Mad, Sad, and Stressed Out
Casey dropped Oliver off at the Vet today at 7:30am to get neutered and to have x-rays of his hips. I was more concerned with the neutering than the hips. The idea of hip dysplasia was in my mind, but buried with all the other million things I worry about. I called the vet 4 times today to check on him. Each time they assured me he was fine. I left work early to meet with the vet to chat about his x-rays and to pick Oliver up. I waited 45 minutes in the waiting room, and finally got called back to the exam room. I saw his x-rays. I stared at them. Tears started flowing down my face. Then I thought, they are joking, this is a joke. Not a funny one, but they are joking around. Then the vet came in. Not a joke. By this point I feel like I am in a daze. His hips are a 5 out of 5, the worst they could be. Supplements are not an option. We are looking at surgery. "Only one hip has arthritis." Is that supposed to make me feel better? We will go to K-State to see a specialist. Total hip replacement is what the vet thinks, both hips maybe. I don't know if we can afford that, but can my heart afford to be without Oliver?  |
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| Awee... that broke my heart reading. I'm sorry to hear about the results.
Big hugs to poor Oliver ...and you and your husband for the many decisions ahead. |
| I am so sad for you guys, wait and see what the specialist has to say being Oliver is only around 8 months old and still developing.
I am hoping all the best wishes possible for darling Oliver. Your breeder is going to have a huge double whammy now, was there any health guarantees that came when you got Oliver? Maybe there is an avenue there to help with some of the expenses of the possibility of hip replacement and the possible surgery for the Entropian later on. At the bare minimum the breeder should at least refund the purchase cost of Oliver if there was a guarantee given. I am so sorry you and Oliver are going through all this, I am keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep us posted when you do see what the specialist has to say about his HD. Hugs to you all.  |
| While it certainly sounds like there is a problem with his hips, me, I'd want to wait for the specialist's opinion before I decided it had to be the absolute worst. We had a rescue dog up to be x-rayed last week and there's an art form to getting an accurate x-ray. My vet is pretty picky, she does a lot of OFA x-rays for local breeders. We ended up redoing to confirm (yes. she was dysplastic too, under a year old). If the specialist suggests that new x-rays may be in order, then they are seeing that the dog wasn't completely straight when the x-rays were taken, which can be misleading. It might be worth it to get them redone in that case so you know exactly what you are looking at. It may not be as quite as bad as you fear, though I'm a little surprised that there is already arthritis. Has he been limping?
There are at least two different surgery options (this was our second dysplastic rescue under a year old in a month, so I'm starting to get educated on this). Make sure you discuss your options if it comes to that - a second, third, really, opinon may even be in order - to make sure the more extensive/expensive is the best option if the ortho vet feels a surgical route is necessary and that's what's suggested (and it might be, just make sure you feel comfortable with it). Also, like Lisa said, tell your breeder. She (he?) needs to know. Finally, when you have time to work through this and have a definite diagnosis, please consider having Oliver take part in the OES CHD study (details at www.OEShealth.org - scroll down on main page and look for Hip Dysplasia study info on right). That way Oliver can take part in looking for a way to help prevent this in future OES. If you need help, PM me. I really am sorry. I know it's scary and the thought that there's anything wrong with your baby, and especially because he's so young, has got to be very painful. But the good news is that there are things you can do to help him and he will be OK
Kristine |
| I am so sorry..........for both of you........We will be sending our thoughts and prayers to you........... |
| This news breaks my heart. He was having so much fun and rolling around at Sheepiepalooza and was such a little love that I wanted to take him home with me.
I hope that the news improves. Please give Oliver and extra big kiss from me and the crew down here. |
I am so sorry to hear that about baby Oliver. 
What Kristine was saying about taking the films is so true - unless they do alot of them, they may not be that bad. It is definitely an acquired skill to get good hip films. Most people go to someone who is almost a radiology specialist (from doing lots of hip films) when they get their dog's xrays to submit to OFA. And this is for all breeds, not just OES. Hugs to you and Oliver. A big  from Chewie too. |
| So Sorry to hear about Oliver and I know this is a tough time. I also know that it is exteremly expensive but I must also say that some vets charge more than others so do your research and shop around. Also, despite the expense, once both sides are done... they are done and he will be happier and healthier even though your pocketbook is empty. If its any consolation... we had a german shephard pup, 5 months old that came in due to swelling on his hips today and we took rads and both his knees had arthritis in them already and his hips were the worst there ever was. He barely had any sockets in his hips and worse than that his growth plates had closed already which is way way too early so this makes it even more difficult to do surgery on. I wish you and Oliver both the best. |
| That's devastating news. |
| I am so sorry to hear this terrible news about Oliver. Positive thoughts and prayers for Oliver and you during this time. Plz keep us posted.
Aussie/Sheepie hugs to all. |
Oh, what heartbreaking news!  I would also advise you to wait to see what the specialist says. On the plus side, you are finding out while he is young enough to have something done about it. That will ensure the rest of his life is pain free from hip problems, something we're facing now with our senior girl. |
| I'm a so sorry about Oliver's diagnosis . I hope the specialist can help.
Sending Oliver a big squeeze, Kim |
| The news about Oliver breaks my heart. Hugs from Barney and Maggie. I do think he's a little young for such a finalistic diagnosis. The bones are still growing. You're in my prayers. |
 I'm so sorry. |
| I almost cried when I read this post. I understand how devestated you must be. I'm truly sorry to are having to go through this. I'll be thinking of you and Oliver.
Marianne |
| Let's hope the specialist can offer better news. As someone that has been faced with hard decisions about their beloved sheepie- my heart goes out to you. Stay strong! Big hugs to you- and of course to Oliver.
Take care! |
| So very sorry to hear about the news. Hopefully the specialist will be able to offer more.
Mary, Bella and JoJo |
| I'm so sorry your going through this. |
ravenmoonart wrote: I'm so sorry your going through this.
Ditto! You and Oliver in my prayers. |
| This is so sad! I hope Oliver is going to be fine and you will only hear good things from the specialist!
You are both in our thoughts! |
| my thoughts are with you .. so sorry ,stay strong |
| My hopes and prayers to Oliver and you |
| I'm sorry to hear about this news. Hopefully the news will get better after the visit with specialist. |
| This is devastating news and I have been in the "dazed" situation at the vet before so I know how sad a feeling that is.
Seriously, this may sound crazy but I would recommend you doing something nice for yourself that will help you to get your mind clear. Such as a massage, read a book or whatever helps you to de-stress. You will have to make some important decisions so the more you are like your normal self the better position you will be in to help sweet Oliver. I'm really hoping because he's so young that maybe there's more hope than the 1st vet realizes. Or maybe, as was said a mistake on the x-ray. Maybe the specialists will have a different opinion. I know whatever you're faced with you will be able to handle it and make good decisions, and you'd be surprised how you find a way to pay for what you need to, that pocket book has a way of stretching. I always look at it as an investment in my happiness (the vet bills). I recently updated Hannah's hip dysplasia thread and 6girls posted a link to some incredible info. http://forum.oes.org/viewtopic.php?t=15317 You know Hannah has had hip dysplasia for 7 years and we never knew it and she's 4 out of 5. And who knows how long she's been that way? Even after her diagnosis, once they put her pelvis back in place she's been fantastic. And we had another sheepie Katrina, that was x-rayed as a pup and had 1 bad hip. We were very unknowledgeable at that time as far as pursuing surgery etc and had a different vet. She lived 10.5 years and she enjoyed a very happy active life until the very end. My current vet told me every sheepdog she's known has had bad hips and they all were able to be mobil. My point is that even though it may sound bad what's happening I think it's possible for Oliver to enjoy a happy active life and the condition can be managed. Of course if there are surgical options available I feel it will give them a longer life and you won't have to deal with symptoms of dysplasia that because we love them so much we never want to see our beloved's go through anything that's not 100% healthy! But even if surgery's not an option you can still enjoy a happy life with adorable Oliver just maybe a challenging time at the end. But then most of us humans and animals deal with health issues later in life. Sorry this is long, it's just my opinion and apparently I had a lot of opinion today. Oliver is such an incredible cute sheepie. I'm praying for you guys! I know everything will work out! Please feel free to pm me if you need support. |
| Thank you all so much for your support. I've called Mizzou and KSU, and we decided to go to KSU vet clinic over MU, just because MU had an eight week wait to get Oliver in. We will go on Nov. 7 (next Wednesday) to see what the specialists have to say.
It's just so hard to believe that this is happening to Oliver. I mean, we tried so hard to do everything right to prevent this. I will post his X-ray, just so you guys can tell me what you think. The experience on this board is worth it's weight in gold, and I really appreciate any advice anyone can give me. As far as surgery goes, we will do what we need to do to have a healthy, happy Oliver, for as long as God blesses us with him. It's funny, we never even say the D word (d-o-g) in our house, because Oliver is not just a dog, he is our "little guy". He has made us more compassionate, more understanding, and all around better people. He is worth every penny we will spend on him. The happiness he brings to our lives could not have a dollar amount put on it. Las Vegas Sheepie Lover: Quote: I always look at it as an investment in my happiness (the vet bills).
Perfect way to look at it. Thanks. |
| I am so sorry .
Big sheepie kisses and hugs for you all. Antoinette |
| Thank you everyone for your support. Your stories and experiences have really helped us realized that Oliver is still our perfect little guy.
Oliver, Daddy, and I went to see the Vet Specialists in Kansas City this morning. The vet thinks Oliver is a good candidate for TPO. It will need to be done on both hips. With the price estimate of $3200 per hip, we are going to KSU Vet clinic on Nov. 26 to see what they think. They gave us an estimate of $1200-1500 per hip, so it will be worth the 2 hour drive there. The new vet agreed that Oliver's hips are a 3.75 out of 4 on the "how bad" scale. TPO just sounds so much better than a total hip replacement. Keep your fingers crossed! |
| Wow, that is expensive. All this modern technology doesn't come cheap.
Being in the human medical field myself (and ortho to boot) , does help though. The price for animals may seem a lot, but compared to the cost of a similar procedure on a human it is a deal! It is about 10% of what you would pay if Oliver was a person. Hope that helps! |
| You have to hope for the best at this stage, but my heart is with you. Unbelievable! |
| Hi folks I know how you feel after getting such a result, but do not dispair then he is very young and there are other things you can do to help him.
My "Peekaboo Dash of Class" was HD D and I exercised him to build up his rear muscles and he had a good life with no pain. Keep your head up and look on the bright side. Hugs from all at Tikki-ti-boo |
| I hope things work out well for Oliver
Julie |
| I'm just seeing this post - give Oliver som big sheepie hugs from FL from both Bing and I. He'll get through this - you guys are going about it the best way you can - and you have hearts of gold. |
| Nelson and I are keeping fingers and paws crossed for Oliver.
Good luck with your surgery, little guy! |
| I had a tear in my eye reading this!!
The biggest hugs ever......xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx |
| That's fantastic news that he is eligible for the tpo. He's so lucky to have parents that care so much!
We're pulling for you Oliver! Any one as cute as you can't help but have a good outcome! Hannah sends Oliver a big |
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