Daisy update on lameness in hind leg
 

Daisy had a consult with the surgeon today. The surgeon said that Daisy is not a candidate for surgery. He felt that it was in Daisy's best interest to rest the leg and follow her progress in a few weeks. He stated that the arthritis in her joint has been there since about a year of age, due to wear and tear on her joint, muscles, and ligament thanks to poor breeding producing severe Grade IV medial patellar luxations. It was his feeling that the time for Daisy's surgery was 13 years ago, when she was a puppy, but some surgeons vary on their opinions and it's a judgment call. He did say that he would have predicted a worse functionality at 13 with her knees, so she has done very well. He also feels that a prior injury in 2010 may have been a partial tear to the CCL, exacerbating the problems in her joint.

A surgical repair would set her back functionally, and we could potentially lose her in surgery due to impaired liver and kidney functions.

The good news in all of this was that Daisy is getting around very well and I was able to stop her tramadol pain medication. She's not able to take metacam or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication because of her liver disease and also that she is on aspirin (could lead to bleeding ulcers and GI distress). The surgeon said that Daisy looks great for a 13 year old poorly bred dog with atopy and allergies and agreed with her internist that she has clearly outlived her prognoses.

I worry that the day will come when her ligament fully tears, but he said we have to cross that bridge when we come to it. I don't know how surgery would benefit her in the future if it is too high risk for her now. I guess I have to hope for the best. For now, rest and warm compresses to the joint, and I am considering use of the cold K-Laser with the rehabilitation vet since he said that would help to penetrate the deep tissues in the joint and for a dog like her with longstanding progressive arthritis it may help. Other PT or water treadmill are not indicated, which is good, because Daisy would hate it. He recommended using omega 3s, and I told him that Daisy is already on a therapeutic dose of omega 3s as recommended by Dr. Remillard - sadly, she can only tolerate fish oils a few times a week and I now sneak her a little sardine from time to time.

All in all, I'm disappointed that Daisy can't just "be fixed" but I feel reassured that the answers I have gotten today and his opinion are correct in light of her entire medical history. Unless surgery was clearly going to improve her prognosis and outcome I find that he is correct that risking her life is not worth it.

Thanks to all who kept Daisy in their thoughts.

I'm sorry to hear that Daisy has been struggling again. It sounds like this surgeon has everything right in taking her whole history in to consideration. Best wishes to you both.

Awe!! Poor Daisy. She is in my thoughts and prayers.

I think you should have included the adorable pic of Daisy in the car on the way to the surgeon's office. She is an amazing little girl, and thanks to her great mom, she has overcome incredible odds. Hard to believe looking at her that she is almost 13.

I'm sorry her leg can't be fixed, and I pray that she will continue to get around very well.

I hope everything turns okay for daisy

Daisy is very lucky to have you and Dave as parents! She has overcome tremendous odds. Hopefully she will do well without the surgery :love:

I'm sorry Cathy. I love sweet Daisy. I look to her a lot with everything Taycie and I have been through she keeps us strong. She looks wonderful and you have done an amazing job with her. Gentle hugs for your sweet girl:-)

I hope that Daisy enjoys the laser treatments and that they are effective for her.

If only we had a magical wand that could heal all things.

She is very very lucky to have an owner like you, who takes such wonderful care of her.

Poor Daisy. It's so hard when we can't fix something. But you are an amazing mom and she will get the best care ever! Sending prayers!

I'm so sorry to hear her leg can't be fixed. But I know you'll still be able to give her the best ever life...you're just that kind of doggie Mama :).

Sorry to hear about Daisy's situation. Hope she'll be ok & any pain can be managed. Sending over healing prayers & gentle kisses for the sweet girl!

I am so sorry that this cannot be fixed for Daisy, but know she is getting the best treatment possible. You are such a good Mom!

Thanks everyone. I'm deciding against the cold laser, because I think the speculative benefits of it aren't worth the cost. Daisy can do just fine with at home hydrotherapy baths for aches in her joint and tramadol if needed. She may be old and sickly, but today she wrestled Winston and kicked him across the bed with her arthritic joint. It's tough to see her aging but I keep reminding myself how she's outlived her illnesses already. She's a happy girl.

Pics
 

Since someone mentioned it, I'm posting a pic of Daisy. She is on the right side next to Barney who is one month older than her. He will be 13 on Aug 15 and she will be 13 on Sept 17. They have been best friends all these years but she has taken a real liking to playing with young Winny and she can outplay him any day!

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So sweet! Yeah, the girls can kick a$$.:D