Cocker spaniel - leg just snapped!

[SchadenfreudePersonified]

We have three spaniels - 2 cockers (6 and 4)and a springer (7)

Took them out on Thursday, she ran along the pro path and collapsed, screaming - straight t ver - turns out she has incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle (elbow has just sheared, effectively)

She's in the veterinary hospital, awaiting surgery (Tuesday - they have had to order pins and a plate for her elbow).

I'm in shock about it TBH - when we chose the breed we looked up potential health risks and this wasn't mentioned anywhere on the easily accessible sites - just on the vetinary ones where I've searched specifically for the condition - and yet it's apparently family common (1/20 cockers, springers, brittanies). She was, as you can imagine, in agony and screamed horribly - I dread anything like this happening again, the poor little soul was in so much distress.

I'm posting here as a warning to others who might have similar dogs, not to ignore any intermittent limping on a foreleg. She'd had a problem a few weeks ago, and it resolved itself in a couple of days, so we assumed it was a pulled muscle. It wasn't.

I'd also be interested to hear from anyone who has had to cope with similar in their own dog. She's 6, extremely active, and will now be very much curtailed in her activities, if what the vet says is right - she's also at risk of it happening with the other front leg. There isn't any easy way to tell, as even x-rays can't always give a complete picture due to the placing of the joint - plus many dogs can have it, and it doesn't become problematic other than a minor limp.

I want an orthopaedic dog bed for her, so any suggestions will be very welcome as there is a lot of choice out there.

She will also need to be on anti-inflammatories as she will definitely develop arthritis - has anyone experienced side-effects of these on their dog, when used long term.

I apologise if this post is odd - I just can't think, I've been up (weeping) since the very early hours, searching for dog beds, green-lipped mussel extract - all sorts of stuff - and then it occurred to me someone on here might be able to help.

I'm so worried about her. I honestly don't know if it would be kinder to let her go, but she's such a sweet little thing, and has so much joy for life we feel it wouldn't be fair not to give her a fighting chance, IFYSWIM.

Has this happened to anyone else's dog? How did you manage, especially if there were other dogs in the home?

Thanks

Loads of typos - so sorry!

Don't PTS as this can likely be resolved. Just don't breed from her.

Read as I have cocker puppy, thank you for sharing and so sorry for you and your dog.

How awful! Poor dog! I hope she's not in pain & improves quickly. I have a cocker - thanks for sharing this, those stats are quite shocking.

Hope all goes well on Tuesday and someone comes along to recommend a bed soon

If they can't see it on X rays, is there any way of forecasting it?

I really feel your pain. Seeing your dog in agony like that is truly horrific

I use a bed from zooplus- but my oh built a timber frame to go under in as the bottom gets wet with the heat! But our dog loves it.
www.zooplus.ie/shop/dogs/dog_beds_baskets/square/ortho_memory/206850

A paw hold from us (WCS owner).

How horrid for all of you.

I don't have any practical suggestions but understand your worry about going from an active spaniel to one that might need curtailing

You poor things.

I have heard of several cases most of them have been in Springers . They did all go on to have a pretty normal life after surgery. Although I think it was only one that had a complete "break" of the elbow. I will touch base with their owners and see how things are now.

When your dog has surgery can you ask if it is wise to do a CAT scan of the other elbow as that is better to show up the problem ( I think) I am no medic so just going on what my clients have said.

Long term use of anti inflamms can be managed and monitored and there are several options open to you so this need not be a major worry at the moment.

Strongest joint care is Rialfex Canine joint plus and Riaflex green lipped mussel.

This is a really hard time for you but dogs are amazing and they will help you through it.

Also look at Canine arthritis not specifically for this problem but loads of products and ways to make both you and your dogs life easier.

Her future can and will be good. She should be able to have activities and some may just need to be tailored a bit to be more comfortable for her. It will be ok and it will be ok with multi dogs.

Keep us updated and good luck for Tuesday

She will also need to be on anti-inflammatories as she will definitely develop arthritis - has anyone experienced side-effects of these on their dog, when used long term.

My beagle has been on metacam since she was a few months old. She's now 8. Zero issues.

This sounds terrifying and I'm so sorry it's happened, but hopefully I can put your mind at rest on that bit at least.

I know it's horrible and really scary right now, but honestly, dogs are remarkably strong and your lovely girl will most likely be absolutely fine after surgery and lots of rest.

Lots of dogs have to have curtailed activity due to injury or genetic issues - it's not ideal but it's really not a reason to have them PTS. They can have a great life with limited exercise and tons of mental stimulation instead - you could look at activities like scent-work, or teach her to learn how to do things around the house - opening doors, helping with the laundry, putting things in baskets etc.

Like @Motorina says, plenty of dogs are on long-term anti-inflammatories and other medications - as long as you get regular check-ins with the vet, it really shouldn't be a problem. There are lots of options out there, including the supplements @PollyRoulllson mentions.

I walk a lovely sprocker aged four who has some joint issues in her knees. The only sign is that she walks a bit funny sometimes - otherwise she's perfectly active, full of beans and has a fantastic life :) your girl will be okay, honestly!

On the question about anti inflammatories. We had loxicom which I think is an anti inflammatory and it caused severe pain and gastro problems in my dog but he does have a history of IBD and his symptoms were instant so we knew he couldn't be on them.

You poor things, that must’ve been really traumatic all round. I have no practical advice but just wanted to send my love

I'm so sorry that must have been terrifying.
Give yourselves time to get over the initial injury and just take things as they come. As mentioned Canine Arthritis are full of good information, our 10 yr old doodle is on anti- inflammatories for arthritis and to start I was very worried but our vet is amazing and said there are lots of options and they are happy to have dogs on them long term ie years.

Some more solidarity from a fellow CS owner, hope she's comfortable the wee pet, is this something that can be checked before problems arise?

@Gargellen

Don't PTS as this can likely be resolved. Just don't breed from her.

No intention of breeding -both the bitches are spayed.

Not intending to PTS either unless vet recommended it - I was just really catastrophising because she's such a vital little dog - she's going to find it a bit limiting. However dogs adapt very quickly, I know.

Oh OP, this happened to my DSis Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in August. His leg was completely shattered and had to be removed in the end BUT,the speed at which he recovered was insane. He had to have his leg bandaged for two weeks before the operation due to a reaction to the painkillers and he adapted almost instantly to not using that leg. Within two months he was back to daily walks relishing all the new attention he got being a ‘tripaw’-to the extent that they bought a ‘shark bite survivor’ harness for him because they were constantly being asked what had happened. He plays fantastically with his brother still and lives a full,happy and pain free life. No advice about the arthritis because that’s not something that they faced with the leg removal but honestly, you will be astounded at how well she will adapt and recover. Sending lots and lots of love and healing.

Thank you for all of the reassuring comments. Hearing that other dogs are coping well with both this condition, and are ok on the medication is putting my mind at rest.

sillysmiles - I'll have a look at the Zooplus bed, thank you. I get my dog food from them, so have an account already. And DH is a joiner by trade, so if we need a frame, shouldn't be a problem. What size did you get?

PollyRoulson - I'll ask about th CAT scan when I see the vet (we're visiting her this afternoon - the thing that is worrying us (and them, I think) is that she hasn't had a wee since she went in. We're taking our male dog, because he pees on everything, and hopefully she'll cover his wee with her own. Will also look at the canine arthritis site.

Really appreciate all of the comments and good wishes. I'm calmer now - I'd woken up in the early hours and all I could think of was "what if . . ." and none of it was good.

Thank you so much.

You probably already know that cockers like to have active minds as well as active bodies, so yours is likely to really enjoy things like hunting for balls in grass and so on just as much as tearing around like a loon.

Argh, posted too soon, also meant to wish her a quick recovery and for you. It's horrible when your dog is in pain.

Hillbilly - I'm so glad your boy has made a good recovery. Funnily enough I had been wondering if three good legs might be better than having a gammy one, but I'm sure the vet would have suggested amputation if he thought it was an appropriate option. It's the pain and distress - it just cuts into your heart, doesn't it - absolutely awful! And she was so frightened when we had to leave her at the vet., even though we know it's the best place for her.

We have a "BrainGames for Dogs" book - and also a couple toys Grumpy - you are so right that they need their little minds exercising, too. It will be a while before she can be walked with the others, so I'm going to keep her to short on-lead walks and then play a few gentle games with her while the others are out wreaking havoc.

And I would appreciate feedback from the other owners you know, Polly - thank you.

I have spoken to one of the owners. Their Springer had ossification of the humeral condyle at 4 years of age.

He is now 9. Their other dogs all do agility and he did not go back to agility but still has a pretty active life. He has not yet had any issues with the other leg.

He walks with the other dogs, they are careful and no ball chasing games. They live near the moor so walking on soft ground and not lots of pavement walks and no twisting games etc but noone would guess he had surgery.

He is on anti inflamms and he has blood tests regularly to check everything is ok and so far there have been no issues from them.

He still has weekly hydro sessions but they say he loves it so much that is why they keep going . I met them through scent work and the dog is an ace scentwork dog

The owners send their sympathies to you and remember how traumatic it was in the early days. Apparently their dog did it on the Easter weekend and it took several days to get a diagnosis - so they too had sleepless nights.

Hope your little chap is comfortable - it is so hard when they are poorly.

Happened to my DDs working Springer 3 years ago.

Both elbows have been pinned, she’s on Metacam for the arthritis that has developed is no longer able to work and is on restricted exercise. However she is otherwise none the worse and remains the most loving, chilled dog..

Our cockapoo rescue has loose kneecaps. One wasn't fully formed and snapped when she was 5 months old. We'd had her a fortnight and the little bugger cost us £3000! She had surgery, pinned her knee back together and she is absolutely fine. Because she was so young we had to be extra careful and recovery time was 5 months due to her still growing but she has no problems now and is 3 1/2. It is likely she will develop arthritis, but we give her you move for her joints, a mostly healthy raw diet and regular exercise. Her other knee is stable at the moment but may need surgery in the future.

My 7 month old CS has intermittent lameness. Worse on waking. Apparently this can be signs of the above. Equally he may have been a tit and pulled something dicking about in the park. Off to vet this week and he's on very restricted exercise until we hear more.