So frustrating! The vet left a message that he'd like to talk to me about the specialists report on Lady's x-rays. Message said that the diagnosis of ED was pretty much confirmed and he wants to discuss the next steps to curing her. Got to wait until the morning now. I've got to say I don't want to put my girl through a lot of painful stuff if it can be avoided and especially if the outcome is not pretty certain. I'll have to see what he says of course. Just posting this as I'm worried and I know I tend to get things out of proportion. :-\
Re: Lady's Elbows So sorry that you are worried David, its so easy to overthink when you have had a message like this . I think you are right to want to think outside the box and take your time , just dont let anyone rush you into making decisions , go with your gut feelings , we know that whatever , you will do the very best for dear Lady .
Re: Lady's Elbows That is frustrating for you David. Remember you just have to listen to the vet, you will know what is best for Lady and you don't have to do anything you don't feel is right for her. Take notes and then you can do your research and make an informed decision. I know what you mean about getting things out of proportion and we all do that. Good luck and I will be thinking about you and Lady. As always everything crossed here. Helen xx
Re: Lady's Elbows How stressful for you You know you don't have to rush your decision, you can take time to gather as much info and as many opinions as you need. I'm sure there will be options to weigh up and pros and cons to them all as it's not straightforward. As I said before my inlaws dog is pretty stiff legged and they just manage his weight, give him joint supplements and let him self regulate his exercise. They've managed that way for almost 3 years since ED was diagnosed and he's a happy dog so I would think there's really no rush I've no doubt the small black dog couldn't be in better hands, thinking of you both
Re: Lady's Elbows Thinking of you and Lady both. Try not to worry too much - tomorrow the vet will tell you what the choices are, and you will make the right decision for your girl.
Re: Lady's Elbows I agree with Karen - you know Lady best, and whatever you decide I'm sure it will be the best choice for her.
Re: Lady's Elbows Hi David Good luck for tomorrow. I'm sure you'll already of have thought of these, but this is my checklist of questions for something major: What does the surgery involve? What are the possible complications, other than the usual anaesthetic risks? What's the recovery process and time scale? What's the prognosis, both short and long term after the surgery? And if we decide not to opt for surgery what are our other options? And for other options what are the prognoses, again long and short term? Could we go for the surgical option later or will that be too late and maybe result in a less positive outcome? And finally, if she was your dog what would you do? It's rare to get a straight answer to this one these days but usually you can get case studies of other dogs which have undergone the same treatment (ideally with the same vet / surgeon) and most vets will recommend one course of treatment above the others - that depends upon how much you trust your vet If you're worried about it take a note pad with you and maybe a friend too, I always have to go with Mum, she forgets everything the moment we set foot in the waiting room! And take your time, it's a big decision and one you must be comfortable with. I'm positive you'll make the right one, it's the not knowing and the 'what-ifing' in the mean time. We're thinking of you and your small black dog. Kerryn
Re: Lady's Elbows Hi Keryn. I've just used your super list of points with the vet and decided to go ahead. I'm sure it's all well known it'sjust it's my first experience with this sort of thing. The op is a minor keyhole surgery procedure to remove a small piece of bone provided the condition is not too advanced. That can only be assessed by arthroscopy ie have a look with a little camera to see if the cartlidge is ok. If nothing is done she will be crippled with arthritis by 6 - 8 years old. If succesful she will be back to full speed. Aparently it's more uncomfortable than painful. She'll hobble for a couple of weeks then be ok. So decided to proceed. Thanks everyone for all the support. Daft really when you could say it's just a dog we are talking about, but as you know it doesn't work like that, does it. In the meantime she was haring around with her friend Rory, the Goden Retriever 1 year old puppy, this morning in the field. They've been doing this for a few days and it looked like Rory was bullying her. How wrong can you be? Even though she is spayed they suddenly got all amorous! Hmmm very affectionate then an attempt at the full works which Lady didn't resist - tart! We put them both on leads and they were then trotting along together shoulder to shoulder. ;D Poor old Rory is going in for the "snip" on Monday.
Re: Lady's Elbows Kerryn does it again So pleased you have made your decision David which we know has been difficult, but you know what's best for your girl and really it sounds like there was no option but to go ahead with the surgery. You must feel a little relieved now. Naughty Lady I thought you were a Lady!! ;D Helen x
Re: Lady's Elbows Now come on David, dont be a spoilsport - she was just letting Rory have a bit of fun before all that becomes a thing of the past for him!!! Well done on the decision front, and good luck with the operation. If I remember rightly, you inherited Lady from your daughter? I am assuming that Lady's parents weren't hip- and elbow-scored? What a shame... But at least you have the option of doing the operation and making Lady comfortable.
Re: Lady's Elbows oooh Lady! Minx..... Glad you've made your decision David, and I think all dog owners understand that the are never 'just dogs'!
Re: Lady's Elbows Absolutely, we want the best for them as they are such loving loyal creatures. Things sound good for Lady, all the best David that she will make a good recovery and go back to business as usual.
Re: Lady's Elbows ;D Hi Karen. The annoying thing was that both parents had good hip scores. If I recall correctly they weren't elbow scored, but they were both fully active fully trained working dogs and very fit. The father was 6 I think and the mother about 4. We met them both. Yes I did inherit her from Sarah, but we were in on the action in the choosing process as a family because there was always a risk that Sarah wouldn't be able to manage her. We got her from a reputable breeder near Weston-Super-Mare (about 200 miles away!) who specialises in training Labradors for the field. I guess the hip scoring is not a 100% guarantee. Her brother Milo is fine with no signs of any problems, but he's not worked so maybe it just hasn't shown up yet. Let's hope he's clear. Lady is out playing in the snow at the moment.
Re: Lady's Elbows Yes, I remember reading that hip and elbow scoring is no guarantee... How gutting for you anyway. Still, at least there is a good prognostication for Lady - so here's looking ahead to many happy doggy years for her!
Re: Lady's Elbows So glad that you have made a decision David , that will make you feel less stressed I`m sure, now that you have direction . Pleased that Lady is playing out and enjoying herself, had to laugh at her antics and the " tart " description
Re: Lady's Elbows That's good news, well not really but you know what I mean. I'm glad the check list was helpful. I love that's she's totally oblivious and off flaunting herself ;D. Long may it continue.
