Bone defect in one year old pup - devastated

[Dream Girl]

Hi All
This is my first message on the site and I am trying to find out if anyone has heard of this problem and would appreciate some advice. My 12 month old cocker spaniel Rose (she is one tomorrow) has very recently been diagnosed with a bone defect (likelihood is hereditary and looking into this). It's called syndactyly - the middle two digits on her front paws are fused - she has one less pad, claw etc than normal. She suffers from sporadic lameness - I kept going back to the vet and it was diagnosed as a cut pad etc etc. We only discovered the real cause after x-rays. She is currently on a course of carprofen and glucosamine to build up her joints. Basically I have to treat her for the rest of her life as if she has arthritis. I am devastated, finding it impossible to sleep and so worried about how I am going to cope long term. I absolutely adore her, but now find it hard to look at her without seeing the problem. She has the sweetest personality and has been so easy to look after - she is such a good girl, with the sweetest face. The rest of the family have already adapted. I just want to treat her as normal and enjoy her, but I cant because all I see is the x-ray in my head, her pain and years of visits to the vet. I am sure in a couple of weeks that I will have got used to this and it will all be fine. If you have come across this or have a young dog with arthritis and managed treatment would so appreciate some advice. Thank you

[Helen]

Is she on Cartrophen injections?  They help considerably with slowing the effects of arthritis etc...

I think that if you get her pain management right along with good joint supplements there's no reason she won't live a good long pain free life 

I would also look at supplements like green lipped mussel powder and chondritin which are great for joints too.

Welcome to COL 

[KatieJean]

I am so sorry to read your story. I don't have any knowledge but wish you well.
I am sure given time you will be fine

[Nicola]

Welcome to COL, I'm really sorry to hear about Rose's condition. One of my working Cockers was recently diagnosed with a shoulder condition; she's 4 and a half years old and I got her from a rescue when she was 2 and she's been intermittently going lame all that time although it took us til now to get a proper diagnosis. She has some arthritic changes in her shoulder and it's very likely that her working career is going to be severely curtailed which is a shame for her as she loves it but despite that she's fine. She's a happy girl, I'm managing it with daily painkillers, joint supplements (Cortaflex) and plenty of muscle building exercise like swimming and she's getting on great with no pain and no limping. I've had to stop playing fetch with her, she can still retrieve but I've had to stop letting her charge after tennis balls as she tends to leap and twist to catch them and it was usually this that would bring on her lameness. The arthritis will likely get worse as she gets older but I don't think about that now; she's happy, she's still my same Tilly and she's not in pain and that's all that matters to me. She's the one leaping into the water in my signature photo so you can see that she doesn't let much hold her back

As Helen has said if you get the routine of painkillers and supplements right your girl should be fine and have a long and happy life. It's hard when these things happen but she won't understand it, to her you're still her same mum and she's still your same girl

[bajoleth]

Welcome to COL, I am so sorry to hear about little Rose. Remember you have had a shock and it will take time to sink in so be kind to yourself, you have had some great advice from Nicola and Livercake and they both know their stuff I would love to see some pics of her when you feel up to it I hope things will seem a little brighter for you and Rose soon, take care and hope to see you around COL  :luv:Jo and Belle

[Annette]

I am sorry you have to cope with this.

However I am astonished that no one (even your vet) spotted this earlier. It's quite easy to see usually.

Has your vet discussed possible surgery with you? Especially as your dog is so young.

I have found this link for you, there are others:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/15307801_Surgical_management_of_syndactyly_in_a_dog

I know it is a shock for you just now. But try not to be too distressed by it. At least it is not life-threatening, even if it does mean that some aspects of her life are limited at times.

I would not have thought that the major cause of pain would be arthritis, unless it is a case of this condition causing more strain on other joints. But as you will see from that link, they felt the pain was caused by the soft tissues.

All the best, and Welcome to COL

[Dream Girl]

Thank you so much for your replies and responding so quickly. I love her dearly and wish she didnt have this problem, but the reality is she does and I have just got to get on and deal with it. Unfortunately surgery is not an option - the bones are fused rather just skin. I go in stages of blaming myself - a few months ago she was relaxed and I will feeling her paw and one of her claws felt weird - I counted and then the other paw and it was the same number of each so I thought nothing of it. When we own a dog, we all, from day one are aware of how long we have them for - we have all been through the pain of losing a dog and all dread that passing of time that brings us closer to it. The prognosis is she will develop arthritis and but you are all right this can be managed - it could be it happens in a couple of years or five years down the line, not the 11 or 12 years I had in my head. Thank you for all of your support and kind words. I will keep you posted on her development and also upload a photo

[JennyBee]

Hi and welcome to COL.
I have no advice, just wanted to say that I'm so sorry to hear about your girl . I can only imagine how hard this is for you, my Brodie is just a few months older than Rose and I know I would take such a diagnosis very hard - massive hugs to both you and Daisy

[bibathediva]

I would say enjoy her and let her enjoy life    Do as much as possible for her while she is young (supplements etc) to support her condition and keep the worst of it at bay for as long as possible...i have a 2 year old that has been diagnosed with Hip Dysplacia recently although she has probably had it since she was about 6 months old  and she too will develop arthritis when she is older  ... but to me its about her quality of life at the minute..she doesn't let the condition stop her so i take the lead from her..dogs don't worry about the future they live for the day  they leave the worrying to us 
I also had no support from my breeder when i let her know about Lolas condition but Lola is my dog and we will look after her no matter what 
stick around COLers and you will get loads of advise and support 

[Dream Girl]

I think what I needed was just some hope that it will be OK. I am so sorry to hear about Lola. When Rose started with the limping, I thought ah it's going to be something with her joints/hips etc. I did all the research before I bought her, right breeder etc etc. But you never can predict, some get lucky on the health front and others dont. You're right, dogs have no concept of past or future it's all about now. At the moment she is fine and hopefully if we manage it properly will be ok for a few years. She is my constant companion (I work from home) and always with me. It's so great to talk to dog lovers - others just dont get it and you cant talk to them. You know they are thinking - she's just a dog. But to us they are more and we do care. I have had an email from a professor at the Royal Veterinary College, who has forwarded my details to an orthopedic specialist - I will keep you all posted. Thank you for all of your support today. Today it just really hit me. Whilst I am here, the Vet recommended that Rosie be spayed in 3 months time - to add to all the chaos she came into season last week. Any advice on this gratefully received - my concerns are really about weight management afterwards. My mum's spaniel (field - like a working cocker) is a food lover and constantly on the look out. It's been a nightmare trying to keep her slim. With Rosie for her bones it's even more imperative to keep it under control. Thanks again all

[bibathediva]

Likewise us...we did all the right research and lolas parents/grandparents and greatgrandparents were all hip scored so i just see Lola as being one of the unlucky ones 
Lola was spayed about 2 months ago and so far has managed to lose weight  she is a very very active show cocker  i was prepared to cut her food down by 15% which is what i think most vets say after a spay but i have had to up hers a bit  i do take mine to be weighed once a month just to keep an eye on there weight as like Rose any extra weight she is carrying puts more pressure on the joints .
There are loads of supplements out there to support joints and lots of natural remedies to help with pain relief  its just finding what will benefit her and what will suit her 

[Dream Girl]

Hi probably my last post for this weekend as about to sign off and head off to the cinema to cheer up the family. I have included a picture of Rosie - she is such a sweetheart and thank you fellow spaniel lovers for your input today

[Penelope]

So sorry to hear about Rosie.
One of my spaniels, Buffy, was diagnosed with luxating patellas the day after we brought her home.
I too was absolutely devastated - the vet said to give her back to her breeder, but we already loved her - having chosen her at 2 weeks and visited every week until we collected her at 8 weeks.
She is not as robust as our other dogs (we have 5 altogether) and I feel desperately sorry for her because she has to rest much more than the others (or than she wants!!) but I know its in her best interests.
We have chosen not to have surgery yet, and all the while she is fine in herself and not in pain, we feel she is better having quality of life with us and the rest of our gang.

Hope you will soon start to feel better - it gets easier with time, but I still find myself telling people often that she is "handicapped" as otherwise they wonder why she can be a bit awkward and bad tempered!  She is my baby and I love her and all the time she is not in pain and the happy, smiley little girl she always is, then I am happy too!

[Dream Girl]

Thank you so much for the warm words. I haven't been able to check messages over the weekend as I have come down with swine flu (Friday) - talk about when it rains it pours. Because I wasn't feeling right everything just got to me.

This evening I managed to take Rosie a little walk (the rest of my family have been doing their duty). She seems much happier and full of life. Like you I feel I have to explain to people why I am a bit more protective of her when dogs come bounding up to her. Not only is she is in season but I dont want her being knocked.

If anyone has any advice on how to treat dogs with arthritis, please let me know. I know we are giving her all the right medication (BTW we got glucosamine under the insurance from the Vet - that said the vet charges far more than you can get it for online). If anyone is looking for glucosamine supplements for pets Holland & Barrett have them on special offer. Lot cheaper than joint care sticks. Am I allowed to write that here 

I need to know how much to exercise her. I have read 3 lead walks a day. Not sure about the lead bit, because she never leaves more than a 5' gap between us. Each walk should be max 15 mins. Does this sound about right??? She is only 9.5kg so a bit of a midget. Also has anyone got any experience of hydrotherapy? Feel a lot more positive about the situation and that we can manage it. I read about poor Fern and it just made me realise - stop moping and enjoy every moment I have with her.

[Dream Girl]

Hi All
It’s been 13 years I posted on here about my little Rosie.
Good news she has had an amazing life and lived so much longer than I ever thought and such a happy life. We managed her disability and she is now on librella which has made an a massive difference. She is deaf and her back legs starting to go - it’s getting to the point when I will have to let her go.

She is now 14 and half years - a great age for any spaniel and my thoughts turn to how I replace her. I know I cannot find another Rosie but I also know I cannot be without a dog.

Your thoughts welcome
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