Hi Everyone,

My husband and I have a 7 month old labrador puppy who was diagnosed about 5 weeks ago with severe bliateral elbow dysplasia and OCD. He underwent an arthroscopy and ulnar osteotomy (breaking the ulnar bone) on his left elbow three weeks ago and had the same done 2 days ago on the right elbow. The orthopaedic surgeon, although excellent, has been quite reserved regarding the long term prognosis saying that we should never expect to have long walking holidays etc.. We are devastated and it is so distressing seeing our little fella suffering so much at such a young age. We were wondering whether anyone out there had any long term results after the same procedure?

Any info would be gratefully received.

Juliet

Hi Juliet - I haven't any information/helpful advice for your. I'm afraid - just so sorry to read your post.

Have you been in contact with your puppy's breeder?  I would imagine that they would want to know - in the circumstances, I most certainly would.

I do hope your boy progresses well - I would suggest swimming as the ideal exercise once he is over surgery.

Margot

hi i know a fantastic surgeon in the north east who is apparantly the best in england at this kind of surgery. today when i was there i was talking to people from york, scotland and manchester who had all travelled to see him. my dog actually has luxating patellas and this surgeon managed to operate on both legs at the same time (apparantly he does the operation a certain way, were they can walk on it immediatly afterwards), i would give him a call see if he has any ideas for you lab.

Hello Juliet,

I just wanted to say how sorryI am to hear of your pup's prognosis.  To see any dog in pain is upsetting but especially more so in one of such a young age.  I do think, that looking for a vet who specialises in orthapedics would be advisable.

Have you contacted your dogs breeder to let them know?   You know you may get a sympathetic ear and also it makes a breeder aware of this hereditary condition in their line, although some breeders don't want to think there's anything wrong and sweep problems like this under the carpet.  You should still make them aware.

I'm sorry I can't be of more help, Cartofen injections may help but again it's a vet that can only make that prognosis.

Hi, I know exactly how you feel. I recently bought myself a Bulldog pup. Within three weeks, he was limping badly. The 'breeder' I bought him from would not have done right by him, had I returned him, and so he was examined and x rayed by my local vet. He had severe ED in his left elbow. I was referred to an Orthopaedic and soft tissue specialist in the north east, and three weeks ago he had some pretty invasive surgery. A 4mm piece of bone was removed from his Ulna, and surgical pins (8 of them) are attached to both Radius and Ulna in traction with an external ring fixater. Every week he is starved, sedated and the traction is increased to pull the Radial head back into position. It is heartbreaking that such a beautiful, brave and gentle pup is undergoing all this pain, when he should be able to run and play and go walkies with his little friends. We're about half way through now, but two days ago when I took the others out, I left him in the kitchen. When I returned, he was miserable. It was only later in the day that I discovered his leg was oozing a lot around one side, so it's off to the specialist again this morning to check it. Last night, I stood him in the bath and poured 5 litres of warm saline (in a watering can) over the oozing area and dried it with a cool hair drier. Keep in touch Juliet and let me know how your little fella does. Be thinking about you...  

if you pm me i may be able to offer some advice