Hi, I joined the forum a few years ago not long after having Monty as a puppy, who is now just over three years old. For various reasons life took over and I haven't posted on here for ages, but I have been lurking recently thinking about Monty's training in relation to his ongoing health problems and thought I should engage properly! Monty has bilateral hip and elbow displasia, both diagnosed within his first year, and we spent the first 3-4 months with him trying to get rid of a horrible bout of persistent giardia. All things considered he is doing amazingly well now at 3, his joint problems controlled by daily anti-inflammatories, some supplements, acupuncture, hydrotherapy and of course weight control. We get through joint flare ups by reducing exercise and remove high impact movements. What is absolutely amazing is that he's such a happy dog - he has an absolute zest for life and never seems sorry for himself despite the fact he experiences some discomfort from time to time. Natalie
Hello Natalie and Monty , good to hear from you , what a journey your boy has had , lovely to hear that he is doing so well despite his problems x
Good that you have returned to the Forum, and also that Monty is able to enjoy life despite his health problems. I've been on here since August when my puppy Cassie was in full crocopup phase, she's 11 months old now and all that seems a distant memory!
How lovely to have you both back, and to hear how well Monty is doing. Lilly is also a bilateral HD with no surgery so we are sort of similar - she will be 7 on 1st May and actually doing really well OFF her anti-inflammatories these days.
Thanks everyone, Jacqui, so glad to hear Lilly is doing so well at nearly 7 - I remember your supportive comments back in 2015 and at the time I really could not bear to look more than a few months ahead - I remember thinking I hope he's still moving okay at 3 yrs old (my own milestone I created in my head) - which feels a bit shocking and pessimistic looking back now.
Hello and welcome back to the forum Natalie. Hope to hear more about Monty, have you any photos for us?
Welcome back, Natalie. It's good to hear that Monty's problems are being managed and that he's doing well. Do post some photos.
Welcome back! Great to hear that Monty is enjoying life and isn't letting his joint issues get in the way of a good time
I am really delighted to hear that Monty gets to surpass the challenges that have come to his life. You are good owner/family to him the reason why your dog seems to be happy.
Hi @leejane it's lovely to hear how well Monty, and you, are managing his dysplasia. Long may he may continue
So lovely to see you back ,and great to hear how well you are managing and supporting Monty's conditions.He sounds a very resilient character x
What a lovely boy!!! Just out of interest, and I'm sure you've said it already in one of your previous threads, did he come from health-tested parents?
@Karen , yes and no His mum had hip scores of 4/3, and Dad similar though can't remember exactly... we met mum, dad and maternal grandfather at the breeders. I asked about elbows and was told there had been no elbow issues to date noted in mum, dad, grandparent or pups. (in hindsight not the best answer) If you had asked me 2 1/2 yrs ago had we got Monty from a great breeder I would have said yes. Now I look back and think maybe not so perfect, despite having done some research before we made that first visit. I raised his 'pedigree' with both orthopaedic surgeons. The best answer I got was from the second, who went into some detail about all the genetic possibilities (I think he mentioned around 42 gene combinations, which I couldn't help but smile at the reference to the hitchhikers guide to the galaxy ...) that could go into potentially producing bad hips / elbows. The answer being you can never eliminate risk, only lower it a bit.
