Rescued Blue Heeler - Need advice of Vets/Pet Owners Please

[pokem]

Rescued a blue heeler last Friday. We have named him Dash and my daughter and I love him. Took him to the Vet yesterday and received the following information:

Age -
approximately 1 year old
Weight -
45 pounds (and still looks thin in the trunk)

Temperament:
very loving dog, been sleeping A LOT. But when other dogs are around, he perks up and is ready to play hard.

Injuries:
Skin - minor scraps and cuts on face, neck and shoulders (I pretty sure he was saving a small child from a pack of wolves in South Texas)

Back right leg - Hip is displaced and no longer fits in socket and ankle has been smashed up pretty good (this is what the Vet is saying). She estimates it happened months ago (possibly 3 - 6 months)

She says will most likely need to be amputated. However, says I should visit an orthopedic surgeon. I am getting a second opinion this Saturday from a vet my boss uses.

My observation: H is not dragging his leg, but if just walking around, you tell he favors it some, but not limping. However, when playing with other dogs, you can NOT tell he has anything wrong with his leg at all.

My question: what are my options? What are your thoughts? What questions should I ask? I would like to keep him. I would like him to be pain free. I would hate to amputate. But at the same time, cannot afford paying an arm and leg on surgery.

Suggestions/thoughts?

x-rays are below:\

 

[Been Jammin]

I can't tell a lot about the ankle from the films. It does look arthritic. I would like to see a lateral view, and examine the dog, so I could evaluate it further. If not for that issue, I think it is realistic that he would not need amputation. The hip is definitely dysplastic and there is severe arthritis of the joint. This is a painful condition that needs to be addressed. Dogs are often stoic and he may be in a lot more pain than he seems to be. IMO, he looks like he would be a good candidate for a FHO (Femoral Head and Neck Ostectomy) procedure, or a Hip Replacement Surgery. Either would likely relieve pain associated with the hip. However, the hip issue is complicated by the ankle (hock) issue. If that area is in a condition where there is a lot of grinding when the joint is manipulated, then some type of fusion surgery might be indicated. If it already appears to be fused, then you might be able to address the hip problem with either of the 2 surgeries I listed above. If it appears that both joints need surgical intervention, of if it appears that the limb won't be functional regardless of what is done, I would agree that amputation makes the most sense. Hope that helps.

 

[pokem]

thanks BJ!!! I will keep you posted on what Vet says this weekend.

I am curious what the price tag will be at the end of day...

 

[Been Jammin]

thanks BJ!!! I will keep you posted on what Vet says this weekend.

I am curious what the price tag will be at the end of day...

I would plan on spending about 4K (assuming 2 different surgeries needed). If he only needs 1 surgery, you will feel like you have been blessed with a deal.

Please keep me posted.

 

[Orange Jennyslipper]

My border collie had the head of a rear femur removed after being hit by a car. I never completely understood how he was supposed to heal, but he did.

He carried that leg at least six months before he put any weight on it. The vet was mad that we weren't working him hard enough.

It's been four years now. He doesn't limp at all and he can go 100 yards as hard and fast as ever.

 

[pokem]

Thanks @AggiesBoy for positive words. I am hoping for the best. He is just a damn good dog.

 

[Been Jammin]

My border collie had the head of a rear femur removed after being hit by a car. I never completely understood how he was supposed to heal, but he did.

He carried that leg at least six months before he put any weight on it. The vet was mad that we weren't working him hard enough.

It's been four years now. He doesn't limp at all and he can go 100 yards as hard and fast as ever.

It is hard for people to understand, since we stand upright and put so much weight on our hip joints. But dogs' weight is distributed pretty evenly over 4 joints (hips/shoulders), so removal of the head of a femur is feasible. The muscles and ligaments form a "false joint" and hold everything in place to allow for normal function.

 

[nathajw]

Had a friend growing up that had a Blue Heeler and he lived out in the country. We used to have to shoot his fetch ball out of sling shots because our arms would get start to get tired playing fetch with him. We'd launch that ball almost 70-100 yds over and over again and he'd go get it, bring it back, and want more. It was impossible to tire that dog out, endless energy. That dog was tough as nails too, I hope he he gets better because they're pretty cool dogs from my limited experience with them.

 

[Orange Jennyslipper]

We bought a cheap tennis racket and a bag of practice balls. Our BC will chase for my son and grandsons longer than for me. If I'm hitting for him, he'll chase a few and then take the ball to the house instead of returning to me like, "That's enough for you Old Man, better get back on the porch."

 

[TrentMarrDVM]

right hip looks ok
left hip, leggs calves perthes dz or healed unaligned fracture ...FHO over amputation if hock(ankle) isn't involved...need a lateral view as mentioned by BJ

 

[pokem]

right hip looks ok
left hip, leggs calves perthes dz or healed unaligned fracture ...FHO over amputation if hock(ankle) isn't involved...need a lateral view as mentioned by BJ

@Been Jammin sorry I overlooked request for lateral view... x-rays 3-6 of six total x-rays below...

 

[Been Jammin]

@pokem

That left hock does look like a mess. Without an exam, I am guessing a bit, but I can see 3 possible treatment plans.

1). If the left hock (ankle) is immobile (i.e. won't bend/flex), then you can go with the FHO or Hip Replacement for the left hip. After recovery, you should have a happy, pain-free puppy.

2). If the left hock does move, it probably needs to be addressed surgically. Fusion of the joint might be an option. It would no longer bend and the patient would always walk with a limp (after having hip surgery) but would not be in pain.

3). If 2 surgeries are too expensive for your taste, amputation of the rear limb would be a good option.

 

[pokem]

Thanks again BJ!!! heading to vet on Saturday at 10:30. Hoping for the best and will definitely check back with you fellas before making decision on next steps.

 

[Football_Goddess]

I can't speak for the actual medical stuff, but I will say that in a dog that young, I wouldn't be surprised if he bounced back quickly from amputation and acted like he never knew he was supposed to have 4 legs instead of three.

 

[Been Jammin]

@pokem

What's the good word on your little buddy?

 

[pokem]

I keep forgetting to post from home on this b/c that's where his quote is...

This may come out as gibberish but I will do my best in my terms...

HIP - He said be feels like hip is displaced, and has been for a long time... suggests cutting off top of bone that sets into socket (called a name... like FHO or something)

Ankle - said he would not do anything with ankle at this time... said its flexible and tendons feel good.

Said he believes amputation is not necessary.

Timing of HIP surgery - said its all based on how much pain he is in. Said that is the hardest thing to tell, especially with this bread. Said based on how Diesel acted when he touched and moved the leg, he felt surgery was NOT (edited for not) necessary at this time. Said it could be 6 days, 6 months, 4 years.

Will try and remember to post the quote tonight, but getting kid back in school has been taking up my time.

Not sure what to think fellas... I don't want my dog in pain, so I really trying to feel him out and take into consideration what you guys and the local vets say....

 

[Been Jammin]

I would suggest going forward with the FHO as soon as you can. The dog is probably in pain. The pain may not get appreciably worse if you wait, but it won't resolve until he has surgery and recovers from the surgery.

 

[JonnyVito]

Pokem that is the best dog name ever! My boxer has the same name. Glad to hear the pup doesn't need to have the leg apputated.

 

[pokem]

Glad to hear it. I'm a little OcD when it comes to most things. Especially something like this. I might get another opinion. Both vets that got to see him said basically the same thing on his hip. However, two different things on ankle.

Gonna think on it and look around for a possible third opinion.

I just want to do the right thing.

Thanks Johnny, and agree. Daughter gets all the credit, as with all things.

 

[windriverrange]

Have a Malamute that got an FHO last summer...recovered beautifully and is getting ready to head to The Windrivers in Wyoming with me for an 8 day backpacking trip, of course can't run as fast as before but doesn't have any issues jumping and moving about. Congrats on the Blue Heeler, fantastic dogs, one of my favorites. Good luck.