Elbow Dysplasia

jaleely · 02-13-2011, 02:22 AM

Well that's the basic diagnosis from our vet. He's a good vet, and wanted to set us up with an orthopedic surgeon to get a consult. THAT is $150 dollars. He guessed the surgery would be about $3,000.
I'm looking up the dysplasia and just looking things over right now. For now we've been monitoring his diet, as usual, trying to limit his activity, which is hard, giving glucosamine suppliments, and now adequan injections (to help build/keep up cartilage).

I can't help but think this is our fault. He did stairs when he was younger, and lots of activity. He was already limping when I started to read up and ask on the boards about his legs.
No one told us, warned us, and when we were reading about the breed we read nothing that stated anything like this could happen. : (

Soundtrack · 02-13-2011, 02:57 AM

Get a second opinion from a vet that is familiar with Bassets. Far too many vets take a look at the x-rays of an immature Basset and immediately screech "OMG! IT NEEDS SURGERY!" When in fact it is a normal immature Basset.
Not to say that Bassets never get ED, but misdiagnosis of bone and joint issues are common with this breed because their joints tend to be looser than other breeds, especially while they're growing.
Maybe contact your local Basset club and see if they can recommend a vet that's had a lot of experience with the breed.

sadeyes2 · 02-13-2011, 04:03 PM

Hi Soundtrack, Do you think it is possible that my guy was wrongly diagnosed with arthritis a few years back ? Vet just manipulated his legs, never had a scan or seen an orthapiedic surgeon. He said his back legs 'crunched' when he bent them. He was about 7 then.

jaleely · 02-13-2011, 05:26 PM

Bowser's elbows do stick out more than the normal basset, in my opinion, but the main problem is his left leg is almost an inch smaller in circumference than his right, and he's standing more on his toes on that side because the actual bone in his leg is bowed out akimbo. It's not dramatic, but it is very noticeable, especially when he's running towards you. And he limps when he's had activity, or in the mornings. : (
But, it's excellent advice to get a second opinion. I plan to see what this surgeon says, and go from there for sure!

Lightning&Stomps · 02-13-2011, 06:41 PM

Surgeons like to operate. For your second opinion I'd try to find a veterinarian who has lots of basset experience. Every time anything was wrong with my dogs, the vets always said dysplasia right off. Dysplasia was never the problem with my dogs.

jaleely · 02-13-2011, 10:35 PM

lol i know, i know...but down in Southern California, i've yet to find any vet who has a lot of experience with bassets. It's all toy dogs, poodles and cats down here. I've tried doing a google search, but yeah..other than taking a drive to the central southern states I've had trouble finding someone. blah....Well, anyone know of someone good in SoCal? ; )

Annie714 · 02-14-2011, 12:23 AM

Try contacting some folks in the Basset Hound Club of Southern CA. By doing a search I found the following link:

Vet Recommendations - Basset Hound Rescue of Southern California

Hope this helps

Mikey T · 02-14-2011, 01:31 AM

For one thing elbow displasia is not a single problem there are a number of problems FAP UAP and elbow incongruity and even sometine ocd of the elbow are labled as elbow displasia. In most cases it is the incongruity in basset that is on of the two bones ulna or radius is longer or shorter than the other. It is very rare that in a basset there is not some inconcruity the trick is determining if the inconguity is enough to be cusing pain and second if the growth plates are not closed if it will correct itself. I would recommend waiting until the growth plates close before going the surgical route it a second opinion never hurts.

Quote:

I can't help but think this is our fault. He did stairs when he was younger, and lots of activity.

At this date it would be unlike to be able to determine if the cause of the problem is related to truama. A rule of thumb is if both limbs are affected it is more likely genetic if only a single limb trauma but that certainly is not 100% true in every case not even close.

jaleely · 02-14-2011, 03:32 AM

That's the thing, I asked about using a brace or something and they claim it's too late, he's too old (10 months)...which I assume means they think the plates are closed. It's hard to say. It does seem like there could be some dysplasia, but the main problem is the leg itself is bowed out...he stands more on his toes, and hardly puts any weight on the leg at all. He runs and walks fine, but after a while limps, and finally won't walk on it...so yes i do think it is causing him pain. That and the bone itself is smaller in circumference on that side.
I guess i'm repeating myself because even though I don't like the idea of surgery, i really don't know what other options there are. Waiting all this time to see if it will get better has just seen it get worse.

Soundtrack · 02-14-2011, 04:14 PM

I know it is hard, but I can't stress enough the importance of crate rest. In your posts you keep mentioning running around, so I can't help but think that you have not been doing this for a long enough period to have any effect. It may be past the point where that would be effective to fix the problem, but it might help prevent further damage until the problem can be properly assesed and treated.

02-13-2011, 02:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
jaleely Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 942	Elbow Dysplasia Well that's the basic diagnosis from our vet. He's a good vet, and wanted to set us up with an orthopedic surgeon to get a consult. THAT is $150 dollars. He guessed the surgery would be about $3,000. I'm looking up the dysplasia and just looking things over right now. For now we've been monitoring his diet, as usual, trying to limit his activity, which is hard, giving glucosamine suppliments, and now adequan injections (to help build/keep up cartilage). I can't help but think this is our fault. He did stairs when he was younger, and lots of activity. He was already limping when I started to read up and ask on the boards about his legs. No one told us, warned us, and when we were reading about the breed we read nothing that stated anything like this could happen. : (

02-13-2011, 02:57 AM	#2 (permalink)
Soundtrack Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,577	Get a second opinion from a vet that is familiar with Bassets. Far too many vets take a look at the x-rays of an immature Basset and immediately screech "OMG! IT NEEDS SURGERY!" When in fact it is a normal immature Basset. Not to say that Bassets never get ED, but misdiagnosis of bone and joint issues are common with this breed because their joints tend to be looser than other breeds, especially while they're growing. Maybe contact your local Basset club and see if they can recommend a vet that's had a lot of experience with the breed. __________________ Rosie-Ch Soundtrack Cracklin' Rose CGN AGN RA Am RN TT Melody-Ch Soundtrack Unchained Melody TT Sailor-Ch Soundtrack Expedition Sailor RN TT Chili-Ch Soundtrack Spice Up Your Life Curry-Ch Soundtrack Canadian Brass Pepper-Ch Pennieslogon Living La Vida Loca CGN Vina-Ch Soundtrack Grand Illusion Leila-Ch Soundtrack Almost Paradise Deela-Ch Soundtrack Wink Of An Eye Hermione - Soundtrack Spellbound Eowyn - Soundtrack Rain Dance

02-14-2011, 12:23 AM	#7 (permalink)
Annie714 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 1,164	Try contacting some folks in the Basset Hound Club of Southern CA. By doing a search I found the following link: Vet Recommendations - Basset Hound Rescue of Southern California Hope this helps __________________ Blog about the antics of Annie and I. http://thechickandthehound.blogspot.com

02-14-2011, 04:14 PM	#10 (permalink)
Soundtrack Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,577	I know it is hard, but I can't stress enough the importance of crate rest. In your posts you keep mentioning running around, so I can't help but think that you have not been doing this for a long enough period to have any effect. It may be past the point where that would be effective to fix the problem, but it might help prevent further damage until the problem can be properly assesed and treated. __________________ Rosie-Ch Soundtrack Cracklin' Rose CGN AGN RA Am RN TT Melody-Ch Soundtrack Unchained Melody TT Sailor-Ch Soundtrack Expedition Sailor RN TT Chili-Ch Soundtrack Spice Up Your Life Curry-Ch Soundtrack Canadian Brass Pepper-Ch Pennieslogon Living La Vida Loca CGN Vina-Ch Soundtrack Grand Illusion Leila-Ch Soundtrack Almost Paradise Deela-Ch Soundtrack Wink Of An Eye Hermione - Soundtrack Spellbound Eowyn - Soundtrack Rain Dance

02-13-2011, 04:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
sadeyes2 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: glasgow Posts: 589	Hi Soundtrack, Do you think it is possible that my guy was wrongly diagnosed with arthritis a few years back ? Vet just manipulated his legs, never had a scan or seen an orthapiedic surgeon. He said his back legs 'crunched' when he bent them. He was about 7 then.

02-13-2011, 05:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
jaleely Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 942	Bowser's elbows do stick out more than the normal basset, in my opinion, but the main problem is his left leg is almost an inch smaller in circumference than his right, and he's standing more on his toes on that side because the actual bone in his leg is bowed out akimbo. It's not dramatic, but it is very noticeable, especially when he's running towards you. And he limps when he's had activity, or in the mornings. : ( But, it's excellent advice to get a second opinion. I plan to see what this surgeon says, and go from there for sure!

02-13-2011, 06:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
Lightning&Stomps Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Versailles, Ky. Posts: 1,200	Surgeons like to operate. For your second opinion I'd try to find a veterinarian who has lots of basset experience. Every time anything was wrong with my dogs, the vets always said dysplasia right off. Dysplasia was never the problem with my dogs.

02-13-2011, 10:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
jaleely Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 942	lol i know, i know...but down in Southern California, i've yet to find any vet who has a lot of experience with bassets. It's all toy dogs, poodles and cats down here. I've tried doing a google search, but yeah..other than taking a drive to the central southern states I've had trouble finding someone. blah....Well, anyone know of someone good in SoCal? ; )

02-14-2011, 03:32 AM	#9 (permalink)
jaleely Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 942	That's the thing, I asked about using a brace or something and they claim it's too late, he's too old (10 months)...which I assume means they think the plates are closed. It's hard to say. It does seem like there could be some dysplasia, but the main problem is the leg itself is bowed out...he stands more on his toes, and hardly puts any weight on the leg at all. He runs and walks fine, but after a while limps, and finally won't walk on it...so yes i do think it is causing him pain. That and the bone itself is smaller in circumference on that side. I guess i'm repeating myself because even though I don't like the idea of surgery, i really don't know what other options there are. Waiting all this time to see if it will get better has just seen it get worse.

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
Basset.net Advertisement