Hip, Knee, Ligament problems, questions

[toobad]

My female has had a little limp problem since she was small and we kinda figured hip problems because it is kind common to the breed. It never really bothered her too much. The Vet gave her some glycoflex thinking it may be arthritis because he couldn't really feel anything wrong in her back end and she didn't react to him messing with her hips or knees. She runs and jump pretty well but you can just tell she has some discomfort at times.

She has gotten a little worse lately and we figured it was time for X-rays to find out for sure what the problems are so we can start to get them taken care of.

My wife took her into the Vet the other day and the vet said she felt a little swelling around one of her knees. She thought maybe a torn ligament. They X-rayed her knees and hips and said they had to send the x-rays to a board certified radiologist for a final decision. What my Vet saw was what appeared to be a bone fragment near her knee and that she did have arthritis. She would call us in a couple of days with results from the radiologist.

MeMo was very groggy when my wife picked her up and she was making some type of funny noise like groaning. I went and carried her into the house and put her in her chair so she could rest. Later that night she got out of the chair and wouldn't put any weight on either of her back legs. She was basically teetering on her front legs. Called the vet and he perscribed some Deramax and said to give her untill the next day. NOW, three days later she still will not put any weight on her back legs. Called the vet and the Vet said torn ligaments in both back legs.

My problem is, she was walking pretty well before she went in and now she won't walk at all. Can those ligaments be torn during the x-ray procedure ? Do they pull on the legs or do anything that could cause this ?

I'm lost. I didn't talk to the Vet, my wife did and all I do know at this time is that we have to give her this Deramax for another day or two to try and get her swelling down so we can make a decision. Vet said something about it being hard to do a surgery on one leg without having the other leg good enough to stand on

I'm thinking maybe taking my $400 worth of x-rays and going some pace else for a second opinion. Any input ???

[GraceAAA]

I would answer "yes...yes...and yes" to your questions. I would request your x-rays and seek another opinion.

X-rays do not show torn ligaments...they do however show inflammation and arthritis formation which often accompanies torn ligaments.

Unfortunately, if a ligament is partially torn a veterinarian can fully rupture it during the drawer test that they do to check for laxity. The "drawer sign" test generates a force that is not equivalant to movement that a dogs knee normally does...so depending on the person testing for it, further injury can be caused. This should not happen...especially when a dog is sedated and not resisting the exam...but sadly, I have seen it happen at various clinics during the manipulation/exam.

My own girl ^Silver^ was sedated for OFA x-rays (she was a rescue who we new had a bad hip) and her hip was dislocated by the vet during the x-ray procedure...she went into the appointment with a slight shuffle on her dyplastic side...and left the clinic unable to bear weight and in severe pain.

I am really sorry this happened...and I wouldn't hesistate to get a second opinion...even if you choose to stay with your original vet.

[Berit]

I'd also consider getting copies of your dog's records from the 1st vet. Those records are yours and you can review with your new vet. At this point, I'd go to a board certified orthopaedic vet in your area if you can find one. Secondly, if you believe your original vet harmed the dog, you should immediately submit your complaint in writing AFTER you get the Xrays [your property, you paid for them] and records. THe dog went in with a small problem and came out with a major problem. That spells negligence and possible injury to the dog during the Xray process.

IF that's the case the original vet should pay for the surgery to fix the dog, regardless. You'd need to get an attorney involved if that's the case, so you can get funds to pay for the new procedures. I had to do this and while I thought it would be difficult it wasn't as the vet's covered by insurance and the insurer's attorney was willing to offer a settlement [my dog was misdiagnosed and ended up dying with cancer that would have been treatable had the original vet caught the cancer in time]. Please[/url] consider this article for some excellent tips: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...p23.html<br />

The fact is, if your dog had a slight issue it's now a big issue and time for you to get cracking on holding the 1st vet responsible. Too many of us walk away and let malpractice go accounted for, especially with our best friends, our dogs or pets. They deserve better than that in my view.

http://www.dogbitelaw.com/PAGES/vet_mal.html

Vet Malpractice


Beth

[rottnkidd]

I'm sorry to hear about the problems you're having with your pup. Please pay attention to her stools while she's on the Deramaxx. If you see they're black and/or bloody, stop the med and notify your vet immediately. There's alot of controversy surrounding Deramaxx and it's potentially dangerous, even fatal effect.
The manufacturer, Novartis, was warned by the FDA for their failure to report these adverse effects.
Here's a website with some excellent info on Deramaxx.
http://home.insightbb.com/~e.murray/index.html
Best wishes -
kathy

[toobad]

Originally Posted by rottnkidd

I'm sorry to hear about the problems you're having with your pup. Please pay attention to her stools while she's on the Deramaxx. If you see they're black and/or bloody, stop the med and notify your vet immediately. There's alot of controversy surrounding Deramaxx and it's potentially dangerous, even fatal effect.
The manufacturer, Novartis, was warned by the FDA for their failure to report these adverse effects.
Here's a website with some excellent info on Deramaxx.
http://home.insightbb.com/~e.murray/index.html
Best wishes -
kathy

THANK YOU. I will give taking her off of it some serious thought. I read through that quickly just now , I'll read it all tomorrow when I get home from work. She has no side effects right now but I will watch her like a hawk. Thanks again