Elbow/hip Dysplasia

[Peachy]

Hi everyone.

After a very long 4 months, my 7 month old GSD has just been diagnosed with Fragmented Coronoid Process elbow dysplasia and mild hip dysplasia. There are also some signs of arthritis in his elbow.

The specialist we were referred to recommended surgery to remove the bone fragment from his elbow and a Triple Osteotomy of the Pelvis.

Has anyone had these surgeries performed on their pup? I am very interested to hear results.

Also If anyone can recommend a surgeon for these procedures, and let me know the rough cost (I understand it is different for each dog I would just like to get an idea). We were referred to one of Sydney’s best and although I want the best for my puppy, he is very expensive and we are looking at over $5000 for the two surgeries (or is this a good price?).

Am greatful for any advice.

Thanks in advanced.

[Nekhbet]

wow sounds like a great price! You dont want to know what I would be up for with my rottie!

Dr Charles Kuntz frequents this forum, he would be a good person to ask. It depends what is actually the problem with the joints as to what will work and what will not. Remember too the recovery time it will take and the physio you need to invest in order to get the dogs muscular structure up to help with movement in the long term.

Triple Osteotomy (cutting the pelvis in 3 places) is pretty much ONLY for pups between about 5 - 8/9 months from what I read and allows a more normal development.

Really its up to you - I would speak to the surgeon about success rates, previous cases in similar situations to yours and how they have fared (ie has surgery prolonged the life span significantly) then decide which route you take.

My dogs HD/ED I manage with natural therapies because I dont want to put him through the pain of multiple surgeries (which we also cannot afford) so we have decided to let him be happy and bouncing along as long as his legs can hold him.

[Kelly_Louise]

Not sure if they are the exact same surgeries, but one of the DOLers 'Malleerr's ridgeback had surgeries on both the front and back legs for dysplasia - I think the hip operation was different but I'm pretty sure the operation for ED was the same. I believe Mallee's was very bad though, particularly her hips. After many long months in recovery, Mallee is like a new dog now - so the results, although tough, were well worth it. Maybe you could search on some of her old posts to find out more.

For these surgeries, I would be expecting to pay well over $5k - probably closer to $10k. Chloe has had 2 TWO's on her knees for cruciate ruptures and those surgeries cost close to $3000 each.

Best of luck with your beautiful boy, he's a stunner.

[Stolzseinrotts]

Hi Peachy,

I am very sorry to hear about your bad news. I assume you have had xrays to confirm this??

I would possibly try to treat this naturally. Good luck.

I would like to hear what you decide.

Edited March 17, 2009 by Stolzseinrotts

[Peachy]

Thank you for the advice, I will look up those previous posts on 'Malleerr's ridgeback'.

We had initial xrays taken when he was 4 months, and our vet was unable to diagnose him. A specialist has now taken more xrays as Karo (our pup) is now 7months and these confirmed the dysplasia.

I am planning to speak to my vet about all the options properly as the specialist only reccomended the surgery.

;)

[Kelly_Louise]

I might get flamed for this - but for long term results and a more normal life I am a supporter of surgery (if the circumstances are right and it is performed by a specialist and your dog is up to it). It's damn hard, don't get me wrong - and the recovery is painstaking and tedious and requires a load of dedication and perserverance... but the results I've had with my girl were really priceless.

Just my opinion though.

[Nekhbet]

kelly surgery does work for quite a few people - especially the dogs on the small - medium end of the scale.

My dog is nearly 50 kilos, skinny as a rake and still growing. Surgery was - errrr well it might work

might for me was not enough to subject my dog to the pain of it when natural therapies did the trick It will of course work differently for every dog as every one is unique in every way. But I decided to try and give D quality of life through acupunture, diet, electro therapy and chiropracty before massive surgeries (and there would have to be multiple due to the number of problems) Worked for me but I dont see any reason to flame you at all :p

[puggy_puggy]

I might get flamed for this - but for long term results and a more normal life I am a supporter of surgery (if the circumstances are right and it is performed by a specialist and your dog is up to it). It's damn hard, don't get me wrong - and the recovery is painstaking and tedious and requires a load of dedication and perserverance... but the results I've had with my girl were really priceless.

Just my opinion though.

Totally agree. But the dog has to be young, you need a skilled specalist performing the surgery & you have to make sure you don't put a foot wrong during the recovery period.

A good specalist surgeon should not give false hopes to owners.

Peachy the price you have been quoted seems great. I know that going to a specalist surgeon means that you pay more but they are experts and perfectionist.

I only know of specalists down here in Melbourne.

Goodluck with your boy.

[Kelly_Louise]

Phew, I can take my flame suit off LOL. Like I said, it's just my opinion but I am one of the fortunate ones that have had fantastic results. But the recovery WAS long, Chloe was pretty much confined for a year of her life while both surgeries healed correctly - and being older her bones were slower to heal. I did cop alot of flak for that, but the quality of life she has had since (apart from her other health problems) certainly made it worth it - she bounces around like a puppy. And she really didn't suffer - she dealt with it all nicely - but of course not every dog will.

Yes when I mentioned that the circumstances should be right - I did mean that it should be suitable for the dog and the injury. And I also agree that a specialist is the way to go with these massive surgeries if they are to go ahead. I do think that due consideration should be given to the recovery and if a person is able to provide it correctly. There is no point having surgery if the proper recovery procedures can not be strictly adhered to.

I just wanted to let OP know that while many people do not agree with surgery, and it does seem like torture - the results can be amazing if everything goes well.

I think that doing alot of research on the net can be really helpful when making the decision. It is best to be armed with as much info about the surgeries, and alternative methods as possible to weigh up the odds and be able to make the best decision possible for your dog and your situation.

[Peachy]

Phew, I can take my flame suit off LOL. Like I said, it's just my opinion but I am one of the fortunate ones that have had fantastic results. But the recovery WAS long, Chloe was pretty much confined for a year of her life while both surgeries healed correctly - and being older her bones were slower to heal. I did cop alot of flak for that, but the quality of life she has had since (apart from her other health problems) certainly made it worth it - she bounces around like a puppy. And she really didn't suffer - she dealt with it all nicely - but of course not every dog will.

Yes when I mentioned that the circumstances should be right - I did mean that it should be suitable for the dog and the injury. And I also agree that a specialist is the way to go with these massive surgeries if they are to go ahead. I do think that due consideration should be given to the recovery and if a person is able to provide it correctly. There is no point having surgery if the proper recovery procedures can not be strictly adhered to.

I just wanted to let OP know that while many people do not agree with surgery, and it does seem like torture - the results can be amazing if everything goes well.

I think that doing alot of research on the net can be really helpful when making the decision. It is best to be armed with as much info about the surgeries, and alternative methods as possible to weigh up the odds and be able to make the best decision possible for your dog and your situation.

Thank you :rolleyes:

The net and all the advice I have received so far has been very helpful.

I will look into it a little more tho before making a decision.

Thank you again, and im glad my posts didn't cause anyone to get flamed :rolleyes:

[Kelly_Louise]

Let us know how you go Peachy - I'd love to hear which way you decide to go and hopefully the great results you get.

[mokhahouse]

We were quoted 6000 for the TPO on both hips and haven't been quoted on the elbows yet. At first we just thought he had the hip problem but unfortunately the elbow issues showed up. We are probably going to have arthroscopic surgery on both elbows and one hip done all at once. I think this is what they suggested but quite honestly I have found all this so overwhelming. Initially we thought OK bad hips deal with that, but when the elbows went bad I just though this is too much. I am worried about after care from surgery as we have two dogs and will have to keep them seperated. We have bought a new crate big enough for Mokha to stretch out in and see the ortho in two weeks. All I can say is thank goodness I have pet insurance. I just hope they pay up. Still have to find the cash in the first place. Mokha penn hip scores showed he was in the worst 20% of Labradors tested. Even though his hips at this moment aren't giving him to much trouble. His ortho is hoping that perhaps the hips will be ok with conservative treatment but we see him every 6 weeks to keep track of Mokhas progress. I would love to not have to put him through that operation but I know dogs who have had it and it has been very successful. Don't know what to do. I really feel for you and hope that whatever you decide to do you can be satisfied that you did the right thing for your dog. Only you can decide what that is.

Edited March 18, 2009 by mokhahouse

[sara_brit]

might for me was not enough to subject my dog to the pain of it when natural therapies did the trick It will of course work differently for every dog as every one is unique in every way. But I decided to try and give D quality of life through acupunture, diet, electro therapy and chiropracty before massive surgeries (and there would have to be multiple due to the number of problems) Worked for me but I dont see any reason to flame you at all :D

Hi Nekhbet - My 7mth old rotti has ED which is severe in one leg. Our vet says she is still too young for surgery as she still has a lot of growing to do. She's on anti-inflam's daily as well as Joint Guard but she's still in pain. :rolleyes: I'm keen to give natural therapies a go and it sounds as though you have had some success - exactly what have you done with your dog and do you know if your vet can recommend a natural vet in Sydney? Thanks

[Nekhbet]

hey sara

1) dropped all excess weight off the dog (and I mean really dropped)

2) fish oil capsules, and 1000mg glucosamine/MSM/chondroiten tablets in the food

3) get that dog moving! wading in water (not swimming but wading to half way up the dogs chest) takes the pressure off but encourages movement of all 4 legs

4) we had acupuncture, chiropractic, electrical stimulation therapy by the vet (then we did physio and massage every day at home)

5) kept him on a good quality diet with nothing artificial that would inflame his system

Give Dr Kim Lim a call (03)52416213 and she will be able to recommend someone for you :rolleyes:

[BigDaz]

One of my Girls had an operation for coronoid process in her right elbow, she is only a 17KG ESBT so the cost was around the $1500 mark and she was around 8 months old when this was done.

I posted a You Tube link here a month of so ago which shows what was done, it was actual video of the operation and clearly shows the bone fragment being removed.

I have no idea about the pelvis operation, but I suspect that could be more expensive than the elbow and I am hoping this is something I wont have to experience.

My girl also now has arthritis in her elbow, for which we have monthly Pentosan shots and daily Joint Guard.

At the moment she seems fine, no limping at all, but being warm that may be helping so we will have to see how she goes for the next few months.

[CavsRcute]

might for me was not enough to subject my dog to the pain of it when natural therapies did the trick It will of course work differently for every dog as every one is unique in every way. But I decided to try and give D quality of life through acupunture, diet, electro therapy and chiropracty before massive surgeries (and there would have to be multiple due to the number of problems) Worked for me but I dont see any reason to flame you at all

Hi Nekhbet - My 7mth old rotti has ED which is severe in one leg. Our vet says she is still too young for surgery as she still has a lot of growing to do. She's on anti-inflam's daily as well as Joint Guard but she's still in pain. I'm keen to give natural therapies a go and it sounds as though you have had some success - exactly what have you done with your dog and do you know if your vet can recommend a natural vet in Sydney? Thanks

There is All Natural Vet at Russell Lea.

I use Mark Hocking at Gladesville Vet for Trigger Point therapy. Pam Short also does acupuncture there and Olivia also does it at Balmain Vet.

Apparently there is also a guy who is a chiropractor for dogs.

[rugerfly]

Without a doubt Rob Zammit

[sara_brit]

Nekhbet, CavsRcute & rugerfly - thanks for your replies. It certainly seems as though there are options out there if you are prepared to look.

Rugerfly - I go to Rob Zammit's surgery for regular vet care - I'll give them a call about natural therapies for ED.

Cheers guys

Sara

[rugerfly]

Oh I meant him for any type of ortho (general) surgery. Also if you want a specialist's opinion, David Ledbetter at North Parramatta Vet specialists is excellent. (he did ruger's Pancarpal arthrodesis)