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Member:
mysi

Posted on Thursday, Aug 20, 2009 - 6:17 pm:

This post is actually not about my horses. I know this message board is for horse related issues but you guys have helped me through so much with my horses and I kind of need some animal friendly advice on one of my dogs.

I have 3 american bulldogs, two 9.5 year old brothers and a 11 yr old female. One of my boys was diagnosed with hip dysplasia at 8mo old and had Triple Pelvic Osteotomy (recontructive surgery) on his right side and his left was too progressed to do surgery on. I've kept him on Cosequin and he has been on Rimadyl on and off over the past few years but the side effects seem bad so I only used it as needed. He's done very well through the years. He's about 100lbs (and thats light for him, he's a large dog) and is now 9.5yrs old. Tuesday I came home from work and went to the the dogs out and he was 3 legged. One leg just kinda hung there. He wasn't whining or anything(he's a big wuss and will cry like a baby if he's in pain). I didn't have any Rimadyl and read that I could give him buffered asprin. I did and it helped a little I guess but he still 3 legged only using his 4th for balance. My first thought was his hip that didn't have surgery had finally given out. It's 2 days later and I realize it's the hip that had surgery that has given out. That's not good. I know his bad hip cannot withstand all the pressure for long. Pain meds can possibly make him a bit more comfortable but for how long? I'm sick...I cannot bear the thought of not having him. I don't know what to do. I can't seem to think straight. His age and size only make his situation worse. I haven't gone to my vet yet. I was going to call tomorrow. I moved to NC a little over a year ago and have only seen the vet once and didn't really like them. When do you know what the right thing to do is. He's still so happy and healthy otherwise. But am I being selfish?
Member:
dres

Posted on Thursday, Aug 20, 2009 - 6:56 pm:

There are several of us on this board that have lost a beloved dog friend these past months..
I can't tell you when or why .. but know that you WILL know when its time to let him go peacefully & pain free..



On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots.
Member:
canter

Posted on Friday, Aug 21, 2009 - 3:05 am:

Melissa,
The first step is to get him thoroughly examened by a vet you trust. If you don't care for your current vet, ask friends and family who they recommend. With a little luck, this is something easily fixable and not related to his history of hip problems.

All decisions after that will be based on the diagnosis and your options for treatment. Can his quality of life be improved or will any treatment make him uncomfortable and unhappy? Then it becomes a difficult and heartbreaking decision...but Ann is right. There is something about them that tells you when. We had to make that decision for our beloved dog just about a year ago. I could see it in her face that it was time. Talking to my vet and knowing what the options were confirmed that we were making the right decision, as difficult as it is.

Find a good vet and start there. I will keep my fingers crossed that you get good news.
Member:
cheryl

Posted on Friday, Aug 21, 2009 - 3:45 am:

I second Fran's advice - is there a close by Vet School? If so they will have a small animal clinic - with the very best diagnostic and treatment facilities available. My AmStaff had TPLO surgery on his left hind. I was told we would need to do surgery on his right hind in the next couple of years. He's 12 now and has never been three legged but it's obvious his right hind sometimes hurts. I give him K-9 Asprin - over the counter meds - got them at Tractor Supply - they seem to help. He could not tolerate Rimadyl - Find a good vet - and give him a good scratch for me.
Cheryl K
Member:
annes

Posted on Friday, Aug 21, 2009 - 6:27 am:

Melissa, a friend of mine had a 120+ lb. great dane with severe hip problems and she required a shot (probably cortizone) every 6 weeks or so and more often on the last but she lived to be 13 years old. I also had a male irish setter years ago that suddenly went down in his back. The x-rays showed 2 compressed vertebrae. With rest and Rimadyl, he improved and lived a very active life until age 14. I hope you can find a vet you trust. You may find you have other options and you don't want to worry before you have all the facts. Good luck.
Member:
mysi

Posted on Sunday, Sep 6, 2009 - 12:37 pm:

Thank you all for your advice. So...I went to the vet after my post. After sedation and x-rays the vet says it's his knee and he would likely need surgery to fix it. Also, his hips look terrible, but he said not the cause of the the sudden lameness as it's degenerative and there was nothing there to cause sudden pain as he lives with that discomfort daily. I've opted to wait for surgery as the vet couldn't really point out anything to me on the xrays to convince me there was a need. It was more, it looks like it could be....this might be...

So he said to keep Marco on rest, Leash walk only to use the bathroom. This is very hard with 3 other dogs and living on a farm, but it's working. He had me add MSM to his existing joint supplement (he's on Cosequin) and he added Deramaxx (similar to Rimadyl but once a day) and pain pills to use as needed. Oh...and Adequan shots (like for horses).

He seems to be doing better, about 75%. I'm just going to take it day by day. He has now become as expensive as my arthritic horse!!! I think I need a second job! lol.

Thanks again all!
Member:
canter

Posted on Monday, Sep 7, 2009 - 5:44 am:

Melissa, I'm very glad to hear that Marco is doing better and hope that the treatment keeps him comfortable enough to avoid the surgery. Best of luck!
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