[shannonrae]

I would like to start by saying I don't expect anyone to have a solution, but all comments are welcome.
Birbo is my third rescued GSD, he is 17 months old and my best friend. Last Thursday I had his hip rads done (as I do with all my GSD's simply because if they have bad hips I want to take preventative measures as early as possible). The good news is his hips are great, excellent coverage of the femoral head (a first for one of my dogs, as they were all rescues w/no guarantees). The bad news is there was a high density bony lesion just distal (away from) of the femoral head on his left femur. The lesion looks like a pano lesion except it has defined edges (uncharacteristic of pano). The doctors say they don't know what it is. Both of theses doctors are great (one is one of the most renowned orthopedic surgeons in my state) and I know them VERY well. They are both working really hard to make a diagnosis.
Monday a.m. I noticed Bo lifting that leg. I had both doctors examine him and they found that he is indeed painful in the area of that lesion. I had never noticed him being lame in that leg before. I bring Bo to work with me (I work at a vet clinic) every day and many people commented on his subdued attitude, asking me if he was drugged. He was not, just didn't feel well. The doctors are saying that it could be anything from an old injury (unlikely b/c of it all of a sudden being painful) to something more serious (bone cyst/tumor). Whatever it is, its getting worse quickly. My last two GSD's died very young and tragically. So, I now have this fear that the problem is going to be a big deal! Keeping my fingers crossed that it is an unusual manifestation of pano!

 

[Stosh]

Scary that they have no idea what it is. Hope it turns out well, poor guy

 

[shannonrae]

Thanks, I just needed to vent a little! I am going crazy with the no knowing!

 

[MaggieRoseLee]

Hopefully it's just sore and will heal up with some rest and aspirin.

Go give him a hug for me.

 

[Stosh]

My vet is a chiropractor/holistic/natural kind of guy, he does acupuncture, all kids of alternative stuff. His wife's border collie had bone tumors and the dog was examined by vets at Texas A&M. Their suggestion was to amputate the leg. The vet started treated the leg with some kind of laser thing he has and the tumors disappeared, the dog's fine. I'll ask him what else he did in case it turns out your boy has a bone tumor

 

[shannonrae]

My vet is a chiropractor/holistic/natural kind of guy, he does acupuncture, all kids of alternative stuff. His wife's border collie had bone tumors and the dog was examined by vets at Texas A&M. Their suggestion was to amputate the leg. The vet started treated the leg with some kind of laser thing he has and the tumors disappeared, the dog's fine. I'll ask him what else he did in case it turns out your boy has a bone tumor

Thanks! But I hope it isn't . . .

 

[Pattycakes]

Oh no...I will keep good thoughts for your new dog. Keep us posted.

 

[shannonrae]

Thanks all! Will hug and cuddle him lots (I always do). I am babying him more than usual. A sad Bo is very depressing. He has been moping around with his "sad face" on. I will post as soon as I know what the problem is.

 

[vat]

Oh poor baby, I hate sad puppy face it just breaks your heart. Hoping for some good news for you both.

 

[shannonrae]

Oh poor baby, I hate sad puppy face it just breaks your heart. Hoping for some good news for you both.

Bo is a pro at the sad puppy face! He should win an award! I am hoping for good news too. I am tempted to call the doctors and see if they have come up with anything. As of yesterday they were consulting other doctors for their opinions. I think though that I will just wait until I go to work tomorrow I hate discussing important matters on the phone.

 

[ahazra]

Although I can't state that I know exactly how you feel..but I can safely state that I'm pretty close with that helpless feeling. The first GSD puppy we brought had multiple ailments starting from poor diet, etc. I went to 3 vets and after all tests, they were still not sure why the puppy wouldn't eat and was not putting on weight. I even went to an internal Medicine specialist (and they are not cheap) and got similar answer. So I've been through that phase of not knowing what is wrong even though just like you I was willing to go the entire distance to find out what is ailing my puppy and ensure he is fine !
Please post back and let us know what the outcome is

 

[bianca]

Sending good thoughts your way :hugs:

 

[KZoppa]

sending good vibes!!!!

 

[shannonrae]

Not knowing is definitely the worst! The doctor told me today he thinks it is most likely a benign bone tumor or a type of necrosis of the bone. We are waiting for the radiologist to get back to us with a definite diagnosis.
. . . still hoping its pano and the doctor is wrong. . . :fingerscrossed:
Thanks all for the support!

 

[Chicagocanine]

I hope it turns out to be nothing serious! Good luck!!
I know what you mean about not knowing... My Golden had a scare, she had a bone lump/swelling on her lower front leg, we did an x-ray which was inconclusive but they said the location/appearance was not classic for bone cancer. I was so worried! We ended up having a bone biopsy done which just showed "reactive bone" so after about $2000 worth of tests we STILL did not know for sure... However since it didn't get any bigger they thought it might be a bone infection. They put her on a type of antibiotics that is good for bone infections and it shrank a little so they figured it probably was an infection... Unfortunately after that if she was over-exercised she would limp on that leg from the bone biopsy.

 

[shannonrae]

Thank god the doctor does not think it is cancer! But those bone infections can be nasty. The doctor does not want to biopsy it until we get the radiologists report. Hopefully we will hear something today. . . .