"Severe
Arthritis"
Meet Duncan! Duncan’s
owners wrote:
“Duncan is a well traveled, well loved, 90 pound,
4-year-old Gordon Setter who just spent 2 years overseas. During that
time, we noticed Duncan’s decreasing appetite. He started limping and
favoring his right rear leg. We took him to a very capable veterinarian
who diagnosed him with advanced hip dysplasia. He advised us that total
hip replacement was not possible due to the severity of Duncan’s case, and
that we should opt for a surgery that would sever some of his nerves to
relieve pain for the rest of what would be a short life. At that point, we
wanted a second opinion (an American opinion!). Thanks to Dr. James Kelly
in Houston, Texas, we found the Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists who gave
Duncan new hope for a longer, happy life.
Duncan is now recovering beautifully from his THR. His
right hip was replaced in January of 2002 and his left hip was replaced in
February. Duncan has a remarkable ability for recovery and is walking and
sitting almost completely normal only 2 weeks after the second surgery.
In fact, he was ready to play with his favorite plush soccer ball the day
he came home from the hospital. His appetite is back in full (we can
hardly supply enough food) and his spirits are up to their original
fervor. Although Duncan has always been a happy dog, now it is as if a
weight has been lifted from him. He can’t wait to get out into the open
and try out his new hips in a big grassy field.
We must leave the Houston area due to our military
duties, but we will always remember gratefully the care Duncan and we
received from the entire staff at Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists.”
Duncan’s
hips before surgery, and after both hips were replaced.
Contributed by
William D. Liska, DVM, DACVS Houston, Texas
