So an update: Well she is now 14 months old, her hernia has not come back and we are great full. But within the last few weeks we have discovered two things:
1) Hope suffers from allergies, which do seem to be seasonal, so she gets a spray and bath on a certain schedule and reactine.
2) Hope has Hock laxity. The only way to explain it is that her ligaments are loose and when she walks her hocks pop to the side.
"Popping Hock (Laxity of the Hock Joint)
This condition, which may affect one or both hocks, is due to looseness of supporting structures around the joint. It is more common in large dogs with straight rear-end angulations. Usually it is not painful, but can impair the dogâs drive and agility. In late stages the joint can become arthritic.
The diagnosis can be suspected by observing the dog in motion, at which time the hock will appear to give, causing an irregular gait. Manipulation of the joint reveals the lax ligaments. The hock slips out of place (either forward or to the side) when the joint is straightened."
She has been getting a laser treatment a few time a weeks (which seems to help her feel less pain), she also get thera bites (which have glucosamine in it) She did get x-rays and dr yelen spoke to a specialist. So the only thing we can really do for it is get her hock braces and try and stabilize her legs. She will get arthritis pretty young.
[BBvideo:23qgqztg]http://youtu.be/Jltl9pDNrKw[/BBvideo:23qgqztg]
Anyways the big thing is that it very expensive 400+ for each leg with all the appointments. we are hoping to do it at pawsability.ca
here is some info on the braces that Mika the vet tech got for me and here is an example as well:
"I just talked to Janice from Pawsability. She has done braces for another Chihuahua, which worked out very well. She does require that Hope visits her twice - once for the analysis and casting (plan to be in Toronto for 3-4 hours), then again once it's finished for a fitting. The braces run about $400 - $450 per leg, including all the processing. She uses fiberglass to make the shell of the splint, which will last for quite some time. She will discuss management, but that includes daily cleaning of her skin, as well as of the padding, and routine "tune ups" for the straps and padding of the splint. She also recommends using socks over the splints while she is outside, and a protective, waterproof booty if she is out in the rain/snow/mud. "
"An orthosis for the hock joint can be used to limit flexion and extension. It can also support and control joint instabilites in the frontal plane (looking at the joint from the front). Hock braces can be made rigid, to completely eliminate motion, or hinged, to allow motion within a specific range"
So right now, once again, we are fundraising. im pet siting two dogs right now and will save 200 from the 300 for her legs. I will also be working for a few days as a vet assistant/receptionist so ill put a more money away from that. We are also trying to organize a garage sale, and hoping some of our friends can donate some items/books etc they dont use anymore for it. Anyways Wish us luck, and lets hope that Hope will have a healthier/longer life.