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Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Pitfalls of an intense dog with physical limitations

Our black dog, R, is an intense character. He runs with wild exuberance and abandon. Running lets him be a mellow and relaxed dog in the rest of his life.

His mental intensity can be managed by physical exercise and mental challenges (like teaching him tricks). Of those two, being able to run is the most important to R's mental health. Without it, his tendency toward obsessive-compulsive behavior becomes stronger.
However, R's ability to run is threatened by his elbow dysplasia. That's a hereditary condition in which a puppy's elbow joint doesn't develop correctly. He had his first surgery at age 1 and another surgery a year ago, at age 6.
At the time of his most recent surgery, we were told that there were no more "salvage" procedures that could be done. "Salvage" means that the surgeon tries to fix the natural surfaces and structures within the joint by using a minimally invasive approach called arthroscopy.

The reason was that the surgeon discovered that R had no cartilage left in his elbow. Last January (2014), the surgeon cleaned out the joint by removing floating bone fragments but he seemed pretty sure that R was heading toward a reconstructive surgery before too long. We hoped, with all our hearts, that it wouldn't be too soon.
Over the past couple of months, we've noticed R limping more frequently. Our vet believes that another part of the bone within the joint has fragmented (the anconeal process) and that surgery is probably needed.

To our dismay, the main surgical option is very new (called CUE surgery). It involves installing a new artificial "surface" to bear weight within the elbow. Because the surgery is so new, no one knows how long a the artificial surface will last - and R is only 7 years old.
So, we'll be investigating our options. We hope that there might be some kind of procedure to help R last another couple of years without CUE surgery. We'd prefer that surgeons get more experience with CUE before it's done to R. Our next steps are to see specialists and get their opinions.

I just hope that we can figure out a way for our wild and crazy R to keep frolicking in the snow and running to his heart's content.
For now, we're not changing a thing for R. Life is short, and he still wants to run. We're awaiting the specialists' opinions before considering making him slow down.
Here's to the hope of many more days of hiking and playing with the Duo together!

28 comments:

  1. Oh no! Poor R!I would worry about doing a new procedure, too! I hope that you can get it figured out for him and he has many more years to run.

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  2. Still hoping for the best for big, silly R. Such a sweetheart.

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  3. poor R. such a good, active boy. laughed at shyla's sly look at you in the last photo. :)

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  4. We hope you can find an intermediary step that will work for R and hold off the big surgery. Such a beautiful and energetic pup!!!

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  5. We all hope you will find just the right solution for that handsome dude.

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  6. Hi KB, I don't know if this might be something to investigate-but we once owned a very old horse that had problems with arthritis etc. and fed him Yucca powder mixed with his food-it really helped him. O.k., so here's another question for you-when you've had your surgeries-how long has it taken, post-op, to be able to sleep comfortably? I know I'm just a week past surgery, but can't wait until I can sleep all night without any issues. Sending you and the pack lots of hugs today. I'm hoping we get some warmth before the weekend snow hits.
    Noreen

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  7. That just breaks my heart. I hope you find something that works for him with a minimum of pain and enforced idleness.

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  8. You are absolutely right to give R every chance and to let him run as long as it won't add more damage. Paws and fingers crossed for this dear and wonderful dog.

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  9. Oh crap, it seems like you just barely went through this. Poor R, I hope you can find a good solution soon.

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  10. Following R's story... Macy has arthritis in her elbow...It looks so painful to me. But she NEEDS to run. And run she will. Until she doesn't want to go!

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  11. R's coat s so glossy - what a handsome guy he is. I hope he can run and play without an invasive procedure. I don't think he'd take to slowing down!

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  12. Paws crossed that all goes well and R can wait a few years before surgery!

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  13. Darling R, with those eyes and glossy coat, you are the Totally Handsome Dude!!! we feel so much in common as we too wait for another specialist's opinion... on Hugh's spinal problems, The latest, there are 3 separate diagnoses, next Thursday might now more, Meantime, I hope you get to run, pain free, in that snow, with Shyla, and with Runner and KB right there, nothing better in life for you. Hugs to all.

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  14. We sure wish you could put that surgery on hold forever, R. You are such a handsome fun-loving boy!

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  15. Gosh, I forgot that R was the one with obsessive-compulsive behaviours. You manage your dogs health and behaviour so well, it's very impressive!

    Now I understand why you are waiting as long as you can before the elbow reconstruction (before I thought, wouldn't it be better to do it when he's younger? But now I see it's not routine at all so you have a lot more things to consider first).
    Here's hoping R can romp and roll in the Rockies with his beloved sister for as long as he wants!

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  16. That is a tough situation to be in. We will be hoping for the best and for many, many more years of Romping and Rolling!

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  17. R? Intense? You'd never know from that last picture of him - BOL!!

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  18. That CUE surgery sounds like something John's 89 year old mother has had on both of her knees in the past year. Because she is so old and very weak, the doctor's didn't think she could manage the healing/pain/rehab of total knee replacements. So they offered her a new procedure where they opened her knee, scraped out all the bone spurs and arthritic damage, then coated the bones with a plastic synthetic of some sort. Now, instead of bone on bone rubbing inside her knee, this new surface glides much more easily and best of all, without any pain. Of course she had to go through a lot of rehab even for this, but it has made a world of difference. She is still going through PT on the right knee as it was just done in Oct, but she now walks without her walker. She is in so much less pain, that is the best part. Maybe this procedure is what they are proposing for R?

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  19. that was Greta's personality - obsessive/compulsive AND she loved to run.
    I do hope you can find the best option for R so he can keep running!
    hugs
    Mr Bailey, Hazel & Mabel

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  20. We think he'll let you know when he can't run.

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  21. Oh R, I wish a margarita would help! ☺ Butts since it probably won't, I hope your Moms and the dogtors can find a good option for you..I loves to see those action shots!!
    I loves that last pic...Shyla's face is HILARIOUS!
    Kisses,
    Ruby ♥

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  22. Our favorite picture today is the last one of them standing together in the light, how pretty. He will let you know .....stella rose

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  23. I absolutely love your photography - and can't help but smile every time I click on your blog and see your banner photo! Here's hoping you are able to find ways to minimize R's problems for a while yet. Have you considered acupuncturist? I've used it in the past for a couple of my dogs with joint and/or arthritis problems with a fair degree of success. And I've found green lipped mussel capsules help my sheltie with a bum leg and knee - still have to watch him though as he shouldn't jump over or off things.

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  24. Poor R. I am with you, if he wants to run, let him run. His body will tell him if he should stop.

    Hope you can find a solution for him, he is still so young!

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  25. Hope there is something you can find for R. Mom knows what you are talking about because I am so full of energy but she has to limit playtime because of my two back surgeries and my knee surgery
    Lily (& Edward)

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  26. And were hoping the same thing you are,, that something can be done for R-- so he can remain active.
    (tweedles also has that kind of personality,,) to some degree,,, but of course,,, we have to keep her under control..
    Were sending good wishes to our special R..
    love
    tweedles

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  27. I am sorry R is having a rough time. 7 is too young to slow down an active minded dog! Love her portrait photos - he is such a handsome boy.

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  28. I wonder if stem cell therapy would be an option in R's case? I know of 2 dogs that had the treatment for 2 difference elbow problems and it helped them both tremendously. I do hope that you are able to find a good balance for R and his joy for running :)

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