Shady's back legs again (sorry long again)

As you know the X-rays showed calcification of the Plantarl (sp) ligaments in her hocks. It causes her a lot of pain after resting although once exercising you don't see her hobbling.
She has tried non steroid antinflamatory pain killers, which didn't work.
Now she is on Steroids which seem to be really affecting her bady as she is drinking 3-4 big bowls of water a day, always looks bloated and unhappy and she is really agitated and even more anxious than normal, jumping and leaping at every little sound. I thought they were helping and I have stuck rigidly to short lead walks, but because she has so much pent up nervous energy from not getting freedom and a run she has forgotton how to walk on a slack lead and is pulling like a steam train and charging about the house jumping at the windows all putting more strain on those back legs so yesterday hobbled a bit again.
The vet said the next thing will be to inject her gegs into the joints with steroids if the tablets don't work and if that doesn't help to refer her to an orthopedic specialist.
I have been reading up on the problem and the operation they can do in the hock only has a small chance of success and entails complete rest. That would not work with Shady she really is a bundle of nerves and too nuerotic, plus where we live with the children back and forth past the house she is constantly leaping up to bark at the window.
I have a huge crate but that has always stressed her more and twice when she has been crated she has injured her front paw ansd leg through going frantic and crazy and once getting it completely stuck, so if she was having no exercise to wear off any energy it would be worse and impossible.
As I type she has just roared up the hall and leapt at the front door because she thought she heard something I tried to catch and stop her but failed .
I am wondering if I should go for a second opinion at another vets near us as they have an orthopedic vet there, he deals mainly in greyhounds but he did x-ray Shadys hips for me when she was younger as I wanted to make sure her hips were ok before trying agility.
Would he know as much as a vet at a referral centre? I know he would be cheaper.
I think any op is really out for her especially with the success rate being small, I have now counted six times she has charged across the house barking and jumping up to see things that are not there while I have been typing.
I feel really down about it all as she is a very special girlly to me and we have been through a lot together to get her where she is today.
I wish I had never played frisbee with her everyday and given her all that fun for the past 4 nearly 5 years as she wouldn't have this problem now. But another part of me feels that quality over quantity of life is always better, especially for a dog like Shady. I just want to have her comfortable and not going stir crazy with all her pent up anxieties and although we won't play frisbee anymore just being able to enjoy a gentle run over the field I hire for her, which she hasn't been to while on rest.
Sorry I've gone on again but I really don't know what to do here in nearly 40 years of showing and owning all sorts of dogs I really have not met one so nuerotic and emotionally and physically unable to be calm as her.
You would have to meet her to believe it.
Anyway would you go for a second opinion first and would I have to tell my own vet? as he is good and I don't want to be falling out with him

Oh Bev. I really have no words of advice for you, but just wanted to give you a *hug* and say I'm sure you'll do (and are doing) everything possible to give Shady as good a life as possible. It can't be easy for you.

If you feel a second opinion might be neccessary, then go for it.

As you say, quality of life over quantity is better.

Would hydrotherapy maybe help? And/or physiotherapy and things like that?

Good luck with whatever you decide to do. xx

Your entitled to go for a second opinion, your own vet shouldn't actually mind. I have done this in the past and our vet has been fine about it.

Going on the experience of Reah's legs IMO you really need to see a Orthopedic Vet, don't make the same mistake as Reah had when she first got brought in....a vet with no Orthopedic experience operated on her....and thats why her front leg can never be sorted The Orthopedic vet will be able to assess the situation and discuss things/options with you, they may also suggest Hydrotherapy pools too, not only will this help her legs but it will also give her exercise

Best wishes xxxxxxxx

How old is she?

You need to weigh up her quality of life versus intervention and your ability to keep her calm.

A couple of things I would throw into the mix are - drugs to calm her down for a while eg clomicalm and steroids into the joint. IMO as in humans it may be short lived but much better than taking systemic steroids which have nasty side effects.

Have you read the book 'click to calm' . It may help too.

It is hard with reactive dogs (i know, I have one) but you can do things to help.

Good luck Bev.

Sending (((Hugs))) Bev. Ollie can be a bit neurotic at times not nearly as bad as Shady, but it can be stressful for him and us sometimes in certain situations the vets being one of them.

Like you I had never come across this in a dog before so it comes as a bit of a shock.

I think you have to do whatever you feel is best for her, you know her and you know we will support you whatever decision you decide to make. A second opinion may well be the way to go.

Thankyou all of you for your advice. I know I ramble on but this is just going round and round in my head, I keep waking in the night and it s all that is in my head. Having nobody but you lot to talk to about it means you get the full works too so I really do appreciate you listening to my worries.
I have only given her one of the steroids this morning instead of 2 and I will do the same tonight. They are helping her legs a little but not enough for me to warrent the extra problems they are causing her.
I am just waiting to hear if the insurance company is going to pay for her legs as that will be a deciding factor in her treatment too. Once I know I will go along to the other practice and get a 2nd opinion off the orthopedic vet there and see what he suggests.
I think the steroid injection into the joint is the way to go next and I think hydrotherapy will be good for her too and wear off some of that excess energy so can discuss that with him.
I think I know deep down operating is really out of the question with her, if it was Kyiro I wouldn't hesitate as sleeping is more fun to him than anything and he would be so easy to keep quiet.
So I think I must stop worrying about any ops for her and just do everything we can for her without going down that route.
Thankyou all again for your support and taking your time to wade through my posts.

Presumably you've looked or are looking in to all the natural, herbal remedies too, Bed, that might at least aid her in some way? Like glucosamine and chondroitin etc.

I don't anything about her condition really, but like you said, hydrotherapy would probably help with some of her excess energy, work her mind a bit as she has to concentrate on what she's doing and also give her joints a bit of non weight bearing moving which surely will help them regain some flexibility.

Keep strong. You are doing your best for Shady. xx

I've tried glucosamine a couple of times and it gave her dire rear each time which stopped as soon as the glucosamine stopped.
She really is her own worst enemy with those legs. When I get ready to take her out she is hopping and bouncing up and down on them like a demented kangaroo. In the car she spins on them and bounces up and down barking at anything she can possibly needs barking at.
No wonder I'm getting grey hairs Aaaarrrggghhhhh

Aw Bev, poor you and poor Shady Is hydrotherapy or accupuncture a possibility or is her fear aggression put paid to that option? Maybe a herbal supplement to aid her surrounding muscles and tendons to support her problem area? It must be so difficult with her and her history... I hope you can find a solution and I would also seek a second opinion too, another vet may give you a fresh idea with her Good luck and thinking of you both xxx

Could you put up a few strategically placed baby gates to stop her rushing through the whole house?
Hydro would get rid of some of the excess energy if she and your vet would be happy with that