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Posted by KDiamondDavis on January 14, 2003 at 11:37:59:

In Reply to: Lab with shoulder problems...Two vets, two diagnoses...long posted by CLH on January 14, 2003 at 09:31:25:

:My new baby, Black Jack, has had so many problems. He will be one years old in March and he's already had to have entropion surgery (his bottom eye lids rolled inward, so this surgery was necessary), which is eye surgery, and now I have got to find out what is wrong with his front shoulders. One vet, who performed the entropion surgery, believes that he has osteochondritis dissecans, which is where there is free-floating fragmet of cartilage and bone within the shoulder joints. This vet suggests surgery. The second vet says that Black Jack has grown too fast and that two of his growth plates have not had time to catch up with his size and gave me calcium pills and a herbal pill which is similar to an anti-inflammatory pill. Black Jack takes two of each twice a day. As a result Black Jack does walk better but still is not "normal". I talked to the first vet and he thinks I'm crazy for doing this. Should I get a third opinion? I am just at a lost...I don't know what to do. I don't want Black Jack to be in pain, so if I have to spend $2000.00 on surgery, I am more than willing to do so. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks so much for reading this looonnggg message!!

:Casey & Black Jack>>>>>>>>

I would suggest a 3rd opinion, yes, only this time from a specialist. I believe an orthopedic specialist would be the one to consult. Ask either or both of the veterinarians you have worked with to help you with the referral. It's likely the orthopedic specialist will be through your nearest veterinary university. I think if this were my dog, I would want either this kind of specialist or a veterinary surgical specialist to be the one to perform the surgery, too, if in fact surgery is indicated. Since it's a growing dog, the timing of the surgery (if there is to be surgery) will also be very important. So yes, another veterinary opinion, but this time a specialist.

Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinarypartner.com

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