Hip dysplasia, torn ACL, oh my

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Laura
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Hip dysplasia, torn ACL, oh my

Post by Laura »

I thought I would post this in case it may help others now or in the future. My Chloe is 5.5 years old and about 6 weeks ago after a short walk began limping. I immediately took her to the vet who finding nothing on physical exam suggested X-rays. The X-rays showed severe bilateral hip dysplasia/DJD. I was in complete shock. She has never shown signs or symptoms a day in her life. To be honest I was angry with the vet for not noticing something over the years in all of her exams but the moral of this story is to include X-rays in your yearly exams or at some point and time. I cried, felt like she has been in pain her entire life, and like the worst mom ever. I researched surgical options, met with the top surgeon in our area, visited a doggie physical therapist, and tried to collect as much info as I could on how to care for her now and in the future when surgery may be required. We built a ramp from our high deck so she we could remove stairs from her everyday life and the day after it was finished before we could teach her to use it I come home from work to a dog that can barely walk and is favoring her right rear leg. Off to the specialist/surgeon we go to find she has torn her ACL! To say I am overwhelmed would be an understatement. She had tplo surgery on Weds and I brought her home yesterday. She is to be confined for SIX weeks with ZERO exercise and only allowed leash walks to potty and then back to confinement. My hubby has built her a 4x4 pen where she is suppose to stay for 40 more days! She hates it, she is whining as I write this and panting, and just generally not happy. We both need Valium! So this is my story and I will be happy with any advice from those experienced with this surgery, hip dysplasia options/surgeries/treatments, and to share my experience with any who go through this in the future.
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Laura
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Re: Hip dysplasia, torn ACL, oh my

Post by Laura »

Day 3 post op
The surprise for me has been how mobile she is. I expected she would have a lot more trouble walking and would appear to be in pain. She is gimpy, don't get me wrong but if she wasn't spending her time tied to the coffee table by her leash or in the pen she would be outside and all over the place!
The other surprise and great news is that she hasn't bothered her incision once so I haven't had to put her in the e collar yet. I will when I go back to work because I will worry too much when she is out of sight but for now it is a relief to not add to her unhappiness!
I can't imagine what 38 more days of this will be like since she is already raring to go and I have to keep her still!
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Laura
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Re: Hip dysplasia, torn ACL, oh my

Post by Laura »

To sum it all up for those who go down this road in the future.
Six weeks of confinement went pretty well considering. She never needed the cone and frankly she thought she was fine a couple days after surgery! I used the pen some but I also used her leash to tie her to the coffee table with us and at night I blocked off an area beside the bed so I could sleep with her. The 6 week check up showed all was well. Now we are in the middle of 6 weeks of house confinement only allowed out to potty and for one daily walk to increase by 5 minutes per week up to 30 minutes. I doubt we ever reach that point because she tires too easily and will limp later if we do too much. Doc said total healing would take 6 months. Chloe has been a trooper and very easy to handle during all of this. The interesting news is that the limping which led to the hip dysplasia diagnosis may have stemmed from the ACL. I was unaware that they can tear slowly over time before snapping altogether. So maybe her hips aren't bothering her as much as I thought, at least not yet. The big fear now other than her hips is that she will tear the other ACL. Apparently that happens in 60 percent of cases and that is in dogs with healthy hips. Sigh!
Hair regrowth is slow. I'm guessing shedding season isn't helping with that.
She is on fish oil, G&C supplement, and has rimadyl if needed. She is still on a diet and I can only assume that she will be forever. The doc really wants her thin and well, she isn't! She has lost a few pounds though.
Any hip dysplasia treatments, tips, supplement info would be much appreciated!
It is all a process and I worry constantly but she is my baby girl and well worth anything I can do for her!
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Juniper
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Re: Hip dysplasia, torn ACL, oh my

Post by Juniper »

Hi Laura,
So glad Chloe is doing better. I don't have experience with torn ACL's or hip dysplasia but just wanted to say I am so happy Chloe is pulling thru all this like a champ. And kudos to you for all that you are doing for her! Now make sure you take some time to pamper yourself and get enough rest!
Jennifer & Sheena
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chow4life
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Re: Hip dysplasia, torn ACL, oh my

Post by chow4life »

Hi Laura,
Thanks for all the updates on Chloe she sounds like a trooper. I'm glad her recovery has gone so well. Sounds like she's in good hands though. Take care:-)
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BusterBoo
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Re: Hip dysplasia, torn ACL, oh my

Post by BusterBoo »

Hi Laura and anyone reading this thread,
Buster had dysplasia in his left hip only. That wore on the right leg so that his cranial cruciate ligament snapped when he was 9. I had that repaired and he healed fully in 6 weeks. Be prepared, though, the other one will also likely rupture in time. For Buster that was when he was 11. He lived another 4 years after the second surgery and we never touched the hip.

I can offer you some tips for supplemental care that will greatly improve Chloe's quality of life:
1. Glucosamine/chondroiting and Ester-C (one tablet of G/C and 1/2 tab of Ester-C) daily.
2. Chiropractic.
3. Cold laser therapy: it's not very expensive at all and greatly reduces the inflammation and pain.

Best of everything to everyone dealing with joint issues.
chloeann2327
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Re: Hip dysplasia, torn ACL, oh my

Post by chloeann2327 »

Augi is only 12 mos old & he has a torn acl on one side but the other side is not good either--so we are facing surgery but trying everything else first--he is on gluco, tramidol & gabapentin & meloxicam {I hate giving him all the drugs & I will add Ester C--the sad thing is he is so active for a chow we can barely keep him indoors at all--spends most of his time in yard chasing squirrels (very high prey drive)--I just found out about laser treatment & plan to do it--we dont have $6000--never mind the recoup--with this dog I think it might be impossible--any more advice--you all are so helpful so thank you so much
morganxlezai
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Re: Hip dysplasia, torn ACL, oh my

Post by morganxlezai »

Does anyone have any experience with vets in newyork city. U live in staten island and need a vet asap for my pup he is 11 months and dislocated his hip it won't stay in the socket after 4 weeks of him having it in a sling/bandage/ harness. The vets we saw suggested surgery so now we are looking to find gimbthe best vet we can. Please help
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