The Story of T.Jay

Already in September 2003 (I was 5 months old) both elbows had to be operated. On the left and right elbow determined Elbow Dysplasia. Left and right OCD and additionally on the left elbow fragmented medial coronoid process (FMCP or FPC). At the left elbow it had thus still more badly gotten me, the reason was the unequal bone growth between ulna and radius (short radius syndrome) that creating a step between the radius and ulna and causing incongruity of the joint. Beyond that, the joint specialist tooks x-ray pictures from my hip and the result was not positiv. The diagnosis read Hip Dysplasia! Now still I had the next surgery called Pectinectomy (Pectinectomy involves cutting the tendonous attachment of the "groin" muscle known as the Pectineus).

The Rest-Phase

After this big surgery my family have to be rested me 8 weeks. How you can present it, I didn't found that very funny, because I gladly play for my life. The whole pack were to be occupied now to give me sufficient alternation in this horrible time. If they would not have made that, I believed I would have completely released. I am really glad that we have an Internet-Access, so it was possible for Petra and Matthias to meet other suffering comrades and exchange experiences about the complaint and collect very nice ideas for games in my situation (Activity Tips). That was genuinly a completely bad time for us all, but thus not yet enough...!

The nightmare chapter 2

The 8 weeks were finally past, but I and my family noticed that something is not correct with my left elbow joint. So we had the next examination with the result of a extended Rest-Phase until end of 2003. I was very unhappy about this situation, but what should we do?

Also after the extended Rest-Phase I still limped with my left foreleg from time to time so we have decided to make a new complete examination with x-ray pictures and additionally with a computer tomography to find out the reason for this symptom. The Vet detected that the unequal bone groth between ulna and radius also present as in September 2003. In my case a compensatory adjustments during growth haven't occured. The step between the radius and ulna was round about 1,3 mm and this was the causing of the incongruity joint. This incongruity alone is often a source of pain and lameness (as with walking around in a shoe that doesn’t fit). The Vet recommended the next surgery to elongate the different bone growth between ulna and radius. My family and I were shocked again and all of us thought which a suffering way!

The only positive thing on this day was the fact that the planned surgery only take place at the end of January and my family and I have had enough time to look for a second and third opinion.

We have started extensive searches in the Internet about this symptoms up to the complete exhaustion. Additionally we have sent the x-rays from my left elbow joint to different independent joint specialists to get a appraisal and second opinions. The answers in my case were unfortunately clearly and thus lined up the next operation for me.

Surgery to elongate the different bone growth

2004-01-30 the surgery day, I was completley nervoeus and also my family. The Vet calmed me and my family first and explained us again exactly like the operation to run off:
As the first the radius will be split in a angle of 45 degree, subsequently with a special pliers the radius will be brought on the missing length. The whole will be fixed over a small metal plate, in order to ensure also necessary stability.

The operation ran very well and we have saw on the control x-rays, that all necessary bones fitted now correctly together at the elbow joint. But the worst case came after this surgery, called Rest-Phase. In the first 3 weeks I got a absolutely strictly Rest-Phase, that was so badly that I can't seize into words! My family had to be supported me with each step, this was very important, because in case I felt down the danger existed that the bone breaks. After this 3 weeks I thought that Petra and Matthias needs also an operation, both were completely finished.

Physiotherapy

I had lost powerfully at muscle mass and also the entire mobility, because of the long periods of time where I have to rested. For me was it importantly to got physiotherapy in this situation. We started with massages and view weeks later with swimming therapy. I love water and I think this was the best therapy with a lot of fun. The massages I still get until today, Petra could found a private therapist, she comes to me home and it is very helpfully.

So we could slowly rise the walks but only on the leash Meanwhile my situation improved substantially, I can walk again completely normally, whereby now and then in jog trot is a small lameness recognizably.

Open end

Unfortunate my puppy time is now over and it was exclusively shaped with operations and Rest-Phases. I and my family hope that all the measures give me a long-term basis for a normal life. 2004-06-01 we had a control examination by our joint specialist and there were no objections, juhu juhu. Meanwhile I can make large walks and play with my pack without lameness.
Please presses the thumbs and all paws for me that this good news still remains for a long time in such a way???

Your T.Jay (June 2004, sorry for my bad English)

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