Question by Maureen A: Great Dane Cruciate Surgery and Athritis Question?
Hello. I have a 3.5 year old Dane who injured his cruciate ligament October 2007. He had the regular surgery and unfortunately, when the surgery was done, he was diagnosed with extremely bad arthritis in that knee. His recovery has been slow and he seems to always be producing extra joint fluid. It has been drained several times, we have tried anti-inflammatories, steriods etc. Nothing seems to be able to get a handle on this knee. This spring once the snow cleared up, he suddenly recovered as if he had never even had surgery.

A month ago, he fell and appears to have reinjured that leg. Again we have tried everything, but he seems to be getting worse instead of better. He’s had xrays, metacam, both short and long acting steriod injections, oral steriods, he has been on glucosamine for over a year and we have even tried alternative therapies. Our last attempt is to try a medication that will shut his immune system down – thinking if the system stops producing inflammation, we could get a handle on the knee. We should see results in 3 days but we are really getting to a point where our vet is really out of ideas and our dogs quality of life is suffering…and winter is settling in. Obviously he is not getting around very good so he only goes outside twice a day, he only eats every other day and of course – it is just very sad.

We are contemplating euthanasia and this is really a plea if anyone knows anything or had this experience, please let me know. I love my dog and am willing to try anything to save his life!

Best answer:

Answer by ND DVM
Sorry to hear about your trouble. I am not certain what medication you may be trying to “shut his immune system down,” considering that he has already been on potent doses of steroidal and nonsteroidal antiinflammatories. Have you considered asking for a referral to a veterinary specialist, particularly a teaching hospital? They see many more very difficult cases than the general practitioner, and so may have ideas on how to handle your special friend’s problems. Should the worse happen and you make the decision for euthanasia, try to take comfort from knowing that you really did do everything you could for your dog. All pets should be so fortunate. Best of luck.

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Question by Cassie-Dane & Bully Breed lover: dog section question. very important. refers to my prior question about my great dane?
But not AS important. If you read the other one you will understand this one…
http://answers.yahoo.com/my/profile;_ylt=AmlNqLSYuU2MFp0X.whkbvbL7BR.;_ylv=3?show=JTxb2HR2aa

Ok so read that one and it will help you with this one.

So she is suffering more with her hip dysplasia as I said in that question.

So my question is…then I should not take her to the dogpark with my other dogs on sunday? Bc I know swimming does help the hips…and that is a big reason why I take her. And she LOVES the dog park. It makes her week.
But should I leave her at home then? And just take bella? 2 of my cousins might take their dogs too.
And Meri terrorizes the house when bella goes somewhere and she is left. Even for a 20 minute walk.
So should I leave her at home still?
I could try and find a way to keep her out of trouble. Which will be hard. But if I need to then I will.

So what is your suggestion?

Best answer:

Answer by Harlee the Husky Lab
your link doesnt work :”If you read the other one you will understand this one…” quote quote

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Question by Cassie-Dane & Bully Breed lover: RE-POST: Dog section question. very important. refers to my prior question about my great dane?
But not AS important. If you read the other one you will understand this one…
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AqKHHuxqKZBzx7qof2G68wXsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20080827122851AAmYDPq

Ok so read that one and it will help you with this one.

So she is suffering more with her hip dysplasia as I said in that question.

So my question is…then I should not take her to the dogpark with my other dogs on sunday? Bc I know swimming does help the hips…and that is a big reason why I take her. And she LOVES the dog park. It makes her week.
But should I leave her at home then? And just take bella? 2 of my cousins might take their dogs too.
And Meri terrorizes the house when bella goes somewhere and she is left. Even for a 20 minute walk.
So should I leave her at home still?
I could try and find a way to keep her out of trouble. Which will be hard. But if I need to then I will.

So what is your suggestion?

ok there we go…new link

thank you all!
p.s
can you star this question please?

Best answer:

Answer by * love rams & j *
i would suggest talking to your vet about what she can and can’t do. it’s better to get an expert opinion than to guess and possibly make things work.

What do you think? Answer below!

Question by Cassie-Dane & Bully Breed lover: dog section: what are some things I can do with my dane?
Ok.
So I want to get all of my dogs involved in something extra.

She’s 2 y/o and has hip dysplasia :-/

So she does have limitations.
But she’s been getting really jealous of our other dogs and has issues.

This summer I will be able to do more things.
And I know things like that make their lives longer

Any ideas of what I can do with her? A lot of running and up and down is hard for her.

Best answer:

Answer by Mutt for the Truth
Try searching games: take a treat or favorite toy and hide it in the home or yard. Use one command (”search” or “go get…”) and let your dog try to find it. Unless she leaps and bounds about she shouldn’t hurt from that.

If she has “issues” and “jealousy” then it’s best to get a behaviorist in – adding on new things for her to do won’t necessarily “cure” that behavior. Behaviorists can also think up new games for dogs to play.

Puzzle toys help – Kong, toys you can fill with goodies, balls you can put treats in. They even have a bucket-type thing that you fill with water and goodies and freeze for the dog to enjoy on a hot day.

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i recently found out my 3yo Dane, Fergie, has HD, arthritis & a bad knee. The vet has her on G3 & Deramaxx. She acts like it doesn’t hurt her &, other than a slight limp, you’d never know by the way she runs & plays. I have 2 other danes & during the day i keep them seperated from her so they don’t play rough while i’m away. When i get them back together, they play like they haven’t seen each other in years!

My problem is this: Fergie is a very energetic Dane who’s full of play, but her recent diagnosis is requiring her to rest. How do i let her get expell some of this energy without her hurting or straining herself? I’d love to be able to let her swim (i’ve read that does wonders) but i live in Ohio & its not the season for that. Also – there aren’t any facilities around that cater to animal therapy. The vet says to leash walk, & we do, but she’s still peppy after that! I hate to deprive her of playing w/the other dogs, but i have no way limiting how rough they get. Help!
Sidenote: Fergie is supposed to ‘rest’ for about a week. By ‘rest’ i mean ‘take it easy’ and not run sprints or wrestle with the others, until the G3 can start to work it’s magic. She’s not confined to a crate or not allowed to exercise – we leash-walk every other day. =)