Re: [pyrnet] Pyr surgery

["Judith Stroh Miller" <jsmiller@newmex.com>]

On 6 Apr 2005 at 19:26, Alex S. E. Schofield wrote:

> Next
> week I go to a teaching college for full diagnosis and x-rays. The
> local vet feels that cruciate surgery or TPLO may be needed.

Alex, any decision you make is a very personal one.  I am going to
help you though the diagnostics.  Being your girl is 10.5 years of
age, any type of veterinary procedure is going to be hard on her. 
First of all, the only thing an x-ray is going to rule out is
dislocation, cancer or a bone deformity.  A plain x-ray cannot
diagnose an ACL. When the first diagnostic x-ray is done, be sure and
request an x-ray of the entire leg, from the hip to the toes. Above
all you want to rule out an osteosarcoma!  An experienced othopedic
vet can diagnosis ACL problems by palpation of both rear legs to judge
the laxity of the joints and compare that laxity. An MRI will
certainly diagnose a torn ACL. Expensive..YES!

One question...have you tried keeping her quiet, crated and giving her
some type of NSAID medications to see if the condition will improve?
NOT Rimadyl, but there are other NSAIDS that have less serious side
effects.

Judith, Radiologic Technologist for way too many years now!





Judith
Taos, New Mexico
jsmiller@newmex.com
http://home.earthlink.net/~ksane/judy/