Anyone ever heard of Valgus deformity in dogs? After that scare with his severe limping, he's seemed to be fine once the meds kicked in. But out of the blue, just in the last week I've noticed his front legs looking sort of weird, and in no time at all it's progressed to an acute anomaly with both his front legs which google tells me is Valgus deformity....an issue with the valgus carpal (essentially the wrist joint...that first joint above the paw.) Tango appears to be in no pain whatever, and his mobility is hardly compromised. His poor legs! Those first joints of his lower limbs have just collapsed. He's essentially walking on the human equivalent of his wrists
Poor little mite. I'm glad he's not in pain though. Can the vet offer any type of treatment for his front legs? Maybe put plates in to hold them in the correct position. I'd hate to think they'd become any more deformed or would begin to cause him discomfort.
Well, the news isn't very encouraging. Given his age, the sudden onset, and the manner and directions in which the joints have collapsed, (both down, and inwards) it doesn't appear to be a simple (and I use that term advisedly) orthopedic issue. My vet is concerned that he has some systemic problem (he mentioned Lupus as one example) that is causing the connective tissue to break down. There also is some slight indication that his back legs might be compromised as well, and will progress in the same manner as the front ones have. He will be consulting with two separate veterinary colleagues today who specialize in orthopedics, and internal systemic type canine diseases and issues. The good news however is that Tango so far is in no pain, and his mobility, though slightly compromised, isn't particularly limited. He has some minor balance issues because his little front feet sit so closely together now, but nothing debilitating. He's otherwise healthy and as goofy as ever, just a little slower. I'll update as soon as I have more news. Please continue sending good thoughts. All indications are that he's going to need every one of them.
I hope by consulting with other orthopaedic vets yours can come up with something that will help Tango out. Even if it's just a fairly temporary measure at least it will give them time to research more into the exact cause of his problem.
I feel for Tango. It looks like the front paw issue could cause some discomfort after a time. Please keep us updated Ronni, crossing my fingers for him.
Thanks guys. Haven't heard anything back from the vet yet. I'll let you know when I do. Meanwhile Tango is continuing with his usual goofiness....a little more unsteady than he used to be, and not as fast, but it hasn't affected his spirit one little bit! And even if what can be done for him ends up just being palliative care, as long as he remains relatively pain-free, even if he ends up getting around on the human equivalent of elbows and knees, I can deal with that if all his other functions continue as normal. So if we can't find a cure, then I'm keeping everything crossed that he at least stays out of pain with no significant reduction in the quality of his life. He deserves that!
Wow Ronni--that is so hard when our pets are not feeling well. It would sure help if they could tell us how they feel. My sister-inlaws dog has congestive heart failure. I thought only people could have that. They give him only 1yrs if that to live. He's on some meds. but this condition although it is treatable in humans is not so in dogs. That would be hard one also. Hope Tango continues to improve. If I was you I would lay hands on him and pray health and healing over him.
So the discouraging news continues unfortunately I saw one specialist who confirmed that this is not an orthopedic issue, (he's an orthopedic specialist/surgeon) and that surgery wasn't indicated. I have another appointment on Friday, with a different vet who specializes in internal/systemic disease and whose clinic additionally practices both eastern and western veterinary medicine, meaning that they also provide non-traditional care such as chiropractic, acupuncture, holistic remedies etc. There's only so much I can afford, even as much as I love my dogs. As a semi-retiree, and after the life upheaval I've dealt with recently, I'm not in great financial shape. So I'll see what they have to say, and discuss courses of treatment, and at that point determine what the next step will be. Meanwhile Tango continues to be his usual, goofy, lovable self. I'm so grateful for that!
Good luck on Friday Ronni. I hope there is something that can be done that isn't going to leave a huge hole in your bank account. Thank goodness Tango is still in no pain with his condition. Long may it last.
Ronni, I feel for you. I know how much I love my pets, but you are, as many of us are, too, in a position that no matter whether you have the money or not it may not be enough to fix the problem. I hope you and Tango have better news at the next visit.
That was an interesting visit! Here's a link to the place if anyone's interested: Animalia Wellness | Veterinary Hospital I have a friend who works there, so I got VIP service which was nice. My Vet supplied me with copies of all Tango's records, plus a CD of the X-rays so I didn't have to pay for a new set. The new Doc was awesome and spent a lot of time going over Tango's symptoms with me, his history (as much as I know of it because he's a rescue) and also made a couple phone calls to consult with other vets with varying specialties. She drew blood for an extensive blood panel, which results I'll get hopefully today. But so far the news isn't good. All indications are that it's some kind of systemic, immune system issue....the canine form of either Cushings, Diabetes or Lupus. Or possibly a rheumatoid arthritis type condition. It's not likely reversible. The best that can be done is symptom management, and increased nutritional support to strengthen his system in the hopes that it won't progress to his back legs too. So, now I'm waiting for the results of the blood work to either confirm one of the illnesses above, or rule them all out in favor of something else. Other than that, the doc was very pleased with Tango's overall health, happy to see he wasn't overweight as she could easily feel his ribs and spine under a thin layer of tissue (he weighed in at a whopping 3.5 pounds!) and said his skin, coat, eyes etc., were all indicators that he was well supported nutritionally and that it was an excellent foundation on which to build an even stronger nutritional base. I'll let y'all know when I get the results of the blood work back.
Tango is in the best of care since he is with you. I know how hard it is for us when our fur babies have medical problems. Hang in there.
Sorry I missed this , I hope he is still doing well...vets are expensive but what would we do without them? I have learned the medicine is high..
