Lex is having X-rays done

[cowsmom]

[MENTION=1041]lexterwayne[/MENTION] oh i was so hoping for better news. ill say special prayers that things get ok. but like i said sarah is walking around on a very broken leg so dont give up. im wondering if the therapy is laser therapy like sarah had.

 

[JeannieCO]

Kendall I'm so sorry to hear this. My old dog Ace had two torn ACLs, each one at different times, and he had to have a TPLO surgery on each. It was quite costly and the rehab was very intense. I hope Lex's pain can be managed. Hopefully they can do that in place of surgery. Are they fully torn? Hang in there Kendall!

 

[lexterwayne]

He is couldn't tell he said he was gonna have a specialist come in and look a the X-rays. He said there was some play but wants to make sure. He did mention the tpl surgery which sounds awful

What we are gonna do now is wait till the 11th when the specialist comes in and go from there. Maybe he just needs rest or something small

 

[kim n the guys]

I'm so sorry Kendall!!! Hugs for both you and Lex!!!

 

[Twice]

I'm so sorry this was the outcome. I know nothing about hip dyslpasia or acl's but I do know that you love him and I know that these guys are tough cookies and come overcome/adapt to anything.

 

[TessaAndSamson]

Oh geez Kendall, I am so sorry. I don't know what else to say except I REALLY REALLY hope, wish and pray it can all be easily managed. We're here for you girlie

 

[cali~jenn]

Oh dear gawd now you have me terrified. Cutty's limp hasn't healed up completely but in my head I see him try to play with miila and just hurt it again. Now I at least know to go get the xray to know for sure. I Hate them having to sedate and that has had me on the fence. I Am so sad for you and lex. I will be hoping the specialist has better news for you.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[sheshistory]

I am so sorry to hear about Lex's diagnosis! I feel for you because I have been right where you are and it's not fun. The good news is that Lex's condition is treatable but the bad news is that it is very expensive.

From my experience at the orthopedic specialist with Truman (who had severe hip dyplasia diagnosed at 10 weeks) and Bentley (who had two TPLO ACL-repair surgeries), one of the major effects of undiagnosed hip dyplasia is torn ACLs. Lex was likely putting a lot of pressure on his knees to supplement for his hips, which ultimately led to the ACL tears. This is what happened to Bentley.

If Lex has torn his ACLs, no amount of therapy, medication or anything else can repair it. If left untreated, he will continue to struggle to walk, he will be in pain, and the joints will become severely arthritic. If he was a 9 year old bully, it would be a consideration to let him live out his days as best as he can but since Lex is so young, you'll likely have to prepare for surgery.

There are various methods of repairing ACLs but the one with the highest success rate on bulldogs is TPLO - more expensive but it's permanent. It reshapes the joint so there is no need for a ACL and they can move comfortably without it Bentley had it at 10 months old on one knee, then 25 months on the other knee and both knees lasted him a lifetime. The bad news is that it was $2700 per knee - and you MUST do one at a time since the recovery time is about 2 months and takes time.

Now, the hips are something you might be able to manage with medication. The hips are still in socket and there might be some arthritis developing but that can be managed with medication, supplements and other remedies. Because bulldogs carry SO much weight in the front, they typically are able to manage hip dysplasia fairly well. Most surgical procedures indicated for hip dysplasia are not great options for bulldogs, especially a hip replacement but once his knees are good, it looks to me like that can be managed.

The main thing is doing what you are doing - go to a specialist - someone who has seen this hundreds of times and performed hundreds of surgeries. They are the only ones qualified to handle this kind of thing and the only ones that can properly perform surgery.

I worry that Lex has to wait so long to see the specialist. Bentley tore his first ACL right before Christmas one year so we had to wait until after to get him into surgery. While he can't do more damage to himself since the ligament is torn already, the vet did tell us that it is pretty painful and something most humans could not tolerate walking on. I don't know if you can get the appointment with the specialist moved up but maybe?

I know none of this is good news. It's upsetting and expensive and the TPLO surgery is no fun but Bentley did great after he rehabbed his knees and he had both done within a few months of each other and was moving great until he passed away.

Please let me know if there's anything else I can do or any other question you have...I am more than happy to do whatever I can! I wish I could fix Lex myself...bless his heart.

Also, here's a link to Truman's hip x-rays and also info on hip dysplasia:

http://www.englishbulldognews.com/forums/content.php?r=169-Hip-Dysplasia-in-English-Bulldogs

Since we treated him for hip dysplasia, he hasn't had any issues with his knees.

Poor Lex...big bully hugs and kisses!

 

[sheshistory]

P.S. Bentley also did the same thing as Lex - he seemed to have miraculous recoveries and move like he was fine then have trouble getting up. It's the bulldogs strength that tends to be their ultimate weakness, at times. They do not stop for pain and often, keep right on going even though things are going wrong.

 

[RiiSi]

I'm so sorry to hear that it was what you feared. Sheshistory has good advice there and from experience.

 

[Vicaroo1000]

Oh crap.

I was hoping for better news too.

Well, the good news is that we live in a society now that has proper medical care for these kinds of issues! In a town kind of near me (Woodinville) there's even a dog therapy place that uses a swimming pool. (Bea would be in hog heaven) These things can be fixed and managed - medically - and hey, that has to be good enough. And miracles happen. Look at our little Abby! [MENTION=4225]Twice[/MENTION] (altho I think her miracle is her mama alone....LOL )

As for Bea, it looks like I need to find a job. Pronto. So we can pay that deductible......

 

[lexterwayne]

[MENTION=2291]cowsmom[/MENTION] what's wrong w Sara?

 

[BabyDuke]

I do not have any experience with this but Duke has had his very fair share of serious surgery on his eyes and other things so I really feel your pain and just feel awful. His car picture just makes me want to cry. I am hoping you get all the proper information you need to make the best decision. Big hugs from Duke and I and I am really sorry

 

[lexterwayne]

Well lex was in good spirits today at lunch wanted to play some. When I got home from work he walked up to me like he used to and wagged his little stub and booty that right there made my day. He played in several spurts with Libby and bo tonght. He was laying down playin so he didn't over do it. We are curled up in bed and both are passed out. So it's been a good day considering

Thanks for the thoughts and prayers. We are Gonna need lots and lots so keep them coming. I will update tomorrow it'll be later in the evening won't be coming home at lunch having a secretary lunchin at olive garden. Yummmm

 

[lexterwayne]

@shehistory I will sit down tomorrow night or this weekend and write to u about everything and what we've come up w so far. We are gettin ready for an appraiser to come look at our house tomorrow so it's been hectic! Just wanted to let u know I'm not ignoring u!

Also I think I have given lex hugs and kisses from everyone on here and more in the last 2 days!