Hi!
My name is Kovu, I am an one and a half year old German Shepherd who unfortunately is not genetically blessed!
My story starts young! A couple days after my 5th month birthday is when my genetic grace period came to an screeching halt. I was lame on my front legs. Mom panicked and did x-rays, diagnosing me with pan osteitis - growing pains in general terms, however the radiology report came back and showed I also had a ununited anconeal process, don't worry I don't know what this is either, just ask my mom! But what she tells me is if I didn't get a screw placed in my elbow now, ill have elbow dysplasia later and major arthritis. She did whatever a good mom would do and had that screw placed. When I was on the mend, I didn't want to stay still even with all the love and cookies I could possibly have, specially at Grandmas house. I wanted to RUN!!! Well one time when I was in the snow mom had me leash walking - ridiculous may I add considering all I wanted to do was roll and play in the snow, but while I was walking she heard some popping coming from my legs.
She began to think the screw in my elbow had failed and I was going to need another surgery to fix it yet again. BOY WAS SHE IN FOR A SUSPRISE.
We repeated x-rays again, turns out we have what most shepherds are predisposed for... hip dysplasia! Lucky me :(.
This means every time I walk, trot or run my hip is sub luxating in and out of joint causing me a lot of pain. I got diagnosed 9 months ago needing a possible total hip replacement in order to move without pain and have full motion in my leg. We have tried conservative therapy with pain medications, but for me this was not the end solution rather than a stepping stone.
We repeated x-rays today and there are a lot of orthopedic changes such as arthritis in my right hip joint, leading us to the conclusion of replacing my entire hip. My mom wants to go to vet school, however, its this new hip or vet school at this point due to the hefty price tag. Knowing her, she's gonna pick me and my health over herself every time, man does that women love me. Total hips can run from 10,000-12,000 dollars, Oh boy oh boy. But I don't know the logistics so I will had this over to my mom!
Hey all, as you have read above, my beautiful boy has been diagnosed with severe hip dysplasia - regardless of going through the right channels of a breeder and having OFA's done. He's been a bit of a lemon but as I say to all the clients coming though the door, the best ones are the trouble makers for sure.
If you've had the opportunity to meet Kovu you'd know all he wants is a couple things, love, cuddles. treats and of course his tennis ball. We're hoping to raise some money for medical bills to lessen the burden as were going to have to do both hips at some point rather than just one, but were starting with the right one. Anything helps, and even if you cant contribute anything currently, please share and at least show Kovu's story with the world. He deserves to be able to run like the crazy wild man he is again - without any pain.
THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS.
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