I know he's in pain

[VetNutJim]

Well, cr@p! It looks like Zaccheus has Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease. It is in the very early stages, and we will be managing it for a while with anti-inflamatory drugs and joint support suppliments.

My vet gave my baby angel Savannah an anti-inflamatory back in October or 2008.
She had an alergic reaction to the drug and her kidneys stopped functioning. That happened after 3 doses of 1/4 tablet. (Deramaxx)
It's been six months and I'm still crying every day.
Please watch Zaccheus closely and if there any sign of him being very lethargic and not feeling like even getting up, stop giving him the medication and contact his doctor.

I HAD that one in a few million little baby girl. I trusted the vet. Never gave a second thought to the risk the medication posed. Now my little Savannah angel is gone and I'm still grieving 6 months later..
Get on the internet. Research the complications that 'may' occur with EVERY medication the vet prescribes.
Decide if the risk is acceptable to you.
You WON'T always receive the sheet that contains all the contraindications on it. So make SURE you get that information and discuss any concerns about the medications with your vet.
The life you save may be that of Zaccheus.

Best of luck to you and little Zaccheus.

[dianethomas]

Originally Posted by VetNutJim

My vet gave my baby angel Savannah an anti-inflamatory back in October or 2008.
She had an alergic reaction to the drug and her kidneys stopped functioning. That happened after 3 doses of 1/4 tablet. (Deramaxx)
It's been six months and I'm still crying every day.
Please watch Zaccheus closely and if there any sign of him being very lethargic and not feeling like even getting up, stop giving him the medication and contact his doctor.

I HAD that one in a few million little baby girl. I trusted the vet. Never gave a second thought to the risk the medication posed. Now my little Savannah angel is gone and I'm still grieving 6 months later..
Get on the internet. Research the complications that 'may' occur with EVERY medication the vet prescribes.
Decide if the risk is acceptable to you.
You WON'T always receive the sheet that contains all the contraindications on it. So make SURE you get that information and discuss any concerns about the medications with your vet.
The life you save may be that of Zaccheus.

Best of luck to you and little Zaccheus.

Thank you Jim.
I remember your little Savannah, and her sad, sad story.
I will be sure to watch Zacchie very closely for any signs of adverse reactions.
I know you are still missing your little angel, and thankful that you are watching this board to keep others aware of the dangers we don't always think about.
Hugs to you.

[dianethomas]

I had a chat with Dr. Tim yesterday. Zacchie is having a hard go of it lately. (I suspect the weather plays a lot into how he's feeling.) But he's not getting the relief I hoped he'd get. He's not showing any adverse reaction to the anti-inflammatory drug he's on, but I'm reluctant to try anything stronger. I don't want to lose him like Jim lost Savannah. But when he can't even assist a climb onto the couch, and he's holding his leg up when he stands, I'm thinking he needs something more.
So Dr. Tim suggested doing laser therapy on him, and seeing if it helps. The research I've done seems like it might help him.
Does anyone know anything about it?

[dianethomas]

Laser therapy didn't help him even a little, and he's really degenerating faster than anyone could have expected. We are going to have to do surgery sooner, rather than later. Thankfully, our vet is willing to take payments, and told me not to let the financial end stop us from doing what Zacchie needs. He's such a great friend and doctor!

I admit, I am more than a little afraid about the FHO, as it seems rather barbaric. Dr. Tim is going to be putting in an implant, rather than letting the ligaments do the job. I am actually glad he's planning that. So he'll have a prosthetic femoral head.

[cashsmommy]

good luck! we are all thinking and praying for you and your little furry one.

[LunasMomma]

Awww poor kiddo I'm sorry he has to have the surgery already, but there are quite a few pups on here that have had lots of success with it, so that's a plus. I'm sure he'll feel much better after the surgery and healing are behind him. How great of your vet to take payments, you've got a good one there!

Good luck and please keep us all posted Oh, love his name, btw, my ex MIL had a tiny little apricot-colored poodle with that name

[PiePiper]

I think you'll find that you've made the right decision in going forward and having Zaccheus's surgery. Piper had her surgery on December 28. She had just started to carry the hind leg, yet didn't seem to be in pain. After a week of carrying that leg once in awhile, I had a gut feeling that something bad was going on. She was 7 months old and weighed 5 lbs. and the vet said being that she was young and weighed so little that she would heal quickly and be 100% again. He was so right. Piper is running and jumping again. Every day the two of us take a 3 mile walk and she never carries the leg or limps. Before you know it Zaccheus will be as good as new and most importantly pain free.

[dianethomas]

I spoke with Dr. Tim yesterday at church, and told him Zacchie is going downhill quickly.
We have an appointment Friday afternoon for re-evaluation, which will most likely be a pre-op consultation.
I'm wanting to take care of it before he has too much muscle atrophy, and hopefully he should make a quick recovery.
I HATE for him to be in pain, and he's not using it at all, except for balance.

I'll tell you what, Zaccheus' complications make me so thankful for Cricket's good health!

[ARCHIE]

Sending best wishes for your little boy.
Poor baby, it must break your heart to see him in pain.
Good luck with Friday's appointment. Hope you can schedule
surgery soon so he can get better.

[zoeybear]

We will be keeping you in our thoughts. Please keep us updated on how Zacchie is doing and when surgery is scheduled. ((hugs))

[BLEU BOY BARBER]

Originally Posted by dianethomas

Well, cr@p! It looks like Zaccheus has Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease. It is in the very early stages, and we will be managing it for a while with anti-inflamatory drugs and joint support suppliments.
Unfortunately, surgery is not an option for us financially right now, but Doc says he wouldn't even recommend it today if we could. He's got at least a year, maybe two or three before he will be advanced enough to need it. By then, we can be ready.
Meanwhile, thanks for keeping us in your thoughts. I've been an emotional wreck today.

I am sorry to hear about your baby I did want to tell you the state of Tenn where you live has a vetnarian college and they will do the surgery and put you on a payment plan since I had read earlier of financial distress. We did this for my BLEU BOY and I was able to get him all the care he needed and pay later.

[dianethomas]

Originally Posted by zoeybear

We will be keeping you in our thoughts. Please keep us updated on how Zacchie is doing and when surgery is scheduled. ((hugs))

Zacchie is scheduled for surgery in the morning. I'm trying not to think about it too much, because I'm scared.
When Dr. Tim saw the new X-ray, he was surprised at the rapid progression.
I'll be dropping him off early in the morning, and he'll be staying the night.
I'll keep you all updated.

[dianethomas]

Originally Posted by dianethomas

Zacchie is scheduled for surgery in the morning. I'm trying not to think about it too much, because I'm scared.
When Dr. Tim saw the new X-ray, he was surprised at the rapid progression.
I'll be dropping him off early in the morning, and he'll be staying the night.
I'll keep you all updated.

Well, his surgery went fine. Doc said that his heart rate wanted to drop right at the beginning, but they were all over it, and he is doing just fine.
Since he has special needs, with his cleft, Doc let me go ahead and bring him home this evening, with strict instructions to call him at home, or on his cell if I have a question or a problem.
Have I mentioned that Dr. Tim is a friend, besides being a gifted vet and surgeon, and that we love him???
Zacchie is still pretty much out of it, but has eaten a few bites of bread. He can't stand, but as I was reminded, I am seeing him sooner after the surgery than most people see their post-op dogs.
Keep us in your prayers tonight. I'm sleeping on the couch next to his crate, just to keep watch over him.

[yorkiepaws]

So glad Zacchie's surgery went well. I hope he has a restful night, and hopefully you can get some sleep too. I'm sure you have been so stressed over this. Please keep us updated on his progress.

[LunasMomma]

I'm so glad to hear that Zach's surgery went well How wonderful that you are so close with the vet, that must fell so good to know that you can call him any time.

He'll be bouncing around soon