Don't Ask Don't Tell, or Maybe I should follow my own advice.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am an advocate of wait and watch regarding many health issues. I once even wrote about it:

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/are-vets-necessary

I noticed sometime, I don't really know when, that Calla's hind legs tended to "toe in" a bit. That is they veered toward her midline, especially the right leg. She had absolutely no complaints and she ran and played as ever. So I decided I'd ask the vet at her next visit, which was about 3 weeks ago. No vet had ever complained about Calla's gait or noticed anything. Maybe I shouldn't have asked or told : )

The vet called her walk slightly "wonky", which I took to be an non vet term: ) Calla yelped when the vet did something to her leg but I've noticed both my dogs don't like to have their legs moved in certain ways. The vet said it could be hip dysplasia which made me very upset. She recommended x-rays.

I made the appointment but debated with myself about it. I asked what would we do if she did have HD? Glucosamine chondroitin, in which I have little faith, and weight loss. Calla could still lose a few pounds but she has lost 2-3 and she is far from obese. And she would have to be sedated. I started reading. I decided I wanted to know and I took her in Tuesday for the xrays.

The vet said Calla's hips were good but she thought Calla might have a partial ACL tear on the right. She recommended resting her--a month of only leash walking. She also wanted her on 2 weeks of anti-inflammatories, namely Rimadyl. She gave me the name of an orthopedic consult if I wanted to see someone. She said he was excellent and honest.

I tried the leash walking and realized it would be a long month. Calla kept walking me to the gates in our yard because she figured a leash meant a walk to somewhere else : ) And Calla loves to go out, a lot. I realized it was pretty crazy to go from at least months of noticing something and letting her run etc. to this rest her business. I also searched my computer and realized we discard most rear end pictures of our dogs. But I found a couple from 2010 in which Calla legs  looked pretty much the same as they do now.

I did not start the Rimadyl. I had asked the vet about labs having some reactions to Rimadyl and she said that there are lots of things on the internet and not to rely upon it.  Ha, I wonder what she'd say about DK. She said that Rimadyl is very safe.

I decided once again I needed to know. I called on Wednesday and was shocked the orthopedic consultant could see us today. He examined Calla's xrays, and her. He had me walk Calla up and down a long hallway. At one point when the doctor was listening to Calla's heart, Luca started  licking the doctor's ear, which he found amusing. He was a terrific guy. In the end he decided Calla is fine. Her joints are stable and not swollen. He said it was just her conformation and nothing to worry about it, which was the conclusion I had started to reach myself but I didn't trust my own judgment : ( So we came home and Calla jumped and played. I love my girl with the wonky walk. In the end it was much ado about nothing but I have peace of mind. Hopefully we will live happily ever after.

Calla's opinion:

[F, Calla & Luca]

Which is why I'm usually cautious and wait and see. I drive a '03 Toyota : )

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I have always tended to notice the doctors cars in the hospital spaces and tried to match them to who I think they were by the way they treat their patients.  It can certainly tell you a lot about a doctor, I feel.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Yes?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

what would a Vespa say about the doc?

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

I've just got to meet Calla 'cuz I have a wonky walk too! 

Just wish I were as gorgeous :-(

[F, Calla & Luca]

You are! Come to NJ, we're here : )

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Peace of Mind... is what I have when I think of many things regarding Daisy. I use that phrase to others when they ask why I spend so much $ on food for Daisy (not really much, but perceived that way), why I would waste my money on Pet Insurance (it goes without saying in most cases but sometimes it makes me mad that those are the people who would NOT spend the money on a necessary procedure for their pets)...and countless other things that people just don't understand.

When I look at Calla frontward and backward (so freaking adorable) I totally get why you took those steps, even though your inner most self felt the way it ended up!

So Happy for both of you! Enjoy your doods running in the yard this weekend, I know I will!

I love the phrase Wonky Walk!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thanks. I do have pet insurance and it was for just such things as a torn ACL.

[Ellen Patrick]

Very smart .. things can get very expensive and if you don't have insurance you might face a decision you really don't want to have to make. Another option to consider is a veterinary discount program (I believe there are a few of them), where they'll pay a small percentage of your bill (smaller than what an actual insurer would pay), but without negative regard for pre-existing conditions, etc. I've been a member of Pet Assure for years, and although it isn't a substitute for pet insurance, it definitely helps a bunch. (I've linked to it)

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I was so happy to read this happy ending, F.  I must say that Calla is one of the prettiest Doodle girls I've ever seen.  I love this shot of her sweet face.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thanks, Jane. She is sweet except to woodchucks and the like.

[Sharon & Monty]

So glad Calla has no issues!