We saw the vet yesterday and it wasn't good news. He thinks it is the arthritis again and still. He took x-rays to make sure there was nothing else going on and to see if the hardware was o.k. It seems to be fine. This is a local vet, not the surgeon. He just looks at the x-rays and shakes his head. Mag's arthritis is very very severe. Amputation came up......
I have been giving Magnum Adequan shots and they seemed to be working great. He was running through the water, swimming and acting like a 4 yr old lab should act. Then all of a sudden he's off th leg again. This is the 4th day and the longest period he's been off it since the TPLO surgery 7 months ago. I am worried about him. If he goes too long without using the leg he will lose all the muscle we have been able to build up.
Another possibility is Cortisone shots into the joint. He said they have been very effective. For the first time, he would tap the joint and send out the fluid for testing to make sure there was nothing else going on in there. Then he would give him the shot. He said the first shot is usually effective for 6 weeks and the second one usually lasts for 6 months. They don't know why it works that way but that seems to be the way it goes. I just wonder how long they will be effective. He also said I should look for a good supplement, Glucosomine/Chondroitin, MSM, that kind of thing. Some on my orthodogs list have mentioned acupuncture and various supplements and nutritional lists to join.
I think I would like to try one more round of Adequan to see if it helps at all. If he doesn't start using the leg soon, I will call his surgeon to see if he can look at him or give me some other ideas. I would like to keep him going on all 4 for as long as I possibly can before considering amputation. As I learn about various supplements,diets and treatments, I'll put them up on the main arthritis page. |
