Curlysmj81 Posted February 16, 2015 Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 Has anybody come across this our husky pup is 4 months old his front left leg is bowing out and he is limping on it. Vet thought maybe some rest and if no change X-rays in a week. No known trauma to his leg. When he was a little younger the same leg did shake but that went away. We were told that was normal growing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curlysmj81 Posted February 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 Here is a picture Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase Posted February 16, 2015 Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 Firstly, welcome to the forum I think it would be wise to get x-rays and a second opinion on this from another vet or at least a referral from your current vet to a specialist. It doesn't seem like normal growing to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BingBlaze n Skyla Posted February 16, 2015 Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 I would definitely get a second opinion on this specially if he's limping on it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carly Posted February 16, 2015 Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 Hello and welcome.... I too would suggest a second opinion, and quickly. please keep us posted :0) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase Posted February 16, 2015 Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 Oh, another thing is to make sure you have a conversation about this with the breeder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emma Posted February 16, 2015 Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 Hi there and welcome to the forum. I agree with all of the above, I've never seen a leg bow out like that before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goingsolo Posted February 16, 2015 Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 Unfortunately we have. Charlie (our little one) has a condition called premature closing of the ulnar growth plates. It means the ulnar stops growing but the other leg bone doesn't which leads to the deformity. It is treatable, he had to have a section of bone removed and it all plated and wired together and had to be crated at all times, only allowed out when we could be in room with him as jumping on and off furniture was a no no, healing took 3 months and we chose not to do the other leg for 2 reasons, 1 the trauma and 2 because he has short legs there was barely enough bone to do the op (huskys have longer bones). It is also expensive we had insurance that paid. Charlie is a happy dog and recovered well he lives a full active life though may have arthritis in his untreated leg in the future. Take him to the vets and get x rays, we were lucky the vet picked it up during a routine check up. Xx If you have any questions please ask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunc Posted February 16, 2015 Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 Poor thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotTheDogWhisperer Posted February 16, 2015 Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 I believe Jay Schrader's Yukon has a similar condition. I agree seeing a vet is the best option. EDIT: Hmm, can't seem to be able to tag other members..ah well chances are he'll see this anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmscott Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 · Hidden Hidden Poor kid. I was about to say that it looked like an issue with the growth plate. What did he breeder say? Not anything hereditary as far as I know, but I'd imagine that they would be interested. Link to comment
Jay Posted February 16, 2015 Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 Here is a pic of Yukon. The vet never had any concerns as they seem to think it's just a deformity. They said that they could do surgery but it would be purely cosmetic as he doesn't limp on it or anything. They said the surgery is costly and painful and a long recovery. If yours is limping tho I might get a second opinion. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carly Posted February 16, 2015 Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 awww bless Yukon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curlysmj81 Posted February 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 Thanks everybody. We will definitely be getting the X-rays done. My husband and I we're just curious if anyone else had an issue like this before. We've been surching the net but so far no luck. I'll keep you all posted on what we find out. Hopefully this will help someone else out if they ever come across this in their own puppy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curlysmj81 Posted February 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 Sorry it's taken me this long to let everyone know what we found out from X-Rays and the surgeon. I've been doing a lot of research on the options we were given. So first off the X-Rays showed that he has growth plate damage to both the ulna and radius. However, the damage to the radius is not bad and it is continuing to grow. The ulnar growth plate is severely damaged as a result it has stopped growing and this is why this leg is bowing. We were given 3 options. 1. Surgery to correct the problem. Involving 2 surgeries first taking a piece of the ulna bone out to see if it will grow. If it does then second surgery to put in pins and put a device on the outside that would essentially pull the bone in order to lengthen the bone and monthly X-Rays until he reaches full growth. However the surgeon said that he doesn't think that this will work given what he saw from the x-Ray and read in the report. The cost $8,000-$10,000. 2. Amputation which is recommended that we wait until he reaches 9 months of age for full development in his bones. I'm not sure that he would be able to wait that long he is limping quite a bit and I've noticed that his appetite has started to decrease. I've been giving him the pain medication that was prescribed but most of the time it just makes him loopy and knocks him out. This cost can rage from $3,000-$5,000 due to weight and after care therapy. 3. The options that I don't want to say out loud. We can't afford option 1. We have discussed option 2 at length and we're just unsure because we wonder what his quality of life would be. From everything I have read and was told by our vet he would recover well and adjust. I also wondered if this is a selfish option. I think that if it was his back leg I would have absolutely no hesitations in just do the amputation, but because it's his front leg I just don't know what the right thing to do is. We are all attached to him, but I am more attached because we are together all the time he's my companion and my baby. I just want the best for him. I've gone to shiba shake web site and read everything she went threw with her pup sounds very similar to what's going on with our little guy. I can see she well adjusted and the care that is involved with a husky having only one front leg. I thought to myself okay we can do this no big deal. I had my husband check it out and we were going to go for it until he went on YouTube and saw a husky with a front leg missing. It was the most heartbreaking video. The owners were at a park playing with both of their dogs the tripod husky and a lab with all it's leg. That poor husky could only sit there and watch that lab run back and forth as he played fetch. I broke down sobbing (tears are running down my face as I write this). This is why I ask is this a selfish option? I think the answer for me is yes. I don't know if there is anything more that I can say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curlysmj81 Posted February 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 I forgot to say that we did contact his breeder and they had nothing to say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clare70 Posted February 21, 2015 Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 Oh my, this must be so upsetting for you, I have tears running down my face as I type this and he's not even my dog. I really don't know what to say apart from my heart goes out to you and your little one. Sending lots of husky hugs. X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOBELHOWLUC49 Posted February 21, 2015 Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 I saw this on a dog on the Paul O Grady Battersea dogs home Documentary. It was to do with the growth plates, luckily on this woof the bow straightened. How ever losing a leg is not the end, they can adapt and do. Do not be disheartened by videos posted. The most important thing is you love your woof and he will have a wonderful life with you. I wish you the best and we had the same thing with Noah and Bella's breeder. very upfront with bells being blind but stopped all communication when we informed them Noah had been diagnosed with cancer. (Noah is clear at present). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emma Posted February 21, 2015 Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 Oh no, I'm so very sorry. I can't imagine what you're going through having to make such a big decision. Sending lots of husky hugs to you all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachael_Astro Posted February 21, 2015 Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 So sorry to hear this there is a husky that lives near my mum who has a front leg amputated, it definitely isn't the end a dog can adapt very well. He could still have a very full and happy life. Wishing you all the best in any decision you make Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucky Posted February 21, 2015 Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 Oh no what an unsettling post I feel for you !! I don't know what too say really , just be strong and I wish you all the best whatever you decide to do , I treat my dog like a baby and am sure you do too so only you can decide for the best. Warm wishes too all !!! And good luck ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goingsolo Posted February 21, 2015 Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 Sending hugs x I know it can be frightening having lived through it with Charlie. We were lucky the operation worked for him though if was awful and we were lucky that he was insured and they picked up the bill. Im sure you will make the right decision for your family xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebastien Posted February 21, 2015 Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 That so sad.. But how about a fourth option? I don't know if the forum rules allow this, but you could try to raise awareness for your puppy, you'd find out that people on the internet can be very generous. I haven't been a member for a long time here so did you, but I would gladly help you. You could create a paypal account for donations, a facebook account for your dog, make youtube videos, ect. For sure it would need some work, but I'm sure you could raise the difference to go from option 2 to option 1. I myself wouldn't be able to afford option 1 either so it is with that in mind that I wouldn't mind donating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Posted February 22, 2015 Report Share Posted February 22, 2015 I am so sorry to hear this I can't believe that the breeder had nothing to say (however, when I asked my breeder about Yukon's legs and seizures she had nothing to say either). I would also suggest getting another opinion, since this is such a life changing thing for him to go through. I sincerely hope for a good outcome, and could not imagine having to make those decisions. I do think they can adjust with a missing limb though, and your love for him is what matters. As for the donation pages, I would encourage you to reach out to rescue groups, or other organizations that might have some advice. I am going to guess you are in Illinois, so if you contact Adopt a Husky maybe they can point you to some organizations that can help, or do a donation page. Unfortunately, forum rules prevent advertising those on here though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eizManster Posted February 22, 2015 Report Share Posted February 22, 2015 all the best with the decision you will be making. your husky is very lucky to have such a caring and thoughtful owner. he will surely adapt and still live and enjoy your company. prayers and hugs =) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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