lumbosacral stenosis - dog - anyone has experience of this?

gettingready

Zara was checked over at FR yesterday as I was not happy with her walking on the leg that she had hip replacement done on 5 month ago. Xrays shown implant is perfect so not a reason for the problems but the tests they done proved she is putting less weight on the leg that was operated on than she is on the one that is quite bad and wating for the op and then MRI results pointed to lumbosacral stenosis .

http://www.michvet.com/Client%20Education%20Handouts/Surgery%20handouts/Lumbosacral_stenosis.pdf

She is scheduled for second hip replacement on the 19th (the other leg) and at the same time - epidural injections (steroids) are an option as the timing will work (1 st injection at the day of the op, 2nd at 2 week check up and 3rd at 6 weeks check up - that is how the injectiosn need to be spaced up.

Does anyone have any experience of this with their own dog? The diagnosis?

Zara has excellent vet care so I am not asking for medical advice (in case someone wants to delete thread) but from personal experiences of people who;s dog perhaps went through it?

Thanks a lot

gettingready

Also.. bit of advice for anyone without dog insurance - get one. And get the highest cover youu can possibly afford.

Last year Zara used up all 7k, this year - the new insurance "pot" just started and by the time she has her second hip done - we will be well over the 7k allowance that we have.

rising_from_the_ashes

Ohhhh GR ....... just wanted to wish Zara all the very best for her 2nd op on the 19th - can't believe how quickly the time's passed since her 1st one.

Hopefully once it's done & she's recovered she'll be a lot more comfortable in herself.

Re the lumbosacral stenosis, a couple of our Labs were thought to have this once they got to old age but TBH we didn't go for aggressive treatment (more make them comfortable / happy etc) as they were at the age where surgery wouldn't have been fair on them so I'm afraid I can't offer any useful advice.

Hillbilly1

Good luck for the next surgery.

I found this:-
http://veterinarymedicine.dvm360.com/vetmed/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=169902

I would think with Zara's current situation medical treatment is advised. She may be on ling term NSAIDS already?

gettingready

Thanks - the surgery is scheduled for the 19th (hip replacement and first injection) for the spine)

Zara is under Fitzpatric Referrals vet care so I have no worries about only the best for her.

I am just wondering if anyone else's dog had this condition, looking for personal experiences.

Dr_Cuckoo3

Have you decided how you are going to travel to Fitzpatrick Referrals if you don't get a lift from Richmond ?

It takes 2 hours exactly on the train from Stratford to Godalming using the Overground avoiding zone 1 to Clapham Junction (covered by zone 2&3 Oyster) and train from Clapham Junction to Godalming
The return fare is £14.70 for the ticket from Clapham Junction to Godalming

It is a 17 minute walk from Godalming Station to Fitzpatrick Referrals according to google maps it is less than a mile (or take a cab from the station)

Catch the 0803 Overground train from Stratford to Clapham Junction and the 0922 train from Clapham Junction to Godalming arriving in Godalming at 1002
http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/timesandfares/SRA/GOD/191112/0745/dep/191112/1730/dep?via=Willesden_Junction
(ignore the fares as you only need to pay from Clapham Junction)

the fares are in this link (£14.70) - you will need to delete cookies first or it will show the fares in the earlier link (also use your redspotted hanky voucher)
http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/timesandfares/CLJ/GOD/191112/0830/dep/191112/1730/dep

Here is a map of the walking route from the Godalming station to Fitzpatrick Referrals http://goo.gl/maps/TKP7U (0.8 miles ,17 minutes walk)

It is possible to avoid using stairs on that journey

I am aware of your financial situation and that you make sacrifices for your pets - so I hope you don't mind my post

gettingready

Dr Coockoo - thanks for that.

Yes, I am aware about this connection as checked it already some time ago. In addition to the above - I need to take a bus and a train to get to Stratford from me. Unfortunately not doable with a post op dog. Not after the surgery Zara will be having.

My friend is picking me up from Richmond only when we take Zara for her surgery. All the follow up appointments she is picking me from home/dropping me back here with Zara as she won'e be able to walk any distance really.

But really thanks a lot for looking it up and suggesting, really appreciated.

gettingready

Just found this - looking for info about a post op care:

http://dcvets.org/surgical/Cauda-Equina-Syndrome.pdf

Insurance limit won't allow to have the hip and spine operated on in the same year, I am a nervous wreck before the visit next Monday when we will find out what is more urgent, hip or spine.

Somehow I do not believe the injections are going to be a solution - after all they do not cure, they just mask the pain....

Roll on 19th

Took Zara for an hour walk and she was limping again, poor thing...

calicocat

Poor girl is it possible to do the two ops at once and you pay for the cheapest over payment plan of some kind ? As it would hopefully be cheaper as they are already going in, she has less stress of two possible ops ? Less travelling and stress all round.

I hope things go well and wish you both luck.

moggymutt

I really wish her good luck.

gettingready

Thanks - will see what Noel says in the 19th and will be going by his recommendation.

I doubt 2 serious surgeries could be done at the same time - both spine and hip as there would be no support for her back/leg if that was done together.

There is 12 weeks recovery time after hip replacement, not sure about the spine problem.

Will see what Noel recommends.

I am just so really upset as having had one of her legs done I did not expect her to limp pn THAT leg due to a different issue now (spine).

She goes for walks, runs a bit but then kind of drags that leg a bit, limps and generally does not look right.

So.. waiting for the 19th