Elbow Dysplasia Labradors

pogface

pogface

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Hi,

Frank, my 2 year old lab has had an on off limp for a couple of months. Took him to the vet in November, just for vacs, but mentioned the limp, she said monitor and see how we go. December was fine, but this week he is limping again (front left). He has got an appointment on Wednesday.

When the vet saw him in November, she said it could be elbow dysplasia, as it is common in labs, and he is quite a big dog. I know very little about it and would like it if anyone could tell me their experience of it? I know it could be a range of things wrong with his leg, but this worries me most.

He is insured, but I'd like to know the cost of x-rays and operations, just to prepare myself for the worst case situation!

Thank you for any replies :)
 
My friends Labrador has elbow dysplasia. He was diagnosed about 2 years ago when he was two. He was getting aggressive getting in and out of the car and this was why.
He was x rayed and then put on medication. He now gets medication as and when he needs it and he uses a ramp to get in and out of the car. He is particularly severe and high impact excercise was to be avoided but not sure if that is standard advice or not. Surgery may be an option.
I don't have first hand experience of elbow displasia but have had two with hip. Again, it was medication as and when required and I also took them for hydrotherapy. One liked the pool but the other preferred the under water treadmill. I have my dogs on a joint supplement. I use seraquin ( I buy online, vet charges a fortune).
 
I would ask your vet for prices on x-rays and operations as they would vary depending on the practice. I down't know of any dogs that have had an operation, but know plenty that have been maintained on pain relief, limited exercise and hydrotherapy for both elbow and hip dysplasia. Good luck and hope you get a diagnosis.
 
Thank you for replies. I'll see what the vet says on Wednesday. Alec do you think he would have been limping long before now? I was wondering if it's just a really bad strain or ligament damage...
 
Alec Swan said:
Would not any dog which is likely to have any dysplasia, be it hip or elbow, not show signs before the age of 2 years?

Alec.
Click to expand...

My dog had one limpy episode as a 5 month old pup, lasted a few days, vet gave him anti inflammatory meds and said it was just growing pains. He was fine then until about 2 1/2 and a very active lifestyle. Long hikes, ball throwing, agility, bike rides and out hacking with the horses. And then he started having the odd limpy spells after he'd had a rest after exercise so we went off to the vets for X-rays which came back inconclusive but was probably elbow dysplasia and he should be kept trim but keep him on restricted exercise, lead walks, no ball throwing, no agility and no bike rides.
I did this for two weeks and he was miserable and even with reduced food started putting the weight on so I decided to compromise. We stopped the ball throwing and the agility but we still do the long hikes and the bike rides ( grass tracks only) he gets a joint supplement and I take him swimming every other day in the summer and goes for hydro through the winter and he gets regular long walks to keep his fitness up and he has been fine ever since including the dales way and the pennine way and we are working up to a trek through the Italian dolomites in August.

So yes, it can be late before it's diagnosed and yes it can be managed
 
One of my labs used to go lame quite regularly. Something as simple as not allowing him in water during winter cured it totally. He hasn't limped for two years.
 
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