12-04-01

Today was Magnum's visit to the surgeon. He doesn't think there is an infection. He said that if there was an infection, he should have a fever and also the area over the plate should be warm and tender to the touch. He also said that he would expect to see bony changes if there was an infection in there. He didn't see much change at all from his post-op x-rays 7 months ago. That's good because the arthritis hasn't gotten worse since the surgery.

He took Magnum outside to see him walk and said that Magnum is very attached to us. He was fine as long as they were in the building but he got a little crazy and started barking and jumping when he took him outside of the building. Silly dog. Anyway, he still thinks it's the arthritis causing the trouble. He thought we should stop the antibiotics and see if the symtoms recur. If it was an infection, the only solution would be to take out the plate.

I mentioned to him that my local vet brought up amputation and cortisone shots into the joint and he didn't like either. He would NOT take the leg off under any circumstances in Magnum's case because the other knee is not good either. He said he would fuse the knee before he would take the leg. Cortisone shots destroy the cartilage in the knee and even though he doesn't have a lot left, he dose have some. We need to preserve what is there to the best of our ability.

So, it was the same old, same old. Find a comfort level for him as far as activity and try the supplements. Glucosomine/chondroitin, Adequan, ect. So, I guess I"m off on my arthritis quest again. I have started cooking for the dogs and they love it. I have Magnum on 1000 mg of MSM daily right now and I have been giving the Adequan shots again. I think I'll try something like Glycoflex to see if that helps, it's much easier to give.

He did suggest Etogesic but I'm a little hesitant to use that on a regular basis. He said that I can give aspirin along with the Adequan and he doesn't see it being a problem.

It is just so frustrating to see Magnum limp and know that he is in pain but is otherwise a healthy, happy dog. It's especially frustrating, sometimes, to think that it didn't have to be this bad, if he had been fixed right away.