I am quite new to CD, I have a usually happy, energetic, cheeky 5 1/2 month Bichon called Molly she has my hubby Mike & I wrapped round her little paws so you can all imagine how we are feeling at this moment. Last week she was showing signs of discomfort in her leg, took her straight to the vets who xrayed under anesthetic, she didnt improve with painkillers he diagnosed L leg slightly longer than R & deformity of R hip ball, gave anti inflam/pain killers & was going to re xray in weeks time, things got worse, Molly stopped eating, loosing weight, low in mood, lethargic, took her back on sunday, he forced fed her & gave injection for the pain, Monday he referred her to the specialist & this morning we took her, we have just arrived home & our hearts & home is empty. Just had the call to say Molly is round from surgery, they removed a diseased hip ball & will keep her sedated overnight. Cant wait to go for her, I cant bear the thought of her waking up alone, she looked so afraid as we left her. Sorry to ramble on but I needed to talk to someone who would understand this strange bond dog owners have with their 'babies'.
regards Pauline

Hiya!
We always worry about our babies but they are harder than we think! The fact that you were backwards and forwards to the vets, and seeing her in pain made the whole thing unbearable and her fear when going under the anasthetic just topped it off for you, i can imagine your distress.
At least you know you did all you could, and when she comes home you can make it all up to her for having to leave!!!! Its a great excuse to spoil her rotten!
I hope she recovers soon and gets back to normal!
Thinking of you all
Carrie xxx

ahhhhhhhh poor Molly, i can imagine how you are feeling :-( but the worst is over she will be home soon for lots of love kisses and cuddles. :-)

Hi Heidlberg
Cant wait. regards Pauline

Thanks Carrie.
Its so reassuring to know there are people who understand, We certainly will spoil her.
regards Pauline

Hi Pauline.

I Posted last week as I had to take my 5 1/2 month old Molly to the vet aswell (She's a Westie though). She woke Monday morning and was unable to walk. Luckily for me she had only twisted the ligaments in her leg and a course of anti-inflam tabs did the trick but I totally feel for you.

I was scared witless, imaging all sorts of scenarios on my way to the vets and I think if I'd had to leave her behind they would have had to anaesthetise me!!!! Some people may think they are just 'dogs' and I didn't get a great reaction from my boss when I phoned in but I didn't care. My Molly is my baby too and I send lots of luck and best wishes froma fellow mum who knows just what your baby means to you. X

Hi Claire
I hope your Molly is better (hugs to her) I am wandering around the house like a lost sole at present waiting for morning, I will ring the vets shortly to check she is ok. Like you work will take second place. regards Pauline

I was just the same when i left Buddy at the Vet to be castrated. I was on tender hooks all day waiting for the phone to ring hoping it would'nt ring sooner than the said they would which would have indicated there was a problem. On the way to collect him as was as excited as a kid at Christmas. His little face was a picture when he caught sight of me in the waiting room as they walked him back out to freedom.
I felt guilty for days after when i saw how uncomfortable he was as the pain killers wore off. Needless to say i spoiled him rotten and probably still do.
Budmag.

Hi Budmag
If only they could understand why we have to do the things we do, I dont think I will sleep tonight thinking of Molly alone in a strange place, my hubby says she will be asleep most of the time with the painkillers, oh I hope she is.
regards Pauline

Hi Pauline

Just wondering how Molly is doing? have you picked her up yet?

Claire

Hi Everyone
We arrived home about 2 hours ago, was she pleased to see us, she has one leg shaved , shes in some pain but have just given her some meds, its quite swollen so specialist also gave antibiotics & wants to see her in 3weeks, they are not happy with a slither of bone that was left, the problem was Molly was loosing body heat to fast during the op so they had to terminate it after the initial procedure was done, the specialist is hoping it will right itself if not it will be more surgery (cant bear it). Molly looks so tired & fed up, giving her loads of love, kisses & attention, its so good to have her home, shes lay next to me asleep at present on her fluffy bed all comfy (bless).

The specialist said it was not uncommon in small breeds, it was a little worse than initially expected, the hip ball had crumbled due to insufficient supply of blood to the area, he has removed the ball & will let nature take its course in reshaping what is left, he cannot say at this point if the L hip will do the same.

Molly goes back to her own vet in 10 days for the stitches removed, wonder if she will ever like the vets again?

All we can do now is try & keep Molly pain free & comfy as possible & hope that very soon we see the happy, fun loving little girl we had.

Thanks to everyone who sent messages it was so kind & reassuring to me to have people to talk to who understood.

Molly sends a lick for all her 4 legged or if your like Molly at the moment 3 legged friends.

Regards Pauline & Molly x

Hi Pauline

Glad to here that Molly is safely back at home. Out of interest did the vet give you a daignosis for the diseased hip joint as it sounds like Legge-Calves-Perthes disease. I do know of a couple of other bichons that have had this disease and would urge you to contact Molly's breeder to advise her if you haven't already done so.

Hope she continues with a speedy recovery
Kate

Hi Kate
Thanks for the message. The specialist did mention LCP disease, I looked it up on the internet & it was Molly to a T. I have emailed the breeder twice with no response, in fairness she could be away so I will try once more this weekend & if no reply will ring her on Monday, to inform her for future reference. The other Bichons you know have they made a good recovery?
regards Pauline

Hi Pauline

the dogs that I have met that have had Perthes Disease have all recovered very well (have also known several cats that have been involved in RTA's and had to have their femaral heads removed). Almost all of the dogs have only had the disease on one side and all have gone on to make a full recovery. Complete rest (preferably in a crate with a soft bed in it) is very important in the early stages of recovery whilst the newly created hip joint settles down.

It is important that you let the breeder know as it is becoming more prevalent in the breed. Perhaps you could e-mail me with your dog's parentage and I can have a chat with one of my friends who breeds bichons about the lines.

Hope Molly continues to recover well from her op
Kate

Hi Kate
Thanks for the post. Molly is picking up well, she went for her first walk tonight, did very well, the specialist said 2 days rest & by saturday run the socks of her, I didnt have the heart & feel I will build her exercise up slowly, I know I need to build up the muscle asap but a few days recovery wont make any difference as far as I can see.
I managed to get hold of the breeder today, I explained the situation & she said she had used the male on 2 occassions & had never had any problems but she would contact the owner to get him checked as a precaution, she knows her female is ok because had only recently had xray, like the specialist she agreed that this could have happened in the early weeks of Mollys life so I guess we will never really know, maybe I let her run about to much, doesnt it make you feel guilty.
Stitches out friday with the vet then 2 weeks will see specialist & he will decide if the slither of bone that was left will need removing, dont know if I said but the op had to be cut short because Mollys body heat dropped dangerously low & he was unable to continue, he hopes it will right itself, (& so do I).
Looked on the internet & Perthes disease discribes Mollys condition to a tee.
Thanks for your concern.
Best Wishes Pauline & Molly (or as known at present) hop along.

Hi Claire
Thanks so much for your thoughts, I have done a general update for all you kind people who were so supportive last night in my hour of need.

Thanks again

Pauline & Molly x

Hi Pauline glad to hear Molly is back at home with you. Me & Buddy wish her a speedy recovery.
Best wishes from me and a sniff round Mollys rear end from Buddy.
Budmag

Hi Budmag
Thanks for the good wishes, Molly is coming round nicely, still hoping on 3 legs & fussing over the stitches but generally getting better.
Regards Pauline, Molly sends a lick to Buddyx

Hi Pauline

Haven't been able to get on for a few days but was really pleased to hear that your Molly is doing well. I know my Molly was nowhere near as poorly as yours but every time she jumps into some awkward position whilst playing now I panic that she's going to hurt herself.

It's good to hear she's resting and enjoying lots of kisses and cuddles and Molly sends an extra sloppy one (kiss that is!!) for the other three-legged Mol.

Best wishes

Claire.

Hi Claire
Nice to hear from you. Glad your Molly is on the road to recovery, just think we have got a possible 15yrs of worry good job the pleasures they bring outway the worries. We took Molly for her first walk tonight I felt so sorry for her I just wanted to carry her but I know its for the best that she exercises as much as possible, its the only way to rebuild the weak muscle. Stitches out friday night, I am sure it will feel better for her once they are out she is licking them all the time but being good & not chewing so hasnt needed a bucket. Just hoping when she goes to the specialist that he doesnt feel she needs further surgery to remove the slither of bone.
Its time for a cuddle so give Molly lots of tickles from us.
Pauline & Molly mo x