change in disposition, longish.

[MomofMontana]

Our boy is 11 months old. He has had some trouble with his back legs after prolonged or vigorous running/play. The first incident occurred when I took him on a 20 minute job (for Montana it was a trot, for me it was a jog!). We got home and he could not move his back legs; he cried, and could not jump up on our chair, bed, etc. I took him to the Emergency Vet in the middle of the night as the crying was incessant and he was totally unable to use his back legs. They did not X-ray him but also noted no tears, etc, in the ligaments. I rested him and have not taken him running since (nor do I plan to). Additionally, we gave him prednisone as prescribed. We had a snow storm last weekend, and he was tearing it up outside in our back yard. Running, jumping--being a puppy. A few hours later, the same thing happened. Since this occurred in the same month, I had prednisone left over and put him back on the regimen. Do we need to keep him from exertion of any kind? Also, we have noticed a change in his personality. He is always very exeuberant but has taken to sleeping in his crate and is generally very subdued. He is eating (not tearing into his meal like usual, but eating his full servings) and has had normal BM's and pees. I am very worried. Called the vet and they said an X-ray may be in order but we not in a hurry to say it is early hip dysplasia. Please help; I am so concerned. If anyone can email me with suggestions, I would apprecaite it: XXXXXXXXXX. Thanks.

 

[matilda8255]

Called the vet and they said an X-ray may be in order

I think I would find another vet or insist on x-rays now. A change in temperment can occur when a dog has a medical issue. You already know something is wrong so why not INSIST your vet figure it out or go to a new one. I can't advise you on whether or not he should have activity because I have no idea what is wrong. But my guess would be no more activity until they figure it out. I don't want to scare you or anything but this could be very serious and I wouldn't stop trying to figure it out till I knew what was up.

but also noted no tears, etc, in the ligaments.

Unless an orthopedic saw your dog, I don't know how they would know this was true. I don't buy it.

prednisone as prescribed

Prednisone can cause a change in temperment and it is bad stuff, I wouldn't use it for very long, sort term use is ok.
Stephanie


PS...... FYI No e-mail addresses allowed. The moderator is going to erase it.

 

[Draymia]

I would find a vet that wants to know what is going on. This is not normal and there has to be a reason for the pain. His not eating is probably related to whatever is going on and sounds like he is in pain. Boxers can take a lot of pain without telling you, they hurt.

I would make an appointment and get this guy checked out.

 

[MomofMontana]

hip dysplasia

Thanks for suggesting we take Montana to the vet. He indeed has hip dysplasia (at 11 months). We are livid with the breeder. We specifically asked questions about testing before we bought him, and we feel duped by these people who sold him to us. They are offering us a refund but claim this is the first time it has ever happened to them. Montana is going to get a hip surgery (not the replacement, but the kind where they cut off the ball where it meets the socket). Does anyone have experience with this? We can not leave him hurting and without surgery since he is so young and has many years left to play and run. Again, thanks for your help.

 

[jaimie]

We had a dog when I was younger (it wasn't a boxer though) and he had surgery like that. I would get a second opinion especially considering how young your pup is. When my dog had his surgery done he was older (7 yrs old) but he ended up with arthritis, which is something you really don't want to deal with at this young age in your pups life. I don't know the kind of money you are going to put out and what is going to happen to your pup I would see an opinion of another vet, possibly a orthopedic vet. Good luck

Jaimie

 

[conn]

I am sorry to hear that:( but glad the vet diagnosed it early...ya know? Lots of hugs and kisses to Montana and good luck with surgery if that is what you decide to do.

 

[boxers4life2001]

I am sorry they diagnosed your baby with hip dysplasia. Poor little guy is so young:( I would diffently ask to be referred to an orthopedic specialist for a second opinion. They should be the one's performong the surgery so a consult before hand would just verify your vets diagnosis.

I have seen this type of surgery done many times (Femoral Head Osteotomy or FHO) All the dogs i've seen that had this procedure done have recovered very well. A few have had to have both sides done (months apart of course) and they also have done very well. Of course the recovery time is long and you have to restrict activity during this time. I have never come across an owner who regreted doing the surgery. Just make sure if surgery is really needed, it is performed by a board certified orthopedic surgeon. We do you plan on having the surgery? I hope your baby feels better soon. Please keep us updated on Montana!!!!

~Carrie~

 

[Sube Ru's mom]

I know EXACTLY the emotional turmoil you are going through. My subi was diagnosed with HD at 10 months. It was the worst case a vet of 10 YEARS had ever seen. I took her to 2 vets and a specialist. I would DEFINITLY take her to a specialist. The vets are great, but they do not have the training in this department that i specialist has. If you lived in MD i would tell you to see the one in Annapolis, they are one of the best!
Re: surgery, Subi was not eligible for ANY surgery. The TPO- arthritis had already set in, The Hip Replacement- she is too little, and the one that i THINK your dog is getting, Femoral Head Excisions, they did NOT recomend for her because she was too young, and they felt that it would do more harm for her then good, but that is a road we can talk about later.
i am going to give you some links and then i will tell you what i have done with Subi, A LOT!! of it depends on your dogs weight, that will play a HUGE role in the decision you make

http://www.cah.com/library/hipdysp.html
http://www.cvm.uiuc.edu/petcolumns/showarticle.cfm?id=45
http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/medical/medical-info.02.html#HD
http://www.lbah.com/Canine/hip_dysplasia.htm
http://www.ovrs.com/info/dysplasia.html

If you go to askjeeves and put in canine hip dysplasia it will give you a TON of links. The best advice i can give is to RESEARCH.

Subi is now 1 year and 10 months. We have lived with her HD for a year- man that went by quick. You will go through a lot of ups and downs and trials and errors. the best thing i can tell you is tooo start to read your dog, you will know when they are hurting. Subi has good and bad days but the good FAR outweigh the bad, i dont know how many people have found out about her severe HD and told me they didnt believe it.

This is what i have done for her
1. she has bailey- she still gets plenty of exercise playing with bailey
2. She gets Chondrotin & Glucosmine everyday!
3. She gets cosequin- prescribed by Dr.
4. She gets Herbal Ca
5. She has food that has Chondrotin and Glucomsime in it
6. WATCH THE WEIGHT!!! Subi is 47 pounds, when she was diagnosed she was 40 pounds, every time i take her to the Dr. i ALWAYS ask is her weight okay, it is fine because she is getting taller and it is not fat, but the dr. will tell you- WATCH THE WEIGHT!! just make sure the dog doesnt get too big (fat).
7. when he is in pain give him ascription- you can get this at the pharmacy over the counter- LIFE SAVER. Rimadyl has a lot of negative side effects and the one you said i haven't had any dealings with, but i can tell you ascription is great and what the specialist recommended.

If you need ANYTHING please let me know, i will help in any way i can.

 

[MomofMontana]

Thank you so much!

Thank you for all of your kind and helpful responses. We are awaiting a call from the orthopedic surgeon our animal hospital uses. We will take his consult into consideration, and then make a well-informed decision. If we do not find what we feel will be most helpful for Montana, I may be asking more questions about what is close to Central PA that is reputable and good (Annapolis is not too far!). Again, thank you for being so kind!

 

[Sube Ru's mom]

momofmontana- no problem what so ever. like i said i know what you are going through and will help in anyway i can.

did you look at some of those websites? i do not know of a specialist in PA but hopefully someone here does and can help.

If you decide to come to annapolis let me know. btw: how big is your boy? weight wise?