Big Paws Only Dog Forums

Someone was asking about supplements a couple weeks ago and I had posted a link to what we use.  Currently Pet Food Direct is offering 25% off any order.

http://www.petfooddirect.com/store/product_detail.asp?prodPage=%2Fstore%2Fproduct%5Fdetail%2Easp&pf%5Fid=2050009&dept%5Fid=170&brand%5Fid=39&dis=gnu&mscssid=AAM002JMVX9S8HNFJA826G140TG888UF

Promotion Code PET3395

Offer expires 11:59 PM, February 10, 2007

http://www.evtv1.com/player.aspx?itemnum=1639&aid

Too cute!!!

Tucker can open doors so we have to make sure we use the deadbolts.

My BIL was at the shelter today (looking to adopt a cat) and someone was surrendering their brindle great dane.  Here is the shelter information if someone wanted to check on it.  I would but I'm 2500 miles away.

http://www.co.prince-william.va.us/default.aspx?topic=010045000210001091

Sorry.... I have no additional information.

It has been six weeks since Tucker's FHO and I cannot believe what a difference it has made. We walk 3 times a day for 30 minutes.  During these walks he has two speeds; slow/deliberate that forces him to really use his legs and you can see the muscles bulge. During this pace his gait is slightly "off" with the leg "clicking in". It reminds me of someone who is double jointed the way it "clicks".  It's not a sound but a movement. The "chicken leg" appearance was
gone after two weeks and the swinging out to the side has been gone for a couple weeks. I would say that he is bearing weight 95% of the time. His second speed is a bit faster and at times looks completely normal. At this speed I know that he is over compensating and later in the day he pays for it on the non-FHO side.

Tucker feels so much better that all he wants to do is play. With four dogs we have to be very careful. We still do not them all play in the big yard. At least once a day we do let Tucker out in the big yard but have to watch him cause he wants to run and jump. Currently when he runs he still bunny hops but it's different from the bunny hop pre-surgery. Can't really explain, it's just different... more
graceful.

Without a doubt this was the right decision for Tucker. I think the key is finding a surgeon that has done many FHO's on large dogs.  Experience goes a LONG way.

Most of the information available about FHO's and large dogs is not positive. Does anyone have published articles or study's regarding the success of FHO's and large dogs? I know that Tucker's surgeon recently completed a study and the research will be published early in the year. I will post here when available.

As for the rest of the pack it has been a somewhat difficult time for us.  As most of you know my beloved Bobo kitty who would have 19 crossed the bridge in November.  Aruba my other 5 year old cat got very sick the week before Christmas so he spent 2 days here on an IV and then four days being force fed.  He is now eating on his own and doing well.  Tyra was xrayed last week for a lump on her leg.  Apparently she had a hairline fracture sometime in the last couple of weeks that is now healing....ugh .... at least it wasn't bone cancer.  In addition Tucker had a tumor removed from his ear... news back from the vet yesterday is that it is benign.  Knock on wood Scooter and Luke are doing great.  Our hope for the new year is to avoid the vet for at least 30 days, other than Tucker going back to have his stitches removed from his ear.

Hope you all are doing well.  Maybe I'll get a chance to hang out more with you here at BPO in the coming year.

As I type this Tuc is getting ready for surgery.  Because Tuc is not a touchy feely pup Dr. Eich was unable check his knee so he will do that first and if it's OK he will be doing the FHO on his right hip.  This is so freaking me out but I know once we get thru the recovery he will have little to no pain on the right side.  We will most likely have to do the left side in the future. 
 
We already have the gorilla crate set up in our room with a nice clean bed and new toys.  As long as everything goes well we will be able to pick him up in the morning.
 
I will be updating in this thread for those that are interested.  I will warn you now that pictures posted may not be suitable for the squeamish.

I just had to share the latest thing Tyra harked up.... octopussy!!! 

Two years ago we changed vets mainly because of a conflict with Tucker's epilepsy treatment.  In addition we had long wait times and communication issues. 

For the most part we have been on the same page with our current vet regarding Tuc's treatment; however, we do not agree on vaccination protocols.  We have decided to titer and our vet does not approve... oh well.  Not that big of a deal.

Well last week when we had Bobo PTS we had an issue.  Bobo at almost 19 was suffering from Hypokalemia (low potassium) After doing a great deal of research we decided to have him PTS.  My issue with the vet was that we was telling us that Bobo had "many issues" including a heart problem... well yes Hypokalemia I agreed does cause arrhythmias but other than the low potassium Bobo's blood work looked GREAT.  When I suggested that the arrhythmias were as a result of the hypokalemia my vet blew me off and stated, "it would not cause heart problems".  Well according to my research it does.

Because of Bobo's age, joint issues, and the unknown cause of his condition we made the decision to PTS; however, had this been our 5-year-old cat Aruba we would have done things differently.  My problem is, had we just listened to our vet we would have made a decision without all the facts or worse with misinformation .

So I guess I would like to ask how you deal with conflicting information you find in your research as opposed to what you are told by those that are suppose to be in the know.  Should I just keep my mouth shut and continue to do what I feel is best?

This is not just limited to my animals but also human health care.  I personally had an issue with my doctor regarding routine testing and when I confronted him with documentation from medical and cancer associations he said “whatever it’s YOUR body do what you want”.  I also had issues with my son’s doctors when he was dx. with HCM.  Glad I did because we ended up at one of the best hospitals (John’s Hopkins) that deals with HCM.

Anyway, I am a firm believer that you are your own best advocate, that NO ONE will have your best interest in mind like you do, and we must be informed patients.  My concern is that I always seem to have these issues with most in the medical field…. Is it just me or do they really suffer from a “god complex”?

This was taken yesterday while I was hanging with Bobo.  The pack knew something was going on and that the "mean kitty" was not doing good.  They were all worried and took turns checking in on us.