Oliver went to the vet again today...
Unfortunately, the Vet at KSU did not agree. He said Oliver has too much arthritis for a TPO, and we'll have to do a total hip replacement. However, his bones aren't dense enough yet (he is only 9 months old), so he will be starting on anti-inflammatory and glucose amine supplements until we "see signs that he is in pain". We are hoping never, but realistically, no one knows. Could be a month, could be a year. I am just so saddened by this. I was hoping to be able to just "fix" him. We will be fixing him in the long run, but a total hip replacement is just scary to me. I am going to try to find a swimming pool so he can build his muscle; hoping between the muscle and medicine, we can slow this down a bit. I must say "Thank You" to Las Vegas Sheepie Lover for her advice on getting a massage, it was amazing, and really helped clear my head. Has anyone been through a similiar experience that would be willing to share with me, either through this post, or pm me? Judi shared her story with me on her beloved Mopsy, and it was wonderful-Thank you! |
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| I'm so sorry. I know just how you're feeling at this moment. We went through the same thing with Panda just over 2 years ago. We had hoped she would be a candidate for TPO surgery at 10 1/2 months of age when she arrived from rescue. But it wasn't to be... MSU said the changes in her hip sockets had already taken place. The rescue we got Panda from demanded FHO surgery if surgery was to be preformed... thankfully it hasn't been necessary. She's much better than when she first arrived.
PLEASE know that many dogs do pretty darn good despite HD. Control the type of exercises he does... no fast start/stop exercises like fetch or frisbee. No jumps or long walks. Instead opt for short but more frequent play periods each day. Swimming, as you mentioned, is said to be an excellent form of exercise. Keep him at a good but lean weight... it will help take unnecessary stress off his hips. Maybe these pictures will help give you hope. Panda was so weak in the hips when she arrived that she'd trip over her hind feet just walking. Each dog is different though in how they respond to this condition. http://oesusa.com/Page117.html These are Panda's x-rays that flew to us with her back in September of 2005- http://oesusa.com/MadisonXray.jpg More recent x-rays- http://oesusa.com/PandaXray1.jpg Panda also took part in the hip dysplasia gene study. I figure something good might come out of a sad condition if other sheepies might some day be helped. http://www.oeshealth.org/NewsFlash1.htm Hugs to you and Oliver. Just take it a day at a time and don't give up hope. |
| Oh my goodness.... I hate to hear that about Oliver. I hope his condition will be fixed from the medication. You are in my thoughts and prayers. |
| I am so sorry to hear this. I have no experience in this type of situation, so all I can offer is my thoughts and prayers to Oliver and your family. |
| Prayers to you and Oliver !! |
| Sorry to hear Oliver is not a good candidate for the TPO surgery.
Hopefully he won't have to have surgery for a long time. |
| Sorry too, to hear Oliver is not a candidate for TPO.
Never mind and with a good future management plan of him even with his diagnosis of the HD you might not need the Hip Replacement surgery for a long long time. Jaci's girl is a good example of proper management plan to help them keep mobile and not in pain. Keep him on the leaner side now, the supplements are great but with the glucosamine make sure it has the "Chondroiton" in the mix as well. No overdoing the excersises and letting him charge around silly, protect those hip joints. Swimming them is wonderful,massages, lead walking on soft surfaces like grass to lessen the impact on the joints. Exercise is most important to keep those muscles toned & firm to help the back end but don't over do it with him. 
Stay positive and hopefully the surgery for him won't be required for a long long time with a good management plan in action for him.  |
| I am sorry to hear that Oliver didn't get a good report today at the vet.
Chewie is right here next to me (being a pest ) sending best wishes to his little buddy Oliver.  |
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| Jennie,
I am sorry to hear that he was not a candidate for the TPO. Give the sweetie a hug from me and Harry. If he is not acting like he is in pain - take that as a good sign. We will continue to keep Oliver in our prayers. |
| Oh, poor Oliver!
Hopefully it'll be a long time (or never) that he needs the hip surgery. Barney has done remarkably well with just staying lean and taking glucosamine. He was VERY limpy for a while between ages 6 months to about 18 months, but he's been much better since then. Maybe when Oliver stops growing so quickly it'll help calm his joints down too... |
Quote: He was VERY limpy for a while between ages 6 months to about 18 months, but he's been much better since then. Isn't that amazing? I wonder if this is common for many HD dogs..Quote: Hopefully it'll be a long time (or never) that he needs the hip surgery.
We had asked one of our vets if he felt surgery was needed about 6 months after Panda arrived. We just wanted to be certain we were on the same page and that he was seeing the same thing we were. He told us that it wasn't... that she was doing well. He said she may never need it. Fingers are crossed. It's a wait and see approach. Slowly build up those muscles so he can compensate better for what's lacking in the back end. Also, use scatter rugs and encourage him to lie on them... they will help him to stand easier because of better traction. We had several for Panda the first 6 months. Now we just keep them in the kitchen because they sometimes use it as a runway to get to the back door  
The brief daily exercise/play times may allow him to build those muscles with less pain. We let Panda tell us when she's had enough... she has no limits on exercise but we don't overdo it. The holistic vet asked if we took her for walks and I told him that we occasionally take her for short walks... that I didn't want to wear out her hips. I don't know if this is right or not. It can take several weeks to see the benefits of the glucosamine supplements. We start Panda's day with her pain reliever... it seems to help her get through the day without any problems. I guess the best we can do is carefully observe our HD dogs and "listen" to any changes... good or bad... then make adjustments if needed. |
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