re:lameness

[Lisa D Allen]

I would suggest a visit to a veterinary orthopedic surgeon for evaluation.  
One of my four Berners, since 1983, had elbow dysplasia in both elbows and 
one had it in one elbow.  A male will often show signs early in life.  We 
are fortunate to have some excellent and trusted orthopedic doctors here in 
the Northeast.  Both my ED dogs were symptomatic and had the surgery.  I 
believe it was about $1,500.00 per elbow.  Shortly after I joined the list, 
I think, in 1996, someone posted that one of the US veterinary teaching 
universities was calling the Berner the poster child for elbow dysplasia.
I have had experience, too, with lameness in the older dog.  My Yoda's 
lameness responded to nothing and Xrays were non-diagnostic as well.  A 
tissue biopsy revealed a cancer most closely resembling synovial cell 
sarcoma; Yoda responded beautifully to treatment.
Moses did not become lame with his cancer but he was in discomfort so we did 
extensive Xrays to determine the extent of his arthritis; found a shadow on 
his left femur which was bone cancer; he has responded beautifully to 
treatment.
I am fortunate in that the veterinarian who has provided exceptional medical 
care to my dogs since 1983 knows the manner in which I care for my dogs and 
understands my deep feelings for them and will refer me to the very best and 
most compassionate specialists when necessary.
Lisa Allen

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