Boris is success story regarding hip displasia.
We adopted Boris after losing Marvin, our G. shepherd X Husky. He had been at the St. Paul, MN"pound" until his time was up, then ended up at the Animal Ark in Hastings, MN...he was there for over a month when we adopted him. He looked to be an Irish Wolfhoud mix. He ended up a fairly tall boy. About 28 inches at the shoulder.
After having him for about 1 1/2 months, we noticed he would whine when he got up and that our 13 year old dog was running circles around him. We took him to the vet and found he had very severe hip displasia (his hips were less than 10% covered according to the vet). He was about 1 year old (estimate, as he had come from a shelter) so we decided on surgery. He had the triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO) done on both hips, first one then 6 weeks later the other.
Once he healed from the surgeries his hips were fantastic! Even at 11 1/2 years old he and Pavel (another of our dogs, who is only 2) go on runs with Jay who runs over 3 miles several times a week. I figure the way dogs go in and out of the ditch and follow there noses checking stuff out that the dogs probable run 4 or more miles. Even after such runs he isn't lame...just very tired!
He swims. chases Frisbees, lunging through the water! His joy for life is an inspiration. He has come to our store every day and happily greets customers. Today, after returning from the hospital (his surgery was yesterday) he waged his tail at customers who greeted him. On the drive home he sat in the passenger seat, leaning against the door (always have to lock his side of the car!) with his nose out the window.
He has a belly bandage on (bright red white and blue...very patriotic). I've had to watch Ivan a bit, so he doesn't run him over with his cart! Boris can't quite jump out of the way right now. Ivan is great at cutting close to people and/or dogs with his body and getting them between him and a wheel on his cart.
Boris, as well as Ivan, Pavel and Sophie (all of our dogs) are certified Canine Good Citizens (CGC) and Certified Therapy Dogs (Ivan just passed his test June 1!) People in nursing homes can really relate to handicapped dogs.
I could go on about all the wonderful characteristics Boris has...how great he has been to take to elementary schools and libraries for demonstrations about pet care and training....the parades he has been in...but I could never write down how deeply he has touched my heart and soul.
I will miss him terribly when this is all done...but I am thankful for the beautiful time...over 10 1/2 years!...that we have had together...
and how wonderful that he has exceptionally good health and physical condition up till the very end. All the veterinarians who have worked on him this week have commented on how good his physical condition is for his age.
I'll look for a few pictures to send and I'll take a picture of him with his belly bandage tomorrow (it won't be red white and blue...I don't have those colors)
Thanks so much for building Boris a site....and perhaps if people read how well he has done with surgery to his hips while young (the joints had not been damaged yet), they will have hope for their own puppies.
Toni (I'll let you know how these next days go for Boris)
