Well, it's starting....

[dirtmcgirt]

...the dreaded problems of large breeds and their joints.

Rhueben (Saint) started limping a couple weeks ago and it has progressively gotten worse. We took him in for x-rays yesterday only to find out that he has to have surgery on both front elbows, and arthritus is already setting in. (He is only 17 months old)

Something about the "cushion" bone in the joints chipped off, so the bones are making direct contact with one another on impact.
His surgery is not scheduled until the first week of May, so in the meantime we have to keep him comfortable, and do some icing and heat treatments.

So we have to make a trip (3 hours) to Virginia Tech to have the procedure done and it is going to cost between $1400-$2000...

The poor guy is in a good bit of pain.. I'll just be glad when the procedure is done.

 

[Fran27]

I'm sorry to hear that... I'm expecting to have the same kinds of problems with Boris. He hasn't limped in a long while now but it's been obvious since he was 6 months that his back hips have problems. It doesn't seem to bother him though. Keep us posted about Rhueben!

 

[corsomom]

Poor Rhueben. can your vet give him something for his pain?

 

[JennSLK]

Im really sorry

 

[dirtmcgirt]

Poor Rhueben. can your vet give him something for his pain?

Yeah.. he actually is on something. I hope that it is helping..

 

[Barb04]

Hugs to you both. Let us know when he has the surgery. I'll be praying that he comes through with flying colors and has a speedy recovery.

 

[dirtmcgirt]

Yeah me too.. I'm just glad that they are doing it arthroscopically, so his recovery won't be too bad..

 

[BullyLover]

Wow...that sucks. And so young....I hope he gets better.

 

[Kase]

Poor Rhueben, I'm so sorry.

 

[Renee750il]

Poor baby! Can you get him a piece of visco (memory) foam to sleep on? It's temperature sensitive so it gets softer as it gets warmer and it will retain body heat as well - would feel good on those sore joints.

 

[dirtmcgirt]

Poor baby! Can you get him a piece of visco (memory) foam to sleep on? It's temperature sensitive so it gets softer as it gets warmer and it will retain body heat as well - would feel good on those sore joints.

I'm going to have to try that.. Is it something that I can just get out of a catalog? He has a very thick bed right now though..

 

[RD]

The visco foam is a great idea, our old dogs adored it.

Poor guy he's so young, too.

 

[Agility23]

I have been there as well i hope its ok.

I have a link partner at my site Pet product links who sells extra large beds for large breeds if its any use to you.

 

[Renee750il]

I'm going to have to try that.. Is it something that I can just get out of a catalog? He has a very thick bed right now though..

It's not so much how thick the bed is as that the visco holds the body heat and it really does have a different "feel" to it. You might be able to buy one of those pads for the top of a bed and cut it down (if it's a twin you might even just fold it in half and score it) and fold a sheet in half, sew up two sides, cover the foam with it and use gripper snaps to shut the opening. That way you can take the cover off and wash it. Flannel or tee shirt fabric sheets would do a great job.