Should i get a second opinion? My vet doesn't believe me!
Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2016 6:44 pm
Hi everyone!
I am brand new to this wonderful forum and desperately seeking advice about my 14 yr old retriever mix who recently dislocated his hip. Unfortunately it was manually repositioned unsuccessfully by one of the vets at my work and I have now been told that surgery is the only option. This same vet was reluctant to perform the surgery so referred me to a nearby specialist. I walked away from this appointment very deflated as this vet advised me to put my dog to sleep. Currently his hind legs are very weak due to muscle atrophy and he has the beginnings of some neuro issues due to spondylosis of his spine. I am currently using a rear harness for him (as he is unable to get up on his own) which he loves-as soon as its on he takes off! He is still mentally alert, runs with the harness, has a fabulous appetite and can still urinate and defecate on his own. However the specialist has described him as frail and weak which I am struggling with!! I tried to tell her that once the harness is on he takes off but she looked extremely sceptical. She has given me the number of a vet who does dog rehab, acupuncture, laser therapy and hydrotherapy and I have booked an appointment to discuss my dog with him. My question is, would you all still go ahead with surgery on an older dog? I really feel in my heart that it's not his time-being a vet nurse I deal with situations like this on a daily basis. Should I find another vet who would be happy to do the hip surgery? The specialist did say she could do it but inferred that it would be the wrong thing to do. If someone would be able to give me some advice or has been in a similar situation it would be very much appreciated. Thank you!!
I am brand new to this wonderful forum and desperately seeking advice about my 14 yr old retriever mix who recently dislocated his hip. Unfortunately it was manually repositioned unsuccessfully by one of the vets at my work and I have now been told that surgery is the only option. This same vet was reluctant to perform the surgery so referred me to a nearby specialist. I walked away from this appointment very deflated as this vet advised me to put my dog to sleep. Currently his hind legs are very weak due to muscle atrophy and he has the beginnings of some neuro issues due to spondylosis of his spine. I am currently using a rear harness for him (as he is unable to get up on his own) which he loves-as soon as its on he takes off! He is still mentally alert, runs with the harness, has a fabulous appetite and can still urinate and defecate on his own. However the specialist has described him as frail and weak which I am struggling with!! I tried to tell her that once the harness is on he takes off but she looked extremely sceptical. She has given me the number of a vet who does dog rehab, acupuncture, laser therapy and hydrotherapy and I have booked an appointment to discuss my dog with him. My question is, would you all still go ahead with surgery on an older dog? I really feel in my heart that it's not his time-being a vet nurse I deal with situations like this on a daily basis. Should I find another vet who would be happy to do the hip surgery? The specialist did say she could do it but inferred that it would be the wrong thing to do. If someone would be able to give me some advice or has been in a similar situation it would be very much appreciated. Thank you!!