Re: [pyrnet] Re: pyrnet-l-digest.20011116-1

["Linda Weisser" <lmweisser@home.com>]

----- Original Message -----
From: <Pyralive@aol.com>


If a dog is to be a pet and not an LGD, if there will be No real demands on
the dog except for LOVE~~should such an operation be done ? Is this
affliction  fatal, painful, crippling , progressive ?>>

It really depends.  If the damage is slight and the dog seems ok with rest
then you are probably ok.  OCD can be very painful, as Shirley's post
relates.  And in that form, yes it can be "crippling".  It can be very hard
to watch the dog limp for the months it may take to recover.  Also, please
keep in mind that any form of bone or joint damage will eventually result in
arthritis.  If in the end surgery is necessary, the dog has gone for quite a
while damaging the joint before surgery.

Side note:  I found the $1,700 quote for surgery really high.  It may have
come from a board certified orthopedic surgeon.  they are *very* expensive.
Many non certifed vets have good surgical skills and can handle such
surgery.  From my perspective the only kind of ortho surgery that cannot be
done by a skilled and experienced general practice vet is hip surgery.

Linda