My baby has hip displasia.... need info!!!

[vichy]

My baby has hip dysplasia.... need info!!!

Yesterday we went to the vet to x-ray Busters foot that he broke two months ago. We wanted to check that everything was ok!!! The vet also took a shot of his hips which turned out to be in a very bad condition. His left leg is almost out of it´s place and also turns out the leg is shorter than the other.

The vet has given us two option: operation NOW as within a month or wait until he gets problem which can been anytime. Buster doesn´t show ANY signs of having pain or problems now.

I am afraid a major surgery with inconvalecense and rehabilitation and maybe more surgery, keeping him still for 4-6 months will do him more damage than good right now. What will all this do to his 8 month old puppy brain???

Has anyone been through something like this, need help to think right now!!!
Best regards Vicky

 

[Cami]

I personally would opt for NO surgery at this time as Buster is not showing any signs of pain. I know that hip dysplasia is something that gets progressivly worse but surgery for no symptoms seems a little like jumping the gun, IMO. Perhaps a consult with your vet that is a little more indepth (or a second opinion) is warranted.

I have also heard that some x-rays will show hip dysplasia but the dog NEVER shows symptoms. I don't know how common that is but I have heard of it.

I hope that you find the answers you need to help Buster.

 

[vichy]

Thank you for your answer Cami.... I consulted another vet and he also opted for the no operation at this time so we will just wait the problem out and cross our fingers that it will take many years yet!!! I have bought some kind of fishpowder tto give Buster that is supposed to help his joints.

 

[tootsie]

I totally agree with Cami on this one. My Buster was also diagnosed with hip dysplasia at 9 months of age. At the time he was showing signs of something being wrong, but I still opted for no surgery at that time. He has been on glucosamine pills ever since, and he is doing great. He is now 5 1/2 years old. We still have an occasional accident when he plays too rough, but then we just put him on deramaxx, ( an anti inflammatory) for about a week and he is fine. You will probably never have a jogging partner in Buster, but you can still go for short walks. Just take it day by day, and maybe get a second opinion. This vet seems to be pushing for surgery a little too fast, Especially since he shows no signs of pain or problems. Good Luck to you and Buster..... By the way, love the name!

 

[Angie K]

My male does not have Hip Displacia but he has a rod in his leg from before we rescued him. He was hit by a car and broke the leg. He is 3yrs old. No evidence of Arthritis yet but I started to give him Missing Link Plus. It has lots of good stuff in it for skin coat etc but it also has Glucosamine in it. So far great results and no Limping etc.

My good friend has two labs that have Hip Displacia and as soon as she found out she started them on a supplement called Synovi MSM that was recommended by her vet. Her female is now 8yrs old has some stiffness getting up and down in the few months they call Winter down here in Florida. Otherwise her male at 5yrs is like a pup and they both still run around great. Her vet swears by this stuff.

IMO I would not go for surgery. Try the natural supplements first other than the Meds like remedel etc. The naturals have nothing but good side effects.

 

[boxer]

Hmmm - how did the vet x-ray his hips? Doing those at the same time as his foot seems a little odd to me. I wouldn't have thought he'd have been given an anasthetic/heavy sedative for a foot x-ray, yet that is generally required to x-ray for hip dysplasia. The reason for that is that the dog needs to lie perfectly still, on it's back, with hips spread at a rather awkward and uncomfortable angle to be able to get a clear shot of the hip joint. Generally a sedative is required to get the dog to co-operate.

So is that what happened? If not, then the x-ray can't really be considered reliable and you would need a specialist to examine the dog (and take the required x-rays) to be sure of that diagnosis. I wouldn't panic about it unless/until proper x-rays have been done to determine the existance and severity of his dysplasia. Is he even showing signs of dysplasia? With a dog so badly off as you've been told, he shouldn't be walking or running normally...

 

[sashamom]

My Telmar was also diagnosed 2 weeks ago with hip dysplasia at 21 months and we were advised NOT to do surgery. He said it would only last 2 years at the most and would have to be done again with little success rate on the second time. Also very costly at 5-6000 per hip....
Get a second and third opinion. I feel luckly to have a vet that is quite honest and up front. My baby is so stiff and sore from running today....I wonder about getting him some kind of anti-inflammatory meds....vet said to use meds as a last resort later, because his body would not only become immune to those drugs, but also the side affects typically shut down vital organs like kidneys and liver(just like human meds)!
Let me know what you find out....i would be interested in your progress too!
Sloppy kisses and warm boxer vibes headed your way!

 

[vichy]

Happy New Year to all of you and thank you so much for your answers.

I am really glad to get all this information and I am also happy to learn that your dogs are doing so well dispite some of them having bad hips and joints. I will definately try to find some glucosamine to give Buster seems like a very good thing. He does have a very stiff hip sometimes when he has been sleeping and are getting up, especially now when it has got cold in HKG. It seems like he is doing better when he is moving around although we don´t take him for hourly walks anymore. We still want him to be a puppy though...

Boxer, the vet did sedate him but I still wish that he is wrong and we will take another x-ray next month when we neuter him (Buster NOT the vet!!!)

Sashasmom, I am sorry to hear about Telmar but we both has to keep our finger crossed that our dogs will do as good as Tootsíe´s Buster or Angie K´s friends two labradors.......

Buster would like to send you all big boxer hugs and kisses and say thank you for being concerned about his hip problem. We would like to wish you all the best for 2005!!! / Vicky and Buster