Hi all - Rhum, after being fit and bouncy for 2 1/2 months went lame again last week. More x-rays taken and sent to referral vet - even worse news than I expected. He does not have OCD, BUT has been diagnosed with weak "humerous" bones - shoulder to elbow. He has not put enough calcium down and the cartilidge has not turned completely into bone. Got to wait another 8 weeks, then more x-rays. Vet says he can operate and insert "pins". This stops the lameness, but also there is a chance the pins can break in the future cos of pressure. He feels it unlikely at the moment, but chances are later on he is at risk of fractures. I've not to mollycoddle him, but not let him go mental (tell Rhum that) either. Rhum appears to be restraining himself to walking etc, when required. Bit stiff this week, but alot happier and not limping. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH A DOG? Apparantly, it is relatively rare, but can be seen in Springers, Labs - vet has a Samoyed with this problem at the moment. He feels he could improve, but it is unlikely. Good news is that he has never come across a dog that needs to be pts because of this - phew! Thank goodness for insurance - he's only 6 months old and vet bills so far total about £350 so far! Bye for now.

Hi Shirley, Got your message and checked in here to read the latest. Hope this will all work out for the best. I don't know anything about Rhums condition so sorry I can't help you out here, but I'll ask Pat to see what she knows. Have you been back in touch with Rhums breeder to let her know, maybe there are others in the litter with a similar problem. Hope someone on Champs will know more about this, I for one will be interested to find out more about it.
Best wishes
(I'll e-mail you later)
Mair

Hi Shirley. I know nothing about this, never heard of it in Labradors but that’s not to say it doesn’t happen. Please keep us informed of developments. I just hope everything turns out O/K in the end. Poor Rhum has had such a bad time of it. Don't you find that dogs like this seem to worm their way in even more than the fit and well ones though!

Regards, John

Thanks for your kind remarks - sorry, didn't mean to imply that it is prevalent or anything in Labs, just that this vet has seen it more in Labs/Springers - but then he says he has only seen about 10 cases in 10 years! Trust me!

Don't worry about me Shirley, I never took it as a slur on Labs. I've been around long enough to have seen so many "Uncommon" problems in breeds to know you can never give definitive, "This breed does not have this problem" about anything. I just feel so sorry that a person who obviously loves her dog should have these troubles to have to deal with.

My very kindest regards, John

Hi Shirley, poor old you, and of course poor old Rhum.
I know that you think the world of this mad mut. And it must be VERY worrying for you to have this happen in such a young dog. But look on the bright side, dogs are such resiliant animals, and may go on to live a full and happy life without suffering further ill effects. I have my fingers crossed that a lasting solution can be found.
Please keep us informed. And give Rhum a big 'Licky Kiss' from the red-eyed gas factory.
love Harry C.

Thanks Harry - I suppose it is possibly a bit like osteoporosis (?) in humans, only that happens in later life. It is that the cartilidge has failed to become solid bone. I am quite a "positive" person (you have to be when you have your own business and when you have a down spell every so often!!! thats another story!) and hope that we see at least some improvement next time he is x-rayed. Thank you for your kind remarks and yes, we love him to bits and will do anything we can to help him. I am more reassured to hear that the vet has never heard of a dog being put down cos of it. Updates will follow..........

Shirley,
This may be a long shot, but I am going to give you the phone number and email address of someone who is probably one of the most knowledgable veternarians in the US concerning bones and problems of bones. He is an extremely nice man and is at Michigan State University. Whenever I had a question concerning bone development, accidental trauma or any other related issue with hips, bones, etc., I went to Dr. Mostosky. You may want to ask your veternarian to email or phone him directly or you may wish to do so. In any event, he's down to earth and if he doesn't have an opinion will go to someone who does, I'm sure. I hesitated to do this but I hope you'll understand and not feel as if I'm questioning the British veternarians. I just have a tremendous amount of respect for Dr. Mostosky who I feel is an absolute genius.

Mostosky, Ulreh V
Small Animal Clinic
Michigan State University
129A Vet Medical Ctr
East Lansing, MI 48824-1314

Phone: (517) 353-5420
Email: mostosky@msu.edu

Please email me if you would like.