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Just curious - where are you having the TPLO surgery done? Did the vet discuss any other options?  How old is Sophie?

Just to second Seaherons here - have you thoroughly researched all of your ACL options including getting a second and third opinion?  Vets always have a preference based on their specialty (understandable) for the procedure they do - but may not always be in your dog's best interest. Surgeons here where I am will tell you "absolutely TPLO" while others will say "Never TPLO - only TTA" etc.

I always encourage people to thoroughly weigh the risks and benefits of TPLO vs. TTA vs. Traditional repair.

I know many surgeons say big/giant dogs shouldn't have traditional but I have seen it work many times - I believe it is less about size and weight and more about activity.  Activity level and specific actions/behaviors should drive the decision to rule the traditional procedure out.  The sedate, older giant dog who goes for long walks, but no twisty/turny play or hard stops is a good candidate for traditional repair.  Otherwise, the more invasive procedures may be necessary.  TTA is still an osteotomy (severe bone cutting) but of a lesser bone, and therefore less invasive.  The recovery of TTA is shorter than a TPLO - outcomes are still hard to come by however since TTA hasn't been around as long as the TPLO.

Personally,  a TPLO would be my last choice out of all of the options and a last resort - most invasive, most leg altering in changing the entire angulation (affecting the other side and overall balance of the dog), and longest/hardest recovery.  With that said, there are dogs that required a TPLO when nothing else worked and it was successful in the end. 

So just be sure you are comfortable with this procedure for YOUR dog - you know your dog best and can make the best determination and it should be about her and only her.

You may want to join Orthodogs on Yahoo - they have scores of studies on all of the procedures - outcomes to date, and lots of people with experience with all of them.  They can help with rehab following the procedure, games to play during restriction and complications that can arise.

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/orthodogs/?yguid=106528238

Also, take a look at a fellow Berner owner's site that gives great guidance on getting through a TPLO and great games to play following surgery:

http://www.lauriebryce.com/tplo/

And last, if I can emphasize one thing:  it is the criticality of therapy following surgery.  I have just been helping three people in my area following TTA surgery on their dogs;  one did surgery with no therapy following and her dog has completely atrophied and lost function of the leg.  The other is doing therapy at home with use of exercise balls purchased and a DVD and seeing good results, and the third is seeing optimal results with full return to function by going to therapy and using underwater treadmill and range of motion exercises specifically tailored to the dog.  No matter what the degree you use - whether home use through DVDs or going to rehab, anything helps and is critical to returning to function.  Please don't ignore this step and think you're done with surgery.

Good luck!

A CHIC number on a dog means that the owner has completed all recommended health testing and received "clearances" for all health certs for that breed.  Good breeders are often getting CHIC numbers to demonstrate their health clearances and it distinguishes them from those less reputable who are not getting health clearances.  The specific health tests to be performed are defined by each breed and therefore vary.

The Canine Health Information Center is a centralized health database jointly sponsored by the AKC Canine Health Foundation and the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA).

www.canineheal thinfo.org

As most others have already stated, no 5 months is not too old and in fact, mouthing would naturally be at its peak right about now.  It is not unusual at all and perfectly normal - he is still a baby and just in teething.

Since your post was titled "bite inhibition" I think it is an important point - bite inhibition as you already know is learning the strength of his mouth and how to use it properly - a puppy does not come into the world naturally understanding this and it only comes from practice, on a variety of objects, to learn.  It is our job to teach a puppy what is appropriate to put his mouth on and what is not, but it is even more important to ensure that puppy has experienced putting his teeth on human flesh and understands the right strenght - or gentleness .  This is right where your puppy is, so it is less about suppressing this behavior right now and more about teaching that it is hurtful, or too strong on human skin.

Mouthing, as common as it is, also varies by breed.  I am one who believes strongly that mouthing is a bigger concern in some breeds than others.  Those breeds with functions that are naturally supposed to be using their mouths, are usually the most mouthy of course.  While I understand wanting to strongly teach a herding dog for example not to use their mouth (that IS a problem in that job), it is ridiculous to expect a golden retriever to NOT use their mouth - its instinct for them and a natural behavior for life.

You have one such breed - newfies often use their mouths to pull dingy pulls and rescue batons in their rescue work - to me, learning the strength of his mouth and then putting his mouth to good work by giving him batons and tuffy toys to carry/hold is a great outlet and good for teaching what to put his mouth on.....a matter or "re-directing" the behavior...not "suppressing" it in my view.

I always recommend OFA pre-lims done on puppies right at your pup's age - even if no symptoms or signs are present.  X-rays done now will give you far more options, and preventative strategies than ignoring it.

Bunny hopping is a telltale sign of hip dysplasia and should never be ignored in my view.  It is not a normal gait for a puppy, even if panosteitis is the only condition. There can be many causes of it, and some easily correctable with rest and range of motion exercises, but you want to identify early for the most options, especially if it turns out to be dysplasia.

Get your pup on several joint supplements critical for big dogs now as well - glucosamine and chondroitin (Synflex is a great product and easily assimilated), celadrin or hyaluronic acid for joint lubrication, and potentially wobenzym if necessary.

Good luck!

Congratulation s to the state of Mass for taking a great step forward for dogs!

Based on this thread, I am sorry to hear that it sounds like we have a lot of work to do still to educate the public on the disgusting industry of greyhound racing.  I am afraid that the understanding of this issue is even less understood than puppymills, so I hope more work can be done here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfhZMaIGPyE&feature=related

The reality is that the industry needs to be eliminated or else the drive for racing profit will continue to prevail over the health and safety of these dogs.  The notion that racing should not be eliminated because its what these dogs do is really missing the point:  these dogs are designed to run and as sighthounds, track prey - this continues every day in wonderful environments where I live - it's called "lure coursing" and these events allow sighthounds the opportunity to do what they do - run through large open acreage of fields chasing what they love, then returning to the arms of their loving owners and going home to a warm bed.  Lure coursing events, both for competition and pure recreation are fun to watch and my own Berner loves participating - she actually beat the Borzois two years ago!

I hope this conversation continues here so that more can understand the true atrocities done to greyhounds.  It is absolutely NO better than dog fighting and this country has recognized the need to put that to an end.

I hope Mass. sets a precedent.....

The original poster did not state the age of the dog - this is key since if we are talking about a developing pup, this could simply be genetic pigment as many noses are.

If not, and already full grown, then further investigation is warranted.

Black hair pigment is directly driven by the amino acid Tyrosine, and supported by Copper and other trace minerals.  People who feed largely a chicken based diet for example often see faded or red coats in their black dogs.  Tyrosine is found in high quantities in red meat and if not fed, may need to be supplemented.

Skin pigment is different however and there are many causes - snow nose, dudley nose, and other genetic factors should be ruled in/out, while looking at medical causes.

Just one of MANY horrible ideas I see on that show.  Sad, since I understand that our human preferences are different and we dont want to be out in bitter weather, but Tucker is sitting there patiently waiting for that winter to come, and you want to keep him in?  Don't tell Tucker!

Going out every day for a BMD is more about mental and emotional stimulation - smelling things, finding other dogs or critters to engage, playing in snow etc.  Nothing on a treadmill will replace what your BMD needs.  Even Cesar is using it for solely those high energy dogs or overweight who need to burn calories.  That kind of repetitive motion without any stimulation or enjoyment is not beneficial or a sound replacement for getting outdoors.