Saskia, my 10-month-old Dane, has been having odd moments of yelping and
limping for the last couple of weeks, just for a moment each time, after
various sorts of activity and twice just while shifting position in her
sleep. We took her out for a run yesterday evening and she was playing with
a large ridgeback, just having a grand old time, when she suddenly yelped
and came back to us limping badly on that same leg. As usual, it was fully
under her and she was fine within two minutes, but then she turned to look
beside her and her leg seemed to rotate slightly, and she yelped and held it
up again. So even though it was again fine-seeming seconds later, and she
walked home with no trouble, even trying to play and run when we weren't
strict about the short lead, we were at the vet this morning.
The vet did some manipulations and found one that made Saskia pull away and
made her flank ripple--obviously an uncomfortable manipulation. Elbow
dysplasia is strongly suspected. She's going in for x-rays on Tuesday, to
see if it is ED, or if it could be OCD, or if it's likely to be just some
sort of strain. The vet will be sending the x-rays to a canine orthopedist.

Meanwhile, Saskia is to be on a low dose of rimadyl, which seems to have a
very good reputation over here, and her exercise is to be limited to four or
five short walks a day, no running. The vet said that at least in the four
days between now and the x-rays she should not climb the stairs to the
bedroom once or twice a day (depending on her elimination needs), but should
instead stay in her crate downstairs. However this is the same vet who says
Danes should never, ever climb stairs, and meanwhile Saskia is demonstrating
no discomfort or reluctance regarding the stairs. It's much more comfortable
on our bed than in her crate... and she cries and bangs the sides of the
crate for hours when left down here. Given that within four weeks we'll have
moved to a place with no stairs at all and also retiring the crate for space
reasons and because the furniture will belong to us instead of the landlord
(in case of chewing accidents), and if deemed a good idea we can move before
moving most of our stuff for the sake of the puppy, what do you folks think
about her coming up to bed at night?

And what are the stats and possibilities regarding ED? The vet says it can
range anywhere from "totally fixable with minor surgery" to
"unmanageable"... what are the percentages, what are the things to try if
it's not the simple surgery kind? What do we do about "unmanageable" if it
turns out to be that kind?

I'll be writing her breeder now; she'll want to be kept informed, and also
the contract stipulates that they'll meet us halfway on the costs of
anything proven to be genetic or congenital.

--Katrina

I mean "suspected ELBOW dysplasia", obviously. Sorry about that.
--Katrina

"White Monkey" wrote in message
...

And what are the stats and possibilities regarding ED? The vet says it can
range anywhere from "totally fixable with minor surgery" to
"unmanageable"... what are the percentages, what are the things to try if
it's not the simple surgery kind? What do we do about "unmanageable" if it
turns out to be that kind?

I'll be writing her breeder now; she'll want to be kept informed, and also
the contract stipulates that they'll meet us halfway on the costs of
anything proven to be genetic or congenital.

The first thing I would do in your position is to have her evaluated by an
orthopedic specialist. Everyday vets can make mistakes, AND you want her
surgery done by the best.

--
Emily Carroll
http://www.fluttervale.com/kennel - Fluttervale Labradors
http://www.fluttervale.com/biography - Canine Biography

White Monkey wrote:

I mean "suspected ELBOW dysplasia", obviously. Sorry about that.
--Katrina



Elbow dysplasia is an umbrella term for several different elbow
problems. To find out more about the disease, go to
www.offa.org/elbowinfo.html

"Emily Carroll/Fluttervale" wrote in message
m...

"White Monkey" wrote in message
...

And what are the stats and possibilities regarding ED? The vet says it
can
range anywhere from "totally fixable with minor surgery" to
"unmanageable"... what are the percentages, what are the things to try
if
it's not the simple surgery kind? What do we do about "unmanageable" if
it
turns out to be that kind?

I'll be writing her breeder now; she'll want to be kept informed, and
also
the contract stipulates that they'll meet us halfway on the costs of
anything proven to be genetic or congenital.

The first thing I would do in your position is to have her evaluated by an
orthopedic specialist. Everyday vets can make mistakes, AND you want her
surgery done by the best.

--
Emily Carroll
http://www.fluttervale.com/kennel - Fluttervale Labradors
http://www.fluttervale.com/biography - Canine Biography


Our vet will be sending the x-rays to an orthopedic specialist, and she
refers all surgeries that aren't simple spays and the like to specialists.
Thank you,
Katrina

"Robin Nuttall" wrote in message
news:5fUAd.661392$D%.22515@attbi_s51...


White Monkey wrote:

I mean "suspected ELBOW dysplasia", obviously. Sorry about that.
--Katrina



Elbow dysplasia is an umbrella term for several different elbow
problems. To find out more about the disease, go to
www.offa.org/elbowinfo.html



Thank you. We'll be using the x-rays to see what kind it is, if it is ED.
Meanwhile i will read that site.
Thanks,
Katrina