Horsefeathers! Posted January 21, 2004 Posted January 21, 2004 Y'all remember Devin? The little Devin monster? The fellow that took a two day vacation and had everyone so worried, found yet another home, didn't work out, back with us Devin? Well, if it ain't one thing, it's another. My husband was just saying the other night how glad he is that Devin came back to us after all he's been through and all the homes he didn't work out in. I mean, he really is such an absolute joy... especially since it's been so long since there's been a "baby" in the house. Devin is a year old, but Lhasas are slow to mature and he's still all puppy. He's such a ham and now I couldn't imagine life without him. The things that made him not work out in other homes are the things I like about him. He thinks for himself. He has good intentions, but he's certainly a free spirit and I love to hear him talk (seriously... he just rattles on like he knows what he's talking about). I've been thinking Devin might have some hip problems. He does that familiar bunny hop and he's very sensitive about his back end. He doesn't like his rear legs manipulated. I had the vet take a look at him today and he confirmed my worst suspicions. Devin has hip dysplasia AND a bad knee. It's not like he's a bit dysplastic. No, he's holy moly, good golly, look at those hips bad. On his right side, there is virtually no hip socket at all and it's like his hip is dislocated and the left side isn't much better. My poor baby! He's only a year old :cry: . He is going to get weekly Adequan injections for four weeks and then we'll discuss other options. This poor kid. I just hate to see someone so young have such a rough start (he also has allergies we are trying to treat). No one would ever think to dump off their perfectly healthy, sound, good temperament dog on me. As soon as they arrive here, we find that something is wrong. I'm beginning to think it's me. :-? Quote
schippsmom Posted January 21, 2004 Posted January 21, 2004 :Dog_run: :( That is so sad. The poor little guy. I'll add him to the prayer list :angel: Paula & Re-Run Quote
kendalyn Posted January 21, 2004 Posted January 21, 2004 Oh man that really sucks. :( Poor thing should just be allowed to be a healthy puppy! Quote
MajiesMom Posted January 21, 2004 Posted January 21, 2004 Awww poor thing. :cry: I'm wishing for a good recovery for whatever treatment(s)/surgery he has to have to make him all better. Hugs and kisses to your little man Devin. Oh look at that picture of the handsome devil - he's perfect!!! How could anyone not instantly, madly fall in love with that pupper? Isn't that the sweetest face you ever saw! Quote
StarFox Posted January 21, 2004 Posted January 21, 2004 :cry: I'm so sorry. This is something that no pet or owner should ever have to go threw. *hugs* I wish you the best of luck in whatever you decide to do. Quote
xavierandrea Posted January 21, 2004 Posted January 21, 2004 :cry: Poor Devin. My Free also has HD and arthities. She was diognosied at about 10 months. I know that Devin will be ok. He seems like he's a trooper! I'll say a prayer for him. Quote
courtnek Posted January 21, 2004 Posted January 21, 2004 oh HF!! I'm SOOO sorry. Poor little Devin...but he's in good hands now, I know that. I just found out Laurel is partially blind, (bad/no peripheral vision) so I can sympathise, believe me. In her case it's easier, nothing needs to be done. Poor little Devin...know he's in my thoughts... Quote
Malamum Posted January 21, 2004 Posted January 21, 2004 I'm so sorry HF, poor little guy. I really wish you didn't have to go through this but I can't help but think that he kept coming back to you for a reason. The reason being that he needed someone as dedicated and caring as you to take care of him. I know he will still have a full and wonderful life with you to look after him. Quote
Horsefeathers! Posted January 22, 2004 Author Posted January 22, 2004 Mei-Mei napisał(a):Poor little Devin! When will you find out more about treatment options? Doc said that we should know within four weeks whether the Adequan injections are helping. It's more of an effort to keep him comfortable. If the Adequan helps, we can put off considering anything more serious... at least for now. If it doesn't help, we'll have to consider more drastic options like surgeries. :( courtnek napisał(a):oh HF!! I'm SOOO sorry. Poor little Devin...but he's in good hands now, I know that. I just found out Laurel is partially blind, (bad/no peripheral vision) so I can sympathise, believe me. In her case it's easier, nothing needs to be done. Poor little Devin...know he's in my thoughts... Oh, poor Laurel. From what I understand, dogs rely so much on peripheral vision. It's why dogs like Schnauzers/Bouviers/Wheatens and the like can wear those clips with the hair over their eyes. If you ever notice, the outward part of the eyes is trimmed away. So many people wonder how these dogs can wear these clips and be able to see. Peripheral vision. I hate that for Laurel, but I'm sure she'll compensate well since they don't rely SOLELY on it. You guys are great. I'll be sure to keep you updated (of course :oops: ). I just get a little discouraged sometimes. It seems like if it's not one thing, it's another... in the last year and a half, we've lost one very old dog with every possible ailment imaginable (seizures, no jaw, blind, deaf, etc., etc., etc.), we've had one major abdominal surgery (Perry), one FHO (hip) surgery (Tucker), put down a dog with serious "issues" (Penny), dealt with allergies (Missy, Simon AND Devin), had two cats with urinary blockage issues, one cat with a serious heart murmur, a ferret with a tumor, as well as the regular, everyday aches and pains (this one has an upset tummy, that one is limping, another one has an eye infection, etc., etc., etc.). Some days I have to wonder if it's worth it. :-? Then I look around and can't imagine who I could ever part with if there was a way to keep them with me forever. I'm hopeless. I'll never be rich (dog poor, for sure), but hopefully my life will have been enriched by the company I've chosen to keep (hey, it sounds good, anyway).:oops: Thanks for the virtual hugs. :angel: Quote
dogsgalore Posted January 22, 2004 Posted January 22, 2004 So sorry HF, poor little Devin. :cry: :cry: I cried for days when Beta was diagnosed with mild hip dysplasia at three years old. I know how you feel. I'm so sorry. :cry: Quote
ellieangel Posted January 22, 2004 Posted January 22, 2004 I'm do sorry HF poor little guy he doesn't deserve this does he :( Quote
DogPaddle Posted January 22, 2004 Posted January 22, 2004 HF, I know I've posted this sort of thing before but I'll post it again, hope it cheers you up and gives you a bit of hopefulness. Tyr, the Mal/GSD we were fostering, has 4rth grade hip displaysia, one hip not really in socket at all, and resulting ostea-arthritus. He was diagnosed at 8 months. The vet advocated glucosamine and chondroitine for his hips and aspirin for his pain as needed - up to 3 uncoated, plain aspirin for a dog his size. He was very comfortable and moderately active like this. The vet also said that from his experience, symptoms lessen by 18 months (this is for large breed dogs.) If Tyr's symptoms had not lessened by then we could look at some surgical options - his suggested being the removal of some muscle on the inner thigh wich relieves some pressure on the hip and relieves pain - no reparation of joint but less recover time and it costs only $500 Canadian for one hip (and less than double for two hips if both done at once.) Anyway after 18 months Tyr appears to be almost completely symptom free, he gets a bit of glucosamine and chondraitin in his food - I think Nutro has it in their large breed formulae. He almost never needs aspririn. Good luck to you and Devin and the whole crew there. Quote
Horsefeathers! Posted January 24, 2004 Author Posted January 24, 2004 Thanks, DP. I remember you talking about it. I had already been giving Devin (and a few others) glucosamine/condrointin/msm just because I didn't like the way he was moving (just had a hunch). I am holding off the glucosamine and stuff until we find out if the Adequan is going to help and then I'll probably pick the routine right back up. Thanks. :) Quote
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