When my 4 month Labrador puppy first started limping I was worried but it soon went away and I put it down to a sprain injury. When it happened again after playing with a bigger dog I told myself that they had just played too roughly. However, when the lameness re-occurred a third and fourth time I really got myself into a panic... After numerous visits to the vets (where his adrenalin stopped the limp from showing up every single time - typical!), they decided to x-ray him and see what was going on. We were then referred to a specialist. Several CT scans later and we were told our beloved little boy has IOHC (Incomplete Ossification of the Humeral Condoyle). Most commonly seen in... SPANIELS and very rarely seen in.... LABRADORS. Marvellous. To cut a long story short, my lovely black Labrador had to have a screw put through his left elbow. The surgery went very well - thank god!!! However, has not been without complications. The stitches on the inside of his leg burst open and had to be stapled. Two days later the outer stitches burst open so back we went for more staples. Then came the dreaded seromas and my poor boys leg swelled up like a golf ball! He's been on 'rest' for 3 weeks out of 6 so far and thankfully we have been allowed to take him out on short walks during this time, but the lad has gone OUT OF HIS MIND WITH BOREDOM. There are no amount of mind games, kongs, etc that have been able to keep him from being restless (and believe me I have tried lots of things and been googling ideas like a crazy lady). I've started this thread because when I researched IOHC there was barely any information on the condition and the only information there was detailed just spaniels. Not all lameness/limping is necessarily elbow dysplasia. So far the bills have cost us around £5000 (and sadly our insurance was only for 4k) but the money does not matter. I'm praying for 3 weeks of smooth sailing for him and have been re-assured that he will be able to live a happy, healthy life. He may not be chasing after balls/frisbees at rapid speed down the park, but just to be able to let him off the lead again and play with other dogs would be wonderful. Crossing everything for the next 3 weeks...
Not quite the same, but my Lab broke his elbow at 16 weeks and it was screwed and pinned. We had to have a month in the cage, could only go in the garden lead for poo and wee, then a month in a small room, then a month of five minute walk on lead, then a month with ten minute walk on the lead, he was 8 months before he could lead a near normal life. I was told that I could not give him a Kong or bone to chew as he would hold that with his forelegs. I am afraid we had to sedate him but then he was even worse when that wore off. It was hell, but as all things it passed into the distant memory. One thing I wished I had done was to take him out in the car and parked at a super market, or children's play area, or anywhere different and let him watch the world go by. He did go on to lead a normal life, retrieving etc but his leg always looked a bit crooked. I feel your pain, but it will pass.
Oh my god that poor little boy!!! What an awful start to life. It just breaks your heart when they have troubles at such a young age doesn't it?? I'm really glad that he lived a lovely happy life in the end. I've literally tried all the mins games I can think of - do you remember anything that worked particularly well for your boy?
