Roxy- mild hip dysplasia

[Roxy's CD]

bubbatd I'm psyching myself up about it, I'm just going to speak to the surgeon tomorrow to ask him some questions, but I really think it's what's best for her.

It makes it a lot harder because she's not in pain right now. If she was sore and uncomfortable she'd be in for surgery right now, but because she's fine right NOW, it seems as though I'd be putting her in pain and restricting her activities for nothing, you know what I mean?

Did chip have a TPO? Or something else?

fillyone gave me a great GSD forum, and I've been reading up and seeing that a lot of people that have had dogs go through a TPO have turned out very successfully. That really helps, knowing that first hand pet owners stand behind it.

Thanks again everyone. Everyone's information has really helped me a lot truly *heart*

 

[fillyone]

fillyone gave me a great GSD forum, and I've been reading up and seeing that a lot of people that have had dogs go through a TPO have turned out very successfully. That really helps, knowing that first hand pet owners stand behind it.

Thanks again everyone. Everyone's information has really helped me a lot truly *heart*

Post any questions there you have we're just a bunch of dog lovers over there and it's not going to matter that yours isnt a GSD!!

 

[fillyone]

This is rather cool
Before:

After:

From: http://www.vetsurgerycentral.com/client_library_orthopedic_articles.htm

 

[dr2little]

dr2littleSo do you think I should get it done? I'll do in a heartbeat as long as I know that it works!. I've been looking on websites and they all say about 90% success rate, but I want to know from someone that has had it done, and will say that it truly improved their dogs quality of life.

The reason the decision is so hard, because first off I was nervous about the x-rays because she had to be put under let alone surgery! Also because I know she won't be able to move around much for months, BUT if 6 months of being quiet means a lifetime of running and jumping....*sigh*

I'm leaning towards getting it done, unless anyone has any horror stories they'd like to share...

I think that having the x-rays looked at by a specialist is a really good idea. As far as the decision, I think I would do it if the answers all point in that direction but I know it would be a really hard several months. I've not heard any horror stories and this kind of surgery is so much more advanced than it used to be but I'm certainly no expert in that area.
Please do keep us up to date and I'll certainly ask my Vet friends what they think. They have lots of "big dog" experience so they'll probably be able to tell me about their experience with this type of surgery.

 

[bubbatd]

I really don't know what he had... I do have his xrays though. Also, this same specialist used elastic braces with minor cases. I should be more up on this , but by not breeding anymore , I've been away from it for a while. I'll look for Chip's Xrays tomorrow and see if it puts anymore light into the picture. BTW... he's never been on any meds... or favors hips hips at all .... at nine plus hops into the 4runner, my bed etc with no effort.

 

[Roxy's CD]

Ok, So I've sent her x-rays off to a "board surgeon" in my area. He's apparently done the surgery many times and is very experienced.

I've been searching non-stop since I discovered this yesterday and someone made a good point today, that has thrown me off.

"Hip dysplasia is a condition where you treat the dog and NOT the x-ray"

As I said, Roxy has no symptoms whatsoever right now other than being a "waddler". I've never seen her uncomfortable. So now I'm thrown off. I thought I'd made the decision and this was what was best for her but now I'm backtracking.

As I mentioned before it seems like I'd be putting her through the pain of the surgery and recovery for nothing! She's not even in any sort of pain now! (that I can see) The x-rays showed no arthritic change. But than again she is very young, it could easily turn on a dime and turn into something serious.

It's been suggested to bypass on the TPO and go with supplementation, medicinal treatment. If her condition worsens she can always get a THR, total hip replacement.
AHHHH! Why did this have to happen to Roxy?!?!?!?!

 

[J's crew]

Ok, So I've sent her x-rays off to a "board surgeon" in my area. He's apparently done the surgery many times and is very experienced.

I've been searching non-stop since I discovered this yesterday and someone made a good point today, that has thrown me off.

"Hip dysplasia is a condition where you treat the dog and NOT the x-ray"

As I said, Roxy has no symptoms whatsoever right now other than being a "waddler". I've never seen her uncomfortable. So now I'm thrown off. I thought I'd made the decision and this was what was best for her but now I'm backtracking.

As I mentioned before it seems like I'd be putting her through the pain of the surgery and recovery for nothing! She's not even in any sort of pain now! (that I can see) The x-rays showed no arthritic change. But than again she is very young, it could easily turn on a dime and turn into something serious.

It's been suggested to bypass on the TPO and go with supplementation, medicinal treatment. If her condition worsens she can always get a THR, total hip replacement.
AHHHH! Why did this have to happen to Roxy?!?!?!?!

Oh wow. I guess I did not read everything. I was under the impression that she was in pain or that it was affecting her. If that is not the case you probably might want to wait. I agree with treating the dog and not the x-ray. I know of many dogs that have mild HD and have lived full active lives without surgery.

If you do wait I would get her on some good supplements asap. I would limit any extreme activity such as jumping or running for long periods of time. Swimming is a great way to build her muscles in that area!

 

[bubbatd]

I'm anxious for you to get the report. Kudos for being on top of this !!! What I thought were Chip's xrays were y MRIs..... Lord, now where do I look.!?

 

[whatszmatter]

I myself would avoid any surgeries unless absolutely necessary. Its not like there aren't complications from surgeries, and HD doesn't always equal an incapacitated dog. I've seen lots be energetic happy dogs well into old age. Exercise to me is impt cause it strengthens the structures around the joint. Of course swimming and such would be best, no impact on the joints from gravity. I would also keep my dog very thin.

Whoever said you treat the dog, not the xray is absolutely correct. I've seen xrays and MRI's of people that I thought for sure should be dead and others that are biomechanically sound, but have terrible symptoms. You can see a lot with xrays, and you can also be severly mistaken if that's all you rely on.

In this case before any 2000+ grand surgery, I would be getting other opinions from specialists.

 

[Jynx]

I'm sorry to hear about Roxy and I know you've been doing agility with her.

Not sure what route I'd take in your shoes, but I can tell you a couple of "pro's" on each of your options..I've seen an amazing number of GSD's, that have had TPLO and are back doing agility stronger than ever. I know of one woman, who has a gsd who is loaded with Titantium rods and that dog is a "rocket ship" on the agility course!! LOL..On the flip side, there are also a number of dogs with really "rotten" hips also out there doing agility!!

Most of those, are dogs that are on supplements, have excellent muscle tone and are going thru atleast water therapy treatments..So your choices are out there, I'd take the recommendation of an orthopedic surgeon.

Good luck
Diane

 

[Roxy's CD]

Jynx I know! We've just seriously started her agility and she was loving it!

That's good to know though that if she has the surgery even though it'll be a couple of months, that there's a good chance she'll be able to go back to doing the things that we both love to do.

I know from looking at probably close to or more than 100 x-rays online, that Roxy's situation is NOT bad at all. But the pressure is on me to choose whether to do the surgery now because she is already "too old" typically for a TPO.

I'm also afraid that this vet may just want my money and not what's really best for Roxy

 

[bubbatd]

If you have any doubts, get a second opinion.