Re: Laufey hass been diagnosed at 8 months with severe hip displasia and we need HELP
TMmom,
I'm still curious about the TPO decision.
Would you help me understand why they are pushing this surgery now?
This so early & extreme for any dog that is not lame.
I'm also very concerned that the x-ray was not done under FULL sedation--regardless of how good your girl may behave, there is *NO* substitute for the xrays being done under full sedation--just a tiny shift-much less than a centimeter can change the images drastically. I understand you didn't want your girl sedated unnecessarily, but I cannot understand why the vet did not explain full sedation IS necessary to get the full story.
Also of huge consern to me is TM's growth stages & also the fact that many vets are not familiar with TM's.
It's my understanding, & someone please correct me if I am wrong:
TM's growth period is longer than many other common breeds that the vet would be familiar with. This means many changes can & do still take place during the next couple of years.
--I thought OFA didn't do even hip certs on pups/dogs under 2 yrs due to changes that can (& often do) occur that correct the loose hips--things are still growing & fusing.
I thought TM's had looser hips to begin with but that is not itself indicative of a problem?? my understanding is this: Higher laxity does mean higher risk for arthritis, but does not necessarily indicate they will get it is my understanding.
It is also my understanding that PennHip is more thorough in determining hip status because they actually measure for joint laxity. Now this may be something that only breeders are concerned with, but for me, PennHip appears more thorough in their assessments & much more stringent in their protocols.
In my reading on TM's, I took it to mean due to the fact that TM's are not a true mastiff & are more of a mountain dog breed, similar to how great pyrs have looser hips due to genetics & the terrain they were accustomed to working.
Please understand, I'm not discounting the seriousness of the situation--but I am personally not comfortable with a vet who isn't following a protocol & recommending such a surgery. I'm trying to understand why they are pushing for something so extreme this fast. Maybe there's something I missed or do not understand in your posts.
Before my last girl was dx'd, it was layed out to me in specific language that I should run from any vet who did not follow the sedated hip xray protocol, because it can lead to incorrect assessment.
Direct personal experiences do help a LOT. There's a few people on this site who's pooches have had surgery for their mastiffs, but I don't think you're gonna find much written on the TM & HD, it does happen but since there's not many TM's & also even fewer people online posting, that leaves you with a big gap.
Two places that have a LOT more experiences written about the various surgeries & treatments & their outcomes for HD are German Shepherd forums & Golden Retriever forums, since HD is much more common in those breeds. That's where I read a lot.
I hope I'm not breaking any rules by posting a link to another forum.
Golden Retrievers : Golden Retriever Dog Forums
Back when I was researching options for my last girl, I searched on that forum & there are some who actually posted a lot of details & even pics of their experiences, but you gotta dig for then using the search features.
here is another example:
Recovery from TPO surgery - what to expect? - Golden Retrievers : Golden Retriever Dog Forums
Again, please don't misunderstand the reason for my questions-I'm trying to learn here as well-but I have been down this road & do have much experience.
Of course QOL (quality of life) for Laufey is the most important thing, & is she's still developing & you said isn't lame-I just do not understand why they are pushing for surgery--is she symptomatic outside of puppy growing pains?
And if she is symptomatic in some ways--which ones???
--what criteria is this vet giving you to differentiate growing pains & development to needing extreme surgery?
