Back from Vet's

[Dax]

Dax just got back from the vets. She has a ruptured liagment in her back right leg. We were offered two treatments which may or may not work.

Option 1 - surgery. Very expensive about $2,000. and a long procedure with a 4 month recovery time. Dax is already turning 10. Not only that but there is still a chance that the last phase will happen even with the surgery. Arthritis is the third phase resulting in total lameness.

Option 2 - massive weight loss to take her from 93 lbs to 68 lbs. This will be a very difficult road with her thyroid history but is still a better option.

It's not that I've ruled out the surgery but I would not go ahead until at least spring. Since this is an athlete's injury (Not my Dax) it is likely that Ariel caused the damage when she pounced on Dax's back.

Come on someone invent a pill to make her young again. Please.

[dobermom]

Gosh, I really feel for you!
Think beyond the money of the surgery. I'm sure thats that not your deciding factor. What will her quality of life be both with and without the surgery? It may be easier on her to try the weight loss with her age considered. I kinda lean towards the surgery may be tough for her, and may not work at all. Weight loss should be less stressful, and safer.
Sorry I'm not better help, just a few quick thoughts.
If you find the pill please let me know. I would like to keep a few on hand.

[Dobified]

Oh Dax, I am sorry, I know how you feel. It is hard to watch your friend grow old but as dog owners it is something we knew going in but it never makes it any easier. I want that pill too, although both our dogs are young, 4 & 5 in May , it is always in the back of my head that they will grow old much quicker then I want.


I would try the weight loss first, see how it goes, is Dax hyper or hypo thyriod ? I am guessing hypo ? Is Dax on Meds for that ? Can you increase the dose to help lose weight in the short term ? Ask your vet.

How about acupuncture for Dax to ease the pain ? Just thinking out loud here. Holistic medicine ? Have you looked into that ? I know there are Vets in Edmonton that practice that.

I will have to think some more, I will let you know if I come up with anything else that may help Dax.

S

[Dax]

Thanks for your kind words of support. Dobified, part of the weight loss plan is to increase the thyroid medicine by about 10% and we've bought the best R/D food the vet had to offer.

We will continue with Metcam & aspirin for pain relief. The vet says the progression of the injury will be that it will "callus" over and she will not have discomfort or pain. However, dogs usually develop arthritis after that which walking normally might be quite difficult. Based on her age, that progression might take longer than she'll be alive.

He had some good news about the weight loss, cases where several dogs did manage to live 3-4 more years after being diagnosed without pain.

No matter what happens, she will be made as comfortable as humanely possible.

[ChandraRae]

Here and thinking and praying for you and your family. I know you'll do the right thing whichever way that leads!

I think you'll find that everything will work out okay. It isn't as hard for me to keep a dog on a diet for weight loss as doing it for myself LOL Good luck and keep me posted.

<<<hugs to you and Dax>>>

[Lessica Jake]

Personally, I'd go with the weight loss even if I decided to do the surgery as well. Beyond possibly helping with healing, if she does develop arthritis, lesser weight to carry on the affected joints can only benefit her.

[Luvit73]

I'm sorry to hear that . Hopefully , she will lose the weight , and not progress to the arthritis stage before her time is through . Big hugs for you both . We'll keep her in our prayers .

[eXile]

Sorry to hear about that Dax Sugery is insanely expensive in this case. Wow, i definitly cant just pull 2 gs out of my pocket. Go with the weight loss. But i must ask, is it even possible to bring a full grown rotti down to that weight? I thought the minimus is like...80 or something. Hope everything goes well. Old age sucks.

[Lessica Jake]

Dax is the Shelter Dog, Ariel is the Rotti.
Being a mix, and having been suggested by the vet, that much weight loss is probably safe.

[Leslie]

Dax, I'm so sorry. I know exactly what you are going through. We went through it twice with Sidney when she ruptured ligments in her knees. She was younger so we decided to go with the surgery and have been very glad that we did. Sidney didn't have the option of lossing weight. The damage was such that they had to be surgically repaired. Yes, arthritis is an issue as they get older, after this type of surgery. I'm not sure what I would do at this age......but I know you will do what is best for her. You know her better than any of us and you are a caring and compasionate owner. Give her lots of hugs from Sidney and Gretta and me! Hang in there! We're here for you.