My dog has hip and shoulder dysplacia, she also has some discomfort in her 1 elbow and both knees, (possibly the starting of a joint issue or could be related to the dysplacia)

My vet has said she can operate, however, I do not want to put my dog threw agony especailly if her other joints are going to be getting worse. Ive basically been given 2 options
1 is to take the chances of the operations (shell need between 2/4 anesthetics depending on how bad the problem is when the vet oparates).
2 is medication until it gets worse then ...

My vets advice is to operate but I dont want my dog to suffer the agony of the operation if shes going to have further issues with joints. And my vet has told me she could lose sensation in her operated joints as well which may cause difficulty in walking!

I basically want other peoples advice! My dog in question is very young at just 3 years old, and it would break my heart to see her suffer and no good come of it! I dont care about the money I only want to do right by her! I was considering medication and just wait and see how it goes as she is very young.

Our youngest had/has growth problems in his front legs causing distortion in both elbows, wrists and feet.  Surgery to his right leg assisted & it was thought that he would have to have more on both legs.  Fortunately when he returned to the specialist it was decided to leave him alone, and having been back a few times since we have agreed that further surgery would not help him. Durring recovery from the surgery, extra weight on the other legs did not helped. His front legs look awful, wrap around his chest, feet point out at right angles causing him to walk across his joints rather than through them. He also has HD, arthritis in his knees and other joints. He is nearly six, we manage the problems, yes at times he is in discomfort (probably always has) but not pain. We were advised to walk him three times a day 20 mins, we have not done this as he joins our other dog and I want him to enjoy himself, if he wants a lazy day he has one, cartrophen has certainly given him a new lease of life (but he always goes better in the winter months), he plays with his cousin but not allowed with other dogs. Yes it has been a life I would not have wished on him or any dog but I'm please that the specialist looked at his problems from his point of view and has always been there should we need advice. Sorry to waffle, I would not subject him to more surgery when there is so much going on. With the help of good professionals I am amazed that we have got him to the age he is with out having to use pain relief and anti inflams permanently, that is to come and so is the decision we will one day have to make. I suggest you find a good specialist and talk to him. Good luck, it seems awful but hopefully there will be someway you can manage it & don't rush or get pushed into anything.

I have spoken to a specialist my vet reffered me her advice is to operate.

But I know my dog and I seriously beleive that medication can control it at least for a few years :( .

Hiya,

I do understand how worried you must feel about this but if she has been referred to a soecialist adn they have advised surgery as well as your vet then it may well be the best option, however you ahve to feel comfortable about it and obviously you know your dog best.  What I would say is that dogs are very good at hiding pain and she is likely in some level of pain beofer you know about it.  I have been in your position (well similar) before and if my dog was healthy in all other aspects then I would opt for surgery as it is easier when they are younger, there are less risks and they tend to heal quicker, plus she won;t need ongoing medication from such a young age which can have consequences on it's own.  Plus it is likely to get her to the stage where she will in less pain that she would be even with the medication.

Why not have another chat with your vet to talk through your concerns?

> I have spoken to a specialist my vet reffered me her advice is to operate.
>

It is so difficult and has been said, you know you dog. We were lucky in that the specialist was fantastic, took his time with the dog and us, and is still very willing to talk to us if we have any problems or concerns. Understandably you are worried sick, so speak to your vet and the specialist again,  then if you still are unsure have you thought about seeing another specialist to see what they advice. I always used to have an ongoing list of questions to ask so I could write it down whenever something came to mind.

I cant put myself in your place but we have two three year olds. Jake had a big op for OCD at about 15 months? we went with the vets recommendation. We keep him wll now with a bioflow, which has meant we can reduce his cosequine to 1 a day we had to keep him on two to stop the limp, but he's a lot better now. At 3 Id operate, to try and give a better quality of movement.

I think we will always worry but what if it works? you would have done the best for her! we know that Jake will get arthritis later, we will deal with it later but so far he's fit and healthy and whilst he will never do agility or too much too strenous he is pain free.

Im not giving advice I would not presume, but I would say do not dismiss it out of hand, can you ask the vet prehaps to p[oint you in the direction of a sucsessful patient of this op??

The trouble is although she may be able to manage on medication (which will take its own toll) the condition will still be getting worse month by month the medication only dealing with the effects and not the joint faults.

The final decision will be yours but you have paid for the best advice and I would be inclined to take it particularly with a young animal who otherwise may have a short life of discomfort.

Three years ago my young puppy was diagnosed with carpal valgus and the vet referred me to a specialist. He said the growth plates would be closing and ended up operating twice on both front legs. Her legs looked good for a  month then started to twist again. The specialist mentioned putting her to sleep. If he could see her now! She isn't on any medication, save for a bio collar, jumps up onto and off the garden benches at every whim and, somehow, can run fast enough to keep up with my GSD's. If she's in pain she does a good job of hiding it. I dont know if she'll make old bones but now she wags her tail even when doing a wee, is the smallest, liveliest, bossiest, noisy dog that I own and enjoys her life. The only thing I wished I'd done differently would've been to go to another specialist that I had more confidence in (and had a better result imo. I know for a fact I'd get far better follow up but that's another story).

Although the condition is different (but I've had a dog with OCD, and a couple with cruciates) I would go along with your vet's advice but get a GOOD specialist to operate. Get them to give you detailed instructions on aftercare, i.e. crating/exercise/hydrotherapy.  For a starter though could you try the cartrofen course and see if there is any difference? With any ops on joints there will eventually be arthritis and you will have to deal with that even if you decide against operating.

Good luck.