New Hope for Dog Owners: The Adequan Alternative (Page 4)
by Barry G. Davis
A precise diagnosis is important, and quality X-rays are necessary. If bone fragments are found in the joint, surgical removal is required. Plus, the inflammation has to be reduced to tolerable levels. Beyond that, it has to be determined by the owner what is expected. You may not get a total return to 100 percent performance, but for me, anyway, something very close was good enough. In the real world, there are no miracles.
The dysplasia itself, because it is skeletal, always will exist. No medical technique can correct that. But Adequan has fulfilled every reasonable expectation. It goes beyond treating the symptoms and gets right to the root of the problem. As Dr. Koby says, "Adequan becomes an avenue to bypass further symptomatic improvement to get true clinical improvement."
If hip dysplasia has cursed your dog, question your veterinarian about this treatment. Don't be surprised if he knows little or nothing about it. Because it is so new, very few do. But, don't hesitate to bring it up. If the vet is as curious and conscientious as most are, he'll investigate it thoroughly. If he's "too busy" or unwilling to investigate, get another vet.
The treatment is not cheap. Figure on roughly $20 to $30 per shot. But, it's well worth it, from the standpoint of minimal stress, end results, and most of all, the reward of seeing a good dog work without suffering a pain that its heart and courage could not overcome. One look at Misty, who once again can do what she was born to do, tells it all. Even if treatment someday proves necessary, the Adequan alternative is the best news to come along for dogs and their owners in a long, long time. |
