Possible hip dysplasia???

[bizzylizzy]

Hi all. Ever so sorry for my delay in response, it's been a mad fee weeks!
Had the behaviourist in on Tuesday afternoon, she gave me some great strategies for boundaries, manners etc and trying tonreduce his aversion to touch. She also helped me learn how to give him chance to use his natural prey instincts in a productive way which dosnt mean he uses his teeth so much. All very positive. She manipulated his hips for me and he did react BUT for 2 days we've been using a boundary mat game, and for 2 days he's put his harness on far better and I've not been nipped so much! Feeling very positive. 
I went back to the vets, they still think it's hip dysplasia however I'm really not convinced and don't fancy putting him through the stress of xrays etc if he's not in pain so I've decided to see how he goes.

So glad the behaviourist has been able to help and that you‘re feeling more positive about dealing with the problem. Thanks for the update! Would be interested to learn how the situation with Leo‘s hips develops, please keep us posted!

[Aimeetess]

I went back to the vets, they still think it's hip dysplasia however I'm really not convinced and don't fancy putting him through the stress of xrays etc if he's not in pain so I've decided to see how he goes.

When you say they extend his hind leg, as in they extend it right back behind him so its straight?

[PennyB]

Be aware though that some dogs don't show pain in the way you expect - Lady my working cocker oldie went through a lot before she showed pain (only time she has is when her hip dislocated) - one of her hips on x-ray is quite badlly diseased from arthritis and probably had been so for longer than we thought. I would reivew the situation regularly if I were you, as there may be physio remedies that could help if there was an impending issue that could be rectified (physio I see with the dogs can work on helping realign minor cases so that it doesn't ge worse)

[Leo0106]

Hi aimeetess yes they extend it right behind him so it is straight.
And thankyou pennyb and bizzylizzy. 
I am worried that he is not a dog that will show pain.. I plan on going back to the vets in no more than 6 months to revisit the situation. I know a very good physio lady so am keen to explore that aswell however she will only take vet referrals. My vets will only refer if he has a diagnosis. So will wait and see

I've worked SO HARD since tuesday, the 'boundary mat' game is proving incredible... I've had him in the kitchen with me at dinner time for the last 3 nights and he's not jumped up once! Neither has he nipped me during touch or play. (Except last night when I decided it would be a good idea to try and stop his time out time in the kitchen and he got incredibly worked up!)

I am praying this is the road to recovery.. feeling very positive

[PennyB]

you don't always need a diagnosis - my vet referred me for physio when he couldn't work out what was wrong with one of mine but wasn't severe enough for referral to an orthopod so he referred me to the physio as he knew she was getting good results

you can also self refer/force your vet's hand - basically speak to physio and ask them for a form for your vet to sign (our locum didn't believe in stuff like physio etc. and my own vet was on a long holiday back in Oz so clinic said we could do it another way  )

[Leo0106]

Ahh thanks penny, I'll certainly look into that then!

[Leo0106]

Well, to confirm my fears thus far... besides his beautiful behaviour the past few weeks etc.. I have observed Leo 'bunny hopping' near the end of a walk every day this week.
In addition tonight and last night he has been sleeping happily and waking up suddenly and biting or knawing at his hind legs.. gutted as I was really hoping there was nothing wrong but looks like I'll need to get some tests done..

I really don't fancy putting him under GA for an x-ray, my trainer mentioned a lady that does thermal imaging?? Does anyone have any experience of this?

Also, and this may sound like I'm pulling at straws. But I did watch another spaniel the other day who Leo was playing with, and did notice that he too bunny hopped. I didn't get chance to ask the owner about it but wondered whether anyone knows of spaniels bunny hopping regardless?

[Rhodri0311]

I mentioned in my earlier post that Rhodri has mild hip dysplasia - he's had X-rays and been checked over by a specialist vet but he still has a bunny hop quite frequently.

The specialist could not find any reason for the hop and said that the hip dysplasia is so slight that at this stage it shouldn't cause him any concern.

We're just monitoring Rhodri at the moment - I am 100% sure that it doesn't bother him, he runs like a loon, is never stiff getting up and is always happy.

Hope you get to the bottom of it xx

[bizzylizzy]

I mentioned in my earlier post that Rhodri has mild hip dysplasia - he's had X-rays and been checked over by a specialist vet but he still has a bunny hop quite frequently.

The specialist could not find any reason for the hop and said that the hip dysplasia is so slight that at this stage it shouldn't cause him any concern.

We're just monitoring Rhodri at the moment - I am 100% sure that it doesn't bother him, he runs like a loon, is never stiff getting up and is always happy.

Hope you get to the bottom of it xx

Just wondered if either of you have noticed its worse in the morning (as it is in Humphrey‘s case)? I have a feeling it seems more evident when he‘s been lying for a long time. Very occasionally, if he gets up to go out into the garden, there are 3 tiny steps to the lawn, he‘ll hop with both legs. Its almost as if he‘s lain on a nerve and its gone numb .......most of the time its just his right leg though

[Rhodri0311]

I mentioned in my earlier post that Rhodri has mild hip dysplasia - he's had X-rays and been checked over by a specialist vet but he still has a bunny hop quite frequently.

The specialist could not find any reason for the hop and said that the hip dysplasia is so slight that at this stage it shouldn't cause him any concern.

We're just monitoring Rhodri at the moment - I am 100% sure that it doesn't bother him, he runs like a loon, is never stiff getting up and is always happy

Hope you get to the bottom of it xx

Just wondered if either of you have noticed its worse in the morning (as it is in Humphrey‘s case)? I have a feeling it seems more evident when he‘s been lying for a long time. Very occasionally, if he gets up to go out into the garden, there are 3 tiny steps to the lawn, he‘ll hop with both legs. Its almost as if he‘s lain on a nerve and its gone numb .......most of the time its just his right leg though

Rhodri occasionally hops when he's in the garden but mostly it's when he's pottering around on his long lead - short lead walking and off lead running around, there never seems to be an issue. I've never noticed it first thing in the morning and he never seems stiff or has trouble jumping up on anything.

[Leo0106]

Yes can't say I've noticed it in the morning... he is very placid in the mornings and spends most of the time wanting to sleep. I tend to notice the bunny hop when he is off lead and has been running about for a while..
I can't say that he's in pain he's certainly never whimpered and I don't think he struggles to get up or lay down etc..
I am definitely going to get him scanned in the new year just to rule it all out but I am hoping I'm just being a worrying mum and there's nothing wrong with him

[Pearly]

I’ve only just caught up on this thread

My first thought is that a dog holding a front paw is sometimes an indication of a chest injury (ribs or muscle) and may well be to do with him discovering the stairs 

Exhibiting pain at his rear end, as you’ve already pointed out could be one of many causes.  If it was HD I’m pretty sure you would see it more frequently given the apparent severity - he would also be a very grumpy boy (lip / nose licking, arched back etc) - my first dog had very severe HD.

I would suggest finding a chiropractor and having a chat with them.  It is possible he’s caught a nerve in his spine that would give the symptoms you describe (Coral had an occasional limp and cramp in one rear leg which we are pretty sure was a trapped nerve - she had X-rays and in manipulating her hip joints it seems to have freed up her back/movement).  At the very least they will be able to tell, from feeling his hip joints if they think this is the cause.

Hope it’s nothing more than a trapped nerve

Jayne
X

[Leo0106]

Hi Jayne,
Thankyou for your reply. I feel as though I am constantly between a rock and a hard place... I know he's not the type of dog to show pain but then he also does some behaviours that make me think he is telling me he's in pain.
I struggle with the vets because their go-to is to put him under anaesthetic and investigate but I don't like the trauma that puts him through.. 
I also feel stupid sometimes because I have also been a little hypervigilant with his health (I justify this as he had a tumor at a very young age) but I feel like the vets look at me like I'm just being a drama queen haha.

I guess I've just got to suck it up and rule anything out with the relevant tests to put my mind at ease... it's like most things though.. notice one thing and then can't stop overthinking every movement he makes!

My mum says if I paid attention to my own health as much as I do with the dogs then I wouldn't be bedridden with flu right now 

[bizzylizzy]

  oh yes, I think that applies to a lot of us, - its called loving your dog,
Hope you‘re feeling better soon!