newf limo, need some advice.....

[rob10858]

after being diagnosed with hd as a pup, ben [aka biggie] is really favoring his hip at two years , now that its getting colder. we had him down at the college of vet medicine at north carolina state university, and the x rays still did not show enough degeneration to merit a hip replacement. i can see that it bothers him, but betsy and i dread the procedure. i know that it the long run it'll be best for him, but the crating of a dog that has been free to roam our place since the first day we brought him home really bothers me, as far as the post operative rules. he swims, walks and excercises every day, and usually stiffens up later in the evening and in the mornings [just like me and my football knees] the question that i have for you and your wife is this, now or later? ben is our family friend and guardian, and isnt the most active dog in the world [unless he has to be, which is a trait of the breed i guess] and if he could make it throughout his life without having the replacement , i think we would all be happier. are there any advances out west that y'all know about? most of the ones that we've seen on the east coast are still for pups. best regards, rob

 

[Whitmore]

I had a german shepard that was 15 years old and when winter hit he really started having a hard time getting around and I didnt think he would make the winter, I took him to the vet and he told me he could do nothing for the old age other than buy a little time, he gave me some steriods for the dog and it made him almost new, I was so happy to see my buddie was not suffering, it got us thru that winter and the next summer but I knew another winter would be impossible , I did what was best for my friend and it was the hardest thing I ever had to do, but I was thankful to have had him as long as I did.

Good luck my friend

 

[rob10858]

thank you whit , we appreciate the reply. aint nothing like a big dog. first to welcome, foremost to defend. happy holidays.