs. Don't really care about the longer recovery time because he's a professional sleeper & I'm taking time off to watch him.

Still working on the second opinion.

 

[2BullyMama]

Why didn't you do surgery?

My feeling, surgery is his best chance for the best quality of life. He's young (like yours was) & they're not concerned about him waking him up from anesthesia. It's not like he'll be more arthritic & there is that bone fragment that they should probably deal with (even tho it's not bugging him now).

Apparently they're a top specialty vet in Canada (Canada West Vet Specialists). They have folks who do arthroscopic surgery too but I think I prefer open. Open surgeries offer stronger repairs. Don't really care about the longer recovery time because he's a professional sleeper & I'm taking time off to watch him.

Still working on the second opinion.

All her years, our vet never said it was an option/necessity for her. We managed her pain with medication starting at around age of 4. Banks did not have any spurs so that may be the difference

 

[SamiSalo]

Hope all works out for you guys let us know how it goes

Salo had arthroscopic surgery on both elbows 3 weeks ago. Right side, they got the fragment out. Joint looked great. Left side, the joint is "not bad" but that secondary cartilage, aka scar tissue, is all gone. He took a video and you could see the blood vessels inside the bone. If he wasn't there to explain, I would think he was bleeding out! Bottom line, he reshaped both joints & scraped away bad cartilage.

He walked out under his own power. He was his normal self 2 days later. He doesn't limp when he stands up anymore but during our walks, there's moments when he bounces his head. He's had 3 quiet weeks. Rehab starts in a few days.

Supplements - I give him sasha's blend in the morning & recovery SA in the evening. I also add turmeric, salmon oil & coconut oil every meal. Monthly cartrophen shots too. After rehab, I'll resume our normal activities, play, etc. I'll have to gauge him. If he has a bad day, I'll give him one shot of Metacam and a full rest day.

Retrospect, I'm glad I did the surgery.

 

[natski282]

Salo had arthroscopic surgery on both elbows 3 weeks ago. Right side, they got the fragment out. Joint looked great. Left side, the joint is "not bad" but that secondary cartilage, aka scar tissue, is all gone. He took a video and you could see the blood vessels inside the bone. If he wasn't there to explain, I would think he was bleeding out! Bottom line, he reshaped both joints & scraped away bad cartilage.

He walked out under his own power. He was his normal self 2 days later. He doesn't limp when he stands up anymore but during our walks, there's moments when he bounces his head. He's had 3 quiet weeks. Rehab starts in a few days.

Supplements - I give him sasha's blend in the morning & recovery SA in the evening. I also add turmeric, salmon oil & coconut oil every meal. Monthly cartrophen shots too. After rehab, I'll resume our normal activities, play, etc. I'll have to gauge him. If he has a bad day, I'll give him one shot of Metacam and a full rest day.

Retrospect, I'm glad I did the surgery.

Wonderful news sounds great