Mason_Gibbs Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 (edited) I thought I would share our story of our elbow dysplasia ... I brought my beautiful puppy home in September, he was so cute and cuddly, fitted in so well with us and my other lab Mason, we had high hopes for this puppy as I was competing in obedience and wanted to do RATG tests and proper retrieving trials if possible with both dogs. Mason been an easy puppy to raise, we could tell Gibbs would be a bit different as he is high drive compared to angel Mason but we thought dog sports would actually suit Gibbs more as he would let nothing get him down he would just keep trying to do the right thing :) after a few days home we noticed him limping for a few seconds, the we would limp again and it would be gone. Then one day mod October he slipped and was very very sore, took him for acupuncture at the chiro and it didn't improve, our vet gave him anti inflammatories which helped a bit but he would limp again if he even walked around for 5 minutes. And he was always very very lame after laying down and then getting up. Had him xrayed and my vet could see no changes anywhere in his leg/elbow. ( before X-ray they were suspecting it was a toe injury). Christmas came and went and Gibbs was still limping, we were not convinced that it was just a muscle etc. One day after swimming at the beach, we noticed that Gibbs elbow was swollen ( he was wet and it was easier to see), took him into our vet who the pressed on his elbow and he could see how swollen it is. We were then referred to an ortho specialist. By this stage we were very worried, we knew it was OCD or Elbow Dysplasia, our worst nightmares. Specialists confirmed ED based on first set of X-rays and Gibbs was booked on for X-rays and surgery. The surgeon phoned after the X-rays were done and said that a arthroscopy would not be possible he needed to go in and clean out the joint as well as shorten his ulna,we were very worried about this as it would mean is ulna would be cut and basically not stabilized but we trusted the surgeon. We transferred Gibbs to an after hours vet that evenings he was hallucinating and out of it, it was the worst drive I have ever been on with any of my dogs, picked him up the next day, he was on three legs but in good spirits. Confined him for 6 weeks with short on lead walks after about 4 weeks, just across the rd and back to give him a change of scenery, we then could walk him properly after the 6 weeks follow up X-rays. Started with 5 mons walk 3x a day and added 5 mins each way each week until we hit the 12 week post surgery mark. When we went back at 12 weeks our surgeon was shocked that Gibbs was limp free as we had been warned that he would still be limping at this stage. He was given the all clear to go offlead and lead a normal life. We can do whatever sports we want and just treat him like a normal dog. We could not believe and still can't believe how well Gibbs is doing 13,5 weeks after surgery. So never give up hope, miracles do happen :) Day after surgery After bandage removed 5 days post op Edited June 16, 2012 by Mason_Gibbs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumabaar Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 What an amazing outcome!! Well done to the Vet. And you must have done an amazing job with Rehab!!! Gibbs is one VERY lucky puppy!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tassie Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 + 1 - great vet surgeon, grat job ny you MG - and of course - great puppy. That is such good news. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kajtek Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 Congratulations! So well done to all. He is one lucky boy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mason_Gibbs Posted June 16, 2012 Author Share Posted June 16, 2012 + 1 - great vet surgeon, grat job ny you MG - and of course - great puppy. That is such good news. Our surgeon was fantastic!! Can't recommend him highly enough. I was not as strict as I should have been during his recovery, he jumped up on to the bed , lounge etc heaps ( still is) but I tried very hard to always lift him off before he jumped off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ness Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 He has recovered really well MG . about the not being as strict as you should have during recovery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mason_Gibbs Posted June 16, 2012 Author Share Posted June 16, 2012 I'm not stressing so much about him jumping down now ( he has been since 6 weeks post surgery), I know I should still stop him but he is too fast!! He had his first acupuncture session post op today to see if it helps te swelling so guess we will see Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mason_Gibbs Posted June 16, 2012 Author Share Posted June 16, 2012 I was thinking of sending the surgeon a thank you card, would that be inappropriate?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumabaar Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 I was thinking of sending the surgeon a thank you card, would that be inappropriate?? The surgery I worked for had a big display of thank you cards. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest english.ivy Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 I was thinking of sending the surgeon a thank you card, would that be inappropriate?? I think he would love that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mason_Gibbs Posted June 16, 2012 Author Share Posted June 16, 2012 Technically he saved Gibbs' life and we are very very grateful. No words could ever describe what he did for us :) seeing Gibbs walk for an hr a day limp free was indesribable and now seeing him run with no limp after warms my heart. Thanks Rivergum surgeons :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ness Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 I definitely think send them a card. I know from all Kenz's specialist has told me about the results of various surgeries with other clients he is always appreciative of the good news stories down the track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mason_Gibbs Posted June 16, 2012 Author Share Posted June 16, 2012 Here is Gibbs with Mason at the beach :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mason_Gibbs Posted June 16, 2012 Author Share Posted June 16, 2012 I definitely think send them a card. I know from all Kenz's specialist has told me about the results of various surgeries with other clients he is always appreciative of the good news stories down the track. I think they will appreciate it , he recons more ofen then not the ED surgeries don't have as good an outcome as Gibs has had so I recon they would appreciate it more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trinabean Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 What a wonderful outcome. I hope Gibbs continues his good recovery. I'm sure the surgeon would love a card. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MontyMonster Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 What a great story!!! I think our family could be heading down the same path with our lab- so you have given us some comfort to know what a great outcome you can have . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lollipup Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 Great to hear! We too had a great outcome with chesters ED operation at 11 months. You would never know he ever had an issue now. We are so pleased with the results, it has been better than expected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MontyMonster Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 Great to hear! We too had a great outcome with chesters ED operation at 11 months. You would never know he ever had an issue now. We are so pleased with the results, it has been better than expected. Lollipop, did your dog chester have both legs done? Would you mind me asking what the recovery time was like, and how hard was it to keep him resting? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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