Going for x-ray tomorrow... HD?

Louise · #1 15-11-11, 03:53 PM

... My wee pup, Columbo is going for an x-ray tomorrow. He's slipped a few times and let out quite a yelp... unbearable to listen to. Dad took him to the vet and said she could feel one of his joints was a little loose but she would need an x-ray to confirm HD. She also said, it could just be him growing and that he could grow into it, so we thought we'd give it a few weeks .. see how he goes. But yesterday he just kind've went over so we decided to get the x-ray.

I've noticed, that when he runs that he bunny hops. I don't have him out running on a daily basis as he's only 5 months but I ran him for a minute just to see his movement. Plus, I'm not fit enough to go any distance! Lol! Also, at times he stands with his hind legs close together.

Like I said, he is only [almost] 5 months and I don't know if we're just reading too much into things.

Apart from those signs he seems to be fine. He would LOVE to get off the lead for a good run around and he doesn't appear to have any problems jumping... yes, he's a bit of a jumper and can reach the kitchen counter with ease!

But what I really want to know is, is it too soon to get an x-ray... at 5 months?

Thanks

Tedsmum · #2 15-11-11, 04:39 PM

As far as I know they can change a lot as they grow, that is why they usually wait until they are mature to hip score dogs.
However, I think you are doing the right thing by having him done now. It will give you some information as to what is going on inside and if there is nothing to worry about, it will stop you worrying.
Good luck and be sure to let us know what happens. x

wildmoor · #3 15-11-11, 04:41 PM

he is too young to be scored - but not to be xrayed
what lines is he

super D · #4 15-11-11, 06:22 PM

Aw hope the little fella is ok hun xxx

LOVEGSD · #5 16-11-11, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by super D

Aw hope the little fella is ok hun xxx

Seconded

Sully Monster · #6 16-11-11, 12:38 PM

Aww bless him, hope he is ok

Louise · #7 17-11-11, 02:41 PM

Well, got him back from the vet last night.

According to the vet he has HD, right hip. He said his joints might grow together ... I'm not an expert but what reading I've done on the subject, I didn't think it was something that is grown into? Anyway, he said that could happen but because of the wear and tear NOW, it could develop into arthritis later on.

I'm so sad for him... we've been told to keep exercise to a minimum - short walks (which is all we've been doing anyway) and if we have to or really want to have him off the lead (apart from the garden we haven't done this yet) then to keep it to 10 - 15 minutes. And the hard part is... all he wants to do is run! He's itching to get out there and get off the lead. And he's so young

We have a wooden floor (which we only got a year ago!) and I'm off at the weekend to get a piece of carpet to make things a bit safer for him. We're not re-carpeting altogether, just enough for him to have a play.

You know, we know that this is a common illness with GSD's and we expected it somewhere down the line, when he was older... just not now.

I'm annoyed with myself too, we didn't ask the breeder for hip-scores. We were half way home when I realised. And they stupid thing is, we knew we should have. I wouldn't change him for the world now tho, and I'm not angry that he has HD, I'm just sad cos I don't want to think of him in pain or discomfort.

Anyway, that's him diagnosed.

I'm also not sure - should I contact the breeder? Not that I'd be sending him back or anything - but should I make them aware of this (if they don't already have a good idea?).

Jude · #8 17-11-11, 03:34 PM

I am sorry that the news is not what you wanted to hear but it need not all be doom and gloom. At 4 months your pup's hip joints are still developing (in fact if all pups were x-rayed at that age a great many of them would show some signs of HD as the growth rate of a large breed pup often means that at some stages of development there appears to be a degree of HD). This is one of the reasons why those who buy large breed pups are advised to restrict exercise until they have stopped growing, and in particular to avoid long walks on the lead as this tends to force an unnatural gait, which can then add to hip development problems. Free running/playing in the garden or a secure area is fine and is advised but in this situation a pup has the opportunity to stop of lie down if/when tired and does not have to continuously walk at an unnatural pace. Often mature .dogs that show quite severe HD on x-ray never show any symptoms at all and lead a normal active life

Jude · #9 17-11-11, 03:37 PM

You say that the vet said that his joints might grow together - this is exactly what I am talking about and restriction of exercise now could well mean that he never has problems even though his hips are not "perfect" - Very few dogs have perfect hips!

kita · #10 17-11-11, 08:11 PM

Is there any further treatment?

Are you being referred to a specialist?

If you restrict the exercise too much then the muscles will not be able to build up properly - plus you will have one insane dog to deal with!

I would let him free run as much as he wants to, especially on grass and soft surfaces, I would only restrict exercise on lead.

I took on a rescue that turned out to have really bad HD (she had virtually no hip joints and according to the x-ray should not have even been walking). She had been confined to a shed from the age of six months to a year, not because of the HD but because they could not be bothered to walk her. All her feet were splayed out and her claws overgrown, she stood with her back legs together and bunny hopped, her back end was so weak she shook. Once she came to me she had free running with my other dogs, hours spent playing on the beach and fields. She soon became strong on her back end and used to go over small pony jumps in the fields, run flat out on the sand and had the time of her life. She was diagnosed with HD because I had her x-rayed for something else and they did the hips while she was under. The vet started telling me about restricting her walks etc. until I stopped him dead and showed him a photo of her on the beach, he then said 'just keep on doing what you are doing'.

If the vet is that worried that he is advising restricting the exercise to that extent then I would expect him to be referring me to a specialist.

You may find this interesting (especially the reply by GSDOWNER):

http://www.mygermanshepherd.co.uk/fo...ps-update.html

Sue