Lafitte diagnosed with HD

[Lafitte's_Mom]

I brought Lafitte to the vet today to be neutered. As the vet and I had agreed at his first visit, because of his background (AKA, puppy mill :mad: ), we would x-ray for HD at six months while he was under anesthesia for his neutering.

 

I talked to the vet an hour ago and he informed me that Lafitte has HD in both hips. He said there is an option of surgery, if I am interested, and recommended an orthopedic surgeon. I will go and see her next week to hear what she has to say.

 

I am SO sad for Lafitte and don't know what the future holds for him - weather it will be surgery or controlled exercise, etc. My family was making fun of me this weekend because they thought I was being ridiculous for worrying so much about the HD, and I wish they had been right and there was not anything wrong with him. I am glad we found it while he is young and may be able to alleviate the problem with surgery, but am upset for him. He has been through so much already and I just want him to be able to relax and have some fun (which he does, but I don't want him to hurt).

 

I know this is a bit long, but thank you for listening. Just had to tell you guys.

[Tassie]

Oh, that's not good news. Still, knowing at his young age that there's a problem radiographically, may give you a chance to take measures to minimise the impact on him and his lifestyle. A lot of dogs wouldn't get a diagnosis until they're already hurting, and a lot of damage has been done.

 

It will be interesting to see what the orthopedic surgeon says. Hope she has lots of hope to offer you.

[Lunar]

I agree with what Barb said - finding out early is a good thing. We just found out our german shepherd has HD as well, but he's 3 and the damage is already pretty bad and causing him pain. I'm so sorry you have to deal with this... my husband and I took a while to accept it and deal with our feelings. It's hard to know that your dog is suffering - or will in the future.

[Rhborder]

Your not crazy for worrying, thats for sure. But there are lot that can be done nowadays, especially for a young dog, let us know how the visit to the Orhtopedic Surgeon goes,Good Luck and God Bless

[shelb'smum]

I am so sorry to hear this sad news

But at least you know now. I meantioned before that my parents Golden has/had HD. they found out at 6 mths as well... Danny now lives a very happy semi active life. he has one Fake hip and the other is grafted bone

I know to many people who would just put a dog down for having HD. so there is hope.

it takes alot of time, alot of money but it is well worth it.

[Lafitte's_Mom]

Thank you all for the words of encouragement. I absolutely fell in love with Lafitte the first day he was with me, and every day I love him more and more. I am really glad that we found the HD early and am hopeful that there will be an option for Lafitte that will make him comfortable and able to lead a "somewhat" active lifestyle.

 

He loves to jump and run (imagine that - a BC that loves to jump and run) and has SO much energy. I know that whatever road we take will not be easy but I am hoping for the outcome to be a happy one. He is such a fantastic dog and quickly becoming my always trusty sidekick.

 

We just got back from the beach for Thanksgiving (my parents have a condo there). He loved the ocean and the sand so much! We took a walk on the beach the first morning and he "played" with the waves. Then, with no pushing or prodding from me, he went into the water and started swimming (on a leash, of course - and yes, it was cold). We played soccer - yes, he plays soccer. I kick the ball forward and to the side and he stops it and pushes it back to me while running. He actually initiated this sort of play and I think he must have been a soccer player in a past life

 

Again, thank you for the positive feedback and encouragement. For the first time today I am feeling much better. I have been upset all day and I'm sure my family would believe me more ridiculous than ever... but hey, he's my dog and not theirs, and I would be jealous if I were them, too!

 

We'll be OK!

[shelb'smum]

I would suggest (and take it lightly because I am NOT a vet) to limit his activity level until everything is said and done. swimming is good. we were very much told to take danny swimming, but to try to keep him from running / jumping / anything to active until he had his surgeries.

[Geoffrey]

I would also suggest re-evaluating his hips as he gets older....

 

Since the joints are growing etc, you cannot get a wholly accurate diagnosis at 6mos. Some dogs can be diagnosed with severe dysplasia, and by the time they are 2yo, its gone.

 

So...I would say to be cautious etc, and once he hits 2yo, have them re-checked.

[Black Watch Debatable]

A few thoughts/suggestions:

 

First, a great article on CHD--- a must-read for border collie owners.

 

Second, just how severe is the HD? Did you see the x-rays and get to ask for comparisons, explanations, etc.?

 

Third, a bit of a cautionary tale: at six months my Twig was diagnosed (at a well-known veterinary surgical center) with HD, not on the basis of x-rays so much as on the fact that her hip joints were very lax. I opted for a second opinion --- my own vet said the x-rays looked OK to him --- and when Twig was spayed several years later, the vet said her hips were fine. At seven, she has never taken a lame step.

 

I'd suggest you get a second opinion, weigh your options, and if you choose surgery be sure to visit the orthodogs site and do a search for posts on dysplasia.

 

Best of luck --- Lafitte is a fortunate pup to have you!

[jay7347]

Hey Arod, double HD is a tough thing to hear. I've been there with my Red and white BC Derry. Now, nine months after a double TPO she's putting in a consistent 25-30 miles per week of running and looking at returning to agility in the spring. Seeing her race around with my older BC makes me feel like she never had a problem. I don't want to tell you Lafitte will turn out like that with surgery but you've got some great things going for you.

 

First, he's young. My dog had surgery just before a year, it was at the end of a so called window they do TPO's in. My suggestion is first to get a second opinion. Then, if something like a TPO is advised figure out whether you want to spend 5-6K on the surgery. On my end it wasn't a question, even if it meant going deeper into debt.

 

Major surgery like this is a tough call. The process of recovery is really tough but imho worth it. I had two vets/surgeons tell me Derry was so bad she may have to be put down around six or so because the hips were so out of wack.

 

Hang in there... wishing you the best.

-jay

[Tassie]

Second that advice on swimming. It's probably worth having a look round now and seeing if there's a doggy swimming pool anywhere. Swimming is great for building up the muscles, and taking some of the load off the joints. One of the pools I take my dogs to in Melbourne is at a place where there's also a doggy physical therapist - that's something to look around for too - you may need one sooner or later.

[TheStacks]

arod-

 

Man does this make me hotter than hell. I am so very sorry you are having to go through all this. I am now sitting here with tears in my eyes. I feel helpless and frustrated that time after time this sorry excuse for a human being gets away with this. I have not had Zoey's hips X-rayed and now I think I definately should. Something else for us to worry about.

 

I was angry too and I wrote letters and documentation to everyone I thought might listen (Tennessee BBB, dept of agriculture, advertisers, etc. I hope you send the diagnosis to him. Not that he cares, but he should know that he is not forgiven and his actions are unexcusable.

 

Again I am sorry and let us know how the Ortho appointment goes. Looks as though we will be following suit should Zoey's teeth need work.

 

Hang in there. He is lucky to have made his way to you. We will be thinking about you.

 

Also, will you PM his parents?

 

Lauren

[PSmitty]

I'm sorry to hear this. Ditto Luisa's post.

 

Your dog can still lead a full life, I know you'll do the best you can for him. Hang in there!

[Kitch]

So sorry to hear this news. I had a scare earlier this year with Dublin, though we lucked out. I did a lot of research into HD when we first thought that might be what was wrong with Dublin, and finding out as early as you did is a great advantage. I have read wonderful things about the TPO surgery.

 

Definitely see a specialist and get a second opinion, though, before you make any decisions.

[Lafitte's_Mom]

I was supposed to pick Lafitte up this morning from the vet, but got a call right before I was going to leave that he had pulled his stitches out during the night and was in the process of getting more anesthesia and being sewed up, again. I received a phone call around noon and said he was being VERY vocal and would probably feel more comfortable at home. He also said that he was happy that I was seeing the orthopedic surgeon - she is very good, and that he was confident that Lafitte had a positive future ahead.

 

The orthopedic surgeon is part of a different and very reputable veterinary group here in New Orleans. I am definitely making the appointment for a second opinion and will send the x-rays out to one other person before making a concrete decision.

 

As I said before, Lafitte pulled his stitches out last night and he still will not leave them alone. I had to put one of those collars around his head so that he can't reach them when I am not watching him closely (when I'm sleeping). Needless to say, he is a bit frustrated with the whole thing but is being a very good boy and being loving, as always.

 

As far as his parents, it turns out he is older than Swa**ord said he was (by roughly two months, according the vet), so I don't even know whether to believe his parents are who he said they were. In addition, his trainer concurs with the vet as far as his age - he believes there is no question that he is not as young as I was made to believe. I am going to notify Mr. Swa**ord of the diagnosis after I see the orthopedic surgeon, but I don't think he will care and I am pretty confident that I will never know the truth regarding Lafitte's history without a DNA profile.

 

As far as swimming is concerned, as I mentioned before, my family has a condo in FL, on the beach, which was an excellent way to give Lafitte a love of the water. We also have a pool in the backyard and two Springer Spaniels who cannot stay out of the water, so that sort of exercise will work out well. I am lucky to have a pool in the backyard; New Orleans is the LAST place where there would be a dog friendly pool or the $ to build one. We don't even have working streetlights (funny, but true and pretty sad)!

 

Oh, and as for symptoms, I have been concerned for a while because every so often after the dog park or the beach, he looked to me like he was limping. He also jumped up in the air after a toy this past weekend and slipped and fell on the floor; as a result he cried and wouldn't jump for the toy again. Similar incidents have occurred in the past. I'll never forget the first time I corrected him for jumping up onto me - he slipped on the old wood floor and fell at my office. He cried like I was beating him or something, but I was just sitting there, shocked and helpless, not knowing what was wrong or how to help him :confused: .

 

Anyway, sorry this is so long but I wanted to let you all know how it was going. I genuinely am touched by all of your replies and outpouring of love and caring. It truly has given me more strength during this difficult time for my sidekick and me.

 

Fondly,

 

Alison & Lafitte

(yes, he reads and writes... don't all BC's?)

[Tassie]

Hey Alison - oh, and Lafitte too of course.

 

It's funny (well not really) how some dogs will worry at stitches, and others will take no notice of them. I've been lucky - mine have all left stitches alone.

 

You lucky thing, having a pool in your backyard. I can imagine how the 2 Springers love it. I visited with a friend in Brisbane in Queensland - who has a pool and 2 Springers - all the dogs loved the pool.

 

It might be worthwhile (once Lafitte is over his neutering) getting him to swim laps. At the dog pool/physical therapist place I take the dogs to, they even have a chalkboard for recording the laps the dogs do - the dogs are on a lead while they swim there, so it's all steady and controlled, and they can build up their strength systematically.

 

You must have been encouraged by some of the success stories posted - and I do believe canine orthopedics treatment and management is improving in leaps and bounds, so here's hoping you get good news from the specialist when you see her.

[MaggieDog]

Two thoughts:

 

Is there a puppy lemon law in either the state your pup is from or LA? It's def worth checking into...

 

Check out "Bite Not" collars as an alternative for the elizabethan (cone head) type collars; if LaFitte ends up having hip surgery you'll want something more comfy he can wear during recovery that keeps him from messing w/ the incisions.

 

He sounds like a great pup despite his crappy past - I'll be looking for an update after the ortho visit!

[Black Watch Debatable]

Just wanted to repeat my plug for the Orthodogs group, and add that there are dogs competing in agility, flyball and even USBCHA sheepdog trials who had surgery on both hips when they were younger.

 

Also, with three terrific shelter-adoptees in the house, I have to add that a random- or badly-bred dog can still (of course) be a wonderful companion and your all-time best dog ever. Bounce, the shelter rescue in my avatar, needed three separate ACL surgeries the year after I brought her home, and if I had to do it over again I wouldn't change a thing --- she is the best little dog on the planet, and I'm blessed to have her.