Hello everyone,
Just back from picking Piper up from the vets and it is not good news I am afraid
As I had suspected, she has hip displasia in her left hip. The vet described it as being 'moderate'. The good news is that she has an excellent right hip, so he said that at least she can rely on that a little bit more. Luckily Charlie was with me 'cos of course I did a real girly thing and had a little
(probably much to Mr Fraser's embarrassment!) and I'm having a little blub now as I type.......
The vet took time to discuss different options eg. hip replacement (also advising us that he would not recommend that at this point), walking regimes and weight control etc. which was really kind. We have had her on a diet and now it is more important than ever that we get her weight down a little bit more.
He has given her the following medication: Zubrin x 1 per day for 30 days and Synoquin supplements x 2 per day which would be a long term thing. I have to take her back in two weeks to see how we are getting along.
I called her breeder during the week to ask if her parents were hip scored (I know it's closing the door after the horse has bolted but....). Neither of them are. I asked how old Piper's mum was and this was debated between husband and wife for some time before they came up with 6.... The breeder did not even ask me what my name was or Piper's name that's how concerned/interested she was. I won't waste time going into how disgusted I feel 'cos you will probably be able to guess and it all goes back to that old chestnut - buy only from reputable, caring breeders.
Anyway, I will start surfing the web for advice on diet etc. in relation to hip displasia to see what I can do to help her, but if anyone has any advice then I would be grateful of it.
I feel upset because she has never been able to run that fast and at the North West meet it was really evident (although there was no limping or anything) that she could not keep up with the other Cockers and that makes me really sad :cry:
