Dear All,

This is an update to my previous post concerning Keira my five month old Labrador with Hip Dysplacia. Firstly though, Keira and I would like to thank you all for your advice and kind thoughts. Keira would like to let you know how she is getting on.

She went to the East Neuk Veterinary Clinic yesterday and was evaluated for TPO Surgery. It was thought prior to her going that her left hip would not be a candidate for surgery, but upon evaluation it was. I left her there in the very capable hands of John Ferguson who operated on her left hip today, she is currently still sleeping but the operation went fine. She will go back in 3-4 weeks to have her right hip done and after a few months she will be able to relive the missed part of her puppyhood after recuperating. Whilst the x-rays were being taken John Ferguson also x-rayed her elbows, and she has dysplacia there too, but this should correct itself (thankfully).

She is now part of a trial with regards to Hip Dysplacia to find out if it is genetic so they can isolate the gene that causes this. Hopefully one day it will be a thing of the past.

As you know Keira was not insured and it is costing me an arm and a leg for the surgery (£2800) and some people have said "you could have loads of dogs for that money". But I have pointed out "they wouldn't be Keira though".

My friend who collected Keira with me when she was 6 weeks old reminded me the last thing the gamekeeper said, it was "don't bring her back if there are any problems, we don't give refunds". I know she has a better home here than she could have anywhere else and much better than she would have staying with the breeder (term loosely used of course). Some people should realise that their bitches aren't there for money making and should think before they mate them. Hopefully in the future, if this is genetic, puppies could be certified that their parents do not carry the damaged gene and any that do shouldn't produce off spring.

I am in a position to pay for Keira's surgery but many people wouldn't be. I would prefer her to be insured of course and anyone buying a puppy should do this just in case.

Once again thank you very much everyone especially a couple of you and you would know who you are. I will let you know how she gets on.

I do so hope Keira gets on OK. Please keep us updated Lots of cuddles to Keira Regards Meg

Many thanks for your e-mail Joanne, hope things go well for you, and please keep us up to date with progress reports :)

Best of luck with Keira, it really sounds like she couldn't be in a better place than with you :)

Hope all goes well and keep us informed of her progress

Emily xxx

Just out of intewrest were her parents hip scored?  If so were the scores good or bad?  Or was she from an unregistered litter from untested parents.  If the later I do wonder if you would not ahve some comeback on the puppy producer.

I have tears in my eyes. Seriously, you are all soooo kind, nice to know that people care.

XXXXX

Hello all.  This is my first time using the board so I hope I am posting this okay.  I am in a similar situation. I have a 7 mo old labradoodle puppy, who has an awesome personality, but found out a few weeks ago that he has severe HP.  As a bit of background we were told that both parents had low hip scores.  anyway, we have an appointment to go down to east neuk to discuss TPO surgery. It is very scarey and difficult to know what the best way forward is (ie surgery etc).  It was good to see your story and hope your puppy recovers fully, please keep me (us?) updated.  Sincerely, Kate

That's my name!!! Why is it becoming so common all of a sudden???

Oh yeah...Keira Knightley doesn't help the situation :D

Keira is called Keira as she is a black labrador and it is Gaelic for Little Dark One, nothing to do with film stars lol.

>  As a bit of background we were told that both parents had low hip scores. <

Unless you saw the score sheets you have no way of knowing what you were told was true sadly. If your puppy had been KC reg the parents scores & eye test details are on the KC certificate BTW

Low hip score in parents doesn't mean good dog though. Genes will always come through, Keira is now part of a genetics study.

Sorry to hear about your pup.  However, it is possible that you were told the truth and both parents did have low hip scores.  Unfortunately this is no guarantee that pups won't develop hip dysplacia.  All you can do is reduce the chances by making sure both parents are hip scored-you can't make absolutely certain your pup will be ok.  Hope things work out ok for you.

See post above, even a low hip score in parents doesn't mean your pup is okay. It is genetic and can miss generations.

Hi K_8,

Thanks for your post. Email me @ joroll@webtribe.net and I can update you on how Keira got on at East Neuk.

Joanne

Best of luck! John Ferguson and all the staff at East Neuk are superb so I'm sure all will go well for Keira now.

Hi K-8

Sorry to hear about your dog but hopefully this will show those people who say that Labradoodle's won't have the problems that pedigrees have is totally and utterly unfounded.

Did you see the paperwork of the sire and dams hipscores as you get certificates when they are done?

Hope all goes OK.  Don't know how much exercise etc. you do with your dog but even now if you've been doing a lot lessening it could help slightly.

Give your dog a big hug from me.

Regards.
Diane

Sorry top hear about Keira. Just out of interest how did they decide on operating on her at such a young age ?

I have a Lab Dudley who is now three and was first diagnosed at 10 months but we waited until she was older to have her hipscored. This was done and 87 which is severe but with a good controlled excercise regime, diet and medication. synoquin and very occasional metacam she is as fit as a fiddle and enjoying life to the full :)

Lucy
xx

Keira couldn't hardly walk after about 5 minutes on the beach one day. Her hip dysplacia was very severe and also has elbow dysplacia which will need to be watched. She is such a loving, funny puppy I couldn't watch her going through the pain. When I first took her to East Neuk Veterinary Clinic she was so bad that if they hadn't operated on the first hip that week, another couple of weeks would have been too late. Fingers crossed when she gets the all clear in December she can lead a normal life and catch up on being a puppy.

I would just like to add, good for you! I am so for paying for a dog even if its uninsured.  My dogs aren't (worked out that it would have been cheaper for me to put 30 quid a month away) but they are your dependants, like children, and have always said 'I have a car outside that I lived without for 27 years!'

My doggy is v poorly, and has cost me a mere 550 pounds (pound sign doesn't work on my keyboard!) but as a single mum, that has really made it's mark.  However, if I thought I could save my Zimba for double that, i would.

I really hope Keira gets better and can run with the best of the labs. 

Kisses from me and Zimbs,

Clare x

Hi Elizadog,

My newfounland was the 1st dog in this country to undergo Triple Pelvic Osteotomy 17 yrs ago.He was also the 1st dog they attempted this operation and for both hips.

The operation was part of a large study then and so was Ben our Newfie at Cambridge University under Professer Mr John Houlton (who now I believe is the chief scrutineer in Ebows) who devloped the operation at Cambridge and taught other vets in this country and Europe how to perform it.Video were also taken for use in vet schools.
Ben did recover well.

I wish you good luck with your dog :-)

Hi

Hope everything goes well for you. I have not had to go through the problems like this and hope i dont have to even though I have labs.

Good luck.