Little Max was back at Liverpool yesterday and Vanessa was over the moon with him, she said I'd done a good job with his feet and that they are 80% better. She reduced the daily maintance to just once a day and shampoo once a week but if they flare I've to call her, she is also slowly reducing the steroids.
We also saw the orthopaedic guy who also fell in love with Max, he's so infectious. He agreed the pain relief is possibly masking the lameness so told us to stop it. He asked if he'd ever be lame before which I said he hadn't and that it was only since his feet have been sore. He said the fractured sesmoids in all his toes have been fractured a while even maybe from being a puppy and although it's not common some do manage whereas others show signs of lameness. He said to keep him on 30 min walks on soft ground but if at anytime he s lame to call him. He said they can remove the sesmoids but him and Vanessa would see this as a last resort due to Max weak immune system as he would be prone to infection and struggle to heal but he thinks like us that the lameness is more likely due to sore feet. One thing he did say was that it was lovely to see a Labrador with perfect elbows and hips, I said well I'm glad Max has something good going for him.
We have to take Max back to see both of them mid January, Vanessa did say that Max will never be discharged and will be a regular at Liverpool as you can never cure a skin problem but can manage it and that's why they will monitor it regularly to make sure it's kept under control. We can't speak highly enough of Vanessa she also has lovely nature with Max.
We feel more positive especially as Max is responding to treatment and he's such a good boy and just sits and lets me do whatever needs to done and then goes and sits looking for his sweet potato treat. He knows the rountinue and the main thing is he remains such a happy and lively boy and that's what matters.
Little Max sends you all some sloppy kisses and thanks you for thinking about him
Love
for you Amanda