MP_the4pack

I can only tell you what I did. The difficult decision is still yours. My 12 yr old Diamond was diagnosed with OS. I chose amp. I went to OSU from NJ specificially because they've seen so many greys that they could tell me if this "young" 12 yr old could handle being an amputee. They said that she should be able to handle it. She has some arthritis in her back and wrists, but other than a slower recovery, should do fine. She surprised everyone and was on her feet and out the door in no time. Her recovery was hampered only by an infection she got at the suture site. She had 6 pain free happy months. She even tried to chase deer three legged. OS showed up in a hind leg 6 months after surgery. That's when I sent her to the Bridge. Good luck. It's a very difficult decision. PS. The only modifications I needed to do at home was put in a ramp because she always had trouble with stairs even before the amp. She was fine with it.

My sisters Pearl and Diamond both were crate chewers. Diamond ended up losing almost all her teeth, Pearl had most of her teeth. Both were worn down to the gumline (Pearl's front were the worst). They passed at age 12 to cancer. So...it could go any way. The teeth might bother him. Might not.

{{{{{{{{{{Lyndsay and Rogan}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} Sorry, but the vet should be sued.

Cindy what a beautiful tribute to such a beautiful soul. I'm sorry he had to leave the way he did.

Actually ligaments don't heal.. I just had Opal in for surgery MOnday for a torn ligament. It was her lateral collateral (on the hock, not knee). But if you put a splint wrap on the leg, it'll secure the leg until you can get to VT. She has the splint on for all last week.

He was so handsome. I'm sorry OS took him so young. (9 is still young in my book)

Oh that picture just shows what a wonderful personality he had. I'm so sorry.

Oh poor Nubers. I agree that 10 is still young. Here's praying that they find what's wrong and it's nothing serious.

Oh Claudia, I'm so sorry. What a grand dam she was. And beautiful.

Oh Kyle, I'm so sorry. You've had enough already. He was a very very handsome boy, and 8 is still too young as far as I'm concerned.

Aw David and Amy I'm so sorry. Your story brought tears to my eyes. Jasmine sounded beautiful.

I hope you find something. SOmething easy to fix or remedy. Sometimes not knowing is just as bad as knowing something bad. So....easy to fix......

Opal's foster mom called her Devil Spawn. Her prison handlers called her a Firecracker. I call her BWAT. She has earned every name!

Oh, I followed the other thread. You didn't even get a chance. I'm so sorry.

The one thing I don't like about rice is that there are small pieces that they can inhale. Pasta is larger. So I do prefer that.

My Little STINKER! Well I was outside with the girls last night when I got home. Bwat was running around (3 legged) having a good old time chasing the two young'uns. I called a stop to play and called everyone to dinner. They all ran towards the house, I walked. Now remember, I have an acre. So being out in the middle of the back yard I'm a ways away from the house. Tanzi and Emma ran up the stairs, I saw Opal vear off towards the doggie pools but didn't think anything of it. She usually takes a drink. But then I saw her put her front paws in, then lift the boo-boo leg. I was YELLING "NO OPAL. WAIT! NO! NO! NO!" As I watched her slowly lower it. She was in the pool. I wasn't planning on going to the vets that night. But it was hammered into me not to get that cast wet. Ya think a quick dip in the pool counted? And they had a very very busy night too. Lots of emergencies. So I waited an hour and 1/2 just for a splint change. Got home at 9:30 and $60 lighter. I also heard back from Dr. Dyce: Thank you for your email regarding Opal. I would be happy to review clinical notes and radiographs for you. The surgeons that you will be visiting are very experienced and I would defer to their first hand experience with regard to diagnosis and management recommendations.

i've emailed Dr. Dyce. Let's see what he says. If he thinks there are other options than the two I have, and he's available next week for surgery, then I may just end up going out there.

So.....what else is going to happen to the dogs that went to the picnic, Rachael?!!! Your two into the gel, my Brat needing ligament surgery.

If this were cancer, I'd be at OSU today! But I'll contact Dr Dyce to see if he/she has an opinion. VSEC did explain the difference between the ligament surgery of the knee and the hock. Jjing has it right. Also, there is more bone to secure the sutures that help secure the knee joint, not so in the hock. Lots of small bones. And I have a medical background (Med Tech) and worked wtih a vet for a year in an attempt to get to vet school. So logically thinking. If this ligament is completely gone and the joint bends where it's not supposed to, if we just splint it for a long time, what exactly will happen to stabilize that joint? I can't think of anything that will. But since I'm not a vet...that's why I have a second opinion at another huge hospital. Right now Opal is handling the splint very well. She is struggling to come up stairs though (and there are 6 from the back yard to the house) I'm also wondering if she fell trying to do that yesterday because there is bruising on the casted leg now. I noticed it last night. It also could be from the original accident that broke her ligament. Is there anything I should look for if there is something bad happening under the cast? A sore? or too tight? The wrap goes all the way down to the foot. All I can see are two front toe pads and toe nails. That's it, So I can't see any swelling. I don't see swelling above it either, just the bruise.

Since you have so many NO's here, but none of us are vets, I would suggest a second opinion. I like to agree with everyone here. But a 2nd opinion will be very helpful to you in making a decision.

pupdates?

Ok, I have an appointment to meet with the VSEC orthopod Monday morning. They've asked for her to be fasted in case they need to knock her out for more test. That's in PA. Then we rush from PA to the other end of NJ and have a 2nd opinion with Red Bank's Orthopod. If VSEC does the surgery it is most probably Tues morning. I don't know Red Bank's schedule. But I'll make the decision based on a combination of price, options, greyhound savy.

I'm keeping Munchie in my prayers. I know what you're feeling because my baby is having surgery next week. C'mon Munchie. Be all better for your Momma.

She was so beautiful. I'm so sorry she left for the Bridge.