Pup with dysplasia

[whisperdog]

Hey Diesel

I've been through hell and back with elbow dysplasia (surgery, meds, more meds, physio, acupuncture...) and I can say that there is one thing I'd always recommend: physio. It can increase mobility and help build muscles to help stability the joint. If you have a K9 physiotherapist in your area, it's worth it. Of course, your vet can give you more info but it's something that I've really relied on. Good luck, it's a crappy disease to battle.

Elise

[kalmringc]

I am sorry to hear about your rottie. I feel your pain, just today I took my one year old rottie to the vet and found out the same painful news you did. She has a very bad case of dysplasia and they suggest surgery, which I can not afford. Her montly pain pill cost me $200.00 a month there is no way I can pay this. I am soooooooo angry with the breeder I got my baby girl from. How can they do this. They give you a puppy you give this puppy your heart and then in less then a year you have to watch as your dog suffers and lives with pain all because of careless breeding. Everytime I think about what is going to happen I break down and cry I don't know what to do.

[Barbara Ryan]

Originally Posted by kalmringc

I am sorry to hear about your rottie. I feel your pain, just today I took my one year old rottie to the vet and found out the same painful news you did. She has a very bad case of dysplasia and they suggest surgery, which I can not afford. Her montly pain pill cost me $200.00 a month there is no way I can pay this. I am soooooooo angry with the breeder I got my baby girl from. How can they do this. They give you a puppy you give this puppy your heart and then in less then a year you have to watch as your dog suffers and lives with pain all because of careless breeding. Everytime I think about what is going to happen I break down and cry I don't know what to do.

I'm so sorry for you both! This happens way more than not I think The meds. for Pepper are around $70 per month. Maybe you can get a script from your vet and order on line for less??

[jlaack]

I am also sorry to hear about your pup. Have you tried any NSAID's? They may help slightly. It seems awful to put such a young dog on than but if they help to keep him more comfortable, it might be necessary. Of course if you don't see improvements you can discontinue. Swimming (if possible) would also be hugely beneficial to build muscle without straining the joints.

[whisperdog]

My girl is on a full dose of Metacam (NSAID - CA$20-30/month) and Tramadol (synthetic opiate - CA$80/month). She was never off Metacam after surgery (we tried) and 6 months post-op she was so bad we added the super strong Tramadol.

Swimming for sure helps but they have to be comfortable enough to do it. Until I put my girl on Tramadol, I'd have to force her to swim. Now that her joints don't hurt, she gets in all by herself.

[RottsNScotts]

Originally Posted by kalmringc

I am soooooooo angry with the breeder I got my baby girl from. How can they do this. They give you a puppy you give this puppy your heart and then in less then a year you have to watch as your dog suffers and lives with pain all because of careless breeding.

Did your puppy's parents (and grandparents) have their hip and elbow clearances? If so, then your breeder did the best they could, given what the tests can show us now. If not, then you shouldn't be angry with your breeder as you did not do your homework.

Now, if the breeder showed you clearances that later turned out to be wrong or is not living up to whatever contract you have, then you can justifiably be mad at them.

It does come down to buyer beware!

[spidey]

Did your puppy's parents (and grandparents) have their hip and elbow clearances? If so, then your breeder did the best they could, given what the tests can show us now. If not, then you shouldn't be angry with your breeder as you did not do your homework.

My thoughts exactly. HD is not a simple disease genetically, you can still get HD out of cleared parents (and grandparents), because it is polygenetic. Dogs are not dishwashers or cars, there are no true "guarantees", breeding is always a crap shoot, the best you can do is to stack the odds in your favor, if your breeder did the proper clearances, then they did just that. What does your contract say?

[whisperdog]

I 100% agree that it is the buyers responsibility to look at clearances. Buying a dog from a "breeder" that doesn't do these clearances is saying to all those backyard breeders that we don't care. And of course, rescue is always a crapshoot too (that's where my ED dog came from). Mine was bred entirely for profit to be sold in a petstore.

Now once you have a dog afflicted with ED, I think that there is room for anger and sadness. I'm still in those stages even though it's been 7 months since her surgery. I think we have to allow ourselves time to greave the loss of that part of our pup. And then Carpe Diem, seize the moment, and enjoy every minute of quality time left :D