Has anyone's dog had surgery for elbow dyslplasia?

Question

Our Black Lab mix is scheduled to have surgery for elbow dysplasia on 3/20. He is approximately 10 months old and we rescued him in Nov. 2006. He was not fed or treated properly up until we took him. He weighed about 45 pounds in Nov. and he now weighs around 80 pounds. He's very healthy other than the elbow problem. I'm just curious about what to expect after the surgery from someone who has had experience with this situation.

Answer 1

My dog had elbow surgey for an Ununited anconeal process.
(he broke off the tip of his elbow) he was not supposed to move really at all so I had to crate him for 4 to 5 months. I would come home from work at lunch, put a harness on him and carry him out to pee & poop and then back in the crate until I got home. It was a hassle because when I was at home, he would cry & cry to get out so I bought one of those portalbe kennels & set it up in my living room so when I was at home, he would not be so confined and I could sit with him & hold is teething bone while I was watching TV..
You should be fine. If you have someone to help you out, the recovery will be easier for you.

More importantley...
Is your vet an orthopedic specialist? I also have a pitbull that has severe hip diysplasia. She was 6 months old when the vet told us this. I was told that her hips were so bad that by the time she was 3 years old should would be pretty much crippled and would not be able to walk. They wanted me to do a bi-lateleral hip something and I could not afford the cost of this. ($6000.00) so, I took my chances...
One of my friends told me about a food supplement called hip health. I have been adding this to all my dogs food for the past 10 years and it really, really, really has helped my dogs.

My pitbull just turned 11 years old in febuary and to this day, I still come home to her being lazy & sleeping on my bed. (Meaning with the worst hips a dog could have, she can still jump 3 feet high & make me mad every day cause she rests her head on my pillow.
As long as you trust that you Vet is doing the right thing for your dog, than the aftercare is not such a big deal.

Email me if you have any questions. It is very late for me so I had to make this short.
Good Luck!

Answer 2

That is a tough question to answer without further details. There are a few orthopedic conditions affecting the elbow joint in dogs, each of which has a different surgical technique and prognosis. Some are more invasive than others and have, therefore, longer recovery periods. I assume the surgery will be done by a veterinarian trained in orthopedic surgery and who is familiar with it. This vet is the best person to talk to because he/she has all the details. Call and ask all the questions you have. If the clinic is a good one they will be happy to help you. Remember, the most important thing for a veterinarian's success is a happy client.

However, given the breed of your dog I assume the problem is either a so-called 'ununited anconeal process' (a piece of bone inside the elbow that has failed to grow to the rest of the bone and is now loose) or a 'fragmented coronoid process' (also a small piece of bone that has actually snapped off). Both conditions are well known and relatively common. Surgery is best done as early as possible because the longer you wait the more arthritis your dog will develop later in life. Either surgery is relatively simple and can be done with an arthroscope. That's the best way to do it but can be expensive. Your dog will get arthritis regardless of the treatment but with early surgery chances are better. By the way, arthritis can often be controlled with painkillers or accupuncture or both but it is aslo costly because it is a long-term treatment. Discuss this with your veterinarian and ask for prices of drugs you may need so you are prepared.

I would recommend to go ahead with surgery as planned. Having said that, there is still some disagreement about this in the textbooks. You will have to rely on your veterinarian there. You should know, though, that your dog's elbow will never be normal and is likely to cause some problems when he gets older. This does not mean that the problems are not easily managable but nobody can tell in advance.

Good luck for your dog

Answer 3

Elbow Dysplasia Surgery Cost

Answer 4

Hi Deana F!
I not veterinary and never had similar problems with my dog, but I probe this problem and suggest you, do not hurry with surgery.
Elbow dysplasia is a condition involving multiple developmental abnormalities of the elbow-joint. It is a common condition of certain breeds of dogs. Most developmental elbow abnormalities are related to osteochondrosis (OCD), which is a disease of the joint cartilage.

Yes,in cases with significant lameness, surgery is the best option, especially with UAP. However, conservative treatment is often enough for cases of FMCP and OCD of the medial humeral epicondyle. The dogs are exercised regularly and given pain medication, and between the ages of 12 to 18 months the lameness will often improve or disappear. Control of body weight is important in all cases of elbow dysplasia, and prevention of quick growth spurts in puppies may help to prevent the disease.

Also, article written by Fred Lanting http://www.askedweb.com/askedweb/Orthopedic_Problems_In_Hocks/ gives a poor forecasts after the surgery :"Prompt surgical treatment is as much recommended in the hock as it is in the elbow. If surgery is delayed until severe DJD has started, permanent lameness is very likely even after surgery to remove calcium deposits or particles. Even if diagnosed early, a few cases will have a poor prognosis for recovery and freedom from limping and DJD."

Please look article. My advice - opinion of other veterinarian.
Jason Homan

Answer 5

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