partially torn cruciate & dx hip dysplasia

[LeahO]

Poor Ben. He's a big goof ball & plays rough, but yesterday we spent some time at the dreaded vet finally honing down the reason for the occasional yelp, click and hip pop when playing tug of war.

So, at 1 year, Ben has some loose hip joints, although the vet said his x-rays look near normal & it would be easy to miss...., and a partially torn right back cruciate.

Here's the current plan and I'd love to hear your advice if you're up to give it!

SubQ injections of glycosamino glycan (necessary? $75 for 30cc)
Glucosamine capsules
Daily walks... but no more racing around running into things

He's not in a lot of pain, but it hurts him every once in a while - like during a game of tug of war. After the assessment yesterday I gave him an aspirin because you could tell they roughed him up when he was under to estimate joint laxity. Not a happy knee.

LeahO
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30006956@N02/6560739185/

 

[Jeannie]

I am sure others with more knowledge will chime in but...

At his age I would not be too concerned about loose hip joints also known as joint laxity. I would ask about Adequin injections.

 

[R Taft]

:hugs: :hugs: to Ben

 

[2newfs4now]

I'm no expert but, is there somewhere that you could let him swim? It builds muscle with little to no stress on the joints.

 

[janices]

He's not in a lot of pain, but it hurts him every once in a while - like during a game of tug of war. After the assessment yesterday I gave him an aspirin because you could tell they roughed him up when he was under to estimate joint laxity. Not a happy knee.

LeahO
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30006956@N02/6560739185/

There's another procedure that can be done for cruciate before growth plate closes, called CBLO. The specialist who developed it is down here, Dr. Don Hulse, so not sure how extensively been trained around. I do know of a newf puppy this was done on and recovery was easier than TPLO and pup went back to regular activity.

 

[Lori]

I'm pretty sure the sub-q injections you mentioned are Adequan injections. I gave them to Sydney myself, once the vet showed me how and we just purchased the Adequan from him and he gave me the syringes/needles.

 

[jane]

My Roger was diagnosed with joint laxity at 2. Same popping, clicking noise you describe. The best advice came from the people here. They had me strengthen Roger's hind quarters with uphill walking. Walking with his head up to throw his weight to the rear. I would get him to hold his head up by holding a treat above his nose while walking. Every 10-20 feet I would give him the treat and start again. Water excercise...Roger is not a swimmer, so I had him wade around in deep water.
Roger also tore both his cruciates and had bilateral TTA's. When his cruciates were only partially torn, I kept him moving by walking him on lead. No rough play. By keeping him moving you are keeping his range of motion good and not letting his muscles weaken.

 

[Bucephalus]

Poor Ben! Sending hugs for him!:hugs:

 

[LeahO]

Thanks all! I'm currently trying to keep Ben's energy to a point where he won't run into things and worsen the right leg - pretty boring for him for sure.

Speaking of, he's pacing around, so I'm going to take him for a walk. I have to watch it because I started having contractions on our walk & it's not quite time for me to burst my lil bubble. I'll get him to elevate his head when he walks for treats!

What do you think about getting something to pull? He plays tug of war, but that's only pulling one way & he's never been exposed to pulling cart style.

 

[Ivoryudx]

I'm sorry to hear he's having trouble. I would be extremely careful with no tug of war and no uneven walks on the partial crutiate tear, or he'll tear it all the way. No cart pulling until his growth plates close roughly around 18 months of age. Swimming is the absolute best thing you can do for him right now. It will strengthen those muscles holding those joints together, with no impact.

Be careful, as we don't need any emergency baby births on the walking path!

 

[LeahO]

"Be careful, as we don't need any emergency baby births on the walking path! "

Haha, could you imagine? He'd be all concerned, drooling all over me in the most helpful way he knows. I'm having a homebirth, so we'll see if he can handle that or if we need to get him a baby-ben-sitter (although the one we have lined up has hardwood floors I'm not a fan of...)

The problem with swimming that I see is that we usually take him to the lake, but he darts and bounds around frantically excited when we're there. Maybe a rehab pool would be better, but we'll see if I can afford it! So far, Ben's cost about 2 times in medical bills what having my human baby will (without complications) cost, but that's probably because I was a paranoid idiot who trusted the 1st vet too much. Just gotta come to you guys more often for advice and experience!

LeahO

 

[new_2_newf]

Two thoughts:
1) can you have someone you trust come into your home to watch him while you are birthing? I know you probably don't want a crowd, but maybe a mom, sister, good friend, etc...someone that you won't mind seeing you in that condition, but that you trust with the dog. Maybe they can hang out on a separate floor or something?
2) leash him at the beach and take him right into the water. I'm guessing that if you wade mid-thigh deep, he'll be forced to swim and it will be too deep for him to horse around. I found that a life jacket helped Sulley swim without panicking. And wear pants. nails are deadly.