Canine Hip Problem

[Guardian]

I took Bryn (my dog) to the vet today for a routine, annual physical. I'm also having him tested for the MDR1 mutation. My vet was a bit concerned with the way he runs, so she x-rayed his hips, and the news was not great, but not horrible either.

She said she'd like to see 60-70% of the balls in the sockets, and Bryn only has 45-50% of the balls in the sockets.

She said it's not too bad, she's seen a lot worse, and recommended "Glucosamine & Chondroitin" and fish oil (which he's already taking)

I've never had a dog with hip issues before, at least not until they got really old. Does anyone have any experience/recommendations?

ADMIN NOTE: changed header to better reflect focus of discussion.

 

[Guardian]

Re: Distressing Vet trip

I forgot to include the really distressing part...this could get worse since Bryn is only about a year old.

 

[Laura]

Re: Distressing Vet trip

Yes, I've seen dogs with hip problems - it's terrible. That's why I like to deal with a specific breed from a reputable breeder and can inspect the parents and pedigree. That way I know what I'm getting. I know all the positives about mutts and mixed-breeds, but I've seen plenty of them with serious issues too. I just know that I don't want to get super attached only to have my heart break.

I don't know what to advise you. I guess you just raise him, love him, and know that you may have to help him leave at some point or subject him to a lot of torture.

 

[Joe]

Re: Distressing Vet trip

Our dog, Sebastian, used to have pretty bad arthritis in his hips and joints. He had serious trouble getting up after lying down for a while and didn't like running too much. That was when he was on kibble. Not sure if you're feeding Bryn a raw meat diet. We give Sebastian and the other dogs minced chicken carcasses and some scraps (and some bone broth every other day). When we changed over with Sebastian he really got better (we also saw a lot of improvement in one other dog with similar issues but not so bad). We were also giving both of them some drops that the vet prescribed for arthritis (we added them to his food) but we used those only for about 6 months and then stopped and Sebastian and Laddie (the other dog) are still much improved. I can find out the name of the drops for you if you like. Not sure if hip dysplasia has any relation to arthritis, but I thought I throw out the food thing just in case.

 

[Guardian]

Re: Distressing Vet trip

Not sure if you're feeding Bryn a raw meat diet.

Yes, he has had nothing but raw meat since I got him at about 2 months.

We were also giving both of them some drops that the vet prescribed for arthritis (we added them to his food) but we used those only for about 6 months and then stopped and Sebastian and Laddie (the other dog) are still much improved. I can find out the name of the drops for you if you like.

YES please!

My vet said the absolute worse case scenario, if he got REALLY bad over the next few years, is hip replacement surgery (just like they do for humans) but she also said she doesn't think he will need that.

 

[Joe]

Re: Distressing Vet trip

We were also giving both of them some drops that the vet prescribed for arthritis (we added them to his food) but we used those only for about 6 months and then stopped and Sebastian and Laddie (the other dog) are still much improved. I can find out the name of the drops for you if you like.

YES please!

My vet said the absolute worse case scenario, if he got REALLY bad over the next few years, is hip replacement surgery (just like they do for humans) but she also said she doesn't think he will need that.

Well it's a French brand called "Meloxivet". Each milliliter contains 1.5mg of "meloxicam" and 1mg of sodium benzoate, which is just a preservative so the active ingredient seems to be the "meloxicam", you'll probably be able to find it where you are under some other name. Here's the lowdown on it.

 

[Guardian]

Re: Distressing Vet trip

I've been comparing Bryn's xrays to these:

http://veterinaryreferralsurgery.com/article_dysplasia.php

and I don't think his look so bad by comparison? It's hard for me to tell, you know that issue I have with my emotions...well it's pretty much in full bloom.

Of course his hips could get worse, which is why I'm researching ANYTHING that can keep them from deteriorating.

This did make me feel a little better. I want to do everything possible I can to avoid surgery,but if that becomes the only option...the prognosis is good.

Total hip replacement—This surgery is similar to total hip replacement in humans. The ball and socket are removed and replaced with implants. Success rates are high (95 percent) as optimal joint function is generally restored. Presently, this is the best surgical technique for correcting hip dysplasia in adult large-breed dogs. After a recuperation period, most dogs regain full, pain free hip function and live normal active lives.

 

[Guardian]

Re: Distressing Vet trip

Well it's a French brand called "Meloxivet". Each milliliter contains 1.5mg of "meloxicam" and 1mg of sodium benzoate, which is just a preservative so the active ingredient seems to be the "meloxicam", you'll probably be able to find it where you are under some other name. Here's the lowdown on it.

THANK YOU! I'm going to get some just in case. Fortunately, Bryn does not appear to be in any pain at all...at least not yet. His gait appears a little "loose" to her, but he doesn't act like anything is bothering him...yet.

 

[Gimpy]

Re: Distressing Vet trip

Our border collie/shepherd mix Dancer had full hip dysplasia on both sides. We found this out when she was just a puppy, which gave us time to take her around to different vets for ideas on how to treat it.

We couldn't afford to have the hip replacements done, so the vets we saw recommended fish oils, mild exercises, and swimming to
build up the muscles around her hips to support the bones. Her hip dysplasia was bad, the bones didn't rest in the sockets at all. Of all the things we did for her, the swimming helped the most. The water helped her exercise without putting any stress on her joints, and that made a big difference. We swam her once a week in summer, all summer long. In winter we kept her exercise gentler as she could fall if she got too excitable.

She lived to be 12 years old, passing from old age, not from bad hips.

Bryn's young, and you've caught the problem early. I think he's got every chance to live a good long time.

 

[Guardian]

Re: Distressing Vet trip

We couldn't afford to have the hip replacements done,

Yeah, I see it's an expensive surgery, but I've got a pre-ban AR15 that I could sell in a heartbeat that would cover most of it, IF it comes to that.

The water helped her exercise without putting any stress on her joints,

My vet also mentioned exercise in water, which presents me with another dilemma...finding a safe place to swim.

 

[realitybugll]

Re: Distressing Vet trip

swimming seems like a good idea. Gimpy's story is promising. Is the lake by where you live unsafe to swim in?

 

[Gimpy]

Re: Distressing Vet trip

My vet also mentioned exercise in water, which presents me with another dilemma...finding a safe place to swim.

What we did was this: when we knew someone with a pool, we'd get her a doggie life jacket, and take her to the pool to play 'ball'. That was usually good for a few weeks in summer, depending on who had the pool.

When there was no pool to use, we'd go to a swimming hole, or a public access, and get in there with her, again to play 'ball'. A few times we went to a river near the house here, but that was rare, and on very hot days when going anywhere else was not possible. Lakes were her favorite place to swim, as she could roll in sand and shake it all over me with much joy. She loved the traveling place to place. All we had to do was show her the life jacket and she was ready to go.

The one thing we did that didn't work? Taking her out on a pontoon boat, and jumping over the side. That did not go over well with her.
She stared at us like we were nuts, and refused to get off the boat.

 

[Guardian]

Re: Distressing Vet trip

swimming seems like a good idea. Gimpy's story is promising. Is the lake by where you live unsafe to swim in?

Yup, we were swimming there regularly when we both got "swimmer's itch" which was NOT pleasant!

 

[Guardian]

Re: Distressing Vet trip

What we did was this: when we knew someone with a pool, we'd get her a doggie life jacket, and take her to the pool to play 'ball'.

Bryn swims like a fish, the issue is finding safe, non toxic water for him to swim in.

 

[Gimpy]

Re: Distressing Vet trip

This is a pretty 'out there' suggestion: find a back hoe, dig a hole, line it with pool liner, fill it up, and swim?

It might even work to get some kind of horse trough, if one can be found deep enough?