millimoo
Well-Known Member
My 4 year old lab is the love of my life...
When she was 9 months old she injured her left elbow, and at the time was Joint tapped and x-rayed - the results being clear. In terms if the injury, I never knew what she did, but I expect it involved my mums bull mastiff squashing her - we had our backs turned and she yelped???
She recovered, and was fine until October 2010, where she hurt it again after hooning around ball chasing - although the lameness was only present after rest, and quickly walked off. However as a precaution she has been on Sinoquin ever since.
She has had 2 minor episodes since then, until last week where again hooning after her ball she tweaked it again.
I rested her but she was quite lame after rest, so I've gone back to the loading dose of Sinoquin, and shes been prescribed metacam for a week. If this doesn't help, my vets suggested an injectable treatment in the neck (1 injection weekly for 4 weeks) which apparently helps clear and lubricate the joints. He also also said theres probably not a lot of point in xraying as the treatment for Arthritis is what we're doing now, and this is effectively what we're dealing with at her age. He also manipulated both bront legs and she has reduced mobility on this left leg (her other leg is fine, and never caused a problem)
I'd really appreciate some experienced advise...
1. Should i be xraying sooner rather than later, or does her age mean she's past the age of be able to improve her condition
2. Is Elbow Displasia basically the Arthritis he's suggesting
3. Has anyone got any advise for next steps should the metacam, and injection treatment not work
4. Would anyone be doing anything else?
5. Should I be asking for a referral to a specialist? She is insured by petplan and covered for life.
Sorry for the essay, I Love her to bits and want to make sure I do the best for her.
I also want to add, I trust my vet and we have a very honest relationship, but I like to be armed with all the facts hence posting here so I can discuss anything suggested here with him.
Thanks in advance, just so worried, and whilst she's not hobbling about yet, im very aware of the progressive nature of these kinds of things so want to do all I can to help slow down the deterioration.
When she was 9 months old she injured her left elbow, and at the time was Joint tapped and x-rayed - the results being clear. In terms if the injury, I never knew what she did, but I expect it involved my mums bull mastiff squashing her - we had our backs turned and she yelped???
She recovered, and was fine until October 2010, where she hurt it again after hooning around ball chasing - although the lameness was only present after rest, and quickly walked off. However as a precaution she has been on Sinoquin ever since.
She has had 2 minor episodes since then, until last week where again hooning after her ball she tweaked it again.
I rested her but she was quite lame after rest, so I've gone back to the loading dose of Sinoquin, and shes been prescribed metacam for a week. If this doesn't help, my vets suggested an injectable treatment in the neck (1 injection weekly for 4 weeks) which apparently helps clear and lubricate the joints. He also also said theres probably not a lot of point in xraying as the treatment for Arthritis is what we're doing now, and this is effectively what we're dealing with at her age. He also manipulated both bront legs and she has reduced mobility on this left leg (her other leg is fine, and never caused a problem)
I'd really appreciate some experienced advise...
1. Should i be xraying sooner rather than later, or does her age mean she's past the age of be able to improve her condition
2. Is Elbow Displasia basically the Arthritis he's suggesting
3. Has anyone got any advise for next steps should the metacam, and injection treatment not work
4. Would anyone be doing anything else?
5. Should I be asking for a referral to a specialist? She is insured by petplan and covered for life.
Sorry for the essay, I Love her to bits and want to make sure I do the best for her.
I also want to add, I trust my vet and we have a very honest relationship, but I like to be armed with all the facts hence posting here so I can discuss anything suggested here with him.
Thanks in advance, just so worried, and whilst she's not hobbling about yet, im very aware of the progressive nature of these kinds of things so want to do all I can to help slow down the deterioration.