X-Ray results in an 18month Fila Brasiliero Male

[zstevens]

Attached are the x-rays taken yesterday for my 18 month old puppy. He weighed 124 lbs. I bought him for $2000 from Lions Den in southern California and was told they are now out of business. His shot record when I received him was from Mexico and I never received any papers on the sire or dam.

I was told he has unilateral hip dysplasia and elbow luxation with arthritis, his carpals appeared normal. I'm attempted to get a second opinion from an ortho vet on the x-rays without having to take him anywhere as I'm in a small town. I would like to know my options and his prognosis. I wonder if I can find an ortho vet to look at the x-rays without having to take him in?

I was told to keep his weight down, limit strenous activity(difficult to do since I have any rambunctious pup that likes to play with him as much as possible) and to give him joint supplements.

He can still jog and sprint in bursts but he moves slowly and deliberately. He no longer wants to play with my other pup much and seems withdrawn. He licks his front legs and seems depressed. I'm considering putting him down if elbow surgery wouldn't help much. If anyone has experience with x-rays or has had a similar problem please chime in. I'm not sure what to do.

 

[zstevens]

Photos continued....

 

[angelbears]

You're SOL as far as Lions Den is concerned. I have heard of x-rays being sent to a specialist without the pup going in for a visit. Of course you will have to pay for it. Hopefully, someone will chime in with a recommendation. I have used Phycox for a supplement and I really liked the results. You can usually get it from Amazon cheaper than you can from the vet. Unfortunately, the licking is a sign of pain.

I am very sorry you and your pup are going through this. Hopefully, you will get some good news.

 

[marke]

you could send them to the ofa , call them ......... while he absolutely has problems i think the hd is not that bad , i would think an injury as a young pup ......... i'm not that familiar with elbow dysplasia , but i've seen a lot worse looking elbows , they do appear they maybe slightly arthritic ....... i don't know the circumstances of how this dog was raised , but no unconditioned house dog should be sprinting , no more than a non-conditioned person should be .....i've always conditioned my puppies , and i never have ortho problems , i figure it must be the conditioning because it can't be the food , i've raised them on eukanuba , purina , science diet , diamond , solid gold , iams , orijen , blue buffalo and bil jac ..... the orijen i had to get them off of because they never got used to it . the only other food i had to get my dogs off was nutro ....... exercise that dog by walking , swimming or trotting , talk to an ortho vet about supplement ........ all that is what i'd do with mine , and just my opinion .

 

[zstevens]

you could send them to the ofa , call them ......... while he absolutely has problems i think the hd is not that bad , i would think an injury as a young pup ......... i'm not that familiar with elbow dysplasia , but i've seen a lot worse looking elbows , they do appear they maybe slightly arthritic ....... i don't know the circumstances of how this dog was raised , but no unconditioned house dog should be sprinting , no more than a non-conditioned person should be .....i've always conditioned my puppies , and i never have ortho problems , i figure it must be the conditioning because it can't be the food , i've raised them on eukanuba , purina , science diet , diamond , solid gold , iams , orijen , blue buffalo and bil jac ..... the orijen i had to get them off of because they never got used to it . the only other food i had to get my dogs off was nutro ....... exercise that dog by walking , swimming or trotting , talk to an ortho vet about supplement ........ all that is what i'd do with mine , and just my opinion .

Great advise about calling the OFA! Thank you.

 

[Smokeycat]

Elbows are difficult. My EM is almost 2 years post surgery for his elbow dysplasia. He can still have bad days where he is limping and is obviously in pain, usually because he over did it. The major counter measure that I have done with him is to keep his weight down, he is around 15-20 lbs under an ideal weight. The amount of exercise he gets depends on how he is feeling that day, walks range from 5 minutes to 45 minutes.
Kryten has Elbow Dysplasia - Mastiff Forum This is the link to the thread I made while dealing with Kryten's diagnosis and surgery. It includes x-rays of his elbows so that you can see them.

 

[gilles]

dont know about elbows but his hips are not that bad..one of them is good the other is a bit shallow but ok.

 

[zstevens]

Elbows are difficult. My EM is almost 2 years post surgery for his elbow dysplasia. He can still have bad days where he is limping and is obviously in pain, usually because he over did it. The major counter measure that I have done with him is to keep his weight down, he is around 15-20 lbs under an ideal weight. The amount of exercise he gets depends on how he is feeling that day, walks range from 5 minutes to 45 minutes.
Kryten has Elbow Dysplasia - Mastiff Forum This is the link to the thread I made while dealing with Kryten's diagnosis and surgery. It includes x-rays of his elbows so that you can see them.

Thanks Smokeycat. Very informative thread. You really love your dog and went the extra mile for him you should be proud for being so responsible.

 

[zstevens]

dont know about elbows but his hips are not that bad..one of them is good the other is a bit shallow but ok.

Glad to hear that gilles, thank you I can only can hope it's true.

 

[DDSK]

Poor pup

 

[marke]

Glad to hear that gilles, thank you I can only can hope it's true.

here is an x-ray of a dog I once had and a pic of him at 12yrs , the x-ray was taken before he was 2yrs ...... there is a difference between a dog being dysplastic and a dog having a problem .............your dogs x-ray is much better than this ...........................

 

[babyjoemurphy]

Don't know if this helps but I had Lincs x-rays sent over to a ortho vet just yesterday. I'm sure I wouldn't have to bring him in for a visit considering it's a second opinion but I am anyways.

Mainly because Linc seriously has to start liking the vet soon lol

 

[aceoutdoor]

Sorry to hear about this. Unfortunately they are still breeding. From their site "Our Fila Brasileiro pups come with Health Guarantee, Registration for Pedigree and Lifetime Support". Appreciate you sharing your experience.

 

[zstevens]

Radiologist Report

PELVIS may 27th, 2015: A ventrodorsal view is available for review.

FINDINGS: There is subluxation of the femoral head on the left side of the image. A radiopaque marker was not present to determine laterality. There is an enthesophyte associated with the attachment of the joint capsule on the femoral neck bilaterally. The patella is in a normal position bilaterally.

THORACIC LIMBS may 27th, 2015:6 views are available for review.

FINDINGS: The shoulders are radiographically normal. There is a poorly defined medial coronoid bilaterally and irregularity to the anconeal process with marked remodeling of the proximal radius and cranial aspect of the distal humerus bilaterally. There is bilateral sclerosis of the ulna trochlea and mild remodeling of the medial epicondyle. There is an angular mineral opacity adjacent to the proximal interphalangeal joint of the second digit on the left. A further mineral opacity is superimposed on the proximal phalanx of the fourth digit. There are similar mineral opacities adjacent to the fifth right digit on the lateral projection. There is very mild osteophyte formation on the dorsal aspect of the carpus bilaterally. The carpi and digits are otherwise normal.

CONCLUSIONS: There is hip dysplasia on one side, and the presence of an osteophyte associated with joint capsule attachment bilaterally suggests mild osteoarthrosis. The appearance of the elbows bilaterally is consistent with medial coronoid disease, a form of elbow dysplasia. Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia have a genetic component.

There is also mild bilateral carpal osteoarthrosis. The mineral opacities adjacent to the digits could be superimposed dirt, and embedded foreign material or dystrophic mineralization is less likely.

 

[gilles]

radiologists tend to exaggerate and put everything in detail..... his hips look ok one of them is a bit shallow but is still ok. what concerns me are the elbows.... let an experienced vet look at it. the rest of the report is nothing to be really worried about. check the elbows

 

[Hector]

So after they explained the xrays, what were the recommendations/plans forward? Are these deposits a problem now and will it be a problem later?

 

[zstevens]

So after they explained the xrays, what were the recommendations/plans forward? Are these deposits a problem now and will it be a problem later?

I wasn't given an explanation in layman's terms yet since the vet is on vacation for a week. I will report what she tells me and figure out what I can do. I may have to put this poor guy down.

 

[Hector]

I wasn't given an explanation in layman's terms yet since the vet is on vacation for a week. I will report what she tells me and figure out what I can do. I may have to put this poor guy down.

 

[marke]

I may have to put this poor guy down.

certainly not because of his hips ?????

 

[zstevens]

certainly not because of his hips ?????

No I don't think the hip dysplasia is severe enough to warrant euthanasia. His elbows, carpals, and forelimbs may be enough to though. I'm not sure. I will see what they can do for him. He has mild arthritis in both carpals both elbows and one side of hip if I understand correctly and it only will worsen with time. I don't know how much pain he is in but he doesn't move around or play like a normal dog. What kind of life is that for him? I'm waiting to hear from the vet.