OCD diagnosis for our 2 pups with possible hip replacement ...

Re: OCD diagnosis for our 2 pups with possible hip replacement ...

I really feel for you at this difficult time. I really don't know what to say except keep strong. We are all here for you xxx

 

Re: OCD diagnosis for our 2 pups with possible hip replacement ...

Just want to say that I'm thinking of you all too.

Hip replacements are the gold standard. I believe the vet when they say that a program of surgery would provide a total fix. The recovery time would be challenging but the pups would come out of it just fine. But it is simply a crippling amount of money without full insurance cover

Whatever you decide, you have my full support, for what it's worth. Totally understand your devastation and all the other emotions you must be feeling.

Totally agree with Stacia that the parents should be neutered.

 

Re: OCD diagnosis for our 2 pups with possible hip replacement ...

Oh my goodness, Lynette. Wish there was more I could do but offer heartfelt sympathy and a virtual hug. As the others have said, you must do what is right for your family. What a terrible thing, how horrible this is for the dogs and for you. Do you have any way of contacting any of the other owners of pups from the same litter as yours? Or from previous owners?

Support and prayers from here...keep us posted.... :'(

 

Re: OCD diagnosis for our 2 pups with possible hip replacement ...

What has been happening to you and your two puppies is so shocking and heartbreaking. I can't even begin to imagine what you must be going through.

Health testing especially hip and elbow scoring is something very close to my heart. One of my dogs, Ziggy, is of a breed that is notorious for very bad hips. But breeders of working Clumber spaniels have made huge progress through hip and elbow scoring and selective breeding. Show Clumbers on the other hand still have shockingly high hip scores. With the introduction of Mate Select by the Kennel Club it is easy to check any registered dog's health screening results and recently I came across a show Clumber bitch with a combined hip score of 76!! Nevertheless this bitch had just produced a litter. I checked her dam's and sire's hip scores which were even worse with one being scored 106 which is the worst possible hip score. So why oh why do breeders think it is acceptable to breed from such dogs? I asked this question in a facebook group of Clumber spaniel enthusiast and was dismayed and shocked by the answers I was getting from breeders of show dogs and very alarmingly from one show judge who judges at the very highest level (Crufts). Apparently, according to these people it is perfectly acceptable to breed from these dogs if they tick all the other boxes and have done well in the show ring? These people are in total denial about the problems, pain and heartbreak they are creating for other people and their dogs. I wish they would hear of your sad story and the painful decisions you are facing.

My thoughts are with you. xx

 

Re: OCD diagnosis for our 2 pups with possible hip replacement ...

Oh Lynette I really feel for you and your family, what an awful situation to find yourselves in.


I've owned a dog who had a hip replacement and also one who's recently had major spinal surgery. To be honest I can't imagine the stress you're going to be facing with two dogs needing all 4 legs sorting, the initial nursing and the long recovery periods.

Take your time and think very carefully, we'll be supporting you whatever your decision. (((Hugs)))

 

Re: OCD diagnosis for our 2 pups with possible hip replacement ...

This is really bad news for you and your family, whatever your decision.
I don't think either option is going to be easy.
My sympathies are with you, and I wish you strength to make the right decision.
As others have said, we will support you no matter what that decision is.
{{{hugs}}} from me too xxxxx

 

Re: OCD diagnosis for our 2 pups with possible hip replacement ...

[quote author=heidrun link=topic=3426.msg38313#msg38313 date=1385757843]
Apparently, according to these people it is perfectly acceptable to breed from these dogs if they tick all the other boxes and have done well in the show ring? These people are in total denial about the problems, pain and heartbreak they are creating for other people and their dogs.
[/quote]

I find this up shocking and utterly appalling. Don't these people care about dogs at all? Or the people who have to deal with the problems?

 

Re: OCD diagnosis for our 2 pups with possible hip replacement ...

You are being so brave. How very very hard for you, and your poor little pups, quite heartbreaking. Ive been reading the posts, I did get hip scores for Otis, after getting informed, and have been careful with him, and his hips were checked when he was neuterd. All I can do is send you a big hug, and Licks from Otis, and lets hope the posts have helped other people looking for new pups. Such a hard decision for you, but im sure you will do the right thing, the poor little pups, chose the right people to be with, as difficult it is for you. Best wishes, Maggie XXX

 

Re: OCD diagnosis for our 2 pups with possible hip replacement ...

I was lying in bed last night worrying about you and feeling so sad about what you're having to go through. I wanted to say that no one would ever criticise you for whatever you decide as the right way forward.

 

Re: OCD diagnosis for our 2 pups with possible hip replacement ...

PS. I have had a dog who had a total hip replacement and one who broke his elbow and this was pinned and screwed. I found the elbow recuperation was much more difficult to cope with.

 

Re: OCD diagnosis for our 2 pups with possible hip replacement ...

I cant begin to imagine what you are going through right now , you must be in turmoil and I am very very sorry .
Rest assurred that you will receive all the support you need from this forum , in my thoughts xx

 

Re: OCD diagnosis for our 2 pups with possible hip replacement ...

[quote author=Oberon link=topic=3426.msg38282#msg38282 date=1385751062]
Totally agree with Stacia that the parents should be neutered.
[/quote]

I would add that the breeders should be neutered too!

This is the most distressing state of affairs for you. Words fail .....

 

Re: OCD diagnosis for our 2 pups with possible hip replacement ...

:'( :'( Lynette, I feel so very upset for you and your family being put in this terrible situation but I feel anger towards the Breeder for behaving in such a reckless manner. Just take the time to make the right decision for you and your puppies and rest assured we will all support you in any way we can with your decision. No one will judge you at all. You are very much in my thoughts and I can't imagine the turmoil you are in. Please take care. My very best wishes xxxxxx :'( :'(

 

Re: OCD diagnosis for our 2 pups with possible hip replacement ...

Gosh, what an amazing response from everyone! Apologies for not being on here the last few days we have had some huge decisions to make and I needed to clear my head. So firstly a huge thank you it has meant alot that so many of you are equally shocked and distressed by our terrible news and i greatly appreciate the emails of support, thank you also to those who have sent me personal emails of support.

My husband and I have spent the w/e researching clinical papers and reading whatever we can find online this w/e and also digging deep into our hearts and heads to find the right answers for our pups ... everyone we have spoken to has an opinion on what is right but ultimately we decided to just not talk about it any longer and to just discuss how the pups will cope and how we will cope. We have also re-visited Mr Fitzpatrick today to find clarity on our concerns and this has really helped. Our major concern has and still is the pups and how they will physically recover and what the prognosis is as we are aware that elbows are more likely to result in osteoarthritis and some surgery has higher morbidity. The girls age was also a worry as was the fact that this is all 4 limbs ... however, we have balanced all this up (many many times!) and are re-assured by the techniques developed by Fitzpatrick and the rationale he has for the specific surgery he is recommending (a bit of a minefield as little up to date data online) but we are satisfied with the outcomes and prognosis we have seen in the data he has shown us, we are also alot more comfortable with the rehab as we have been told that within days they will be able to have 4 10 min walks out of cages a day so not total confinement, however, outside of this it will be cage confinement but we can hopefully find a cage large enough for them both to be in.

So, we are going ahead on Weds with surgery and I am at peace that it is the right thing to do, ultimately if we are being offered a life line for our babies we cannot say no, 3-4 months is worth 10 years in our opinion and we will find a way to cope with the rehab for their sakes. We have been told that we can expect full recovery within 4 months and a long happy life and the data supports this, mainly because we have caught it so young.

As regards the breeder we appreciate your advice and are looking into what we can do, I will keep you posted bu thanks for the advice this is great,!
I will post more when I get a moment to update oyu on progress, sorry to dash a 3 yr old beckons to be collected from pre-school!!!

 

Re: OCD diagnosis for our 2 pups with possible hip replacement ...

I am pleased to hear from you Lynette , and want to wish you and yours all the best luck in the world and a great outcome too , take care and thank you so much for keeping us posted , please let us know how it goes with your precious girls

 

Re: OCD diagnosis for our 2 pups with possible hip replacement ...

Lynette,you and your Husband are amazing people......I wish with everything in my heart that the ops go well and the recovery is straightforward ......you sound like you are going into this with great medical advice and a very positive mindset.....I wish you all the very best ,I've thought about you so much over the weekend...please let us know how they are after surgery.....and you too...it's a big day for you all
Xxxxxxx

 

Re: OCD diagnosis for our 2 pups with possible hip replacement ...

We've been thinking of you too.....wishing you all the very best

 

Re: OCD diagnosis for our 2 pups with possible hip replacement ...

Sending you the warmest wishes, and best of luck, for a good outcome for you, your family and your pups. Keep us posted. Best wishes.

 

Re: OCD diagnosis for our 2 pups with possible hip replacement ...

Lynette, I really hope everything goes smoothly on Wednesday and I will be thinking of you all.

I know that thinking about the breeder is just a distraction right now, but distraction activities can serve their purpose... I wouldn't want to see her get away with it, and I wouldn't necessarily be thinking about legal redress. If you were to contact your local paper, I'm sure they would be interested in running your story. It would help spread the message about the importance of health screening, and could result in a loss of trade for the less scrupulous... Your breeder doesn't have to be mentioned by name. Puppy farms and irresponsible breeding are in the press right now anyway, what with the necessary 100,000 signatures on a petition to try and force a parliamentary debate (are you in the UK? I was assuming you were...) As I said, it's a distraction right now, and may well be more than you want to consider - the most important thing is looking after yourself, your family and your pups.
Wishing you all the very best,
Clare

 

Re: OCD diagnosis for our 2 pups with possible hip replacement ...

You are wonderful, and have made a good decision, basing it on a lot of research, and what is best for the pups. They will be much loved happy dogs, and im sure will bring you so much joy. Licks from Otis my eight month old choccy lab, to you all. XX