Hi - new to this forum, so not sure whether I should start a new thread for this, or respond here - as our experiences seem to be linked. Milo, our gorgeous 6mth choc lab has severe OCD in both knees, plus pain in her elbows (not showing up as ED yet on Xrays) and significant pain in her hips. She's been on restricted exercise and the best (dry) puppy food - vet supplied - since we got her at 9 weeks. The first problem we noticed at around 12 weeks was her front feet were very splayed.
The vet told us then that she would never be the long-run dog we thought we were getting to match two active young boys. And all that was OK, because she didn't appear to be in pain. My birthday present to myself was one of those kiddie-towalong pods that go on the back of your bike so that Milo could come with us on long bike rides out for picnics. (I'm sure neighbours think I'm nuts) On recommendation, she has only once been outside our yard for a traditional walk - luckily we have almost an acre of lovely gardens with lots to do and see. A couple of local dogs come to visit her each week.
But her movements became even more limited in the past 2 months. She limps constantly. She takes a long time to sit down or get up from sitting position. Even low, shallow steps are a real problem. (She certainly won't step into the low-slung hatchback anymore and will walk away rather than desperately want to come with us - which she used to do)
Initially, the vet thought she must have injured a knee and recommended restricted movement for 2 weeks. It got worse. I took her to the new vet (our first one moved) and the Xrays showed significant damage already. His examination of her, even when sedated, showed just how much pain she is in.
Milo's currently on weekly cartrophin injections and daily Meloxicam anti-inflammatory painkiller - but she is still stiff and sore.
The vet and I had to have the awful conversation last week. He explained that - if there was just the problem in her knee, then surgery might be likely to give an improved quality of life. But given that it is in both knees, and likely both elbows, and early signs of HD, she would be in for extensive surgeries over many months of recuperation. And no guarantees for a completely pain-free life.
I've decided to give it one last try: am taking her to see a Melb ortho specialist to hear just what the potential outcomes of each of the procedures can be.
I'd be very interested to find out if anyone here has had a pup with all of the above, what surgery decisions they took and how the quality of life was afterwards...
My boys are only 4 and 6 and - awful as it is to type this - if, even after all the surgeries available she is in increasing pain in another year or so, I would rather they didn't have another year or so of getting even more attached to her. For both hers and their sakes. This is so tough. And I am not taking this decision lightly - which is why I am doing an 8hr round-trip with her on Monday to hear what my options are from one of the best in the state.
Sorry to go on....
