I just found out that the Labrador I have spent the last year and a half training for SAR has Elbow Dysplasia. I've never had to deal with this before, so I'm starting from square one, researching it. From what I understand, it's degenerative and there are no treatments that will make the joint normal, only some surgical options that may slow the degenerative process and/or relieve pain. Does anybody have any knowledge of this? Personal experience? Should I get another dog for SAR and let this one be a pet? Opinions, please.

The term elbow dysplasia is a general umbrella term for any malformation of the elbow. Do you remember specifically what the defect was called - perhaps UAP (ununited anconeal process)?

Sorry to hear about Lucky's bad luck(no pun intended) I don't know if you have already read this, but here is a link http://leerburg.com/dysplasia.htm

http://www.vetinfo.com/delbdysp.html

I don't have any first hand experience. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> I was wondering how the vet trip went the other day, but didn't dare ask for fear of the worst. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I spoke with the vet over the phone, and I don't remember what specific syndrome it was, if he even told me. I was just so relieved that it wasn't bone cancer (this is why I think Lucky really IS lucky in this case). I should be able to see the written report next time I go in and get a more specific terminology. Here's a link to the x ray, though, if you're interested....let's see if this works....

http://www.efn.org/~dcswan/lisa%20web%20pix/elbow1circ.jpg

I circled the growth, which is actually a mineralized hematoma that should not be causing any pain. I'm not sure what the radiologist saw that made them come to the conclusion that it's ED.

Just wanted to add that I don't think it is UAP, OCD, or the other one, but rather, it is a general malformation, not specific to any particular disorder. At least, this is the impression I get. Again, I will find out for sure what the technical jargon is. But what I was told is that the surgical procedure for this particular affliction would be a general "clean up", to remove any debris and try to minimize arthritic changes and/or discomfort. I would imagine that if it were UAP or OCD, then the vet would have recommended the appropriate procedures for those. The Radiologist who gave the opinion is at Oregon State University's veterinary college.

Hey L, I'm VERY sorry to hear about Lucky I hope you are able to keep him sound and comfortable.Good luck.

Thank you, Jeannette! The initial elation that his life is not in danger is wearing off, and now I'm realizing that my dog has ED, and it sucks!!!!

I'm very tempted to continue working him, since he's not showing signs of lameness or discomfort, and he really loves to track. I think he'll let me know when he's uncomfortable. I want to do what's right for him healthwise, while still allowing both of us to continue to do what we enjoy doing, if that is possible. Anyway, I'm going to see if I can get a copy of the written report today, and that should shed a little more light on the subject. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to get a second opinion, but I feel that I've been through the wringer the last three weeks with everything that has happened. The original films got lost in the mail, which I only found out after waiting a week for news, then we had to have a second set taken, which arrived safely, but the radiologists were both on vacation for another week. The whole process took three weeks, and the whole time, I had no idea if my dog had cancer or what????? It's been difficult, and right now, I just want to digest the info that I have thus far. I may ask that the films be forwarded to the veterinary surgeon that did Lucky's TPLO, and see what he says.

I would definitely keep working him, if tracking is what you're doing with him, cuz that's just walking, and the ole boy's going to do that anyway! He'll let you know when he's had enough.

That's exactly what I'm going to do! My vet said basically the same thing, so I'm going to take that advice! We are going to forward the films to the surgeon who performed the TPLO last year, and see if he has any ideas on what surgical options may exist, but my understanding is that the surgery that is usually done for this (Fragmented Coronoid Process) has not been proven to make a big difference in the long term. Since Lucky's not in much pain, and not showing a lot of lameness, I'm not going to have the surgery done at this time.
In the meantime, he gets to keep on trackin'! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Thanks everyone for your input!

I'm interested to hear what your surgeon says. My little fellow has the same problem, FCP (we think). <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> We're taking him for an MRI to find out exactly what's wrong - we saw some signs of arthritic changes in his elbow, but could not see if the coronoid process failed to fuse.

I've been leery of letting him work to much as the stress seems to exacerbate his elbow. The problem is transitory - sometimes no problem, other times lameness - not that it slows him down much. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />