Hip Dysplasia - Know the Symptoms and Treat the Disease Faster

[Heather]

Originally Posted by ArchandEbs

Try not to worry. You've done the right thing and have referred her to an expert. Arch used to cry out and he limped.

Sometimes people can put things into your mind and you see things that aren't there. Try not to worry (easier said than done) and wait and see what your vet says.

You're doing everything for her and she's lucky to have such a kind and caring owner.

Thanks for that

[maxandskye]

Originally Posted by Heather

Jenny ,I'm confused. Do you mean the vet would or wouldn't be able to tell from touch alone? Sorry if I'm being a bit thick here.

Sorry Heather after reading it through again its not clear what I mean.

What I meant to say is that I carnt see that the Vet would be able to tell from touch alone, surely the vet would need to x-ray for this type of diagnosis.

I hope that I have made myself clear hun.

Could you send some of your nice weather up here please ?

Jenny.

[Heather]

Originally Posted by maxandskye

Sorry Heather after reading it through again its not clear what I mean.

What I meant to say is that I carnt see that the Vet would be able to tell from touch alone, surely the vet would need to x-ray for this type of diagnosis.

I hope that I have made myself clear hun.

Could you send some of your nice weather up here please ?

Jenny.

That's what I thought too, Jenny. I might ask the vet to have a look a Kira walking next week when she goes for her rabies jab and microchip.
The weather's been a bit iffy here the last couple of days so sorry can't help you in that department lol

Thankyou for some great references on Hip Dysplacia. I didn't know much about the condition,but feel well informed now.
My puppy,who is 5mths old has the onset of hip dysplacia and will be monitored as she gets bigger.
She has grown too quickly and is at least 3inches to big for her age at the mo.
I bought her from ppl without really knowing anything about the parents scores etc. We just wanted her as a pet so i wasn't that bothered at the time.
She has had one op already on her front leg,and is due to have another one on the other front leg in a mths time,plus the hip dysplacia......it has been quite alot to take in.
The cost is already over £3,000......although that isn't my real concern,i just want her to have a chance and to live a long and pain free life.
The up side is that the vet thinks we have caught her problems young and so she should make a full recovery........fingers crossed that she does cause shes a really nice dog,and is loved very much!
Thanks anyway for the infox

[LOVEGSD]

Welcome to the forum and I'm so sorry to hear your little furball has already been through so much, I hope she continues to grow stronger....xx

[ArchandEbs]

Sorry to hear about her condition. As you'll see my boy Arch has awful hips 34, 36 was the last score when he was 2 (I think - it was a long time ago).

He's 10 now and doing well - I only use metacam occassionally. He's on herbal supplements.

Your puppy is so lucky to have found such a kind and caring owner. What's her name?

Her name is Sky. I just feel really sorry for her having to go through so much so young. I know its for the best and will give her a chance at a pain free life but nothing prepares you for that face when you see them after an operation.
Its like looking after a baby,i have been holding a chew for her so she can knaw on it,and bringing her water to her so she doesn't have to move so much in the first few days after her op.
Today is the third day and although she does cry out in pain when she moves her leg into the wrong position she seems to be looking alot better.
Some ppl would say that i am putting her through these operations and possibly will loose her at the end of it....but what other choice do i have?!
If she was an old dog then maybe it would be different but at 5mths i think she still has a chance.
Guess i feel a bit guilty sometimes,and then happy because i hope i am doing the right thing by her. Its a difficult situation and she is my 1st german shepherd,although i did grow up with them,so i knew the possibilities of problems,but just not to this extent.

Would a vet spot this if the dog was going in for something else?
I believe our friends GSD has this but they aren't aware, he rolls his hips very noticeably, so much so that even my sons who have been brought up with dogs in our home and are still only 11 and 13 have mentioned it to me after we have been out with them.
I don't want to go scaring them if it's just a breed thing that i have never been familiar with.

[LOVEGSD]

Yes a vet should spot problems, have your friends not noticed?? I would suggest a trip to the vets if they're concerned, it's not worth leaving it.

Well, one of my lads couldn't help it and said something about it, it was kind of brushed off as if they are ignorant to it or they are playing it down. I will continue to try and confirm and maybe help them to recognise it.
Is there any truth in the rumour that they shouldn't have very long walks or too much vigorous exercise until a certain age?