Update: My 7 month old labrador has elbow dysplasia - any experience anyone?

[WDWFOREVER]

Not Disney related, I know, but as so many of you are dog lovers I hope you don't mind my plea for help. I am posting both on the US Community Board and the UK one.

My 7 month old labrador puppy, Molly, has been diagnosed with elbow dysplasia in both front legs - where the elbow joints don't meet because they haven't formed properly. Understandably the whole family is devastated.

Saturday before last, I was sitting one end of the sofa, Molly the other. When I got up, Molly trotted along to steal the nice warm patch I had just left. However, when my back was turned I heard her yelp. I assumed her leg had slipped down between the cushions and she had maybe pulled a muscle. We rested her for the whole of the week and by the following Saturday she had stopped limping so we took her over the forest on Sunday morning. By the evening, she was limping again so we took her to the vets on Tuesday evening. Thats when we got the news.

After a night of tears, I started to get practical yesterday and done a bit of research on the internet. I feel a bit better now and more positive. However, it would help so much to hear from anyone who has personal experience of this with their dog. I hope, in many ways, that none of you have had to face this but, if you have, I would welcome hearing your experiences: specifically whether your dog had surgery or coped well on medication.

Molly has to go back to the vet on Monday next week as he wants to see if she is responding to the anti-inflammatories (Rimadyl, 50mg twice a day) that she has been taking. I think she is responding well but from what I have read so far, that does not necessarily rule out surgery. It may be that it should happen sooner rather than later for her long term health.

Thanking you in advance.

Jackie

 

[dianeschlicht]

Go back to your breeder. If they are a reputable breeder, you should be compensated for this. A 7 month old is very young to already show signs of elbow dysplasia. We are dog breeders, and we have written guarantee contracts so that if a dog we sell has a genetic disease (which this is), we will refund or replace the dog.

 

[WDWFOREVER]

Thanks for the advice. Much appreciated.

 

[rbuzzotta]

I don't know much about this but my sympathies go out to you. We have a 9 month old Choc. lab with a ruptured cruciate ligament in her right hind leg. She will need surgery but unfortunately we will have to wait until we return from Disney due to the recovery period being very long and intense!!

Best of luck to Molly...................from Bella!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Sorry to hear this about Molly, Jackie. Great she has the love of you she does. Our little ones are so dependent on us for everything. My best to her.

 

[WDWFOREVER]

Rosemary - I've sent you a PM.

Dan - thanks so much. I appreciate your kind thoughts. She is SO much a part of our family now - she fitted in from the very beginning. She is a beautiful dog - very willing to please and not a nasty bone in her body - we have never even heard her growl or bark in play! My DS10 is very distraught - Molly was actually a "birthday present" for him last October although in reality we had decided to get a dog after we moved home anyway. Its dealing with his sadness that has been particularly hard. I suffer with arthritis myself and have tried to explain to DS that God put her with us because he knew we would understand her condition and would care for her. Its still very hard for him though.

Jackie

 

[dianeschlicht]

As another aside, you might want to see an orthopedic specialist to see if there are some meds or therapy you can do. I know elbow dysplasia is quite painful, and not nearly as easy to treat as hip dysplasia, but perhaps an orthopedic doctor might have some specific suggestions.

A word to the wise....Always ask for proof of OFA certifications when buying a puppy. It is the best guarantee that your pup's parentage is at least clear of these kinds of genetic problems.

 

[KristiKelly]

Do you have a vet school close by. We took our Dalmatian to a vet school about an hour from us for spondalosis (not sure about the spelling) they were only able to treat him with pain meds, but it's amazing all that they can do and is really no more expensive. Our dog spent a day there, they gave him the most thorough exam he'd ever had, blood work, x-rayed him, he saw an orthopedist, they put him in a hot tub, and meds. I thought the trip would have been $500-600, but was only $160. They can really do alot. best of luck!

 

[WDWFOREVER]

BUMP

Just in case someone sees this over the weekend and can help ....

Thank you.

Jackie

 

[Dixielady908]

Sorry to hear about Molly. I know that our pets become a part of our family. We just had our Doberman who is 4 years old..to the vet last night. Diagnosed with Myopathy Focal Inflammatory disease. Basically his immune system is attacking itself. He has a large lump on the side of his face, and without medication the rest of his life, it will get to the point where he will not be able to open his mouth. So we started him on steroids this morning. Which the side of affects of that is stomach problems, so he is also on Pepcid twice a day.
So good luck with Molly, hopes she recovers well.

Denise

 

[ScarlettO]

My sis was a breeder of large dogs. Many of them are pre-disposed to certain ailments, especially hip displatia. Whenever considering a large breed, it pays to do your homework. As a previous poster said, a reputable breeder should have all pups screened for displatia if it is a breed failing. Good luck.

 

[WDWFOREVER]

Denise - so sorry to hear about your Dobie. Isn't it just the pits? Will they be able to remove the growth on his face or are they hoping the medication will reduce it? I'm sitting here waiting for my DH to let me know what the vet said this morning .....

I have done tons of research over the last couple of days. Apparently, elbow dysplasia is NOT just a genetic problem. It can strike out of the blue, although a genetic problem is usually the cause. From what we have been able to find out there is no previous history in Molly's line by the look of things so obviously she is just one of the unlucky few.

Jackie

 

[WDWFOREVER]

DH just called. Vet is extremely pleased with Molly's response to the anti-inflammatories and has given her another week's supply. Does not want to do surgery at this stage because he thinks we can control her pain with medication and really, surgery is the last resort.

We have to watch her closely. Because both front legs are affected, she may not necessarily limp if they are playing her up. However, he said we would notice her slowing down and not "pulling" with her front legs when she ran.

So, lots of TLC is the order of the day. Thankfully, she is not a manic dog and I am hoping her natural sedate personality will keep her fit and well for years to come with the odd assistance from anti-inflams/painkillers as required.

Thank you so much to everyone who sent good wishes.

Jackie