Quick history. At about 5 mo old, our GSD pup started limping. First diagnosed with HOD, then Pano, finally with bilateral ununited anconeal process of his elbows. Saw a specialist, went through with the expensive surgery (ular osteotomy with pin placement, and screw in the right elbow because that was the worst side.) The vet had sounded very confident, that a very high percentage of cases turn out very well, the elbows fuse, the dog is normal.

He is 11 mo old now, left side has healed up nicely, right side no change. The pins have been removed, the screw is still in the right elbow and is now broken, and arthritis is already setting in to that joint. We were told we have 2 options: surgical: consisting of removing the piece of bone that didn't fuse and removal of the broken screw, or medical: glucosamine, Adequan, pain meds as needed. Very frustrating as the dog cannot walk any distance without limping on the right side.

We're considering seeing a veterinary medical school hospital for another opinion. This whole situation has been a huge drain on us financially and emotionally (ie. not the active dog we wanted, because he CAN'T be.)

I'm so sorry.... the poor pup. Very hard on you, too, I know.

I read this twice and I'm still not certain of what the question is.

Are you asking if anyone has ideas about which way to go, or suggestions about vet med schools?

Have you had a second ortho specialist's opinion with the situation as it is now?

I think she's saying that she has 2 options and which one do you think is best? Medical or surgical.

Personally, I'd go with whatever had the best long-term prognosis, and my guess is that would be surgery. I don't want to be medicating my dog for the next 14 years. I want to fix it and be done with it if that is at all a possibility. It may be expensive, but long-term meds really rack up the cost, too, and the side effects are often rotten.

Just curious on the pedigree?

I heard of two cases and in both they removed the bone fragment causing the aggravation both dogs had a very postive recovery,
an orthopedic specialist did the op tho, in both cases not just a
regular DMV, sorry to hear this, try Green lipped mussel extract,
also very good alternative to the other supplements while you await you investigate options, it is not as expensive as glucosamine it is also excellent for HD, and old dogs with joint problems.

I'd consult with a medical school and hear what they say.

Elbows seem to present far more problems with surgery and recovery than hips. Almost all of our elbow cases requiring surgery are referred to UC Davis, not to an orthopedic specialist.

I agree with Amber that while the cost of surgery is horrendous, the cost of a lifetime of pain meds and vet care could easily equal that of surgery.

Steph just want to clarify the green lipped mussel, is not an alternative to surgery,I re-read my post and it could be taken that way, it is just another option over and above the other supplemements your vet may have reccommended, My Vet offered the green lipped mussel extract to me for my old dog who had developed arthritic changes, it will not cure the problem, it just eases the joints, it is not guaranteed to work on every dog but has no side effects whatsovever, I definitley saw an improvemnet in my own dog.So it is just that another option.

I was mostly just venting... thank you guys for the info! Many "non-dog" people do not understand my care or expense for this dog and it's very frustrating. Nice to find a place where people understand! We'll see what the vet school says, but I'm already gearing up for the possibility of another surgery if there's a good chance for improvement.

Well, we went to Tufts Small Animal Hospital (part of the veterinary school, so we had a whole medical team!) They are recommending more surgery, to remove the fragment that didn't fuse and the broken screw. Ugh... not looking forward to two weeks strict crate rest again, for an 11mo old pup. Any suggestions on brain activities would be much appreciated. PLus we live 2 flights of stairs up, ramp not possible (too steep), so potty yard is out of the question. For the initial surgery he was 60 some odd pounds, and I could carry him. But at 85lbs that's out of my comfort level. So we'll have to devise something on our porch, and hope he doesn't end up enjoying it too much! They said he's already got moderate arthritis in the right leg, and min in the left (which is the one that did fuse.) This has all been a nightmare, and to be honest I don't think I'd ever put a pet through this surgery again, as sad as it is to say.

Hi Stephanie, Here is a link to a product that you could put on the porch: http://www.petapotty.com/products.html

I have been following this thread & am relieved to see Tufts was able to provide a good option for fixing the elbow. Please keep me posted on your dogs' progress after surgery.