Dogs with hip dysplasia - any experiences??

[kdibattista]

I'm so upset. Our dog Toby (in my siggie) had xrays today and was diagnosed with hip dysplasia. He's only a little over a year old. The doctor said we have to keep his weight down and other then that, there is really nothing more we can do . I hope it doesn't escalate but I'm really worried because he's sooooo young. Does anyone have any experiences?

Thanks!!

 

[hemispheredancer]

Our last golden suffered from this. We tried Rimadyl and did not notice a difference. He lived 18 long years and the last straw was when he was in so much pain outside that when DH helped him up he snipped at DH. We knew it was time. We have another golden now and he will be 4 in May. I hope he doesn't suffer like Ben did.

 

[kdibattista]

Our last golden suffered from this. We tried Rimadyl and did not notice a difference. He lived 18 long years and the last straw was when he was in so much pain outside that when DH helped him up he snipped at DH. We knew it was time. We have another golden now and he will be 4 in May. I hope he doesn't suffer like Ben did.

Can I ask when it was diagnosed? He actually always favored his one leg but the doctor wanted to wait until he turned a year old to do xrays.

 

[poochie]

My lab was diagnosed at 6 mths. He does have some problems like he is afraid to climb stairs with snow and ice because he has to reve himself up to go up stairs. He fell once on the icy steps so we have to give him a quick boost before he will climb them. I found giving him treats with Glucosamie in them or pills with Glucosamine helps during bad times. Other than that he his a happy hound. He currently is 8 yrs old. Yes keeping his weight down is a challenge since he likes to snack and the whole family feeds him.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Have you talked to a nutritionist about his diet and supplements? I don't have personal exp with a dog with this but know a few people that had great success seeing a vet with nutrition and holistic exp. They found that certain supplements and diet changes often helped - as did things like acupuncture. The link between nutrition and health is amazing and shouldn't be downplayed. It's often cheaper to change nutrition then add drugs, too =)

My vet does homeopathics, Herbs, Bach Essences, VOM (Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation), Chiropractics, NAET, Contact Reflex Analysis, Nutritional, and Acupuncture in addition to conventional medication.

Finding a vet that does that, too, may offer some more things you can do at home or bring your poor baby some comfort.

**hugs**

 

[kdibattista]

Have you talked to a nutritionist about his diet and supplements? I don't have personal exp with a dog with this but know a few people that had great success seeing a vet with nutrition and holistic exp. They found that certain supplements and diet changes often helped - as did things like acupuncture. The link between nutrition and health is amazing and shouldn't be downplayed. It's often cheaper to change nutrition then add drugs, too =)

My vet does homeopathics, Herbs, Bach Essences, VOM (Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation), Chiropractics, NAET, Contact Reflex Analysis, Nutritional, and Acupuncture in addition to conventional medication.

Finding a vet that does that, too, may offer some more things you can do at home or bring your poor baby some comfort.

**hugs**

He's on Science Diet which is what the vet recommended. I would love to try a holistic vet but I wouldn't know where to start to look.

Thanks everyone!!!

 

[Aimeedyan]

He's on Science Diet which is what the vet recommended. I would love to try a holistic vet but I wouldn't know where to start to look.

Thanks everyone!!!

Agh, yep, you're seeing a traditional vet with little nutritional exp or education. Science Diet is very poor quality and very overpriced.

I see a holistic vet - she's the best of both worlds. Has a top notch education from a "regular" veterinary school and then went on to do more education and training in various areas, esp nutrition. Vets are given very very little nutritional training in school because they have SO much to learn already (much more than our docs!) and those classes are funded by Science Diet and other well known companies (they write the books for vet schools). They also give out free food to vet students =) Just like we don't see our primary care doc for nutritional advice the same goes for our animals.

But there are vets that don't buy the marketing scheme and educate themselves on nutrition and don't recommend the usual stuff. They are capable of giving nutritional advice and information out.

I found my vet through http://www.ahvma.org/ and she's wonderful. She costs the same as a traditional vet but has more education, exp, and much longer vet visits. We are there an hour or more going over everything about them each time so we really get our monies worth!

Good luck to your baby!! I know it's so painful to see an animal hurting =( Esp one so young. I hope you consider getting a 2nd opinion from a different kind of doctor to see if they have anything else to offer you could try.

 

[Feralpeg]

Our Golden Retriever, Scout, was diagnosed with dysplasia of both hips when she was six months old. At one year old, she had surgery one the worst hip. It was that or we would have had to have her put down. She was really bad. She managed, but was never able to do a lot of the things our other Golden could do. She had a lot of trouble with stairs. Poor Scout also had severe thyroid problems and, finally, congestive heart failure. We lost her at age seven. So sad. Although I'm sure she never felt great, she was the most loving and happy dog.

Best wishes for your puppy!