The canine physiotherapist who has been treating Polar wanted an up-to-date xray of his injured leg, as she felt there was a problem with his ligaments. As the previous xrays were taken in Spain at the beginning of April, and Polar has grown enormously since then, I thought it a good idea too.
So Fazia made an appointment with an orthopaedic vet with whom she works. We couldn’t see him a couple of weeks ago as the vets were on strike – see separate story. So an appointment was made for Thursday last week.
The xrays show that the cartilage bone is loose and outside the knee joint. Of course, the pictures do not show any ligament/muscle, that would necessitate a scan.
The vet suggested two options. Polar could have a complete knee replacement – we’d have to go to America for that as there are no vets in France to do the operation! Or he could operate and insert a pin in the joint to straighten the leg, which would mean Polar would not be able to bend it. The vet also said Polar is in pain.
I left with a small usb card on which were copies of the xrays. Annoyingly, when I got home, there is only one photo and it is not the one on which we could see the cartilage loose just below the skin.
I have reported to Fazia and left it with her to talk to the vet – who is on holiday this week!
Polar continues to be a very lively mischievous hound – nothing is safe! I don’t believe he is in pain – insofar as if he was, he would not race around with Bracken, not jump up on chairs, climb stairs. We know that greyhounds/galgos are whimps and squeal at the slightest pain – Polar does not do this atall. So if he is feeling pain, it is very very minimal.
For the moment, I will continue on the MSM and massage oil. Time to consider an alternative if/when he expresses pain.
We’re thoroughly enjoying our sessions at dog training. But it was cold last week so I’m going to have to knit him a sweater!
Comments
5 responses to “Update on Polar 21 11 2013”
what ever way you go beryl it will be what you choose its always hard having to make choices nice to know he is having a ball
Ah lovely Polar. I am sorry if he is feeling pain Beryl but you are right in that I am sure he would show it more. I don’t know if this is the case across the board but my male galgo was far more stoical than my male ex racer, who is a big baby and shrieks at everything! PS have you got any more photos to share of Polar, would like to see them.
I just wonder if there is really NO VET in Europe who could perform a knee replacement surgery on a dog…
I just wondered if even in Germany there is no one? The Germans bring Spanish dogs here that need surgeries, sometimes pretty complicated cases are among them. That is why I just wondered…
America is very far away… flight and dog transport pretty costly, too… Beryl should I try to ask around a little bit?
Hi Tunde, Ive posted a comment about a veterinary centre in Surrey, UK, who specialise in such operations; have spoken to them on the phone but Polar could only go with a vet referral so have asked Fazia (canine physio) if she will ask Dr Migaud to refer Polar to them and well take a trip across the Channel for a consultation and see what they say. Thank you for offering to look. Check out my comment as I give the website of the UK centre, its really interesting.
Beryl I have a clinic near my home and the 2 vets are specialist, performing very complicated surgeries. My 13 year old grey had a very difficult twisted fracture on his hind leg, he was operated there, after a few days he was able to walk again on leash, after that he walked again as normal.
I will send you the address of this clinic and you can get in contact with them.
I will go there on Wednesday with one of my greygirl to have x-rays made of her spine to continue her theraphy.