He is a border collie, 8 months old. He shows no sign of pain when flexed just a persistent limp. The vet sent the xrays off to an orthopedic vet. surgeon. He suggested we try glucosamine, moderate exercise and if he's not better in 1-2 months consider the surgery. He painted a gloomy picture of the surgery however and the difficulty of the recovery period for a puppy. I only want to do what is best for the dog and apparently from what I read if you wait too long the surgery is no longer an option. How do you make a decision like this?
2006-11-21 07:20:23 · 6 answers · asked by it's me 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
You make an appointment to talk and go over theoptions with the Ortho Vet. They have the best advice and explanations and can tell you the REAL facts and pros/cons of surgery. Do not listen to all you rad, sometimes info is outdated and there is better info available!!!!!!
2006-11-21 07:47:47 · answer #1 · answered by ARE YOUR NEWFS GELLIN'? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try conservative management although good luck with a border pup!! The hardest part of conservative management and surgical recovery is keeping puppy calm. Many dogs recover very well from this surgery. Look up some of the yahoo groups...you can find a lot more people who have been through this. It was very helpful for me when my pup had hip replacement.
The gluco supplement we use is at healthypets.com and it's the triple strength. It's the best proce and quality I've found..GOOD luck and I hope your pup recovers soon!
2006-11-21 15:26:05 · answer #2 · answered by rattgrrrl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While you're deciding, consider a holistic vet. They can do anmazing thins with both acupuncture (laser and with needles), as well as chiropractic treatments.
One of my greyhounds has calcium deposits in his neck which were very painful. He had 2 chiropractic and 3 acupuncture treatments well over 1 1/2 years ago now and he's been great. If they can help. that combined with glucosamine is a much better option than surgery in my mind.
2006-11-21 16:57:20 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
This may not be the case with a smaller boned breed, but in my breed (Basset Hounds) I ALWAYS recommend a 2nd opinion from a vet familiar with the breed before doing surgery on growing bones. Sometimes what appears to be a problem is simply a normal growing phase for that breed.
2006-11-21 16:49:57 · answer #4 · answered by DaBasset - BYBs kill dogs 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
young dogs do well from surgery. Talk the pros and cons over with the orthopedic vet and then ask for references from other owners who had their dogs done and those that waited.
2006-11-21 16:00:33 · answer #5 · answered by st.lady (1 of GitEm's gang) 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes i think you should. it will be better for the pups long life since now. everiytime it limps it does hurt thats why he does it.
think about it for your dogs sake.
good luck
2006-11-21 15:32:55 · answer #6 · answered by pd 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋