1 yo poodle - fem head degen

August 23, 2008

I am going to try this again. I know people are super

busy but I thought that maybe now that I have the x-ray uploaded, people might

be more inspired to give advice.

I have a 17 month MN standard poodle who had acute lameness

RH after a fall (unsure exact circumstances, happened at the groomers) 2 months

ago. 1st treated with rest and NSAID, improvement on NSAID but

returned when d/c’d. 1 month post injury, one x-ray taken. This

was one month ago. I have uploaded it to the “photos” section

On exam, I find that the dog has significantly decreased wb

at a stand and a walk in the RH with a 3 cm difference in thigh circumference.

He has full ROM in the hip but is painful at full extension. Otherwise

the exam is WNL, the dog is very sweet and easy to work with. I started

with acupuncture and laser.

My question is whether or not this could be Legg Calve

Perthes even though the dog is a standard size? (The orthopod who looked

at the film apparently said it was due to the fall but I have not been able to

reach him directly yet.) And, can we rehab it without surgery? LCP

is mentioned on poodle websites but not specifically in standards. Talking

to breeders, I do know it happens and that there is at least one breeder who

seems to continue to breed a line who has it.

Some suggest that we rehab with full non-wt bearing sling,

etc. This goes against my intuition which is to limit exercise to short

leash walks and to work on strengthening and include swimming. I also

think the dog should be back on the NSAID so that the dog is willing to bear

more wt on the leg during the rehab.

In order to diagnose infection for sure if the blood work is

normal is through bone biopsy,yes? I can refer her for prolotherapy if we

think that is best but I don’t do it myself. Any other thoughts?

Orenbuch

evelynvet@...

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