Re: Intermittent limping I have no experience, so nothing to add, but you have had some sage words given above, anyway. I hope you get a good treatment plan together so he can live a happy, active life. Those photos Berna posted are fabulous and it just goes to show what can be done to manage the issue
Re: Intermittent limping Hi, Just an update on Monty's elbows - sorry if it should have been a new post - after a very long chat with the vet today, it's as expected, Monty has severe ED in both elbows with arthritis already setting in, from nothing showing a t 7 months to an advanced problem today. Our vet is sending his xrays off to an orthopeadic specialist to see if there is any (slim) chance of a 'clean up' of his joints which stands a chance of working and not damaging his joints further, elbow replacements being ruled outas they are just too complicated / costly / rare . When the pain gets too much there's the possibility of the fusion of the elbow joint, so he will walk like a robot hoisting his legs around his shoulder joints, but the pain is removed - dependent on if he is up for surgery at that point. So, like Dyson, Monty has a non surgery plan in the short term, with the emphasis on pain management over everything else, daily previcox, nutriquin supplements and monthly cartrophen injections. We are probably going to see about hydro, as it will build up some useful muscles, but have been advised to cease with the laser therapy as the problem is so deep that it's unlikely to do much. ( Am sort of happy about this as have not seen much benefit so far) Up to an hour exercise a day, over two walks, as our vet says if he can't run, explore and sniff then there's not much point to his existence - but no long walks for us now. I knew this was coming, but am absolutely gutted - we waited years to have a dog, spent more time talking about than most people discuss having a child or buying a house, waited for the right time when our work patterns were different enough to ensure he wasn't left along for nine hours a day, and now I am so sad that this lovely, good natured, little brown dog that wants to please everyone is going to be in pain for the rest of his life. Sorry to sound so emotional about it but I am so upset and probably not helped by the two big glasses of wine since coming home from vets. A positive note - the vet says don't worry about his hips too much there has to be a silver lining somewhere...
Re: Intermittent limping I am so very sorry to read of the news about Monty. I understand how very upsetting this must be. I do hope you feel better when you have a plan worked out to keep Monty comfortable. I so appreciate that this wasn't what you signed up for when you bought a puppy - but you'll still have a wonderful time and love Monty, it might just need to be adjusted and might be a bit different from what you imagined. Hugs.
Re: Intermittent limping I am so sorry to hear about Monty. The best thing someone said to me regarding Dyson and I think it applies to all of us...it makes you love them even more. Hugs and tail wags xxxx
Re: Intermittent limping Thanks for your kind words, you are absolutely right, but I think it also lets them get away with more, he's had numerous treats already this morning... and have decided I am going to let him sniff whatever he wants on this morning's walk !
Re: Intermittent limping I am so sorry to read about Monty. I feel so sad for you as I can so relate to investing so much effort into getting your dog and doing everything right. And then feeling the heavy responsibility now of ensuring he has a wonderful life that all dogs should have despite his pain. My thoughts are with you as you take this difficult road. At least we can be thankful for pain medication. And as for giving into Monty -- I read a lovely saying the other day about rather having a dog with character than a robot that does everything on command.
Re: Intermittent limping Natalie I'm so sorry to hear about Monty,I can totally understand your upset.You can manage his pain and when the initial shock and upset passes you will manage this situation and his condition.People like you who have planned so carefully and thoroughly for a dog will be up to the challenges you face and give him a happy,loved life looked after in the best possible way.That does not lessen your disappointment I know and I am really sorry xxx
Re: Intermittent limping My parents in-law have a black lab called Monty and he has ED too, diagnosed at 9 months and treated non-surgically. He's 7 now and it's slowed him down a bit, he walks like an older dog but he self regulates and is kept nice and lean. He's an absolute sweetheart and I'm sure your Monty is too
Re: Intermittent limping [quote author=MF link=topic=8845.msg146077#msg146077 date=1424952140] I read a lovely saying the other day about rather having a dog with character than a robot that does everything on command. [/quote] So true I am so sorry you have had this news Natalie but you will manage Monty and continue to love and give him a great life no matter what xxx
Re: Intermittent limping Oh dear, I'm so sorry to hear the diagnosis. It's hard when it's an ongoing condition and they're still so young. Monty's obviously found the right family with you to help him through it, though. I hope with the vet's care plan and pain management he'll have a long and happy life, even if the walks are short and sweet.
Re: Intermittent limping So very sorry to hear your news - it is the news we all dread, I think. But I know you will still have a wonderful time with Monty - even if slightly different from the way you planned it. The posts on this thread do show just how much can be done. And I'm sure he will absolutely learn to play the sympathy card when it comes to treats and lying on the sofa! (Pongo says 'go for it, mate...
Re: Intermittent limping Thank you everyone again for your heartfelt words - unfortunately each time I read a new post today I well up slightly...so someone has to tell me soon to stop moping and cheer up... will aim for a happy friday tomorrow! We are off to our first hydrotherapy on Saturday - our physiotherapist vet also wants to continue with laser treatment which I am not sure about - to quote OH 'we just paid £30 for someone to shine a light on a dog's knees for 6 minutes' (he's not a great believer in alternative therapies..) but she is convinced it will do some good and is beneficial before a hydro session. Difficult when your own vet and a specialist vet disagree - how are we supposed to judge which one is right? (that was more of a rhetorical question /me thinking out loud!) Nick, we'll keep you updated on how the treatment plan goes over the coming weeks and what we think helps. I just went back and read all your early posts about Dyson's first symptoms and it's almost a spooky mirror of Monty's symptoms.
Re: Intermittent limping I am very sorry to read your news and can imagine how distressed you must be feeling. I will give you a wee bit of hope to cheer you up, I had a friend with Lab with ED in one elbow, she had an operation and is now fine, another friend's Lab had ED and ops and he became a Field Trial Champion ;D My own Lab broke is elbow at 16 weeks, it was screwed and pinned, was told he had arthritis in that elbow at 8 months, he is now nearly nine years old and no sign of limping. I know it isn't the same as ED but it does show elbows can be operated on successfully. The Lab above with the one elbow problem was quoted over £3,000 for the op which they couldn't afford, so her vet had an orthopaedic vet visit his surgery and do it there, this cost just over £1,000.
Re: Intermittent limping Natalie please do keep me up to date. Even PM me if you want. Dyson and I are going swimming tomorrow, the advantages of living on the coast... :
Re: Intermittent limping We had our 2 year old lab Lola x-rayed and nothing showed up but when the limping continued we had her referred to a specialist and she has now just had key hole surgery for problem resulting from elbow dysplasia. This didn't show up until she had a scan. I wanted to start a new topic to ask how people coped with keeping a young labrador confined to the house for 5 weeks. Think I will go mad, even if she doesn't.
Re: Intermittent limping That's really interesting Stacia, thanks for this, my clinical head is pleasantly surprised at the prices, although lots of money, they are not astronomical and within insurance limits. I wonder if this is the 'clean up' operation the vet mentioned to us, as we speak monty's xrays are with an orthopaedic surgeon to see if this has any mileage. I had this little thought that as Monty's elbow's were so bad so young and had progressed so fast, some specialist vet might like to make a case study / research subject of him and offer to operate for free (my uncle caught some rare disease years back which was so unusual he was fast tracked for treatment and appeared in various medical journals.. I was picturing Monty's smiling face with bandaged elbow on the front page of a vet magazine- sorry have had lots of thinking time today ) ) Endlessly jealous of this - we live in the middle of the midlands - though on the plus side Monty will get regular baths in the hydro pool - wonder if i could lather him up occasionally in there??
