Yorkie with foot deformity. - Page 2 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

pstinard · 07-07-2013, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ellie May

I'd base most of my decision on long term prognosis as predicted by an ortho surgeon. I would not fix a deformity just for the sake of fixing it. i'd fix it if not doing so would result in likely long term problems.

I'm relieved that the OP has more time to consider this and isn't being rushed into a quick decision after all.

Lil Sis · 07-07-2013, 05:17 AM

after reading the thread I am sure glad you have some time !

I would do the surgery... but I would look at the quality of life and long term problems to make my decision. I am sure you will do what is best!!! Good luck

jeane · 07-07-2013, 05:38 AM

I have had to make that decision with my beloved Yellow Lab// we had both of her hips replaced because of Hip dysplasia// it was difficult but in the long run it was well worth it for her// your pup is very lucky to have you as her owner

YorkOfTheShire · 07-08-2013, 09:58 AM

I'm sorry everyone, I meant to update this but there won't be anything to update until later today. The vet had an emergency pet to tend to so we had to be canceled...it happens. We're going in today at 3:30 and I'll know more after that (hopefully).

YorkOfTheShire · 07-09-2013, 11:58 AM

"bring her back in 2 weeks" gee that's helpful!

The bad news: More issues to add to the equation.

The good news: She's not in pain and loves to play.

More issues:

- open fontanelle (no swelling and no sign of water on the brain)
- incisors are still not through the gumline
- all her legs are far too short for a 9 week pup (and she is now 9 weeks)

Possibilities:

- She could have dwarfism (non-pituitary?) but the lateral rotation (deformed paw) is unrelated and he believes it to be injury-induced (but that the injury has since healed incorrectly, causing the turn). It occurs at her paw - not her knee or shoulder so they do not believe it is related to whatever is causing her other legs to be shorter than they should be at nine weeks.

Or

- She was simply guesstimated inaccurately with regard to age by the shelter & may be younger by as much as a couple of weeks. Her appearance, demeanor and growth appears to be that of a 6 week old puppy UNLESS she has dwarfism.

They want to see her in 2 weeks to check her soft spot, incisors & get more x-rays to see how her legs are growing or if they're stunted or bowed, or growing in a way that would indicate dwarfism.

Final Diagnosis: don't know!

I'm to bring her in straight away if her head appears to be swelling or if she doesn't respond to general hand motions...or if she begins vomiting or anything else that does not coincide with normal puppy behavior.

I'm ALL for rescuing animals - but wow this is frustrating with so many "unknowns". It's enough to drive a person to drink.

gemy · 07-09-2013, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YorkOfTheShire

"bring her back in 2 weeks" gee that's helpful!

The bad news: More issues to add to the equation.

The good news: She's not in pain and loves to play.

More issues:

- open fontanelle (no swelling and no sign of water on the brain)
- incisors are still not through the gumline
- all her legs are far too short for a 9 week pup (and she is now 9 weeks)

Possibilities:

- She could have dwarfism (non-pituitary?) but the lateral rotation (deformed paw) is unrelated and he believes it to be injury-induced (but that the injury has since healed incorrectly, causing the turn). It occurs at her paw - not her knee or shoulder so they do not believe it is related to whatever is causing her other legs to be shorter than they should be at nine weeks.

Or

- She was simply guesstimated inaccurately with regard to age by the shelter & may be younger by as much as a couple of weeks. Her appearance, demeanor and growth appears to be that of a 6 week old puppy UNLESS she has dwarfism.

They want to see her in 2 weeks to check her soft spot, incisors & get more x-rays to see how her legs are growing or if they're stunted or bowed, or growing in a way that would indicate dwarfism.

Final Diagnosis: don't know!

I'm to bring her in straight away if her head appears to be swelling or if she doesn't respond to general hand motions...or if she begins vomiting or anything else that does not coincide with normal puppy behavior.

I'm ALL for rescuing animals - but wow this is frustrating with so many "unknowns". It's enough to drive a person to drink.

Okay. That was quite a bit to absorb. I would think that the open fontalle should have been ddx'd by the shelters vet. Have you told them yet about her health issues? Specially the fontanelle, and the age concern?

ANd to not make too moot a point, that if her age is correct, she maybe suffering from dwarfism? I think the shelter should want to know these things. If only to better inform their own assessments.

But for you and your gal just hang in there, to see what may develop. Which I do know is a hard spot to be in.

(((Hugs))))

TxVicki · 07-09-2013, 06:00 PM

WOW that is alot to digest. I will most certainly say prayers for your baby.

YorkOfTheShire · 07-10-2013, 02:09 AM

The open fontanel (spelling?) was noted, yes - but they said not to worry because she had no water on the brain (still doesn't). The reason it's a new factor in the equation is because an open fontanel by itself isn't all that rare, but when it's accompanied by short legs, lack of incisors and a stunted appearance it can be an indicator of other things - such as dwarfism that he was referring to.

Right now it's a "wait and see". He did not say she has dwarfism or that he believed she did - he said she *could*, due to the factors involved. So it's sit and wait.

I'm choosing to believe (for now) that she's simply younger than what she was assessed at. He said it was a possibility also, but he kinda had a wrinkled nose when he said it. I still choose to believe that until proven otherwise.

YorkOfTheShire · 07-13-2013, 05:24 AM

We took her to the vet with us this morning when we took Bella.

We have decided on the name Gypsy for the new puppy (we had picked Twix before but decided it wasn't her). So Gypsy it is.

This morning we saw a different vet (same veterinary clinic) and *he* said she does not have her incisors in yet because she's tiny, and it's common in toy breeds to not get their incisors in by now. He said he'd worry if they haven't broken the gumline by 12 weeks (she's 10 weeks tomorrow). He said her teeth are right near the surface so he's not worried.

Her open fontanel appears to be closing but is not closed yet (but is a smaller area than it was previously). He said it'd be awesome if it closed completely but that even if it didn't...there are many dogs with open fontanels and they get along just fine.

He said he doesn't believe she has dwarfism or any other sort of stunted limb disease or issue - he said she's just tiny and sometimes it takes them a little longer to catch up. Her elbows and knees would be showing some sort of sign by now if she had dwarfism.

Lastly...that paw is still 'deformed' in the wrist joint but for some reason she's pointing it more forward than she was last week - which is good.

We are still "wait and see" but I thought everything he said was extremely good news so I wanted to post it.

(I think he might have more experience with tiny dogs than the others)

With regard to Bella - poor thing had a very upset tummy last night and this morning (coming out both ends) so we took her in when they opened. She also has a little yeasty beasty in her ear because one ear does not stand. This is the second time she's been in for it, and I have no idea why she's getting it since I haven't been running water over her head for the last year. They gave her Mometamax for her ear, and I can't read his writing on the pills she has. Byl...something and Fleyl ? something ...for her upset tummy, and a can of Prescription Diet w/d Gastrointestinal. She's not to eat or drink anything for 8 hours after her last vomit which was 2 hours ago...so another 6 hours and she can get some food and water.

All in all... a great morning.

Maximo · 07-13-2013, 08:14 AM

Happy to hear that the prognosis for Gypsy is looking better. Praying that it is a matter of her being younger than the original estimate, and that her paw will improve.

Sorry to hear that Bella is sick, and praying she will recuperate quickly. Is the medication Flagyl? I don't have any experience with it, but I think that is the one I have seen mentioned relative to upset tummies and intestines.

Regarding her yeasty ear, I know you are concerned about getting water in her ears in the bath. I try to avoid water in the ears, but they still need to be cleaned or my guys will get yellow waxy gunk that could lead to an infection. I comb the ear daily with a flea comb that removes wax and debris. We also use an ear cleaner with a drying agent after baths or as needed. Vet Solutions is a good brand.

I used to worry so much about water in the ears, but after considering how many Yorkies and other dogs swim, I stopped worrying. Haven't had any problems.

Best wishes to your babies.

YorkOfTheShire · 07-13-2013, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maximo

Happy to hear that the prognosis for Gypsy is looking better. Praying that it is a matter of her being younger than the original estimate, and that her paw will improve.

Sorry to hear that Bella is sick, and praying she will recuperate quickly. Is the medication Flagyl? I don't have any experience with it, but I think that is the one I have seen mentioned relative to upset tummies and intestines.

Regarding her yeasty ear, I know you are concerned about getting water in her ears in the bath. I try to avoid water in the ears, but they still need to be cleaned or my guys will get yellow waxy gunk that could lead to an infection. I comb the ear daily with a flea comb that removes wax and debris. We also use an ear cleaner with a drying agent after baths or as needed. Vet Solutions is a good brand.

I used to worry so much about water in the ears, but after considering how many Yorkies and other dogs swim, I stopped worrying. Haven't had any problems.

Best wishes to your babies.

Thank you very much, Maximo.

I do clean their ears, but I just don't pour water over their heads anymore...I didn't think about swimming dogs though - good point. Usually I pluck out the hair from the inside of their ears (it doesn't seem to hurt them and it's what the vet said to do) so I do that, and I also take a warm cloth and clean out what I can see (I don't stick anything in the ear canal though). Apparently it's not good enough because Bella has a yeasty beasty in just the one ear again (the one that does not stand up). =/ She did great for a long while but it crept back up.

I'll look into vet solutions - ty for the info!!

07-07-2013, 05:17 AM	#17
Lil Sis Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 8,008	after reading the thread I am sure glad you have some time ! I would do the surgery... but I would look at the quality of life and long term problems to make my decision. I am sure you will do what is best!!! Good luck __________________ Shinja mom to Remy lil Sis to Bailey and Sammy

07-09-2013, 06:00 PM	#22
TxVicki Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: At Home Posts: 8,386	WOW that is alot to digest. I will most certainly say prayers for your baby. __________________ [SIZE="3"VICKI & ALLIE[/SIZE]

07-13-2013, 08:14 AM	#25
Maximo ♥ Maximo and Teddy Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 25,041	Happy to hear that the prognosis for Gypsy is looking better. Praying that it is a matter of her being younger than the original estimate, and that her paw will improve. Sorry to hear that Bella is sick, and praying she will recuperate quickly. Is the medication Flagyl? I don't have any experience with it, but I think that is the one I have seen mentioned relative to upset tummies and intestines. Regarding her yeasty ear, I know you are concerned about getting water in her ears in the bath. I try to avoid water in the ears, but they still need to be cleaned or my guys will get yellow waxy gunk that could lead to an infection. I comb the ear daily with a flea comb that removes wax and debris. We also use an ear cleaner with a drying agent after baths or as needed. Vet Solutions is a good brand. I used to worry so much about water in the ears, but after considering how many Yorkies and other dogs swim, I stopped worrying. Haven't had any problems. Best wishes to your babies. __________________ Kristin, Max and Teddy

07-07-2013, 05:38 AM	#18
jeane Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: montana Posts: 2,945	I have had to make that decision with my beloved Yellow Lab// we had both of her hips replaced because of Hip dysplasia// it was difficult but in the long run it was well worth it for her// your pup is very lucky to have you as her owner

07-08-2013, 09:58 AM	#19
YorkOfTheShire BANNED! Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Missouri, USA Posts: 383	I'm sorry everyone, I meant to update this but there won't be anything to update until later today. The vet had an emergency pet to tend to so we had to be canceled...it happens. We're going in today at 3:30 and I'll know more after that (hopefully).

07-09-2013, 11:58 AM	#20
YorkOfTheShire BANNED! Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Missouri, USA Posts: 383	"bring her back in 2 weeks" gee that's helpful! The bad news: More issues to add to the equation. The good news: She's not in pain and loves to play. More issues: - open fontanelle (no swelling and no sign of water on the brain) - incisors are still not through the gumline - all her legs are far too short for a 9 week pup (and she is now 9 weeks) Possibilities: - She could have dwarfism (non-pituitary?) but the lateral rotation (deformed paw) is unrelated and he believes it to be injury-induced (but that the injury has since healed incorrectly, causing the turn). It occurs at her paw - not her knee or shoulder so they do not believe it is related to whatever is causing her other legs to be shorter than they should be at nine weeks. Or - She was simply guesstimated inaccurately with regard to age by the shelter & may be younger by as much as a couple of weeks. Her appearance, demeanor and growth appears to be that of a 6 week old puppy UNLESS she has dwarfism. They want to see her in 2 weeks to check her soft spot, incisors & get more x-rays to see how her legs are growing or if they're stunted or bowed, or growing in a way that would indicate dwarfism. Final Diagnosis: *don't know!* I'm to bring her in straight away if her head appears to be swelling or if she doesn't respond to general hand motions...or if she begins vomiting or anything else that does not coincide with normal puppy behavior. I'm ALL for rescuing animals - but wow this is frustrating with so many "unknowns". It's enough to drive a person to drink.

07-10-2013, 02:09 AM	#23
YorkOfTheShire BANNED! Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Missouri, USA Posts: 383	The open fontanel (spelling?) was noted, yes - but they said not to worry because she had no water on the brain (still doesn't). The reason it's a new factor in the equation is because an open fontanel by itself isn't all that rare, but when it's accompanied by short legs, lack of incisors and a stunted appearance it can be an indicator of other things - such as dwarfism that he was referring to. Right now it's a "wait and see". He did not say she has dwarfism or that he believed she did - he said she could, due to the factors involved. So it's sit and wait. I'm choosing to believe (for now) that she's simply younger than what she was assessed at. He said it was a possibility also, but he kinda had a wrinkled nose when he said it. I still choose to believe that until proven otherwise.

07-13-2013, 05:24 AM	#24
YorkOfTheShire BANNED! Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Missouri, USA Posts: 383	We took her to the vet with us this morning when we took Bella. We have decided on the name Gypsy for the new puppy (we had picked Twix before but decided it wasn't her). So Gypsy it is. This morning we saw a different vet (same veterinary clinic) and he said she does not have her incisors in yet because she's tiny, and it's common in toy breeds to not get their incisors in by now. He said he'd worry if they haven't broken the gumline by 12 weeks (she's 10 weeks tomorrow). He said her teeth are right near the surface so he's not worried. Her open fontanel appears to be closing but is not closed yet (but is a smaller area than it was previously). He said it'd be awesome if it closed completely but that even if it didn't...there are many dogs with open fontanels and they get along just fine. He said he doesn't believe she has dwarfism or any other sort of stunted limb disease or issue - he said she's just tiny and sometimes it takes them a little longer to catch up. Her elbows and knees would be showing some sort of sign by now if she had dwarfism. Lastly...that paw is still 'deformed' in the wrist joint but for some reason she's pointing it more forward than she was last week - which is good. We are still "wait and see" but I thought everything he said was extremely good news so I wanted to post it. (I think he might have more experience with tiny dogs than the others) With regard to Bella - poor thing had a very upset tummy last night and this morning (coming out both ends) so we took her in when they opened. She also has a little yeasty beasty in her ear because one ear does not stand. This is the second time she's been in for it, and I have no idea why she's getting it since I haven't been running water over her head for the last year. They gave her Mometamax for her ear, and I can't read his writing on the pills she has. Byl...something and Fleyl ? something ...for her upset tummy, and a can of Prescription Diet w/d Gastrointestinal. She's not to eat or drink anything for 8 hours after her last vomit which was 2 hours ago...so another 6 hours and she can get some food and water. All in all... a great morning.