Urgent please

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by tsingh

His non certified, but his partner is certified. Actually both reviewed and checked him out...
That link didn't bring anything up. Can you send again- please..

That link won't work.

Go here: www.acvs.org

bottom right side of page: Find a Veterinay Surgeon

Then search for Small Animal and use your town, state and all.

[tsingh]

The doctor doing Lokis surgery is not board certified, however the actual doctor who owns the clinic is. Dr. Howard has come highly recommended, and by the looks of his bio he looks pretty good to me. His surely not cheap..


Dr. Howard graduated from Auburn University with his D.V.M. degree in 1977, and worked for two years in small animal practice before entering a small animal surgical residency program at Kansas State University. After completing his residency and earning a Master’s degree, he continued on at the KSU Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital as an assistant professor in small animal surgery.

In the summer of 1983, Dr. Howard moved to Oregon, living in Grant’s Pass briefly before coming to Portland to establish the Animal Surgical Practice of Portland in early 1984. Dr. Howard’s surgical interest, expertise include general soft tissue reconstruction, gastrointestinal, oncologic, thoracic and orthopedic surgery. Dr. Howard studied with the late Dr. Barclay Slocum and was the first licensed surgeon to perform the TPLO procedure (1994), and he continues to explore alternatives in elbow and hip dysplasia management.

Dr. Howard is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Animal Hospital Association, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association, the Portland Veterinary Medical Association, the Association for Veterinary Research and Education, and he currently acts as an instructor for Slocum Enterprises TPLO courses.

Dr. Howard has three grown children, two boys and a girl, as well as a dog and a cat. His personal interests include running with friends and his dog, biking, skiing, and rock climbing.

[gemy]

Hi Tikas;


How are you holding up? How is Loki doing today?


I am not concerned with Dr. Howards experience or qualifications at this point in time. But I am concerned with the information missing in the medical report ; namely the grading of the condition(s), and the reasoning for doing LP surgery with no apparent diagnosed CCL or ACL tear in the medical records, along with the FHO surgery. Also you have no idea what type of LP surgery is being done, there are more than a few variations.


I believe this is information you should have to inform your decision. Also the program of care after surgery needs discussion and understanding as well.


You can take some time to decide, and I do remember you said you phoned some other osteopaedic surgeons in Oregon, who referred you back to Dr.Howard; but I think that they never saw or examined your dog, nor looked at his Xrays, and as such does not count as a qualified second opinion.


True story, I went to one ortho surgeon, who when I asked for a recommendation for a second opinion, sent me to a student he had 10 or more years ago. And that second person recommended a different course of treatment and a different type of operation.


Anyhoo we are here for you both, what-ever way you go, and just want the best for you and Loki

[tsingh]

I just called him, and I had so many questions, that they will have Dr. Howard call me directly..

[gemy]

Originally Posted by tsingh

I just called him, and I had so many questions, that they will have Dr. Howard call me directly..

Sounds good to me. Have your questions been written down?

[tsingh]

Yes for sure..

[gemy]

Don't forget to ask about the pre-op blood work being done, and also I highly suggest a special Bile Acids Test be done for your Loki, prior to any surgery.


BATS testing is a test that is liver related, and points to the health of the liver.

[Shicks]

So happy for you what an ordeal! Your little one will be as good as new. I really hope other breeders are reading this. I'm seeing a breeder tomorrow. Please say a prayer.

[tsingh]

So got this from my pet insurance

Dear Tika,

Thank you for submitting Loki’s pre-authorization for treatment of bilateral hip dysplasia at Cascade Veterinary Referral Center. We are sorry to hear that Loki has been ill.

We are happy to report that, based on the information we have, Loki’s treatment, as detailed in your Pre-Authorization Form, is approved and, as long as you have not exceeded your maximum annual benefit upon review of your related pre-authorized claim(s), you can expect an estimated reimbursement as follows:

Highest estimated cost -
$2,941.00
Non-coverable items
None seen
Policy co-insurance – specialist/ referral
20%
Policy deductible -
-$27.82 (carried $172.18 towards the $200 deductible from two previous claims)
Estimated Petplan Reimbursement
$2,324.98
Your remaining annual benefit as of this pre-auth
$10,000.00

While this pre-authorization shows what we will pay, you will still need to submit a claim with invoices showing that you have paid for the services that are to be reimbursed by us.

This pre-authorization decision is based on the information that we have received on this case. By necessity, if there is information that has not been submitted including any additional claims that have not yet been paid, whether by intent or not, this decision would have to be reconsidered. All decisions are based on the Terms and Conditions of your Policy.

We sincerely hope that Loki feels better soon.


The per-approval amount is not correct. this was their error. they are working on that. It should be $3500.00 high estimate-2900.00 was the low.

[gemy]

Be carefull they said BILATERAL HIP DYSPLASIA. What I understand that you are having done based on medical estimates is ONE HIP and ONE KNEE.


No-where do they mention knees. Just clear that up with them in writing. Yes Loki has been diagnosed with bilateral Hip Dysplasia and bilateral LP. This estimate of $xxxx.xx is to repair one hip and one knee, with future surgeries to come for his other hip/knee.

[tsingh]

Yep- that is exactly what I did. I emailed them right back, and said- please correct- its first left side hip and knee repair. They are working on the estimate again..

[tsingh]

Loki is going into his grooming apt this Saturday. They are going to trim him all the way down, which makes me super sad- as I love his hair!!!

I want him groomed so while his healing there is not much grooming we have to do with him.

Update on Loki: his doing well right now. Seems the meds are really helping him. His lost about 1 whole pound(we put his fat behind on a diet) and he seems very happy right now. His just a happier baby- plays now, moves around and just excited all the time.

The limping is still there- some days he bunny hops- but to be very honest- the limping has IMPROVED.

[gemy]

That trimming is a wise thing to do. I did that with all my dogs if they had to go into surgery. I wanted them fully bathed and cleaned and trimmed right down. Also let the groomer know this is a pre op grooming and you want to make sure his nails are clipped pawpads done, sanitary trim, etc.


It sounds like you are really on top of things. What date is his surgery, so our prayers can go up threefold on that date!


Has the BATS and the preop blood work been done? I always had a choice to get the pre op blood work done 3-5 days prior to surgery and could have it done at my vets office - generally cheaper than the specialist office (at least here it is).


How is Loki getting on with his playpen or crate?

[tsingh]

Well- I have a crate and play pen for him, but there no need to put him in it right now, so we haven't practiced. He does good in his crate when we are in the car.

His surgery is set for 1.30- and I have taken the next 2 weeks off (from 1.30) to monitor and take care of him.

I just purchased a front carrier for him. We are going to home depot tomorrow to get something to put down as I have hardwood floor and sometimes he slides.. I don't want this when he get's his surgery. Some kind of non slippery floor matt (TONS OF IT) lol

Any ideas?

Yes prayer for my baby is awesome. Please please pray. I love him so much.

[gemy]

I do have some ideas. Now dependent on how you want your home to look, you can get cheap non slip yoga mats - to move from his crate to the outdoors if he pottys outdoors that is. The yoga mats are easy to wash. Winners may carry some mats.


If I understand correctly he basically should be non weight bearing for approx. 6 wks due to his LP surgery, and will need to be confined to his crate for that duration - only allowed out on lead to potty.


I would ask the surgeon about when you can start to carry him in his front carry pack...