Rebanne Posted May 17, 2023 Share Posted May 17, 2023 Opal had xrays today and she has severe arthritis in her bad hip that she dislocated 5 years ago. She has 5 -6 years of life left one would think. I am not keen on just giving her more and more pain medication. My vet is leaning to FHO and has sent off a report to another vet who would be the one doing any actual surgery. Hip Denervation was also mentioned which I haven't heard of before. A quick google has shown me this could be quite good for Opal. Much less invasive but would need to be repeated at maybe 2 year intervals. Anyone have any experience with this? Something has to be done soon for my poor girl. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mairead Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 (edited) No experience with hip denervation but had a cat that needed FHO from a road accident. We were not convinced he would have adequate quality of life but he was just a bit less agile in climbing. In 5 Minute Veterinary Consult this operation (called excision arthroplasty) is 'primarily a salvage procedure - for significant DJD; when pain cannot be controlled medically; when total hip replacement is cost prohibitive' and 'best results - small ,light dogs <20 kg; patients with good hip musculature' and 'slightly abnormal gait often persists'. What is your objection to pain medication? Edited May 19, 2023 by Mairead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted May 19, 2023 Author Share Posted May 19, 2023 1 hour ago, Mairead said: What is your objection to pain medication? What it will do to her long term. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mairead Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 Which option is likely to mean best quality of life? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted May 20, 2023 Author Share Posted May 20, 2023 6 hours ago, Mairead said: Which option is likely to mean best quality of life? have yet to see the vet who would end up doing whatever is decided on. I am just trying to educate myself before seeing him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_PL_ Posted May 20, 2023 Share Posted May 20, 2023 If it's a matter of pain killers now or in the future do ask about Gabapentin/Neurontin to see if it's suitable. Much better than NSAIDS long term. I'm sorry, I have no experience with denervation but I'd love an update if you can. Big hugs for you and Opal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted May 20, 2023 Author Share Posted May 20, 2023 14 hours ago, Powerlegs said: If it's a matter of pain killers now or in the future do ask about Gabapentin/Neurontin to see if it's suitable. Much better than NSAIDS long term. I'm sorry, I have no experience with denervation but I'd love an update if you can. Big hugs for you and Opal. Thanks Powerlegs, will be sure to update when I have one. We have started Gapapentin a couple of months ago. Opal is also on Meloxicam and has been on that full time for the past 12 months. She is only 5 1/2 years old which is why I would like to find a better long term solution for her. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted May 29, 2023 Author Share Posted May 29, 2023 Just a minor update. Opal is using her leg less and less. I have upped her pain meds again. But she still enjoys a shortish walk. In fact would most likely like it longer but Phoebe is happy to head to home. We finally see Dr Andrew next Tuesday June 6th. I suspect there will be more xrays. Dr Jo has sent everything down to him but he has yet to get back to her, he's a busy man. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted June 5, 2023 Author Share Posted June 5, 2023 Little bit, no, a lot nervous about the outcome tomorrow. Got to be there at 8.30 and Opal has to be fasted. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kazm Posted June 5, 2023 Share Posted June 5, 2023 Good luck to Opal tomorrow. Hope it all goes well. It will be a long night and nervous wait for you tomorrow but fingers crossed the outcome is a good one. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted June 5, 2023 Share Posted June 5, 2023 Wishing you and Opal all the best for tomorrow! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papillon Kisses Posted June 5, 2023 Share Posted June 5, 2023 Thinking of you both 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_PL_ Posted June 5, 2023 Share Posted June 5, 2023 Big hugs to you both. xxxx 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted June 6, 2023 Author Share Posted June 6, 2023 (edited) We are back home! My head is spinning a bit. So.......the denevration is on the cards but before we do that we are giving a 6 week trial on supplements. I am to continue the gabapentin, though Dr Andrew thinks it's too low a dose but we don't want to change things, and Opal is to start on Glyde powder, 4Cyte gel and a 4week course of either cartrophen or something starting with Z if my regular vet has it or can get it in (it's a more recent thing then cartrophen). Dr Andrew says the hip is bone on bone and several other things which all mean it's bad. Dr Andrew has been doing the denevration for 20 years and only had 2 dogs come back because the nerves regenerated. Small incision and keep them quiet for 2 weeks. Approx cost $3500. Femoral head ostectomy, more invasive approx $4,500 and an 8% chance of the dog breaking the femur at a later date. Knowing Opal this would happen to her! And a total hip replacement would be elsewhere as he doesn't have some piece of equipment that is needed, $10,000. Oh and Opal had a stride test, running along a special mat which measure weight % of each foot fall. It showed how little the left hind is used. Whew!!!!! Edited June 6, 2023 by Rebanne 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted June 6, 2023 Share Posted June 6, 2023 Glad you got some good information May it all go well. Quote Femoral head ostectomy, more invasive approx $4,500 and an 8% chance of the dog breaking the femur at a later date. Knowing Opal this would happen to her! A friend got her older Koolie done several years ago with such dramatic results! Great use of the leg after healing. Now almost 14, she still goes hiking, races around chasing much younger dogs , and looks great . 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papillon Kisses Posted June 6, 2023 Share Posted June 6, 2023 Big day! You might like to ask him about trying Pregabalin in place of Gabapentin. One of Malcolm’s more specialist vets, who had MANZCVS level qualifications in anaesthesia and critical care (which overs analgesia) and in vet behaviour, switched him over to it as it’s easier on the organs and has fewer side effects. Malcolm was getting completely wiped out by gabapentin at doses high enough to control pain, whereas with Pregabalin we got the needed level of pain relief without the side effects. Another more novel drug she prescribed was Amantadine. You’d need to search “amantadine and analgesia” to get relevant information as it’s used for different things in humans than in dogs. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted June 27, 2023 Share Posted June 27, 2023 Just wondering how things are going ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted June 27, 2023 Author Share Posted June 27, 2023 43 minutes ago, persephone said: Just wondering how things are going ? We are 3 weeks into the 6 weeks of supplements and injections. Can't see a difference myself so I guess we are heading to the denervation, in the not too distant future. Opal is still full of beans and loves her walks but we don't go too far or she cries later that day. Thanks for asking @persephone. Next appointment is July 18th with Dr Andrew. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boronia Posted June 27, 2023 Share Posted June 27, 2023 (edited) Give Cen Oil a go (get the horse one) I use it for Zara, 1 tsp in the morning, she now goes up and down the 17 steps quite happily, it won't harm your dog and it may be beneficial (edited to say that Zara weighs 11--12kg) https://cennutrition.com.au/stockists/ and from the general web search here Edited June 27, 2023 by Boronia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted June 27, 2023 Author Share Posted June 27, 2023 37 minutes ago, Boronia said: Give Cen Oil a go (get the horse one) I use it for Zara, 1 tsp in the morning, she now goes up and down the 17 steps quite happily, it won't harm your dog and it may be beneficial (edited to say that Zara weighs 11--12kg) https://cennutrition.com.au/stockists/ and from the general web search here Maybe after the 6 weeks are over @Boronia. Just doing what the specialist wanted. Though would be good for the others. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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