Hips

[Reyven]

Loki has always been put together kind of 'odd'. He's always had some hip issues; limping sometimes, yelping if he lands wrong while playing, etc.
He is still active and jumps around and goes on walks and plays, but sometimes he is sore in his hips and doesn't want to do much. He is only 4, almost 5.

We give him a joint supplement sometimes, I told my husband to start giving him one in the morning with his food instead of periodically. He has also lost some weight, so we are trying to keep him on the 'thin' side, for less weight on his hips. And besides walking and jogging occasionally he isn't too active, but he still jumps around.

Is there anything else we can do for 'preventative maintenance' to help keep him pain free and keep his hips in working condition? He had x-rays when he was 2, but my mom took him then, and I can't remember what was wrong. I have a feeling he is going to either get bad arthritis or hip displaysia eventually, but I'm trying not to think too hard on that right now!

This is the joint supplement he is on now:
Supplement
Does anyone know if this is good, or anybody know of anything better I could give??
(And no he is not in pain all the time, so a vet trip wouldn't help anything unless to get new x-rays. I am thinking about doing x-rays again once he turns 6, unless things change between now and then)

Thanks!

[borzoimom]

I like glycoflex better for general joint or surgery problems. what Is wrong with him?

[golden&hovawart]

Water-therapy would help a lot or just swimming!.
What about acupuncture,that could also help!.

[Reyven]

I'm not sure what exactly is wrong, I think it's just the way he was 'built'. Like maybe his hips sometimes 'pop out' of joint and it's sore for a time. Or he gets stiff. I'm not sure to tell the truth. It's not consistent or constant, it's just sometimes after he's playing or sometimes a day after he plays, but again, not all the time...
I don't think we have any of that 'high-tech' stuff where I am. I'm in a small town in GA right now. Maybe when I get to CO I'll have some luck with that....but he isn't overly fond of water, so that would be interesting! Acupuncture would be interesting as well, as he really doesn't like the vets office and people sticking him with needles *L*

[borzoimom]

Is it his hips or patellas? Slipped patellas are painful and they need surgery. what did the vet say it was?

[Reyven]

Well the x-rays were done when he was 2, so that was a while ago, so I'm not sure what the vet said. When I was home for leave I tried to read the vet's writing, and really couldn't *L* Even after working for him for 2 years I still have trouble reading it. But I do know they took x-rays of the hips, and hips was mentioned in the writing on the records, that much I do know. and there wasn't anything mentioned then about needing surgery.
Unfortunately the vet he used to go to is in VA, not GA and as I'm not home right now I couldn't tell you.

I may be able to have my husband try and look at the records and let me know what it says via email, but it could be a couple days until I get it.

BTW, I looked up some info on Glycoflex, and it looks like a great product! Thank you for the tip!