Thanks all for your prayers and good wishes. I'm told this vet is awesome and hopefully we will get some good advice without causing Tin too much discomfort during the examination. Poor little guy dreads the vet office now with all the poking and prodding he has had to endure.
Tinsel's Journey
- Thread starter Tagg
- Start date
So we spent over an hour with the specialist today. He was so sweet and gentle with Tinsel that our little man was quite comfortable before, during and after the examination.
The verdict on the right carpal joint is that the ligaments have been destroyed, a not uncommon occurrence in this breed due to the size of their leg bones vs the size of their bodies. In other breeds it is usually due to traumatic injury such as the shepherd he is currently treating that jumped through a window of a second storey.
There is surgery available which basically is a fusion of the joint. How much fusion is dependant on how much of the 3 segments are involved. We would have to do a stress xray to find that out. Coupled with doing imaging of his hips, the cost is about $1000. The surgery ranges from $2500 - $3200 with approximately 4 months of being in a cast, rehab afterwards etc. etc. There is a risk of sores developing from the plate and screws, or from irritation by the dog if he is bothered by the hardware. Without something done, it will get worse. Often when one goes, another will as well. Apparently shelties are fortunate in that it is usually the lower extremities that become like this as opposed to other breeds which have more knee and hip issues. At present he doesn't appear to have arthritic changes in either his hips or his wrist.
He doesn't think the dysplasia will be as bad as previously predicted by our regular vet. Tin has decent range of motion with no slipping or popping in the joint by manual manipulation. Of course only imaging will tell us to what extent his hips are involved.
The alternative is to have a custom brace made. Cost of this is between $600 - $800. He recommended a place in Toronto for this. He put us under no pressure to have the surgery and is willing to refer us for the brace. Dr. Bouke said that doing a stress xray if we decide not to do surgery, would be purely academic. Also, hydrotherapy would be advised to muscle up his rear to help stabilize his hips but would do nothing for the carpal joint.
We have decided to have our regular vet do the hip shots and have a custom brace made. Until he is actually wearing the brace we won't know if he has to wear it all the time except for sleep or if only for exercise purposes.
I'm really happy that we decided to go see this specialist. BTW. Tinsel was really well behaved during all this. He even took a treat after all the manipulation and bore no ill will to the vet. He then went over to "Auntie Star's" house were he was given 3 beds to choose from, a chew stick, some yummy treats and then she gave him a big kiss on the top of his head. She has only met him once before but he took it like the trooper he is.
The verdict on the right carpal joint is that the ligaments have been destroyed, a not uncommon occurrence in this breed due to the size of their leg bones vs the size of their bodies. In other breeds it is usually due to traumatic injury such as the shepherd he is currently treating that jumped through a window of a second storey.
There is surgery available which basically is a fusion of the joint. How much fusion is dependant on how much of the 3 segments are involved. We would have to do a stress xray to find that out. Coupled with doing imaging of his hips, the cost is about $1000. The surgery ranges from $2500 - $3200 with approximately 4 months of being in a cast, rehab afterwards etc. etc. There is a risk of sores developing from the plate and screws, or from irritation by the dog if he is bothered by the hardware. Without something done, it will get worse. Often when one goes, another will as well. Apparently shelties are fortunate in that it is usually the lower extremities that become like this as opposed to other breeds which have more knee and hip issues. At present he doesn't appear to have arthritic changes in either his hips or his wrist.
He doesn't think the dysplasia will be as bad as previously predicted by our regular vet. Tin has decent range of motion with no slipping or popping in the joint by manual manipulation. Of course only imaging will tell us to what extent his hips are involved.
The alternative is to have a custom brace made. Cost of this is between $600 - $800. He recommended a place in Toronto for this. He put us under no pressure to have the surgery and is willing to refer us for the brace. Dr. Bouke said that doing a stress xray if we decide not to do surgery, would be purely academic. Also, hydrotherapy would be advised to muscle up his rear to help stabilize his hips but would do nothing for the carpal joint.
We have decided to have our regular vet do the hip shots and have a custom brace made. Until he is actually wearing the brace we won't know if he has to wear it all the time except for sleep or if only for exercise purposes.
I'm really happy that we decided to go see this specialist. BTW. Tinsel was really well behaved during all this. He even took a treat after all the manipulation and bore no ill will to the vet. He then went over to "Auntie Star's" house were he was given 3 beds to choose from, a chew stick, some yummy treats and then she gave him a big kiss on the top of his head. She has only met him once before but he took it like the trooper he is.
If you google "Pawsability" in Toronto, you can see pictures of the brace as well as what will eventually happen with Tins leg. I will be calling the specialist tomorrow to set an appointment. Unfortunately my husband has to go out of town on business for a week and then another few days the following week so getting down there might have to wait until November but we are going in a better direction now and hopefully Tin will be able to walk easier soon.
Tinsel goes for his xrays on Monday. While he is under we will again ask that his nails be cut back and cauterized. I've also asked them to scope his inner ear to be sure that all infection is gone. Then, on November 12th he goes to have a cast made for his custom brace. We go at 10 am for the cast to be made and then again at 1 for a first fitting. I'm sure he will be thrilled - not! What we will do for the hours between appointment 1 and appointment 2 is beyond me but since it is over 2 hours to the place you can be sure we won't be going home between the 2 appointments.
I can't wait for him to be able to go for walks and not limp. Fingers crossed he will be like a new man and he won't freeze up in fear or get any sores. I'll let you all know what the hip images show.
I can't wait for him to be able to go for walks and not limp. Fingers crossed he will be like a new man and he won't freeze up in fear or get any sores. I'll let you all know what the hip images show.
Tabitha
Forums Enthusiast
Prayers for you and Tin! I hope all goes well and he's as good as new (or close) in no time at all! Keep us updated!
Sharon7
Moderator
All fingers crossed for the Tin Man. He continues to do so well in your care, I am sure all will be well. He deserves it.
And now the wait! Tin walked away reluctantly with the tech, shivering with nerves and looked back at me for help just before he rounded the corner. I hate doing this to him......again, even if I know that it's for his own good. Can't wait to be able to go and get him and give him hugs. It's harder for us to relinquish him to these types of tests than it has ever been with any other dog because we know the fear is so deep. I told them I want to pick him up as early as possible and to please, please, please remember his history. Fingers crossed we good results and that his hips aren't as bad as earlier predicted.
Sharon7
Moderator
Oh boy, I know that look even though my girls don't have a traumatic past like Tinsel. It cuts me to the heart every time. I am with you in spirit and hope for a good report for your special boy.