Hi

My Newf has just been diagnosed with osteo (sp?) arthritis of the elbow which can be idicative of slight elbow dysplacia (sp?). They want to send her to the specialist and perform keyhole surgery and chip away at some of the bone. Now I am not impressed with my vet who doesnt explain things correctly and was a bit put out that I might want to use a specialist of my choice not his (recommended by the breeder hes in Solihull), I have nothing against his choice (from Bolton) and are going to ring them tomorrow to find out more info on the procedure and how long it will take ect, the vet gave me the number but not the name and like an idiot forgot to ask. When we had the x-rays done of the elbow the vets in the practice disagreed on the diagnoses with one saying it was normal the other not, does this mean that it is a mild case? The vet has now mentioned three times how it is a long term problem with the strong possibility that she will be permantly on painkillers at some point in the future if not from now and for the rest of her life. Does anyone have any better information for me or better still someone whos dog has had it done.

Thanks Nikki

I have no knowledge of dysplasia, but my Lab X (36kg) was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in the elbow nearly a year ago, the specialists reckoned it was originally cartilage damage caused by an injury which resulted in the osteo. Dylan went through 2 exploratories where they put in an arthroscope to assess the damage. They said that the damage wasn't too bad and recommended a glucosamine supplement, less weight bearing exercise and swimming. A year later he is having normal exercise, though we are careful to make sure he doesn't do too much vigorous running or jumping (he's a bit lazy, so not difficult), he occasionally swims (we did take him every week for the first 6 months) and he is off the glucosamine as we never saw any difference in his lameness. Saying that, other owners swear by it, just didn't work for us. He hardly limps at all now, and I just put it down to sensible exercise, gradually increased,and a good natural diet

I don't know if that helps at all, but in hindsight I wouldn't have had as many exploratories as it only set his recovery back further

All the very best with your Newfie (beautiful dogs)

Hayley

Hi Nikki
Don't have direct experience of ED but loads of HD. If you get referred to a specialist (either of your own or their choosing) the initial consultation should just be expert interpretation of the x-rays and examination of the dog. Nothing else at that stage. I would just check the qualifications of the specialist, they need to be well qualified Orthopaedic surgeons. As your vets in the practice disagree, I would certainly want the first consultation with the specialist, and take it from there. At the end of the day we tend to forget that vets are 'general practitioners'

I know this doesn't help much, but hope it helps a little bit. Good luck
Kat

hi nikki.....OCD of the elbow is a form of elbow dysplasia......was the dog lame???......you need to have the surgurey done by someone who has alot of experience...you need to see a specialist.alot of regular vets are not well versed in elbowdysplasia...it is a VERY common problem in that breed..they are number five in ofa's ranking for the highest rate....27percent .........go to ofa's site they have an article in the advocate that talks about the surgurey.......

Hi

Thanks for all your replies, have had diagnoses from specialist and will be ringing him when he gets back from holiday, she was slightly lame and when I mean slightly she goes lame for an hour or so every five days or so. It is very irregular and she hasnt limped for over 3 weeks now (since we had the x-rays done, little sod) we first noticed the problem about 8 weeks ago now that it is nearly always the same leg when she does limp but as I said very irregular. I will look at the sight and see. Thanks again for your help I have had more sense from this sight than from my vets.

Nikki

hi izzy....thier is an italian website devoted to elbow dysplasia. in newfs........try search ''terra de nova''......you should also put her on glucosimine this with help the joints.you must keep her on it forever...but it really helps