Marthas Vineyard Newfie
New member
I am coming forward right now, in hopes that all of you that belong to Newf Net, may learn from what I have just entered into with my 4 year old Newfie. I don't post messages anymore, other than a few months ago, when I replied to a topic about a newf I had 5 years ago that had to be put down for serious aggression, which there was no medical treatment to help with what was wrong with him.
Since my loss of my 1st newf, I educated myself, and with the help of the Newfoundland Club of America, I did find the most wonderful breeder a newf owner could ask for. I now own 2 Newfs from this breeder. Both my Newfs had all the clearances they could possibly have by the time they were each 12 weeks old. The 3 generation pedigrees for both my Newfs, have OFA good or better, hearts, elbows, cysterinia <sp> cleared, many with CH titles.. My breeder had done everything right ( she has been breeding Newfs for 26 years ) My 2 newfs came from the same kennel, but are not related. I have maintained a close relationship with my breeder. Both my newfs are very healthy, happy loved dogs. I have always followed the requirements my breeder has in the contract, happily.
Both my newfs are very loved "family pets", neither has been in a show ring. The 4 year old is a certified therapy dog, and also certified as a reading partner for children. It is this newf, that, his life changed dramatically on March 10...
Never since I have owned him from 12 weeks old, had he ever showed any clinical signs of hip dysplasia. He is not a jumpy, run crazy dog...he is your classic newf.
On March 10, both my newfs were in the back enclosed yard, I was at my computer by the window, I saw them go by me....about 5 minutes later I called them to the back door to come in, as it was getting dark. The younger came, the 4 year old did not, he was laying on the ground just looking at me. The look I saw on his face, I will never forget, I knew he was seriously hurt...but I didn't know how or why, as they had just gone by me 5 minutes before. I went to him, he could not get up, I put hands under him and hoisted him up, and one step at a time, I was able to get him inside the house, he was not putting his right hind leg down. Not taking any chances, I called an emergency Vet to my house (it was 7PM) the vet said their were no broken bones, that it could be a sprain, but when he manipulated his rear hip, my newf cried out. First thing next morning , 3 people carefully got my newf in the back of my SUV, and get to my regular vet. My newf was put under anthesisa, and radoigraphs were taken. The right hip was luxated (head of the femur has come out of the socket by 5 inches. While he was under anthesia the vet "popped" it back in and put a splint on. My newf spent the night at my vets, by morning the hip had luxated again. The radiograph showed severe hip dysplaisia on the right and moderate on the left, also showing arthritis in both hips. Because of the emergency situation, and my newf in a substantial amount of pain, I was transfered to a orthopedic specialist immediately. There are quite a few surgical options for hip dysplasia, but not when it is an emergency and no socket to hold the head of the femur.
My newf was admitted to ICU at Tufts University Veterinerary School of Medicine on March 13th, many tests, blood work, radiographs, etc., where done for the next 3 days. Other than his hip, he was in excellent health. There were no surgical options for my newf. On March 17th, my newf had a total hip replacement. He remained in ICU until yesterday, when I brought him home.
I was very fortunate, as the orthopedic surgeon that performed the replacement is one of the top in his field the country. The surgery took close to 3 1/2 hours. The surgeon told me it is such an invassive surgery, that the operating room is identical to a human OR room. The OR was fully staffed with the surgeon and a intern vet, 2 anathesiolegists, and 2 nurses. It was such a sterile surgery, the surgeon said, it was equal to a human on the table. My newf was returned to ICU and because it is a teaching vet school/hospital, there was always a one on one with my newf 24/7. Within 2 days post surgery, he was up and putting his leg back down on the ground, with the help of a nurse with a sling under his back end for support. He was off all pain meds in 3 days. My newf could have come home 4 days after surgery, but the surgeon felt because of his giant breed, it would be best to keep him for a week. I agreed.
My newf is on antibiotics as a precaution for the next 4 days. A total hip "closing culture" was taken at the end of surgery, to be certain no bacteria entered the site. The 1st culture showed no growth, the 2nd culture is not back yet, thus the antibiotics until the 2nd culture comes back. The only other med is Rimadyl, only if needed.
My newf is home now, he is contained to a very private area of the house. That will be is new space now for the next 3-4 months. Recovery from a THR is a very slow process. The next few weeks are also critical, as he can not fall, or not get an infection at the surgery site. For the next 4 weeks, he can only go out the door to potty and right back into his space. He also can not have any physical contact with my other newf for 4 weeks. His appatite is coming back slowly. Tomorrow my regular Vet will remove the staples on his hind leg. The road to THR is a long, slow road. I am going to do everything in my power to get my newf back to the happy boy he was. The success rate of a THR is 95%. Once the hip has healed, it will actually become the stronger one, and there will be less pressure on the other hip. My surgeon said that it is a myth, that if you replace one hip, the other will probably need to be done. He said that is extremely rare. The type of THR my newf had was a cemented one. Cemented replacements are the strongest, they are also considered "pourous" which means the cement can also get an infection, as any other body part can.
In 12 weeks my newf will have another radiograph to see how everything is looking inside.
It is very hard for me to see my newf limping, getting use to his new hip, but it was worse seeing him suffering in such pain the day it happened. If he did not have this THR, he would have been in tremendous pain, progressively gone lame, and ultimately would have loss use of both hips. He is not in pain anymore, maybe sore, but he doesn't show signs of pain, he appears to be comfortable. He does sleep and lay resting a lot, which is what the vet wants him to be doing.
My breeder is heart broken and devastated about this. She did everything right. Sometimes there is a recessive gene, that just shows up down the line. Right now and for the next few months, I am committed to getting my newf well again. One day at a time, he will do it, and my wish is for him to be his happy silly self again. THR is a last resort. If there is anything that comforts me right now it's knowing that there is zero chance he will ever have hip dysplasia or arthritis in that hip again. I have a long list of instructions from the surgeon I must follow as far as PT goes, and I will.
Looking back at the last 4 years with this newf, I can honestly say "no" there were no clinical signs that there was any problem with his hip. He was nuetured when he was 13 months old, but did not have his hips radiographed at that time, I felt it was to early an age, and he was never needing to be put under again, so his hips were never checked. He had since I got him as a pup, he had all the supplements that support good hip and joint health, as requested by the breeder. I am not angry at my breeder, I know she puts her heart and soul into her breeding program. Sometimes it just doesn't work out, not matter how hard you try... I love both of my newfies, and we will get through this, and go on.
Since my loss of my 1st newf, I educated myself, and with the help of the Newfoundland Club of America, I did find the most wonderful breeder a newf owner could ask for. I now own 2 Newfs from this breeder. Both my Newfs had all the clearances they could possibly have by the time they were each 12 weeks old. The 3 generation pedigrees for both my Newfs, have OFA good or better, hearts, elbows, cysterinia <sp> cleared, many with CH titles.. My breeder had done everything right ( she has been breeding Newfs for 26 years ) My 2 newfs came from the same kennel, but are not related. I have maintained a close relationship with my breeder. Both my newfs are very healthy, happy loved dogs. I have always followed the requirements my breeder has in the contract, happily.
Both my newfs are very loved "family pets", neither has been in a show ring. The 4 year old is a certified therapy dog, and also certified as a reading partner for children. It is this newf, that, his life changed dramatically on March 10...
Never since I have owned him from 12 weeks old, had he ever showed any clinical signs of hip dysplasia. He is not a jumpy, run crazy dog...he is your classic newf.
On March 10, both my newfs were in the back enclosed yard, I was at my computer by the window, I saw them go by me....about 5 minutes later I called them to the back door to come in, as it was getting dark. The younger came, the 4 year old did not, he was laying on the ground just looking at me. The look I saw on his face, I will never forget, I knew he was seriously hurt...but I didn't know how or why, as they had just gone by me 5 minutes before. I went to him, he could not get up, I put hands under him and hoisted him up, and one step at a time, I was able to get him inside the house, he was not putting his right hind leg down. Not taking any chances, I called an emergency Vet to my house (it was 7PM) the vet said their were no broken bones, that it could be a sprain, but when he manipulated his rear hip, my newf cried out. First thing next morning , 3 people carefully got my newf in the back of my SUV, and get to my regular vet. My newf was put under anthesisa, and radoigraphs were taken. The right hip was luxated (head of the femur has come out of the socket by 5 inches. While he was under anthesia the vet "popped" it back in and put a splint on. My newf spent the night at my vets, by morning the hip had luxated again. The radiograph showed severe hip dysplaisia on the right and moderate on the left, also showing arthritis in both hips. Because of the emergency situation, and my newf in a substantial amount of pain, I was transfered to a orthopedic specialist immediately. There are quite a few surgical options for hip dysplasia, but not when it is an emergency and no socket to hold the head of the femur.
My newf was admitted to ICU at Tufts University Veterinerary School of Medicine on March 13th, many tests, blood work, radiographs, etc., where done for the next 3 days. Other than his hip, he was in excellent health. There were no surgical options for my newf. On March 17th, my newf had a total hip replacement. He remained in ICU until yesterday, when I brought him home.
I was very fortunate, as the orthopedic surgeon that performed the replacement is one of the top in his field the country. The surgery took close to 3 1/2 hours. The surgeon told me it is such an invassive surgery, that the operating room is identical to a human OR room. The OR was fully staffed with the surgeon and a intern vet, 2 anathesiolegists, and 2 nurses. It was such a sterile surgery, the surgeon said, it was equal to a human on the table. My newf was returned to ICU and because it is a teaching vet school/hospital, there was always a one on one with my newf 24/7. Within 2 days post surgery, he was up and putting his leg back down on the ground, with the help of a nurse with a sling under his back end for support. He was off all pain meds in 3 days. My newf could have come home 4 days after surgery, but the surgeon felt because of his giant breed, it would be best to keep him for a week. I agreed.
My newf is on antibiotics as a precaution for the next 4 days. A total hip "closing culture" was taken at the end of surgery, to be certain no bacteria entered the site. The 1st culture showed no growth, the 2nd culture is not back yet, thus the antibiotics until the 2nd culture comes back. The only other med is Rimadyl, only if needed.
My newf is home now, he is contained to a very private area of the house. That will be is new space now for the next 3-4 months. Recovery from a THR is a very slow process. The next few weeks are also critical, as he can not fall, or not get an infection at the surgery site. For the next 4 weeks, he can only go out the door to potty and right back into his space. He also can not have any physical contact with my other newf for 4 weeks. His appatite is coming back slowly. Tomorrow my regular Vet will remove the staples on his hind leg. The road to THR is a long, slow road. I am going to do everything in my power to get my newf back to the happy boy he was. The success rate of a THR is 95%. Once the hip has healed, it will actually become the stronger one, and there will be less pressure on the other hip. My surgeon said that it is a myth, that if you replace one hip, the other will probably need to be done. He said that is extremely rare. The type of THR my newf had was a cemented one. Cemented replacements are the strongest, they are also considered "pourous" which means the cement can also get an infection, as any other body part can.
In 12 weeks my newf will have another radiograph to see how everything is looking inside.
It is very hard for me to see my newf limping, getting use to his new hip, but it was worse seeing him suffering in such pain the day it happened. If he did not have this THR, he would have been in tremendous pain, progressively gone lame, and ultimately would have loss use of both hips. He is not in pain anymore, maybe sore, but he doesn't show signs of pain, he appears to be comfortable. He does sleep and lay resting a lot, which is what the vet wants him to be doing.
My breeder is heart broken and devastated about this. She did everything right. Sometimes there is a recessive gene, that just shows up down the line. Right now and for the next few months, I am committed to getting my newf well again. One day at a time, he will do it, and my wish is for him to be his happy silly self again. THR is a last resort. If there is anything that comforts me right now it's knowing that there is zero chance he will ever have hip dysplasia or arthritis in that hip again. I have a long list of instructions from the surgeon I must follow as far as PT goes, and I will.
Looking back at the last 4 years with this newf, I can honestly say "no" there were no clinical signs that there was any problem with his hip. He was nuetured when he was 13 months old, but did not have his hips radiographed at that time, I felt it was to early an age, and he was never needing to be put under again, so his hips were never checked. He had since I got him as a pup, he had all the supplements that support good hip and joint health, as requested by the breeder. I am not angry at my breeder, I know she puts her heart and soul into her breeding program. Sometimes it just doesn't work out, not matter how hard you try... I love both of my newfies, and we will get through this, and go on.
