harleyfarley
Well-known member
This is from his registered specialist in Orthopedics and Radiology
I examined this patient today with the history of hind leg problems, There is some astrophy of the left hind leg. The x-ray shows a marked subluxations of the hip joint but this does not appear to have any bony remodelling or new bone formation which is a little surprising give the age of the dog. The lameness seems also to be somewhat intermittent such that the only give little amounts of medication on an irregular basis. I find it difficult to get any physical signs on the hip joint examination other than the muscle atrophy.
I had a long discussion concerning the management of the dog as he seems to be fairly good when having Rimadyl at what is about 50% of the maintenance dose level. I suggested that the dog is given a more prolonged course of medication over a six week course initially at the same dose level and for the owner to monitor any physical signs that might show. If the result is favourable then medical management at this level is a good option.
I did assess the hip joint for hip replacement, the size is below the standard hip its sizes which I have here but there has been a small animal set released in the last few months, which I have not obtained as I feel it is unlikely that I would use it much. However I will chat with colleagues to see if anyone has one I could use. In general terms it is technically somewhat more demanding to perform a replacement in smaller patients. The alternative might be a femur head and neck resection, but in my opinion the result in adult dogs is not great.
So this is where we are at, any coments ?
I examined this patient today with the history of hind leg problems, There is some astrophy of the left hind leg. The x-ray shows a marked subluxations of the hip joint but this does not appear to have any bony remodelling or new bone formation which is a little surprising give the age of the dog. The lameness seems also to be somewhat intermittent such that the only give little amounts of medication on an irregular basis. I find it difficult to get any physical signs on the hip joint examination other than the muscle atrophy.
I had a long discussion concerning the management of the dog as he seems to be fairly good when having Rimadyl at what is about 50% of the maintenance dose level. I suggested that the dog is given a more prolonged course of medication over a six week course initially at the same dose level and for the owner to monitor any physical signs that might show. If the result is favourable then medical management at this level is a good option.
I did assess the hip joint for hip replacement, the size is below the standard hip its sizes which I have here but there has been a small animal set released in the last few months, which I have not obtained as I feel it is unlikely that I would use it much. However I will chat with colleagues to see if anyone has one I could use. In general terms it is technically somewhat more demanding to perform a replacement in smaller patients. The alternative might be a femur head and neck resection, but in my opinion the result in adult dogs is not great.
So this is where we are at, any coments ?
