Bella’s Story – Hip dysplasia, Total Hip Replacement and Sciatic Nerve damage
Bella is a stunning Labrador who is the most loving girl ever.
Bella was started life as a working girl, and when she retired she was adopted by her mum and dad. But straight away, Bella’s parents noticed something wasn’t right and took her to their vets. Bella was diagnosed with hip dysplasia in both hips [and elbows?] and her right? Hip needed an urgent hip replacement. This is unfortunately where Bella’s luck ran a little dry.
Through no-ones fault, Bella’s first surgery sadly failed and her new hip dislocated only 2 days after surgery. The amazing vet team managed to repair her hip, but she was left with damage to her sciatic nerve and was unable to use her leg.
This is when I first met Bella [how long post surgery] and we set to work trying to repair the damage nerve and helping Bella learn how to use her leg again. It was uncertain whether her sciatic nerve would fully heal but her parents where dedicated and worked incredibly hard. And in only [how long], Bella was fully recovered with full use of her leg; you can’t even tell anything was wrong in the first place!
Bella now has maintenance physiotherapy sessions every 6 weeks to slow the progression of arthritis in both of her hips and to keep an eye on her left back leg. She is loving the retired life and loves nothing more than snacking and sleeping like the Labrador she is.
Keep up the good work Bella!