H.D. is very common in Labradors and it is something they are born with. Ernie is a very good swimmer, and Chris is so very grateful to Ernies Singapore family for encouraging him to love the water so much. Swimming is one of the best things for his hips.

 

Unfortunately in September Ernie was swimming in the Hutt Valley river when an Algae was found here. It had killed 4 dogs, and Ernie was sick.

During this time he had become more lethargic and Chris and the vets thought this could be an after effect from the river. He had been having trouble getting up and from time to time he would cry out. Sometimes while swimming he would cry and not be able to get out of the water. Often he would not want to go for walks, and get very tired. He was diagnosed with low Thyroid, and an xray was done again to check his hips. The xray was done on the 9th February. Exactly a year to the day his littermate died.

The news was not good.

His hips were degenerating very quickly,  he had Oestoarthritis and the prognosis wasn't good. This news was not what the Vets or  his families wanted to hear and were very saddened by this.. The vets said there was no surgery that could help our beloved boy, but they could do an operation that cut the nerves and deadened the pain. To his family this was just a sticking plaster and not enough. This would last about 12 months and he would still be on medication.

 There must be something to help this precious Labrador. Chris was not giving up.

 

The swimming pool that had been talked about was now urgent.

Ernie was  given weekly injections of Pentosan for his arthitis and Metacam.Metacam is a NSAID, but as with any medication it can have side effects and was something his family were hoping he wouldn't need for a few more years. Hopefully the Metacam could be reduced. the Pentosan was given weekly for 4 weeks ,then 2 weekly, then monthly.

 After a lot of research Chris decided to build up muscle and see if he could have the nerve cutting operation until his legs had good muscle tone and perhaps have what is called a Femoral Head Osteo. the surgeon cuts the head of the femur off. A nub forms to hold the leg in place and leg muscles keep it in place. This is usually done when a Total Hip Replacement is not an option. A hip replacement would be the better choice as it would last 15 years, but the vets refused this option.

 

 

Ernies excerise regime started in January. At first it was 3 minute walks every 2-4 hours, and Chris tried to keep him moving. He would swim 3-4 times a week. As it was still not certain the  river was free from Algae he swam in the sea. Ernie loves to run into the sea and retreive sticks. This of course wasn't good for his hips, and running over stones could put his hip joint out. He began swimming in the Porirua harbour. There is a small jetty here and he swam 15 mins then, rest then swim again.

With H.D. the dog can not run, jump, chase balls, sudden turns or twists, walking on concrete, and many other things are to be avoided. To start with Ernie was wrapped in cotton wool. There needed to be special care with Ernie.But he needs to be a dog, and still have a good quality of life.

 

By March Ernie had more energy and things are looking more positive. Chris was worried Ernie hips could go out in the sea, and he could drown. Feng yang bought the dogs life vest for Ernie. Ernie loves to dive, so the thought of him trying to dive with this on was amusing. (pics with life vest and pool added soon)

 

 

It is now January 07 and the swimming has made a remarkable difference to Erns hips. Naya his vet is amazed and said she never thought he would be so good. she had told me he wouldn't be an old dog. He has been on regular Pentosan injections and Metacam.

 

Jan 08

Erns is still managing well. For the past year  or more he has a coat in winter and wheat bags to help his hips.

He is no longer on Metacam due to his gut issues and having monthly injections.

Chris is delighted one vet said he didn't have H.D. After 2 xrays and the last by a very good vet there was no mistake. After being told there was nothing much we could do for him....we have done exactly that.

There is always hope and never give up.

In the next 4 years Erns had his ups and downs with winter being very hard on him. I decided a wet suit might be good to help him swim for a few more months or a month earlier. I rang a few places with many thinking I had lost my mind, until one agreed to make it. It helped a lot and he swum a little more. 

In 2013 he was on Tramadol which I didn't like. He was as the vet said. "full of arthritis" which saddened me. We needed more so decided to try treating his hips now instead of his gut being priority. 

He started on daily Gabapentin with losec to protect his gut and NSAIDs with Tramadol as needed. He had several courses of acupuncture which seemed to help. The vet Mike who did it said he was in a very bad way and suggested talking to my vet.  It took almost a year to find the right cocktail of meds. He is looking much better and when Mike saw him a few months later said he could not believe he was still here and looked so good.  

I have no doubt the meds could shorten his life, and as good as he looks this could go down hill at any time. We have been in some black holes with his health so we take each day as it comes and treasure each moment.

He is now 12 and such a huge part of my life. I am besotted with him. He is my heart dog and  I will do what ever it takes to keep him as pain free as I can. I also hope I will be able to do the right thing when that horrible day arrives. The day I have dreaded for several years