6 month pup with HD and OCD
 

So I received the bad news that my pup has hip dysplasia and OCD in his shoulders. Things don't sound promising because all limbs are in trouble so with any surgery he won't be able to put additional weight elsewhere. I am going to be talking to the vet again next week because I was just too overwhelmed to take it all in and ask everything I needed when I got the results.

The vet seemed ok with operating on the shoulders but said that PennHip would not recommend surgery on the hips. I got the impression he seemed to think putting the dog down would be the kinder option but will confirm that when I call next week. At this stage it seems to be his right shoulder that is causing most of the limping but whether that is just a case of it being the most painful out of 4 sore limbs, I don't know. He still plays around with my other dog so the pain hasn't surpassed his want to play yet... and didn't stop him going outside and digging a fairly large hole last night.

I don't know if I am even showing the correct xrays for the shoulders here... I don't know much about it.

Both parents were joint surveyed dogs so it seems he was just really unlucky with the genes received. Poor little guy only just turned 6 months old so to be facing this now is just heart breaking.

For some reason when I try to re-size and edit out the vets details in photobucket it is not saving the changes so I'll try to add them as attachments instead.

I am so sorry:(

I can't really comment on the shoulder xrays, but I will say I have seen worse hips than those in the xrays.

This could definitely be a costly venture, and honestly, only you can decide:(

While I know I'd be thinking with my heart vs my head or pocketbook, I'd probably do one leg at time:( But again, that can be so unrealistic in this day and age.

I wish we were all millionaires and cost was never an issue when it came to our animals.

such a very hard decision for you..and so unfair

Thanks Diane.

The vet was recommending doing both shoulders at the same time. I'm not sure why, maybe cost or stress on the pup. I'll ask that next week.

I've got some money I put aside to cover an emergency with the dogs so that should be at least close to enough to cover the shoulder surgery.

Money is a difficult one because the company I work for is going through yet another restructure with major cuts coming in my department so I may not even have a job in 2-3 weeks time. That could work both ways because if I manage to find another job fairly quickly then the redundancy payout would give me enough to cover whatever needs to be done... but obviously if I can't find something in the near future it would severely limit what I can do. Or maybe I'll get lucky and keep my job.

I don't think I would be able to get a loan for the hip surgery because I'm already stretched on the home loan but I'm sure my family would do all they could to help out there. So if it's a feasible option then I will be doing my best to make it happen.

I need to find out why he doesn't recommend the hip surgery. Maybe it's because even with shoulder surgery he just won't have the strength to support himself. This is something I need to get a clear answer on.

I also need to know why he seemed to be looking at putting the dog down. I hope it is just a money thing - he might be looking at me and thinking it would be a smarter option to cut my losses and start fresh with a new dog. I wish it was that simple but as childish as it sounds, I don't want another dog, I want him.

Even if the costs are huge and would only mean that he can live comfortably for 5-6 years, it is still something that I would find a way to do. He is just such a fun loving, cheeky, smart alec that I can't bear to think of putting him down.

I read your other thread, and was heartbroken for you. I know how you feel, as I had to decide between paying thousands of dollars (for maybe 2 years of life), and putting my 4 month old puppy through a bunch of MRI's, tests and surgeries or putting my baby girl down. It sucks, there is no easy decision. :( I wish for a miracle for you and your puppy, life IS so unfair sometimes. It is apparent that you love your puppy though, and whichever decision you choose, remember that everything happens for a reason. This puppy was lead into your life for a reason, and even if his life is short, at least it was filled with love and spent with you.

I cant tell you how many vets told me to put my girl down right away. I didn't, and ended up getting to spend another month and a half with her. Most assume people dont want to deal with all those problems..And it isnt childish - I know exactly how you feel.

Talk to your vet, and maybe there is a glimmer of hope for this puppy. I cant comment on the X-rays because I dont know what bad elbows/hips look like, but I agree, I have seen worse looking hips.

Can't the breeder pitch in? Do you have a contract? If so, does it say anything regarding genetic health issues? I would be hesitant to get another pup from these lines.

I am so sorry that you went through something similar, I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Agreed that it is at least a slight consolation to know that if their life is cut short, at least what they had was filled with love. It's such a hard thing to contemplate.

The stress and pain involved with surgeries vs the likely outcome is something I want to be very clear on. If it's not going to improve or extend his life then I don't want to put him through it.

The breeder is offering pick of an upcoming litter, not monetary help. That is all that is specified in the contract so I guess I can't fault them there. Unfortunately I can't take on a third dog so it would only really be an option if I have to let my current pup go.

I kind of feel the same way about the lines but it's impossible to know. My female came from the same lines on the mothers side and (touch wood) has been a completely healthy dog so far. I have never had any concerns about her health. I know all their dogs are joint surveyed and the vet confirmed that. The sire is not owned by them but is joint surveyed and has a KKl1 rating so I think that this is just a case of being incredibly unlucky... but yes, with all the issues that I have had with him it would be hard to feel confident getting another dog that shared a close lineage.

I was told at around 6 months to put down my Nakita (My first shepherd) She supposedly had very very bad hips. We decided to do the the surgery on the one hip that was the worst. The vet botched it, left bone spurs. We wound up going to a different vet who fixed what the first did. She lived to be 13 + when bone cancer got her. We never had the other hip done. It never seemed to bother her and the vet who did the fix on the first surgery told us that he never ever made that kind of decision at 6 months because the dog wasn't finished growing yet. I would get a second opinion.

Unrelated to conversation, but is that a nail in the middle of the 3rd xray? O: Or am I just crazy