Hi,

I have been posting about my 6 year old Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Vader, recently and sharing his story regarding his trip to the vets when we found ourselves with a problem. For those of you who are new to his story, I adopted Vader from my work almost a year ago and I am a first time Tripawd owner 🙂

when I first came home with Vader, I found I was having to run in order to keep up with him on our walks, he pulled and pulled and pulled. He really surprised me, he loved trails and could run almost an entire fields length like it was nothing, he would only fall over at the end to put the brakes on. I had no idea a tripawd could adapt so well, when we went for his castration, the vet said how well he was walking as he placed his front leg directly in the middle.

Now, a few months ago I noticed him starting to slow down. He began to jog alongside me on his walks and not pull whatsoever, he also began falling more often. We are now at the point where he is falling every 3-4 strides or even refusing to walk altogether. Saying this he doesn't seem to fall on concrete? Pavements, car parks etc. and in the house it is a completely different story. He will leap up you for attention, clearing 3 foot off the floor at least. He has managed to jump on the dining table, can take the stairs 2 at a time and be very boisterous. He is just such a happy, over the top, excited Tripawd. I have been told by members that it is in his best interest to get him to slow down, I do do my best and have since invested in lots of padded dog beds to catch him when needed.

He went to the vets a few days ago for X Rays, what they have found is his elbow deteriorating and he has severe arthritis in it. They explained that the elbow is simply not working as it should and it is this which is causing him to fall. They gave me three options; elbow replacement, medication such as pain killers and joint aids or the third... put to sleep. I said to do everything possible and that putting to sleep was simply not an option. The vet agreed to ring the specialist about an elbow replacement and for the time being he would be on Pardale, Metacam and Nutraquin+.

Today we have had the phone call, the specialist says he is not a good candidate for an elbow replacement due to being a front legged tripawd. Obviously he does not have the other forelimb to limp around on while he recovered from the operation. He has advised our vet to do a cap test (think it was called that), taking a bit of fluid from his elbow to see if it is infected and needing a stronger dose of antibiotics. For now I have him booked in for this, as I wish to explore every possibility.

Does anyone think I should get a second opinion and push for the elbow replacement or do you think I should see how he responds to his current medication? I am willing to put in the effort to aid his recovery, I am already looking into doggy push chairs knowing for weeks he will be struggling to get around. At the same time, I do not want to insist on the operation and ask too much of him.

Our vets are good and I am letting them explore everywhere, but they did say if he doesn't start to respond to the medication then euthanasia may be best. I don't agree with this as they just see him whining and hating the vets, a sad little dog with a poorly front leg. They do not see him at home, bursting with energy, constantly under my feet. He really is a happy dog, so full of life. It is outside we have the problem.

I just want to do all I can for him and I want the vet to do the same, I'll do anything.

So sorry for the long read, I've basically just crammed everything I know into one forum post. If anyone wishes to see his X Ray, you can find it on his blog. http://vaderthe.....p?item=121

The ghosting/ fuzziness around the bone is the deterioration.

Thank you again x