A Tough Decision

Updated on January 26, 2013
S.H. asks from Saint James, MO
10 answers

at 7 months, our pup (1/2 Germ Shep, 1/2 Bouvier) has been diagnosed with total hip dysplasia in both hips. <10% is contained in each joint, with arthritis present. This is a 2nd opinion. & now that we know what we're dealing with, the signs have been present since we "rescued" him as a new pup. Within the year, he will be unable to walk on his own. In the past 2 weeks, we've had a complete breakdown of his physical activity, even down to eating. We thought he was just beginning to calm down, but now we know differently. Our hearts are broken.

We have been offered 3 tx options:
1. meds/shots will help with some of the pain, but not all.
2. reconstructive surgery, with zero guarantee for success + will increase the arthritic build-up.
3. total hip replacement, both sides....with elimination of some pain + an increase of the arthritis.

Additionally, our vet is very conservative when it comes to euthanasia. He is an advocate for alternative/progressive care. In our case, he has offered to ease our pup's suffering. To me, this is so unexpected & out of the norm for our dr, that it screams how serious this case is.

Sooo, what I'm looking for is not a judgment on whether or not we should proceed with treatment. What I need is additional background & feedback as to the individual procedures. I'm not looking for opinions on which treatment to use. I need cold, hard facts as to the efficacy of each method. Has anyone been thru any of these procedures & how well did they ease your dog's pain?

I think one of the more difficult emotional aspects of this entire event is that....our older son battled a degenerative hip disease from age 6 on, had reconstructive surgery which did not help/ease his suffering, & went thru his 1st hip replacement at age 23. He still lives in pain, & will do so for the rest of his life. It is very difficult not to parallel his life with the pup. We are trying very hard not to let these emotions affect our choices. I am research-driven ...& plan on spending the weekend searching for answers. This pup has been my 24/7 companion for the past 5 months, & deserves the best respect we can give him.

TIA

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J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

Perhaps it is my strange way of looking at life but I don't think animals see life as we do. To me this makes it unfair to base decisions on how we feel, what we know.

Both humans and animals have the drive, the will to live, but it is not based on the same criteria. They do not understand quality of life, we do, ya know?

Even then we have the ability to judge an animal's quality of life but even then we can't determine, clearly, what that means to the animal.

I say this because I see to often prolonging an animal's life for the human without consideration for how the animal feels.

One of the hardest things *I* endured was watching my ex mother in law prolong her dogs life. *She* was not ready to let go so she rationalized that he would want to live but he was a dog, he had no idea of life and death, only survival. So for a year I had to watch this dog suffer, a dog that clearly only knew he could not breathe, he could not run, if a dog really had happiness, he was unhappy. She took him for chemo to keep the cancer in his throat from growing and completely constricting his airway. It was inoperable.

Eventually, just before he could no longer breathe at all, she put him to sleep. I saw her only as a cruel selfish woman though it all even when she said she was doing it for her pet.

So I guess I am saying don't look at this from a human point of view. Instead look at how the dog will see things. He understands pain, loss of mobility, things like that. He does not understand this pain will allow him to live longer, walk better, he cannot see the end game, that is a human ability.

Please consider not what is best for you but for the dog.

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D.S.

answers from Kansas City on

Oh, I don't have an answer for you, but my heart goes out to you and your pup! Whatever you choose, it's clear that you do so out of love and what is best for your pet. May you find peace in your decision and never look back with regret at "what if." I hope one of the options is able to give him a long life, but it seems that whatever time he gets will be happy with you. Warm wags and puppy love to you.

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M.S.

answers from Washington DC on

At 6 months old (2000), our large breed dog was diagnosed with the same thing. We had TPO surgery done on her and she had MANY, MANY good years to follow. The surgeon we were referred to did this routinely so we had great confidence in a good outcome. If you catch it early enough it is a pretty easy recovery also. This was 13 years ago so I'm guessing they've come a long way. It is costly so you will have to do some soul searching. For us it was a no-brainer. Our dog was part of the family and we had hope for her having a great life. As arthritis progressed later in life she had baby aspirin and meloxicam for the inflamation and also took glucosamine and chondroitin. Please make sure you have an experienced surgeon in an experienced clinic. I hope your pup is a candidate!

If you do go ahead with any surgery make sure your dog is confined to a room with non-slipping rugs or carpeting so he can get his footing and follow the recovery and therapy recommendations to a tee. I CAN"T stress enough to get an experienced surgeon! Do you have a college in your area with a Vet school? At the time we even found a TPO forum online. Maybe you can also and this will give you up to date info on this surgery. We only did one hip at a time. Not sure how doing both would work but check into it. Good luck to you. I KNOW how heartbreaking and stressful this is. PM me if you need to.
added: I'm sorry my link will not post completely. Please google TPO surgery. If your pup is not a candidate I would definitely go for the total hip replacement. I've heard ok human outcomes and miraculous human outcomes.

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C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

My father in law spent $7,500K on total hip replacement surgery for his dog...a lab pup...he ended up "loving her to death" - and she lived to the age of 7. Even after the surgery - she still had hip problems...they weren't as bad, but she had them...she got arthritis...the shots were expensive...he loved her so much that he gave her human food (really bad for a dog) and she ended up being morbidly obese and the vet kept telling him to get her on a diet, etc. he put her down when she was 7. her hips were really bad...now - that IS because he fed her human food and she was WWWWAAAAAYYY overweight...but NOT ALL of it was due to that...I would say 2 years post surgery - her hips were giving her problems...that's when he started "loving her to death"...

while I'm all for helping my dog out...there comes a time when you have to weigh the pros and cons...

1. can you afford the shots, etc. for another 7 to 10 years?
2. can you afford the surgery? and the upkeep after the surgery?
3. quality of life...really - how good is she going to have it?

For me? As harsh as it sounds, I would re-home the dog with someone who could afford the upkeep or put the dog down. I am a HUGE dog lover...HUGE...but I lean on the side of humane treatment and quality of life...

Good luck...I know how hard this decision will be on you and your family. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

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T.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Oh S., I am so sorry, especially with such a young dog :-(
Jo W makes some REALLY valid points, yet I know as an animal lover the heart often trumps the mind. The same could be said for being the mother of a young child, whom also lacks a real understanding of a future, or a life without pain.
Knowing what is best and what is right are often two very different things.
And there is always the "what if."
What if we didn't at least try?
What if we didn't do everything we could?
Do your research, and make the best possible, rational decision you can.
Know that you will not be judged, because animals are not capable of judgement (IMO) and certainly none of US will judge you, no matter what you decide.
<<<HUGS>>>

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J.C.

answers from Anchorage on

My pup has a joint deformity that sounds similar. He has daily medication that manages his pain. The meds will eventually destroy his liver, but he can have a happy and full life until then. But I don't know how bad off your dog is. When molly's hips got real bad (my older lab I used to have) we gave her meds until one day she could no longer stand, then we had her put down. It is a heart breaking choice for sure.

Blessed Be you and yours.

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B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

The finances needed to treat and sustain treatment over the years for a pet would be beyond a lot of people.
If you can spare the money, you have the decision of which options to take.
If you can't spare the money, or it would put you into debt, or it would ruin your finances, your options are more limited.
Good luck with what ever you choose to do.

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V.W.

answers from Jacksonville on

I'm sure the vets have given you all the treatment options available for him, but it surprises me that in the list there isn't any sort of treatment that immobilizes the hind legs so that the growing bone can grow around the ball, like they do with human babies. I mean, they make those wheeled contraptions that roll hind quarters for dogs that are paralyzed in the hind quarters, don't they? It seems like they could make something like that, but maybe he is past the growth period where that is possible. I don't have any special insight into it. I just know that my daughter had some hip dysplasia when she was born, and that was the treatment: a foam brace that splayed her legs like a frog, worn pretty much 24/7 for a month or so, or more (depending on how well it went). She is fine now (Thank the Lord!).

But I am aware of newer recommendations NOT to feed large breed dogs puppy chow, because it specifically promotes them growing fast, and they do SO much growing (because of their adult size) that they can have these sorts of issues, due to the fast growth of the bones.

Is very sad. Sorry that you have discovered this at this point--after you are already so attached with him. And he sounds like such a sweet big old lug, too. :(

I know you went to at least 2 different vets, is there ANY options to see about any alternative treatment, or maybe you have already pursued that.
Just sending you a big hug. I can't imagine, after all you've dealt with over hip issues already. :(

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C.S.

answers from Las Vegas on

The hard facts are that we never really know how our body will take to a surgery or how we will heal.

I had foot surgery on both feet at the same time. One foot is great while the other foot...well I found a great specialist at UCLA that I will probably go see.

I have had ankle surgery to repair a tear in the tendon, which healed great and there is not problems there.

Almost 3 years ago, I had back surgery to repair my broken back and torn discs. I am thankful that is fine.

As for the feet, they healed at the same rate, had the same doctor, and should have had the same result. Maybe my body rejected the surgery on that foot, maybe the doctor missed something...no one knows.

Your dogs results are no different, maybe it will work and maybe it won't. That is why the doctor won't guarantee it.

So if your dog is already showing signs of pain and slowing down in activity, all you can do is try if you can afford it and are willing to do so. I am sure this is a lot of out of pocket money.

Tough decisions ahead.

Best wishes.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

I have no idea on the info about this, but I have seen in my city, dogs with hip/back leg issues... and they have a sort of small wheelie cart... in which their 2 hind legs are in... and they therefore can be mobile this way.
You might look into that. The dogs seemed happy. The owners "walking" their dog along.

I did a Google Search on "wheelie carts for dogs hind legs." Here is one link:
http://eddieswheels.com/

And another link:
http://www.handicappedpets.com/adjustable-dog-wheelchairs...

Or Google Search "carts for handicapped pets."

All the best.

Growing up, we had a dog with arthritis in her hips and she was partially blind. And old. But she was still so alert etc. and got around somehow.
Then she died. Not due to her health issues, but from the neighbor's dog that attacked her. That got on our property.

You might also consider, that your dog may be "depressed."
The pain, the mobility hardship etc.

Or perhaps, Acupuncture for dogs.
An alternative approach for pain.
http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2012-05-22/lifestyle/3...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-karen-becker/dogs-acupun...
http://www.acupuncture.com/animals/dog.htm

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