So now we have elbow problems...

[SmoothSavage]

We finally went to see the orthopedic specialist in town today, the same one who did Riddle's knee, about what we thought was a shoulder issue. She's been limping after exercise for a few months now, and resting with no exercise for multiple weeks different times hasn't made it better. So our regular vet thought seeing the specialist was in order.

After an exam, he thought it was actually her elbow, but he took x-rays to be sure. Sure enough, the x-rays showed roughening and thickening around the joint indicating damage. From that and her reaction (yelping and flinching) when the joint was manipulated a certain way, he thought it was from the ulna and radius growing unevenly. So too much movement is put on the ulna instead of the radius, wearing away the cartilage and causing pain. Jumping down off of things particularly exacerbates the problem, so she has what's often called "jump down syndrome". The technical term for her particular problem causer is "radioulnar step defects".

Thankfully he is very optimistic that we'll be able to resolve this without surgery. We're giving it 8 weeks to heal up or at least start healing. In that time, she's not to be jumping at all. So we'll be breaking out the ramps from her knee surgery. Of course that means she's going to have to be on leash for exercise... thankfully its warm enough we can still swim! She's also going to be getting laser therapy twice a week for three weeks, then once a week for the rest of the time. We will be doing range-of-motion exercises twice daily, and muscle building doggy pushups as well. The physical therapist also wants her to get neck massages twice daily, since she's tense around that area from the pain.

She's also being started on glucosamine, probably for life- right now I got her InClover's Connectin tablets, but we're seeing her regular vet on Tuesday and we'll see then if he wants something different. We may also do Adequan injections weekly, and possibly acupuncture. We'll have to wait and see what her normal vet thinks on Tuesday.

All in all I'm really overwhelmed and depressed. It seems like we just got used to the whole mast cell idea, and now we're hit with this. Keeping her constantly leashed is going to be tough for her, she's a wild child who likes to run and play hard. I don't mind doing all this for her, I'll do whatever it takes to keep her pain free, but its going to be hard on us all. I'm trying not to think of the money involved either... with all the therapy and things we'll be paying for, I think we're going to start having to find places to cut corners. Of course, she's always worth it.

I'll keep everyone updated on her progress, as usual. razz  

[DeeSpark]

Now that's no good.
Good luck, hope it all works out for you!  

[Azusanga]

And this, my guildmates, is known as love and dedication smile we're all cheering for you love.  

[SmoothSavage]

Gah, thanks guys. I just wish I wasn't always posting about what's wrong with her. I love that dog so much, but she's giving me grey hairs.  

[Gabrielle_AnimalLuver]

I think you need some kind of frequent customer discount from your vet.

Laser therapy worked AMAZINGLY for Cowboy. I mean he was on restricted exercises for 5 months with no results and just a month of laser had him back to playing frisbee. And ya, it was a small fortune, but we haven't had any soreness since.  

[Vanilla eXee]

Riddle is so lucky that you guys are her parents. I don't know if I can think of anyone I know IRL that would spend that kind of money on a dog.  

[SmoothSavage]

Our regular vet does cut corners wherever he can with us. I've walked out with stuff mysteriously left off the bill many times. smile He's been such a blessing with Riddle.

Vanilla, I don't know many people who would either, sadly. It just sickens me to watch people with their dogs most of the time, especially when most people have loads more money to blow than us. Ugh.  

[SmoothSavage]

So we saw our vet today, and started her on her new regime. We'll be doing the laser treatment twice a week for three weeks, then once a week for five. He did think that the Adequan would help a lot, so we're doing that twice a week for four weeks, then once a week for four. I'm trying not to stress out about the cost!

But he is very optimistic that we'll be able to avoid surgery with her glucosamine, PT routines, limited exercise, laser and Adequan. He also said that while this will be a lifelong problem, and we'll have to try to keep her quieter, she won't have to be leashed for exercise forever. I was really worried about that, since she loves running and playing so much.

Thanks for the good vibes, everyone. smile  

[Gabrielle_AnimalLuver]

I feel bad for poor Riddle. Having to live a "quieter" life. Like giving up agility wasn't bad enough crying

Honestly the laser was so effective with Cowboy, I'm surprised they've planned to do two whole months. I also think with physical therapy you can almost elliminate the problem. I get horrible tendonitis. Around my ulna and tibia. To give you an example, a day of mountain biking with my ex, by like the third ride down, I lost the strength to use my breaks. And as for my tibia, well, a few days in a row of skiing had me hobbling around the hotel in tears at 3am looking for a ice machine that worked.

But the problem was nearly solved by building up more muscles to help absorb the shock. Now I'm just trying to do the same for my lower back. Gawd, come to think of it, I'm a fragile piece of crap lol  

[SmoothSavage]

Gaby, really EVERY sport is out for her now. She does not enjoy rally or obedience, and now since she can't be allowed to pull, weight pull and even scent work is out the window. Between the knee and elbow, there's nothing that won't be a stress on a problem joint that she would actually have fun doing. sad It just sucks, because she would temperamentally enjoy so many things- dock diving, lure coursing, agility, weight pull, and really anything else. She's so confident and motivated, and it just SUCKS having to restrict her so much.

I agree that the PT will make a big difference. Building up the muscle around the joint with her pushups I think will make the biggest improvement. I'm glad to hear the PT eased so much of your pain!  

[Skeksis]

Damn, you guys just can't get a break. sad Riddle is simulatenously a very unlucky dog and a very lucky dog. Unlucky because her poor body just can't do what she wants to do and super lucky because she has such great owners who look after her to such an amazing extent.

Hope she makes a swift and full recovery.  

[Shanna66]

hope all goes well for you guys