Elbow Dysplasia help - Page 2

I would want the X-rays sent to OFA.  Unless you Vet is very very good at reading X-rays or you want to an Orth Specialist, then I would want a 2nd and or 3rd opinion before I had Elbow Surgery done.

I few members from a different board I am on have had really good success with Adaquin.  It is pretty much liquid Glucosamine that is injected into or near the joint.  There needs to be a loading dose of multiple times a week, then it goes to once every 2 weeks to once a month, I believe.

Adaquin can also be given for maintanance IM, not just into the joint.  Typically it starts with one or more into the joint, then follow ups IM.  I had a cutting horse we tried that with.

And may I suggest cutting down on the poor fellows weight... and yes i will try and get a second opinion if i were you on the surgery, it may just go worse... try shifting to dogfood with low carbs and avoid wheat...just give your boy a happy life and he can make it... most GSD's are pain tolerant and they should be built that way... Good nutrition from puppyhood goes a long way in breeders point of view..

have a nice day... marci

my gsd was diagnosed w/mild dysplasia in his hips and very mild in his elbows, but he also had a bone fragment in his elbow. we went to a surgical specialist who recommended surgery. it was expensive (we didn't take our normal mexico vacation this summer because of it). but, the specialist said it alleviate any arthritic probs w/that elbow. i started him on glucosomine/chondrotin w/msn a few months ago and he seems to be doing very well. he did have a small bout w/pano again, but he is large (~85lbs and 14 mo). we watch his weight carefully. i would take your dog to another vet or a specialist for a second opinion. some places will use a payment plan . i procrastinated getting pet insurance for my 2 dogs and now i can't get my male insured, but my other dog is. a note to people w/1 or 2 dogs who can afford insurance: if i had gotten it when my dog was younger, the insurance would have paid 80% of his $2200 surgery.   i know its too late for you, kellbme4, but anyone else, it might pay to look into it.

Thanks soooo much everyone!!!

He just started limping this past weekend...and it got worse as the days went by.  He's never had pano. It is servere in his right leg and mild in the left.

Right now he's on Royal Canin and weights 75. so I don't think he needs to be any thinner.  And I will put him on glucosamine.

 I will send his x-rays to OFA for their opinion and maybe it will be a different one then surgery that the vet recommended. Either way I live in Virginia and will send him to VA Tech on a referral to see what they say. My vet is a orth. specialist but I still want another opinion.

I freaked out, thinking the worse and seeing that 'look' that shepehrds give you, you know the one when they don't feel well.  :(

So I really appreicate everything....from everyone

It will all work out and be ok

4pack I just dug it out. It was grade 1 in the left elbow, radiograghic findings were djd, and a small notation that the right elbow was within normal limits.  She was 25 months at the age of evaluation. No, my vet suspected something was not quite right but admitted she wasn't really great on reading elbow xrays.

Angusmom -

Who do you have your pet insurance through?  Feel free to email me privately.  I know my carrier specifically excludes HD and ED from the word go.  Unfortunately, my male has ED so I knew my carrier wouldn't cover anything.  The good news is that his ED is mild and after 2 different ortho consults both concurred with the other that he wouldn't benefit from surgery at this juncture.

Elbow dysplasie can be minor such as determined by O.F.A. level 1, mild (level 2) or severe (level 3). Level 1 is a very slight indication of DJD and is often caused by the observed presence of minute arthritic nodes in the joint. For levels 2 and 3 there is bone and/or joint deformation. Elbow dysplasie is a more serious problem in the GSD than is hip dysplasie, mainly because hip quality has been the focus since the 1960's, especially for the S.V.; who just began screening elbows a couple of years ago.

With level 1, the condition is never expected to worsen. Level 2 and especially level 3 can become worse as often the bone is not correctly fused.

Now, this is off-topic a bit, but I am curious how the S.V. elbow grades of "a1", "a2" and "a3" relate to the O.F.A.'s dysplasie-free, level 1, level 2, and level 3? This, plus the fact that the S.V. will certify or fail elbows at one (1) year of age versus two (2) years of age for the O.F.A. Questions, questions.

Regards,

Bob-O

crazee4gsds - i use VPI for our bel mal mix's insurance. they won't cover (even for basics -shots, etc) for angus because he was diagnosed w/mild hd. but there are at least 2 other companies out there. one is thru the humane society (i think) and i cant remember the other. just google "pet insurance" and they should show up. i'm gonna check the others to see if i can get angus covered. good luck

crazee4gsds - i just looked up some other insurance cos. and here's a few names: GoPet Plan, ASPCA Insurance, Pets Best. sometimes a group of vets may have their own plan for a specific area.