Ok first a little background; The last three months or so I have noticed Penny being stiff on her hind legs. It began to get noticeably worse so I made an appointment for her to see the vet. After an extremely thorough examination the et said she couldn't feel anything obviously wrong eg no inflammation or areas of pain, but she was quite tense throughout the examination. A week of anti inflammatories and total rest, followed by a gradual introduction of excercise and see how we go. That was four weeks ago. Penny has shown slight improvement but I think it was just down to the lack of exercise more than anything. Now she is back up to full exercise the symptoms have returned. So now we have an appointment to see the orthopaedic vet on Thursday and I'm really scared. I know we won't know anything definitive without x rays, I wish I could just request that they be done as I'm pretty sure I know what they'll show, but we have to see the orthopaedic vet first. I've been working in rescue kennels and alongside vets for long enough to know the symptoms of hip dysplasia. And to know that symptoms in a one year old dog (that I suppose started when she was 9 months) doesn't mean a positive outcome. Her symptoms: - bunny hopping - she has done this ever since we got her. - stiffness in hind limbs worse after exercise and on cold days. - when she lies on the floor sometimes her back legs stick out straight behind her. - when she sits she sits on her left side, very rarely does she do a perfect sit. This partly may be the sloppy lab sit, but could also be because of her hips. Her parents had fairly good hip scores, not perfect but as close as we could get. Her fathers hip scores were uneven ( a 2:4) which I believe means one hip was worse than the other, which could be what Penny has inherited as her left leg seems worse than the right. I'm so worried and have put this off for as long as I dare - I know the sooner we get a diagnosis the sooner we can work out a treatment plan. I just need some advice, moral support, shared experiences, whatever.
Re: Seeing the orthopaedic vet... Oh dear, this is such a worry. I don't have experience with HD, but others do, so I'm sure you will get some good advice. Hopefully you will get some X-rays and then you will know for sure what you are dealing with. :-\ Hugs to you and cuddles to Penny!
Re: Seeing the orthopaedic vet... I`m sorry that I can offer advice but just support , what a worry for you and I`m sure you will be pleased when tomorrow is over and you have more idea of what you are facing, or not . That hip score is really good though , and I`m sure is unrelated as its a very low score , apologies if I am wrong but it appears low to me . Having said this , the hip score of parents is never a guarantee that subsequent pups wont have problems , its just a little more unlikely just as pups from untested parents can float through life with no issues at all , but it is a safety net for sure . I can understand your worries , Penny is very young , please let us know what the ortho Vet has to say tomorrow , take care and I wish you loads of luck x
Re: Seeing the orthopaedic vet... I'm keeping my fingers crossed for both of you. As said on Annabelle's thread, its much better to get a diagnosis and work out a plan. I have never heard anyone say that they have had surgery for either a hip OR an elbow that hasn't resulted in a good outcome. We know that whatever the vet says, it will help progress things, and that you are going to be doing the very best for Penny. Thinking of you x
Re: Seeing the orthopaedic vet... Hope all goes well at the vets tomorrow, and that you get things sorted. You are lucky to only have been through 3 months of this with penny, i have been through 8 and a bit months of hip problems and still got just under a month until he has x-rays to get some answers finally.
Re: Seeing the orthopaedic vet... Thank you for all the replies. I'm sorry, I forgot it was Wednesday today... Her appointment is next week as ortho vet wasn't free until then so I have a week to wait. I'm really dreading it. If she needs surgery, and soon, she's going to be having strict rehab after which is probably going to be going on over the time of my wedding in November which will mean she can't go into boarding while we are on honeymoon. I know im probably getting a bit ahead of myself, she might not need surgery, it might not be bad, it might not even be hip dysplasia, but I've always been one of those glass half empty kind of people
Re: Seeing the orthopaedic vet... Well, if your glass is half empty, you definitely need a top up Its difficult to stop your mind running away with itself. Few deep breaths.......
Re: Seeing the orthopaedic vet... [quote author=Penny+Me link=topic=4155.msg49187#msg49187 date=1390421852] I know im probably getting a bit ahead of myself, she might not need surgery, it might not be bad, it might not even be hip dysplasia, but I've always been one of those glass half empty kind of people [/quote] Hugs to you, I know exactly how worrying this is. But try to stay calm. If it is HD, you will cope, she will cope - you'll find a way through. Your instincts might be right, and it is HD. On the other hand, it might not be. When Charlie started limping, I absolutely convinced myself that the symptoms you mention (in particular the bunny hopping and sloppy sit) meant Charlie definitely had HD. I replayed in my mind every odd moment of gait, every time he had limped or seemed a bit stiff. I was certain. Well, it wasn't HD and all those symptoms had nothing to do with the problem. If I had been able to have his hips scored (he is too young) they would be 0:0, just like his Dad, or not far off. So you don't know, 'till you know.
Re: Seeing the orthopaedic vet... Waiting and speculating is always very, very hard on the nerves, I find. I sympathise! I am 'glass half full' too. Bit of a curse, eh Also a Virgo - double cursed My approach (not saying I recommend this....) is to work out what the worst case scenario is and make detailed plans to manage that scenario. Then I feel prepared and in control. If the worst case scenario is not realised, then it's a win. If it is realised, well, I feel like I have a plan. It is good to bear in mind, though, that this plan is not based on all the available info, is not informed by an expert medical opinion, may be totally unnecessary because your assumptions are wrong or may be changed by things as yet unknown. It's more of a 'self-management' strategy. It's also good to avoid whipping oneself into a frenzy during this time. The reality is usually never, ever as bad as the worst case scenario. Obi had to have hip x-rays a year ago because we thought he had a problem (funny gait, bit of a limp). We had to wait over a weekend. Stress!!!! By the end of the weekend I knew all about hip replacement surgery options and had chosen a surgeon. Then it turned it that his hips were great and it was just a strain, so, really, it was the best case scenario. Anyway, totally understand the angst involved. But, whatever the outcome, you will cope one way or another and we will all be here throughout. Big hugs!
Re: Seeing the orthopaedic vet... Thank you guys. You're helping me stay sane lol I know that we will manage, no matter the outcome. She's fully insured for life with petplan so were ok in that regard. It's doubly hard as I've been having X-rays and MRI's myself on my foot and ankle joint and still awaiting my own diagnosis. Guess we'll be cripples together!! Lol
Re: Seeing the orthopaedic vet... IF by chance she does have to have a hip replacement, she will be bouncing about by November I had a dog who had a hip replacement and it wasn't half the problem it was compared to my Lab pup who broke his left elbow, that was a stress and did take a long time to rehabilitate.
Re: Seeing the orthopaedic vet... Just saying I'm thinking of you and hoping for the very best result from the tests next week.
Re: Seeing the orthopaedic vet... Not only am I a glass half full person, but I also worry that that means there's not a full bottle left anymore either : However, I think I tend to favour Rachael's planning method. If I have my plan in place and know how I'm going to cope, then if the worst does turn out to be the case, I'm ready for it! The reality never seems so bad when you already know what your next move is... My husband teases me about my pessimistic outlook - I remind him that the optimist can be disappointed, the true pessimist can only be pleasantly surprised. Oh, and I have a framed greeting card in my study that says: Dear Optimists, If you keep looking on the bright side, you'll go blind. Love, the Pessimists. Research it, lay your plans if that is the method that helps you too... and raise your very full glass very happily when it turns out you don't need any of it. Will be thinking of you, Clare
Re: Seeing the orthopaedic vet... I truly hope Penny will be ok and I will be thinking about you both next week. I'm a real worry wart too so I know how you feel We are all here if you need us. xxxx
Re: Seeing the orthopaedic vet... Oh poor Penny, I know how you feel - we have an ortho appointment on Monday for Willow. Her x-rays already show HD but my vet doesn't think the pain is coming from that (she had a hip injury around 6 weeks ago) as HD does not usually appear so 'suddenly'. Is Penny in any pain? It's such a worry when they are still just babies :'( but will keep you both in my thoughts alongside miss willow. xx
Re: Seeing the orthopaedic vet... I'm sorry you've got the worry...I haven't got any advice but you don't need it when so many of the other lovely members have been able to help.take good care of you and Penny and let us know how your appointment goes x
Re: Seeing the orthopaedic vet... Thanks for the support guys. She doesn't appear to be in any pain, just stiff, and he has only shown true lameness once and that was for about five steps and then she was weight bearing again with the same stiffness. I think I've done all the research about it I can, I know the different types of surgery options, many different treatment plans and pain medications, joint supplements (I've had her on glucosamine since she was 6 months old), hydrotherapy etc I think I've researched it to death really, I keep coming up with worst case scenario stories from other peoples experiences.
Re: Seeing the orthopaedic vet... Just wanted to say I really feel for you and everyone else going through this difficult time with pups. I am sure I can speak for most people when I say we are here to listen (well read!), offer advice if we can, and support your decisions/worries. Sending you a virtual hug fellow Bristolian x
Re: Seeing the orthopaedic vet... Thanks Naya. We are with Highcroft Vets which have got a good reputation and state of the art facilities - they have a vet on site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Pretty glad I chose them now as opposed to my other local vet as, although they are a bit more expensive (nicknamed Highcost lol), I know that they really know their stuff.
Re: Seeing the orthopaedic vet... Now that you've done all the research you can do it might be time to give yourself a mental break. As well as the 'planning to death' method, I also quite like the 'it's all in the hands of fate, no point worrying!' method. You have insurance, you have access to great medical care and the latest techniques. Plus, HD is not an acute, life threatening condition. That's not to diminish it in the slightest, but just to say that whatever you are facing can be dealt with and at the end you will still have your beloved dog And soon you will be getting a proper diagnosis and treatment plan - then you'll know exactly what you're dealing with. The uncertainty is the hardest thing sometimes, but that will be resolved soon Plus, we're all in your corner on this
