*hugs* Thank you and Mike for the concern, the advice and the good vibes. I am gonna SO VERY pamper you when you two make it out here.
Ellie's continuing to make it. She's *marginally* better. I'm worried that we're going to have to fuse the joint. That's what my vet says is the next, more drastic step. She's managed seven years this way, which is pretty damn good considering the circumstances.
Which joint is this? The knee (stifle) or hock? Mike mentioned quite a few things to me rearding her astonishing backstory (Yikes! HBC in a big way!), but he wasn't sure what was actually broken in the first place.
Fused hocks do fairly well for the average pet. Fused knees don't have quite the smashing success, but they manage. :) Torn cruciate ligaments can be dealt with surgically with good results.
So, in the long run, sounds like you've still got options, which is a good thing. If I can provide any info at all, let me know. :)
We're talking the left-rear leg, at the hock. That's the part of her leg what's missing a tendon. The partially torn cruciate ligament is on her right rear leg. Her left-rear is her Miracle Leg, the one Mike tole you about, I s'pect. So we're looking at two separate troubles for my gal.
She *is* doing better, I think. Thank you for being a willing third voice, mister. I mean it about pampering you two. (And thanks for the Spectrum kudos!!)
Oof, yeah, the opposite-leg issue is problematic...which do you deal with first; and which can support weight for 2 legs while the first heals? It sounds like your vet is spot-on for what to do, so your girl is in good hands. :)
Here we go. I had to take Ellie today, since one end of the metal brace on her leg had poked through the gauze and she was trying to lick it away. I managed to catch it before too much irritation had been caused, but she's got a little sore spot there now. Damnation!
She seems on the mend, but we're going to stick with the brace for another ten days. Thanks for the confirmation with regard to my vet's advice, and everything else you've said, mister, it's done a lot to settle my heart.
Dr. Freyman spoke of a patented form of cruciate surgery today, what he recommended for Ellie's right leg; it weighs in at 3k. If that's the best option I'm going to do it. Are you familiar with...I think the acronym he used was TOPL? It involves bone modification as part of the corrective surgery. Do you know anything about this?
I've got to tell you that I feel a little weird about asking you questions like this, because it feels like I've not given enough to warrant the gift. Does that make sense?
First off, you're welcome to ask me anything, anytime. I'm happy to help! Trust me when I say that you've done plenty to warrant the simple exchange of information. Aside from that, it's my pleasure to offer this kind of help. It's why I do what I do, and teaching is my favorite part of my job
( ... )
Re: Ask Away! :)berbalangApril 7 2006, 21:23:20 UTC
Oh man, I do believe 'T's told me about the Infamous Dr. Flo. Talk about a taskmaster!! Sheesh.
I am thinking I'll go for the TPLO and move out my out-of-debt deadline by a little. I'm already busting my hump, I can do it for a while longer if it means she'll have the quality of life she deserves. The specialist Dr. Freyman works with is certified for the procedure and apparently does little else; two or more surgeries at the Factoria clinic alone. Sounds like he knows his stuff.
Can't do anything 'til the LEFT leg's better, anyhow, so we'll take it...*sigh*..one step at a time. Unavoidable pun.
*hugstight* Thank you very much for being such a willing ear. You and 'T are a PAIR of princes.
Re: Ask Away! :)otterdocApril 7 2006, 23:27:25 UTC
Again, it's truly my pleasure to help out however I can. :) Keep me posted, and best of luck with the surgery and mending that poor accident-crunched leg.
Head scratches all around. :)
-M.
Reply
Ellie's continuing to make it. She's *marginally* better. I'm worried that we're going to have to fuse the joint. That's what my vet says is the next, more drastic step. She's managed seven years this way, which is pretty damn good considering the circumstances.
Poor pup.
Reply
Mike mentioned quite a few things to me rearding her astonishing backstory (Yikes! HBC in a big way!), but he wasn't sure what was actually broken in the first place.
Fused hocks do fairly well for the average pet.
Fused knees don't have quite the smashing success, but they manage. :)
Torn cruciate ligaments can be dealt with surgically with good results.
So, in the long run, sounds like you've still got options, which is a good thing. If I can provide any info at all, let me know. :)
And congrats on your publication in Spectrum!
-M.
Reply
We're talking the left-rear leg, at the hock. That's the part of her leg what's missing a tendon. The partially torn cruciate ligament is on her right rear leg. Her left-rear is her Miracle Leg, the one Mike tole you about, I s'pect. So we're looking at two separate troubles for my gal.
She *is* doing better, I think. Thank you for being a willing third voice, mister. I mean it about pampering you two. (And thanks for the Spectrum kudos!!)
Reply
Yeah, that icon is a bit o'surgery. ;D
-M.
Reply
She seems on the mend, but we're going to stick with the brace for another ten days. Thanks for the confirmation with regard to my vet's advice, and everything else you've said, mister, it's done a lot to settle my heart.
Dr. Freyman spoke of a patented form of cruciate surgery today, what he recommended for Ellie's right leg; it weighs in at 3k. If that's the best option I'm going to do it. Are you familiar with...I think the acronym he used was TOPL? It involves bone modification as part of the corrective surgery. Do you know anything about this?
I've got to tell you that I feel a little weird about asking you questions like this, because it feels like I've not given enough to warrant the gift. Does that make sense?
Reply
Reply
I am thinking I'll go for the TPLO and move out my out-of-debt deadline by a little. I'm already busting my hump, I can do it for a while longer if it means she'll have the quality of life she deserves. The specialist Dr. Freyman works with is certified for the procedure and apparently does little else; two or more surgeries at the Factoria clinic alone. Sounds like he knows his stuff.
Can't do anything 'til the LEFT leg's better, anyhow, so we'll take it...*sigh*..one step at a time. Unavoidable pun.
*hugstight* Thank you very much for being such a willing ear. You and 'T are a PAIR of princes.
Reply
Keep me posted, and best of luck with the surgery and mending that poor accident-crunched leg.
-M.
Reply
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