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Hi,
Quick update on Rusty as i haven’t updated for a while. He’s still a big friendly lump of a thing with not a bad bone in his body.
In August he was diagnosed with hip dysplasia, common enough in big dogs i guess but was shocked as he is not 3 yet (feb 2013). He is on a supplement and painkillers to ease his discomfort. His walks have been curtailed which he isn’t happy with as he loved being in the fields off his lead but it’ll benefit him in the end. Although he isn’t overweight he needs to lose a few kilos to ease the load on his hips, easier said than done with 2 kids that dote on him but his unoffical snacks have to go.
He is and will continue to be well cared for as he has brought great joy to my family. Thankfully he was insured which covers most of the cost of his care. He is in good spirits but can feel sorry for himself sometimes, only to be expected i guess.
Will update again soon…
rusty dogg.jpgRusty looks great
Sorry to hear about his hips but I had a dog that was diagnosed when she was six months old and it was so severe nothing could be done for her.
She went on the usual anti -inflammatory and pain relief but reading up on them they too caused problems long term.
I put her on a Herbal tonic called Free and Easy which is made in Dundalk and available by post from Herbalwise Ltd.
She got that in her food daily and was much more comfortable in herself.
We went back to walks but she knew her own limits.
When it was first confirmed the Vet said I would be lucky if she got to 8 years but she fooled everyone and was finally pts at 14 years.So plenty of walks to enjoy yet.
If you need any more info just let me know.
Thanks for the update.Dabs is 10 & has hip dysplasia. He’s our non-DID chap. He had a hip replacement 3 years ago. The reason was because he was yelping when he had to get up from lying down. The joint was unstable. He had complications after the operation (the implant caused the femur to splinter and the opposite knee ligament went requiring surgery, fairly common).
The thing I learned was that large dogs are at risk of the condition but they aren’t born with the hip damaged, it develops with time. However, it is genetic, too much exercise at a young age can distort the hip socket making it shallow. Agility training for younger large dogs must be on a proper soft surface, no running on concrete. I guess you find out these things after the fact and that is frustrating. I wish I had known more about all that sort of thing.
After 7 years with the same vets we needed to change vet, the one(s) he saw at the previous practice weren’t taking his post surgery care seriously and he was suffering needlessly. There are plenty of vets who do know their way around the orthopedics. Dabs vet checks for arthritic changes and muscle wasting, that the knee isn’t getting damaged under the strain. He does basic a biochemistry test on the spot to check the kidneys are coping with the pain drug.
What has been helpful for him is this pain medication called Trocoxil. It is one slow release drug per month with a break of >=1 month after the 6th month. He still gets a morning run/trot on grass off the lead that is no longer than 15 mins. He gets out twice a day but it’s on the lead for the majority and his evening walk is the more substantial one. He tries to do a fraction more than he is able for so I keep an eye on how long he is out for and get him to turn around. I bring a mobile just in case he needs a lift home. He will lay down if tired and I’ll not rush him (evening before dinner is therefore better for us). He takes the supplement the vet recommends, Seraquin (there are suitable alternatives to this brand).
I hope Rusty gets on OK. He can still have fun, its super that you spotted the problem soon and you can manage it. Let us know how he gets on.
Hi,
Thanks to Twist and Dogsrule for the replies, sorry i’m only reading them now, haven’t been on for a while. Advice heeded and taken on board.
Rusty is still able to get his walks, just shorter ones. As a younger dog (i got him aged 8 mths) he did get a fair bit of exercise but mainly in fields and hill walking with me. This week hasn’t been kind to him, he was an appt with the vet tomorrow as his back legs going from underneath him and he seems in a lot of pain, he’s groaning alot and off his food again.
He is currently being rested and pampered and even though he’s sore he is enjoying the attention. He is taking Loxicom and ArthriAid Omega daily and we’ll wait and see what the vet says tomorrow, will update again soon.I’m so sorry to hear poor Rusty’s back legs are at him. I’d say the cold weather isn’t helping much either. I hope he feels better soon. It does sound bad that it’s both legs. My dog’s got one better leg, the one that had the knee replacement (opposite one to the hip replacement) is surprisingly sturdy, but does have substantial one thickening at the knee joint. I’ll be thinking of Rusty, he’s a lovely chap.
Hi,
A quick update on Rusty. Was back at the vet yesterday and the news was bad. His condition has deteriorated badly since it came to light last Aug. Rusty is in a lot of discomfort and pain now and needs a double hip replacement (one this year, one next) or the OTHER option. Has been given stronger painkillers to help with the discomfort. The poor guy came home yesterday and hasn’t moved from his bed, the ordeal of being lifted in and out of the car has taken it’s toll. Sad to him like this as he has only just turned three but i need to take stock and do what’s best for him.
Regards…Hi,
Sorry it’s taken so long to post, have been really busy with family stuff and taking care of Rusty.
Originally mixed news regarding the big fella. Further x-rays revealed extensive damage to both hind knees, good as not as invasive as hip surgery (though still major trauma), bad as hip replacement permanent, knee op gives him approx 3/4 years of good health before knees degrade again.
Rusty had his first op on his left knee in April and after extensive rehab is much brighter and happier in himself. Recently back to full walks, he even runs again off the lead which is huge progress for him.
It’s like having a bouncy puppy again.
Rusty will have second op in early July and after rehab should have a full, happy life for a few years. He will be well minded and spoilt rotten as he deserves it. Still not the most obedient fella but a very loving dog and i’ll take that all day long.Oh this news has certainly made my week Paul……delighted to hear that the prognosis is far better than what we spoke of the last time.
Well done on giving this big baby the love and support that he needs and can only imagine the payback you are getting in tenfold…
Give him a big hug from me!
Hi,
Apologies for not posting for so long. Rusty is doing really well again. He had been suffering from an upset tummy for a number of months despite repeated visits to his vet and a thorough exam in UCD (he was poorly until morning of trip to UCD when he staged a miraculous recovery). No ongoing symptoms were found and he seems fine as I write this. I cut out pork ears and bones for the big guy as he hovered them up as opposed to chewing them and I suspect he may have been nicked by a shard or two of bone.
We ironed out some recall issues when he was off the lead, due mainly to his friendly, fun loving nature.
He remains a very loving and well loved dog, has a great temperament and enjoys his walks and cuddles.IMAG0043.jpgForgot to say his second knee op a success…
Some recent photos of him…DSC_0013.JPGDSC_0014.JPGDSC_0015.JPGHi all,
Rusty recently had his annual check up and his shots. His general health is good and both rear knees are holding up well. His stomach seems almost back to normal now having cut out bones and pork ears as he tried to hoover them up rather than chewing them.
He still loves his walk and still parks his 35kg butt on your lap until he’s brought for one. As a ploy it works well apart from the loss of feeling in my legs
He’s doing way better than 12/18 months ago thankfully. Will update again soon.DSC_0037.JPGDSC_0036.JPG
rusty dogg.jpg
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