Hello all -
Hoping to capitalize on your collective Boxer knowledge. I have a 7 month old baby, Macy, who is absolutely a love. I got her from a reputable breeder (AKC) on a farm in Topeka back in July and she passed her vet checkup beautifully.
In the past two weeks, she's been diagnosed with the mange (she's on Ivermectin now) and yesterday they called with her x-ray results from last week. She's been limping off and on for a few weeks and on the initial vet visit, they determined she pulled a muscle and put her on Rimadyl. However, the x-rays show that the growth plate in her back leg is nonexistent as a result of either a break or an infection. The vet is pretty sure that it's an infection (from her symptoms) and wants to do a joint aspiration tomorrow to determine how bad it is. Then we can potentially treat it with antibiotics. He also wants to do a separate bone test for another biopsy to determine if the bone is infected. If it is, then she most likely has a bacteria that will eat away at all of her bones - and soon.
They are also recommending a very painful (and expensive) reconstructive surgery for her leg. Since the growth plate is gone, her tibia will no longer grow but her femur will. This could cause problems later with hip issues, etc., but even after the surgery, they can't guarantee that the bacteria won't return.
Like all of you, I ADORE my baby. I have waited several years to get her, she sleeps in bed with me and she is an absolute sweetheart. I love her to bits - she has more toys and gets more attention than most kids. I want her healthy and well, but can't see putting her through undue pain at such a young age. In plain English, I don't want to lose her and want to be aggressive here. Has anyone dealt with similiar issues? Any advice? Thank you -
Hoping to capitalize on your collective Boxer knowledge. I have a 7 month old baby, Macy, who is absolutely a love. I got her from a reputable breeder (AKC) on a farm in Topeka back in July and she passed her vet checkup beautifully.
In the past two weeks, she's been diagnosed with the mange (she's on Ivermectin now) and yesterday they called with her x-ray results from last week. She's been limping off and on for a few weeks and on the initial vet visit, they determined she pulled a muscle and put her on Rimadyl. However, the x-rays show that the growth plate in her back leg is nonexistent as a result of either a break or an infection. The vet is pretty sure that it's an infection (from her symptoms) and wants to do a joint aspiration tomorrow to determine how bad it is. Then we can potentially treat it with antibiotics. He also wants to do a separate bone test for another biopsy to determine if the bone is infected. If it is, then she most likely has a bacteria that will eat away at all of her bones - and soon.
They are also recommending a very painful (and expensive) reconstructive surgery for her leg. Since the growth plate is gone, her tibia will no longer grow but her femur will. This could cause problems later with hip issues, etc., but even after the surgery, they can't guarantee that the bacteria won't return.
Like all of you, I ADORE my baby. I have waited several years to get her, she sleeps in bed with me and she is an absolute sweetheart. I love her to bits - she has more toys and gets more attention than most kids. I want her healthy and well, but can't see putting her through undue pain at such a young age. In plain English, I don't want to lose her and want to be aggressive here. Has anyone dealt with similiar issues? Any advice? Thank you -
