Lameness and Surgery :(

Carlsmom · May 30, 2018

Hello all,

I assume not many have had experience with this but I figure its worth a shot for some insight/guidance. Bear with me as this might get a little lengthy... P.s ..this is all above my head and I have had a hard time keeping track of all the different terms, so I apologize in advance.

My little Banks (7mos) began limping approximately 1 month ago - zero indication of pain, still weight bearing etc. A trip to the vet determined it was his left shoulder causing him this limp - the vet did a full body examine and Banks did not yelp or anything, just squirmed a bit when his shoulder was examined. To rule out a sprain of any sort and I think to save us some money, the vet recommended a week of limited activity and anti-imflamatories. Long story short, it was did NOT improve so we took him back into the vet last week and he had X-rays. From the X-rays the vet was able to determine he has (again don't really know the correct term) a gap between his elbow bones, on both front legs. We sent the X-rays off to a radiologist to confirm our findings and for a second opinion - I have attached her report, please feel free to read it to have a better understanding of what is going on. My vet is also going to send them to a board certified surgeon because he is concerned that it is severe enough that Banks may need bone plating or a more invasive surgery that would require a specialist in this area. My vet said if he performs the more simple surgery himself, it is relatively simple and inexpensive but if deemed necessary he needs a surgeon and bone plating, it can be a couple thousand dollars....

When I asked my vet what would "happen" if we didn't go ahead with surgery, he said we can try and manage Banks symptoms with supplements etc. But, as he gets older he runs the very high risk of developing severe arthritis and degenerative joint disease..

I am beside myself! I feel so bad for Banks and quite frankly my bank account. I have another french bulldog as well so when I purchased Banks I of course did TONS of research and purchased him from a very reputable breeder. As the report I have attached states, this is likely a genetic issue and not a trauma to his joints/bones. I am going to review the health contract she provided me and speak to my vet about if he thinks I have a leg to walk in order to confront the breeder.

Looking for any thoughts, recommendations or other ideas?!

I also included a photo of Banks for a cuteness factor in this sucky situation lol!

Cbrugs · May 30, 2018

Sorry you are going through this and Banks is such a cutie! Most reputable breeders give at least a 1 year health guarantee so I would think this would fall under that if it is genetic. I guess the question is would you give Banks back? I would probably see what the surgeon says, maybe it is not as bad as it could be and the more simple surgery will be enough.

Jax had to have surgery last summer to repair a herniated disc in his neck and he was diagnosed with IVDD. Thankfully I have insurance and they reimbursed me back 90% of the cost. He has just started to have issues again so he is going to the neurologist this afternoon.

Tgirl · May 30, 2018

I can't read the report, it's tiny on my computer . I hate to hear this though. Poor baby.

Alice Kable · May 30, 2018

I am so sorry to hear this, poor Banks! I would notify the breeder and think they should be willing to give you a refund and keep Banks. The refund money should go a long way to help with medical expenses.

Squishy Walnuts · May 30, 2018

I agree with the others, have a chat with the breeder. Poor guy, he's such a cutie!

Carlsmom · May 30, 2018

Thanks all. Appreciate the kind words.

Sorry about the tiny attachment! If anyone has a keen interest in reading the report, I can email it to you. We are going to wait until we know for sure which surgery he needs and what the cost is going to be before we contact the breeder. I will update the thread as I get updates.

2bullymama · Jun 1, 2018

Poor little girl! ... I love her face and her name :heart:

I would also talk with the breeder explain the findings in the report as being genic and ask for a refi=und as others suggested, I'm sure you are not wanting to give her back, so see if the breeder with refund your money or assist in pay for the surgery.

best of luck and please keep us posted

davidh · Jun 3, 2018

So sorry to hear this and I would definitely let the breeder know. This is genetic and they need to know and should not breed again until they find out which side the defect came from and never breed that again. As for surgery, I would get a second opinion and go from there. If in fact surgery is the way to go, there is credit care that can help. Please keep us posted.

Carlsmom · Jun 4, 2018

Hi everyone,

A bit of an update, with good and bad news.

The good news is that the board surgeon determined that the benefit from surgery would be very low. The surgeon stated, "I don't know that surgery is going to do much for this dog. Rather than elbow incongruity, I think this is more consistent with a malformed humeral condyle. Typically, with true elbow incongruity, we would do a proximal ulnar osteotomy to "release" the tension on the ulna. In this case, however, an ulnar osteotomy won't accomplish much, as there is nowhere for the ulna to go. This is illustrated best on the right AP view - the medial distal humeral condylar ridge is sitting way below the level of the lateral, however the medial coronoid is articulating in an appropriate position."

The bad news is that there is no "treatment or cure" for his condition and he is likely going to have to deal with it for the rest of his life. His chances are very high of developing severe arthritis and/or DJD. My vet said we can continue to monitor his symptoms and treat him with medication, supplements, and particular food, on as needed basis. I have emailed the breeder providing her with all the facts and reports from the 2 specialists who have provided their input - I asked her how she would like to proceed.. so we shall see how that goes.

My fear is that Banks' condition is going to become very severe, leaving him immobile at a young age - even leading to us having to put him down or watch him suffer as he can't walk comfortably. If the breeder offers to take him back, I may have to consider that option as I don't think my heart could handle becoming more attached to him and at the same time watch his health decline as result of his genetic deformity.

I will let you guys know what the breeder says..

2bullymama · Jun 4, 2018

Carlsmom said:
Hi everyone,

A bit of an update, with good and bad news.

The good news is that the board surgeon determined that the benefit from surgery would be very low. The surgeon stated, "I don't know that surgery is going to do much for this dog. Rather than elbow incongruity, I think this is more consistent with a malformed humeral condyle. Typically, with true elbow incongruity, we would do a proximal ulnar osteotomy to "release" the tension on the ulna. In this case, however, an ulnar osteotomy won't accomplish much, as there is nowhere for the ulna to go. This is illustrated best on the right AP view - the medial distal humeral condylar ridge is sitting way below the level of the lateral, however the medial coronoid is articulating in an appropriate position."

The bad news is that there is no "treatment or cure" for his condition and he is likely going to have to deal with it for the rest of his life. His chances are very high of developing severe arthritis and/or DJD. My vet said we can continue to monitor his symptoms and treat him with medication, supplements, and particular food, on as needed basis. I have emailed the breeder providing her with all the facts and reports from the 2 specialists who have provided their input - I asked her how she would like to proceed.. so we shall see how that goes.

My fear is that Banks' condition is going to become very severe, leaving him immobile at a young age - even leading to us having to put him down or watch him suffer as he can't walk comfortably. If the breeder offers to take him back, I may have to consider that option as I don't think my heart could handle becoming more attached to him and at the same time watch his health decline as result of his genetic deformity.

I will let you guys know what the breeder says..

Maybe he can use one of those carts made specifically for dogs with legs issues

Alice Kable · Jun 4, 2018

Whatever the outcome the most important thing is his quality of life and that he not suffer. I am sorry you have to deal with this. :heart:

Cbrugs · Jun 4, 2018

This is a tough one. I don't know what I would do if I were in your situation but you should definitely contact the breeder and see what they have to say. Jax was diagnosed with IVDD last summer and had to have an emergency surgery to repair a herniated disc in his neck. I was lucky in that he recovered well albeit some issues he is having right now with muscle spasms but I have been seeing a lot of Frenchies that become paralyzed from IVDD and lose all ability to control their bowel movements and it gets me wondering what would I do if I get in that situation. Unfortunately, I do not know but I do agree with Alice about quality of life and no suffering.

Squishy Walnuts · Jun 4, 2018

I'm so sorry about the diagnosis. It's a really tough decision. Please keep us updated when you talk to the breeder.

I do agree about quality of life and not suffering. However, I do know of a charity group on Instagram that provides wheelchairs to dogs that have a hard time with mobility.