Four 'bad' Legs (long)

Jeepin' Rob

Jeepin' Rob

New member
We have run into problems with Moby. A few months ago he started to ‘favor’ his left rear leg occasionally. As it was near his annual visit we brought this to the Vet’s attention at that time. Consensus was to try anti-inflammatory drug for 3 weeks, mild pain killers for a few days and limited exercise. Moby seemed to improve although occasionally we thought he favoring his leg. Fast forward to two weeks ago and our daughter & son in law arrived with their two Golden Retrievers (1 ½ years & 6 months). For the 1st few days Moby seemed fine, a little less enthusiastic than last year but OK. We noticed he was favoring his rear leg and then occasionally limping of his front leg. When he was lying down I tried to touch his front legs and received a strong growl along with his head pushing my hand away. Time to revisit the vet although we were not really satisfied with the vet (also the breeder’s vet) we used. Our daughter remembered that one of her University class mates bought her large lab to our area to a Veterinary Clinic that handled large dogs. Book the appointment and take Moby in, examine and decide to sedate & x ray. An hour meeting with the vet that evening results in the opinion that Moby has bad legs, all 4. The vet uploads the x rays to a shared site for radiologists to review the next day with the conclusions listed:

1. 1.Chronic, severe bilateral elbow degenerative joint disease
· 2.Fragmentation of medial coronoid process left & right elbow joints.
3. Chronic, severe left stifle degenerative joint disease. Possible etiologies include cruciate ligament rupture, lateral patellar instability and meniscal injury
· 4. Chronic, moderate rights stifle degenerative joint disease. Possible causes include lateral patellar instability, partial cruciate ligament rupture and meniscal injury
Recommendation: Consult with a orthopedic specialist
A 45 minute phone call from the vet to discuss options and have a prescription for the next day. Pick up prescription and Moby is on Meloxicam, with Recovery being added in a few days and then Omega 3.
Our new Vet has highlighted Tibial Tuberosity (TTA) for the rear and possibly arthoscopic for the front.
Obviously we are a little devastated. We intend to do the best for Moby within our means (no insurance coverage). Our next step is to book a consultation with an Orthopedic specialist
A few questions:
· - There are two main Orthopedic specialty clinics in the Greater Vancouver area, if you have used one and have feedback please PM me.
· - Alternate treatments than TTA?
· -- Question we should be asking at the consultation?
-

Thanks


Rob, Cassie & Moby
 
NewfMom

NewfMom

New member
I wish you all the best in your search for answers. Our first newf also had four bad legs. She was lame at six months. I had an orthopedic vet tell me he couldn't operate because if he started he wouldn't know where to stop.

Despite all that she had a good life and lived to ten. The thing that helped her the most was Adequan injections. We couldn't keep her pain under control without it. With the Adequan she was almost normal.
 
R Taft

R Taft

Active member
Rob I cannot give you any advice, but i have a really good PDF from my very experienced Ortho vet that might help you "Cruciate Disease in Dogs Improving your skills in diagnosis and treatment " If you want it..PM me with your e-mail address and i will send it to you :) Ronnie
 
Milliejb

Milliejb

New member
oh goodness... This is so sad to hear... Sending good thoughts for hopes of making Moby feel better soon!
 
NewfieMama

NewfieMama

New member
Feel free to PM me. Zu has had both ccls and patellas done and she has been diagnosed with bilateral ED but fortunately she has no idea about that and it has never bothered her. We have do e surgeries, PT, Adequan, supplements, acupuncture and chiropractic.

I wish you much luck and strength as these things are never easy to navigate, and all the more hard without insurance.

Mary
 
DAWNMERIE

DAWNMERIE

Active member
I'm so sorry to hear that Moby's having a hard time :( Many here on the board have been where you are. Wishing you & Moby all the best (and I'll keep you guys on my prayer list)
 
ElvisTheNewf

ElvisTheNewf

Active member
I am so, so sorry to hear this. It sounds like you got a thorough and detailed explanation of all the possibilities. That's good, even though it's overwhelming and terrifying. It's not ALL of those - they're just possibilities but if you're like me, I like to know right away every single thing it could possibly be and narrow it down instead of only being told little bits at a time. It will help you plan long term - both for Moby, the vet, and your bank account.
 
Angela

Angela

Super Moderator
I am very sorry to hear this. I don't know about the orthopedic vets,in Vancouver, we have an excellent one here who did FCP surgery on Evan years ago. Does your breeder have any suggestions?
 
victoria1140

victoria1140

Active member
Check out my threads on max with the arthroscopy but boy was it worth it for us.

not sure on the other procedure as we had the tpo done.

start supplementing now .we use omega oils,microlactin and glucosamine and chrnodrotinin.keep him lean as less weight wi help.

is he used to a crate as useful plus plenty of rubber backed mats for traction.get a ruffwear harness as personally found rehab slings were useless.

just make lists of questions as every situation differs.hope you have good insurance as it can be expensive .max is now our£10,000 baby.

best wishs and well done for spotting it quickly.
 
Jeepin' Rob

Jeepin' Rob

New member
Thank you for the feedback and well wishes. Moby is booked with an orthopedic specialist at a Specialty Veterinary clinic Wednesday morning. One hour consultation although Moby has to fast in case they have to x-ray. We all know how easy it is to tell a Newf 'no breakfast this morning'!

I will update after the appointment

Rob & Moby
 
Lori

Lori

New member
I'm sure you will get some great advice from others who have dealt with all this.

We haved used Microlactin with great success. Also had good luck with Adequan injections. Ask your vet to show you how to give the injections. It's not hard at all and much less expensive.

Sending prayers for your sweet boy.
 
grtpyrlvr

grtpyrlvr

New member
I would love if you could keep me posted as to what you decide. We have an 8 month old who has been diagnosed with similar issues in all 4 legs. We are floundering trying to figure out where to go from here...
 
Ivoryudx

Ivoryudx

New member
How old is this dog? How lame is he? Do not hesitate to get a second or third opinion! Keep in mind that he is still the same dog you took to the Vet before knowing all of this. Just because they say they have all these problems does not mean you have to fix them all or any, IF the dog is getting around okay. Sometimes a wait and see thought is needed, and sometimes removing chips in an elbow joint can help them from compensating in other areas. While it looks pretty bleak right now, keep a close watch on his behavior and let him tell you what he needs! If a certain area is more painful then focus on that and don't jump to do everything. I'm also a strong believer in alternative therapies, so sometimes things need fixed but other times they can be managed. Its up to us to determine by knowing our dogs, what we can manage for them and what we need to have surgically fixed.

So hang in there, and educate yourselves as much as possible and don't stop with someone telling you that they have to have something immediately. Always ask what the outcome will be. Even though there are no guarantees, a good surgeon can tell you if they think the dog will be better off after going through a lengthy recovery. Especially with all four limbs effected, if you operate on one, you need to know the others will hold up enough to get through recovery. So maybe you operate on the least effected first and make it strong so it can support better as you do alternative options on the others to build strength before more surgery.
 
Jeepin' Rob

Jeepin' Rob

New member
Moby is just over 2 1/2, he has improved since the Golden Retrievers have departed home, less bouncing play energy. We have also shortened his walk cycles. His front legs do not appear to be bothering him but he still favors the rear left leg occasionally and sometimes after he has been lying down for a while. Wednesday is planned as information gathering.

thanks

Rob & Moby
 
Jeepin' Rob

Jeepin' Rob

New member
An update: We took Moby to the Orthopedic Surgeon for a consultation yesterday morning. We were in the clinic for almost 2 hours with the initial exam (weight, heart, temperature etc.) and then examination & discussion with the Surgeon which included taking Moby outside so the vet could watch him walk from different angles. Basic results are:
· - Both front legs show arthritis and his stance does have his legs slightly turned inward
· - The left rear does have an ACL problem but could not tell from the x rays the condition of the meniscus.
· - The right rear was questionable, the x rays were not at the best angle.
So after much discussion and based on research we had done and talking with other large breed owners we went for the TTA on the left rear. Moby much to his disgust had to fast in case the needed to sedate for x rays and they had a cancellation just early so we left Moby at the clinic. The Surgeon called us in the early evening:
· - the surgery went well
· - Moby was awake now
· - The ACL was 50% torn but the meniscus was undamaged
· - Good news they x rayed the right rear leg while he was sedated from multiple angles and it as been classed as ‘normal’
We picked the patient up this afternoon complete with his fashionable cone and a bunch of different pills. Moby had no interest in eating this evening so we had to revert to scrambled eggs with a little kibble to get something in him to take the pills. We have a section of the kitchen segregated with a dog pen to restrict his movement. Very warm today so he is sleeping in the pen outside until we go to bed. Supposed to cool down for the next few days so that will help. On leash for the next two weeks for bathroom breaks, out & back in the house. Have to see how he does tonight and yes he has the damn cone. Even with limited mobility he hits everything.
Back to the Surgeon in 2 weeks for staple removal and x rays in 6 weeks

Thank you for your concerns, wishes & prayers, we will keep you updated

Rob, Cassie & Moby
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top