Hi everyone. I’ve been lurking for quite some time and I finally decided to join and post. Last week I got an 11mo Black Lab with great lines and with papers. Comes from hunting background and good pedigree. Well he had a small limp when I got him and the lady said he banged his knee playing around and I don’t think that was the case at all. So we took him to the vet and they shot some X-rays today. Just as I suspected he has some knee problems (they thinks it’s really bad and joint stuff) and he has hip dysplasia in his right hip. They suggested A femoral head osteotomy but from my research on active and larger breed dogs this means less activity, any opinions? Also what would you suggest in this situation? My vet said all together his knee and hip can cost upwards of 5 grand. I’m starting Him on supplements tomorrow and I have to call around vets in the area. But what is anyone’s overall opinion in this.
Sorry, I have no experience of this. But a thought on costs: can you ask the lady you got him from to contribute to the costs? Why were they rehoming him? Best of luck.
Welcome to the forum. You’ve done the right thing to take him to the vet to find out the cause of the limp. It might be worth asking to be referred to a specialist vet as both his hip and his knee are affected, but the operations will be expensive and the recovery time will be crucial to the outcome. I don’t have any experience of either op, but there are others on the forum who do, so I’m sure someone will be along soon to share their experience. Did you buy him from the breeder, or was he being rehomed? I think you ought to have a contribution from the lady towards the costs, but it might be difficult achieving that, as she must have known it was more than a banged knee. It sounds as if you’ve really bonded with him already - what’s his name? Do let us know how you get on.
Poor lad. The good news is that lots of dogs on the forum have led active and happy lives post surgery from hip and elbow dysplasia Saying that it is always devastating to get these sort of results, and then trying to work out the best options. Take your time, and I am sure in your kind hands he will be fine. Regarding an FHO, my limited understanding was that a total hip replacement offered better results, but definitely worth having those sort of discussions with your vet. I don't know where in the world you are, but here in the UK we generally refer to orthopaedic vets for specialist surgery and aftercare.
I’ve actually had a lot of trouble bonding with him because I didn’t totally want a dog in the first place, my boyfriend did. I do have a rescue already and did not want two dogs. However he has grown on me and whether or not I wanted him we have him so it’s my job to help him get better. He has a whole number of things wrong with him. I’m also suspecting diabetes but we will see.
