Help Needed! :( Frankie Mae' was Diagnosed w/ Hip Dysplasia

[bullyluv34]

I have been back and fourth with her to the vet because she was not using her back legs and falling when she would try to get up and walk... Well the Rimadyl they put her on did not help and she was in shaking and howling bc she was in A LOT of pain.

Test confirmed she has Hip Dysplasia, and has been placed on a different anti-inflammatory and a pain medication to help relieve her pain, but they said since she is just a year and its this severe she will need a hip replacement and will not live the "normal" life span of a bully.

Ive been trying since Saturday to contact her breeder and he will NOT contact me back... I don't want a "new" puppy, I want more specific details on her parents since the OFA certificates are obviously NOT her parents...

She has been eating Fromm Beef Frittita with added joint, hip and coat supplement, should I try something else specific for the hip & joint? I have to give her 1000mg a day of glucosamine hcl along with her other medications...

This is just NOT fair at all, I would be a little more understanding if she hadn't just turned a year... I just don't want to be selfish and allow her to live in SO much pain... :'(

 

[Petra]

Aww, so sad to read this After we rescued our Joey we found out she had Hip Dysplasia as well, I was so heartbroken. Our wet preformed Femoral head removal (think that is what he said...) and it was a success She's now doing great, the recovery took a while but she could manage herself during the whole time and even walk shorter distances. Joey was 4 when she had her first surgery, it was only about 3 month after we got her. The second hip we did one year later so the first one could heal properly.

Your baby is still young, I hope you'll find a way for her to be pain free. Will be thinking of you

 

[DudleysMom]

I am so sorry to hear about Frankie. I'll add her to my list of bullies -- and bully parents -- needing prayers. I hope they can do something for her so she is pain-free. Don't give up hope! Dudley sends hugs and bully kisses!

 

[bullyluv34]

thank you all so much! I will give her kisses I will keep you all posted..

 

[Baconator]

Just wanted to say good luck and send hugs and Bacon kisses.

 

[bullyluv34]

Thanks Bacon Ill give them too her, I really appreciate it.

 

[Davidh]

So sorry for her and you, I'm sure you will make the right decision when the time comes.

 

[sheshistory]

Gah! How old is your bully? Have you taken her to an orthopedic specialist?

You may have some options, other than a hip replacement, which I would ask an orthopedic specialist about because I was told it was not possible for bulldogs, due to the prosthetic not being suited to their unique build.

I also have some experience - I have a bulldog that was diagnosed with severe hip dysplasia at 10 weeks (Here is the article I wrote on it) and happily, after some fairly non-invasive surgery, he is a happy and healthy bulldog.

Big hugs and support...it is a very, very difficult diagnosis but there are options!

 

[Lokismom]

Poor Fankie! Hopefully you are able to find something that would help her live pain free. I have heard a lot of sucess stories in other breeds when the surgery is performed. Were praying for her! Hugs and Slobbery kisses

 

[Marine91]

Thoughts and prayers coming your way. Harlea send puppy hugs and kisses to Frankie.

 

[ChrisRN]

Oh no! [MENTION=860]sheshistory[/MENTION] shared some great information. We had a boxer years ago who had severe dysplasia but he lived to be 11 years old on medication. I hope Frankie does as well!

 

[RipleyandBentley]

Hi, our Ripley Jaxon also had Hip Dysplasia at a year old. I understand how heartbroken you are but don't give up hope. He also had the Femoral head removal surgery, both at the same time as his hip sockets never formed and it was bone on bone. Did your vet talk to you about this option? Our vet told us that the hip replacement surgery is very expensive and he could not be sure it would make any difference in how he would walk and is not really suitable for his build. He also said they usually do it when they are very young, not a year old. One weekend he just stopped eating, going to the bathroom because the pain was so severe. The surgery is usually done in 2 parts, the 1st is done on one side, then a few months down the road the other side is done. Our vet said we didn't have a choice but to do both as he was in so much pain. We were pleasantly surprised that right after the surgery, he was out of pain so quickly. The actual pain from both surgeries only last for about 3 days, he doesn't really have pain inside because the bones are not rubbing together any longer. If you decide to do the surgery, you will need a support for under his belly to walk him out to go potty. We used a scarf and just held it up as we walked him outside. He never whined, whimpered or looked like he was in pain. Good luck to you in whatever you choose to do, I know how you are feeling and what a tough decision it all is..

 

[bullyluv34]

Thank you all So much for your stories, and happy endings. I spoke to her vet this morning and let her know that the Previcox and tramadol seem to be helping, because she actually came to greet me at the door when I went home to have lunch with her!! She said the exact same thing, about their build and couldn't guarantee the outcome when surgery was appropriate. [MENTION=860]sheshistory[/MENTION] : Frankie just turned a year on June 28th, I have not taken her to a specialist yet, if these medications wouldn't help and she developed other or worsening symptoms then they will refer her to an ortho. I will go home today at lunch and see how she is, I am holding onto faith and hope right now. I have gained additional positive outlook from all your kind stories and happy endings I really appreciate it and will let Frankie know how much prayers & kisses she has been sent

 

[bullyluv34]

Thank you SOO much for sharing! I am beginning to think that she will have a happy pain free life. Do you recommend any specific food or is just adding the glucosamine hcl tablet enough?

Gah! How old is your bully? Have you taken her to an orthopedic specialist?

You may have some options, other than a hip replacement, which I would ask an orthopedic specialist about because I was told it was not possible for bulldogs, due to the prosthetic not being suited to their unique build.

I also have some experience - I have a bulldog that was diagnosed with severe hip dysplasia at 10 weeks (Here is the article I wrote on it) and happily, after some fairly non-invasive surgery, he is a happy and healthy bulldog.

Big hugs and support...it is a very, very difficult diagnosis but there are options!

 

[sheshistory]

Thank you SOO much for sharing! I am beginning to think that she will have a happy pain free life. Do you recommend any specific food or is just adding the glucosamine hcl tablet enough?

Get thee to an orthopedic specialist!

Seriously! In order to properly diagnose and recommend a course of treatment for hip dysplasia, you cannot rely on your regular vet. An orthopedic specialist will be able to not only manipulate the hip to give you more information but also take a series of x-rays (read by a specialist) to determine the extent of the problem and best course of treatment.

The other thing is, not to be a downer, but it's not realistic to have a one year old on Tramadol for an extended length of time. It's an opiate meant to relieve severe pain (Truman was on the same thing in the days following his diagnosis) but it's not a long-term solution. And unfortunately, if the hip dyplasia is severe, glucosamine isn't a "magic bullet" either.

The good news is that your bully is young so figuring out how bad things are now and the best course of treatment is essential because arthritis has yet to set in - and once that happens, there is no turning back the clock on that - so even though things seem sort of ominous, I am sure there are many options available but I would strongly, strongly, recommend discussing those with a orthopedic specialist.