mplsv Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 (edited) I took Daisy to the vet today to be desexed and during her pre surgery exam I asked if her front legs were ok as I thought her knees looked wonky. (excuse the laymans term there lol) The vet said no they were not fine and if we were willing to go down that path xrays should be taken and then forwarded onto a surgeon. If surgery did not take place then athritis would develope sooner than a normal dog and her life would be shorter than normal. He also suggested steps that could be taken to help the situation (which thanks to this website I already knew about). I was so knocked by his words that I said no we wouldn't look into surgery knowing my OH would not agree to paying for it but after coming home and thinking calmly about it thought bugger it, I have assets of my own I could sell to pay for surgery if indeed needed. So I decided to ask them to take the xrays while she is getting desexed so I could make a proper informed decision with the help of a qualified surgeon. I feel so horrible that she may have to undergo what must be painful surgery in the future and so bloody stupid I didn't pick a purebred dog from a reputable breeder in the first place. Am also slightly scared about the end cost of further surgery will add up to. I don't even really know what to call her problem either but hopefully they will have time this evening to talk to me about it some more when I pick her up. Just wanted to get that off my chest and tell someone who cares about their animals and wouldn't think I was crazy for potentially spending that much cash on "just a dog". Edited April 20, 2009 by mplsv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 I've spent over 20k on 'just my dog'. Otherwise my options were to watch her suffer, or put her to sleep - and I believed she deserved a chance. I would be guided by the specialist/surgeon, and dont be afraid to get a second opinion if you do not feel comfortable - or feel pressured into surgery. Also if you decide to go for surgery, ring around and find out prices at other specialists etc. Surgery can have some really great results though, if surgery is performed well and aftercare adhered to strictly. Dogs are given pain killers, so its not as traumatic as what you would imagine (but this is depending on the dog and the type of surgery of course, and the success of it). They are more resilient than we give them credit for. If surgery is needed, if it is done well and the aftercare instructions and confinement are followed carefully - I wouldnt imagine that the surgery costs would keep building. If successful I would imagine just joint supplements and a few ongiong xrays/checkups? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_PL_ Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 "just a dog" isn't a term used much on Dol. Go for a second opinion. And if you can post pics and breed/diet/exercise/health details I'm sure there will be people who have seen the condition in their own dogs and can offer support. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 (edited) Yes- can you give us a description, and / or put up some pics ? There are probably some on here who have seen or dealt with the problem before- and will be able to help you . ((hug)) edit- just checked her age... and , depending on where you got her- there are conditions which, in youngsters which can be cause and also remedied with DIET. Until we see a vet report, or photos/more history, tho it is all purely guess work. hang in there! Edited April 20, 2009 by persephone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 (edited) How old is Daisy? And yes - a 'name' to what is supposedly wrong with her knees would help us out here. Maybe she will need surgery. But don't be panicked into it. When you know more, spend some time checking around and pulling in information. Without wishing to give you false hope, I have found some Vets quite quick to recommend surgery ....... even for something that diet ended up straightening out or for something that a course of anti-inflammatory tablets fixed up. If surgery does look like it is definitely on the cards, I'd go for a specialist opinion first. ETA: Also let us know where you are located, as we may be able to recommend a specialist to see. ETA: Pers - I couldn't see the dog's age, but it obviously seems you and I are thinking on the same page. Your post was submitted whilst I was still typing. Edited April 20, 2009 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mplsv Posted April 20, 2009 Author Share Posted April 20, 2009 Thanks everyone. Daisy is 23 weeks now and a mixed breed, dad is a Cav mum is supposedly a Maltese x Pom (hope her cross breeding doesn't offend anyone). She is a great little dog who fits into our family well and is the first dog I've been around who could measure up to and steal my affections like my childhood dog if that at all makes sense. I will post more info when I speak to the vet later. Thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 We groom alot of that variety of crosses & nearly all have horrid fronts & feet that turn out badly.Not one has had surgery & all have lived very happy lives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_PL_ Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 (edited) Indeed. Like all littlies with wee bones, I'll just suggest she isn't allowed to become obese, and doesn't get into the habit of fearlessly leaping off the bed or sofa or out of the car. Top notch nutrition will set her up for a better old age too. Edited April 20, 2009 by Powerlegs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puggy_puggy Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 I took Daisy to the vet today to be desexed and during her pre surgery exam I asked if her front legs were ok as I thought her knees looked wonky. (excuse the laymans term there lol) Front legs have elbows. Back legs have knees. So are you saying somehting something is wrong with her elbows, front legs,? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mplsv Posted April 20, 2009 Author Share Posted April 20, 2009 puggy_puggy after looking at a picture of dog anatomy it is her pastern joints on her front legs that look to be 'wonky'. Powerlegs I was thinking of buying her some steps for the lounge and our bed but didn't when she grew just that bit more and managed the jump fine. Will definately have to get some now though I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puggy_puggy Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 puggy_puggy after looking at a picture of dog anatomy it is her pastern joints on her front legs that look to be 'wonky'. Could very well be diet related. Which doesn't need surgery. What are you feeding? Knuckling Otherwise it could be one of the growth plates of the bones prematurely closing which most likely would require surgery. Premature Growth Plate Closure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miranda Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 Does the dog have pasterns and feet that turn outwards? If she does this is very common in small mixed breeds. Is she lame or in pain? Does she have trouble walking, running or jumping? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 I think a picture would speak a thousand words ..... Can you take one or two and put them up here Mplsv? My boy had carpal laxity syndrome aka "knuckling over" quite badly. Good and careful diet and these have straightened out quite ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mplsv Posted April 20, 2009 Author Share Posted April 20, 2009 puggy_puggy To me her what I thought were knees (but are actually her pastern joints) looked too big, knobbly and not quite squarely set and the lower part of her legs were not quite straight. I had asked about her large "knees" (pastern joint) at our dog training club but was told that she would grow into the knobbly looking "knees" so I didn't worry too much about it. She is so darn short that unless you get right on the ground you cant see her legs squarely, and if you do that then odds are she is on your lap and not sitting where you can see her legs lol. I thought I was feeding her a reasonable diet. She gets Advance small puppy food and also gets either a chicken neck, chicken wing or meaty beef bone each day. Table scraps are kept to a minimum. Miranda no she isn't lame and shows no sign of pain at all. She runs riot around the house as much as possible and loves training, playing or going for walks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mplsv Posted April 20, 2009 Author Share Posted April 20, 2009 Erny I have umpteen photos of her laying down but none of her standing or sitting with a clear shot of her legs. Now that she knows the 'stay' command I will get some when she is feeling up to it. Knew that dog training would come in handy one day lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 (edited) How long do you walk her on lead for each day? When did you think you first noticed her knees "not looking right"? Look forward to the photo's. I know what you mean about it being difficult to get photo's of them - I was in the same boat with my boy when I needed to take photo's when he was 8wo . Difficult (to say the least) when you don't have someone available to hold them in position at the time. Edited April 20, 2009 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sas Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 I'm still confused as to what the condition, was it mentioned and I missed it? Do the photos on this page look anything like your dog? http://www.greatdanelady.com/articles/knuckling_over.htm I recall someone saying on page one they spent $20k on their dog because they felt she was worth the chance, that's great and I think it's wonderful you could do that but not a great deal of people have $1k let alone $20k! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 (edited) I'm still confused as to what the condition, was it mentioned and I missed it?Do the photos on this page look anything like your dog? http://www.greatdanelady.com/articles/knuckling_over.htm I recall someone saying on page one they spent $20k on their dog because they felt she was worth the chance, that's great and I think it's wonderful you could do that but not a great deal of people have $1k let alone $20k! Not saying everyone could or should spend 20k on a dog , was just replying to the OP who said people may not understand her paying so much money for a surgery (if needed) on what they consider 'just a dog'. I wasn't presuming that the OP would or should also do it, nor anyone else for that matter, nor was I having a shot at the OP. It was supposed to be ironic. Edited April 20, 2009 by Kelly_Louise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mplsv Posted April 20, 2009 Author Share Posted April 20, 2009 sas I think her legs do look a bit like the 5-7 week old puppy pictured in level 1 although she is quite a bit older at 23 weeks (and hairier ). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 Whilst we are waiting to find out the verdict and the name of what could be wrong.... can we see some pics please - just for cuteness value? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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