Hip Problems

[Dax]

Have any of you come across any websites with video(s) of dogs with hip problems. Hubby thinks Ariel might be starting.. I disagree.

[Lessica Jake]

This site will send you a video. They have a $10 optional donation.
http://www.offa.org/fulfillment.html

That's all I can find really. Tons of radiograph photos, but by the time you got those done, your vet would be able to tell you...

[Dax]

Thanks Lessica. I'll check it out as soon as I can. Too late tonite.

[weimlover0816]

We had a Golden Retriever with double hip displaysia, diagnosed at 6 months old. How is Dax acting? Does hubby think that her slower movement, etc are becuase of hip problems?

My advice: watch her carefully. What does she do when she's laying down and gets up... dogs with hip probelms will not use their back legs to aid them in standing, they will pull themselves up with their front. Even if they have only been laying down for a few seconds/minutes. What does she look like when she runs? Do her back legs move independently or does it look like they are just "trailing"? How does she sit? Do her hips/legs always fall to the side or does she sit like other dogs? Same thing about getting up after a sit, does she get up or pull up?

Just a few things to watch. I think she's just gettin' older, you know? Perhaps she has a bit of arthritis? I thought you mentioned once that she is on a glucosamine/chondroitin supplement.... if not, perhaps something to try.

and, again, hugs to her!

[GretaJack]

Gret's got HD in her right hip. She moves very well considering. Weim has a lot of good suggestions as to what to look for. Greta bunny hops alot when at a jog, but that is about all I ever see in her. She is on glucosamine and it seems to do wonders. I can tell if I forget to give it to her for a while.

Ariel is still young, right? Did her breeder give any hip certification? If so, get her x-rayed. If they come back with signs of degeneration the breeder should be able to offer you compensation as well as now you know how you should take care of her.

X-rays are about the only thing that is going to give you a conclusive answer. Gret's were not cheap but not bank robbing expensive either. Maybe about $200.00. Mind you this is just the vet's charge. Gret was already fixed so it was not like we were going to send them into the OFA.

[weimlover0816]

whoooopsie! I thought we were talking about DAX, didn't see that it was Ariel... my bad!


*embarassed*

[Dax]

Here's why there is some concern;

In the fresh snow when she walks she drags her back feet a little (like a shuffle)
Lately she's avoided the stairs. She still does them but not up & down like a maniac
She sits like fine and moves fine although she's kinda of goofy.

I was doing my research and think it's a growing phase that she may grow out of my 18 months. I wanted to show hubby a full blown case so he can see it.

[GretaJack]

I agree with you, and I think it is a growing phase. I have some spare time at work, I'll see what I can find here.

[Lessica Jake]

My first thought also was probably just growing. She's still little. Hehe. She may have a bit of joint stiffness from growth spurts or something. Just like people.

[Dax]

Growing spurt! She's getting very muscular now. Losing a lot of puppy flab. She runs all the time at the dog park with no hopping or excess stiffness. She's due for a yearly (on her birthday) in January. I'll have vet check again. I'm not breeding her so it's for her comfort only.