Hip dysplasia advice

[Rhodri0311]

I'm so upset, I'm hoping some folks here may be able to give me some positive stories and perhaps reassure me a little.

We took Rhodri to the vet this morning as we've noticed an occasional bunny hop type limp in his back left leg.

The vet was able to do x-rays today and she has diagnosed hip dysplasia. To start with, she has put him on a course of painkillers/anti inflammatories and he has to have lead walks only for two months. We have a follow up appointment in four weeks.

I'd be grateful to hear from anyone who has experience of this with their furry friends. I'm devastated to be honest and I worry he's in pain. Although to look at him, you'd never believe there was anything wrong, he's like a lunatic running around and never seems stiff or yelps in pain.

[Mari]

So sorry to hear that! Depending on the degree a lot can be done to help the situation. Special diets or supplements with chondroitin, glucosamin and omega fatty acids can help any joint issue. There are different medications too that I'm sure the vet can inform you about. I currently have my dog on treatment with cartrophen (not the NSAID carprofen, but a newer drug). It helps joint issues and slows down the development of arthrosis which is something that happens in hip dysplasia. I have seen several dogs have great effect from this and it is supposedly with less side effects than NSAIDs when it comes to long term use. My dog doesn't have HD but she has a bad knee joint so same type of treatment options. This is the stuff I have her on at the moment:
http://www.cartrophen.com/for-dog-owners/what-is-cartrophen-vet/
http://www.vetplusglobal.com/products/synoquin-efa/
Good to hear he doesn't seem to have any problems. I knew a border collie with D-graded hips that lived to the age of 12, she was stiff and on medication the last years. But she lived a long, happy, active life despite her bad hips And remember cockers have the benefit of not weighing too much, this helps them when it comes to joint problems.

[PollySpaull]

Hiya,

Totally know what you're going through. How old is Rhodri now? I believe he's still very young? My Monty has been diagnosed with hip dysplasia. I first noticed it when he was waking for a nap and would seem slightly stiff behind for a few steps. Monty also bunny hops.

We took him to a specialist that went through all the options with us. Monty was probably just under a year old when he was diagnosed. The specialists were great and talked through all our options. He actually advised us against getting him operated on at the moment. Like your pup, he wasn't really showing any signs of actually being in pain. Monty has been having once weekly hydrotherapy sessions for about a year and he's never looked better. He's completely stopped being stiff and only to someone looking out for it can you notice that he walks slightly differently. (Think quite John Wayne-esque!) he has a prescription of metacam but we rarely give him any. I have been giving him yumove supplements every day for about a year too. It's honestly not the end of the world. Keep him lean, ensure he has a good diet (Monty is raw fed) and get him to some physio/hydro sessions.

Probably somewhere along the line Monty will have to have a full hip replacement - he also has early signs of arthritis due to the hip not sitting correctly, but with regular check ups we can keep an eye on him and see how he's going.

Any questions, just ask x

[bizzylizzy]

So sorry to hear that!! Can't really offer much advice, I only experienced it in my GSD, we didn't have it treated and it only really caused him problems in later life, he lived until he was 15.
Do hope Rhodri's isn't too serious and that it can be managed without having to have treatment yet.
  's

[BobnDot]

My daughter had a Maine Coon kitten diagnosed with hip dysplasia following an x-ray a few months after she'd got him.

She was advised to keep a close eye on his weight and to (try) and prevent him jumping too high while limiting his walks for a couple of months (he gets taken for walks in a cat harness and lead).

15 months on and the condition has almost completely resolved itself with his musculature developing to hold the hip in place and the joint is now showing very little slackness in a recent x-ray. He's had a few visits to a physio and now gets regular stretching and joint mobility workouts from my daughter at home.

It's looking as though he'll do quite well without surgery but that option will be there should the condition worsen in future.

Bob.

[FrankieBlue]

So sorry to hear about your poor boy - though he sounds blissfully unaware of any problem! How old is he?

Not sure if you are into the whole holistic thing, but there are some great supplements out there (the one we have for our pup with luxating patellas is made from green lipped mussels and has MSM, glucosamine, chondroitin, calcium, vit e, kelp, and magnesium. You could also try hydrotherapy or even chiropractic may be of help. May be worth exploring and could potentially give more relief than just pain meds alone. Good luck to you guys, so sorry you are going through this.


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[Rhodri0311]

Thank you everyone.

Rhodri is seventeen months old and we're now a week in with our lead only walks - it's hard work and poor Rhodri really must wonder why he isn't down at the beach meeting all his friends. We're trying to take him to places where he either had lead only walks before or where he's never been so he doesn't wonder why he can't go flying around.

We have another vet appointment in three weeks and I have lots of questions. I'm certainly going to ask about supplements and hydrotherapy - if it's referred by the vet, I believe that a certain amount of hydrotherapy sessions would be covered by insurance but even if they're not, we would pay for them if the vet thinks they would be beneficial.

The bunny hop limp is still evident when he picks up speed, not running but just trotting on the lead but it really doesn't seem to bother him. I'm trying to make him walk nicely but as you all know, the cocker is not a fan of lead walks!

[cazza]

Hi - loads of love n hugs 

Do a search on here as when i was here a good few years back someone went through this and had their dog operated on - I can't remember all the details but if I find the thread I will post it to you