Canine Hip Problem
- Thread starter Guardian
- Start date
realitybugll
Jedi Council Member
Re: Distressing Vet trip
interesting, swimmers itch. must have been awful! I did some generic searches ; one article would seem to imply Bryn would be safe if if the water temp is below 60.
there should be a time of year --before and after winter-- that you would get this water temperature 50-60 range. That's a bit cool for humans, but I think a dog with enough fur could enjoy that.
interesting, swimmers itch. must have been awful! I did some generic searches ; one article would seem to imply Bryn would be safe if if the water temp is below 60.
there should be a time of year --before and after winter-- that you would get this water temperature 50-60 range. That's a bit cool for humans, but I think a dog with enough fur could enjoy that.
Guardian
The Cosmic Force
Re: Distressing Vet trip
That's exactly what I was thinking. Bryn is VERY furry, and loves the snow, and I used to swim in the ocean year 'round when I lived on the coast, so we should be able to swim safely Oct/Nov - Feb/Mar? I guess I will start monitoring water temps.
I'm looking at pools on Craigslist for the other half of the year.
wetroof said:
That's exactly what I was thinking. Bryn is VERY furry, and loves the snow, and I used to swim in the ocean year 'round when I lived on the coast, so we should be able to swim safely Oct/Nov - Feb/Mar? I guess I will start monitoring water temps.
I'm looking at pools on Craigslist for the other half of the year.
Re: Distressing Vet trip
As Gimpy said, the pool sounds like a great idea for little Bryn. Our first, who had parvo as a pup, developed sore hips, partially we though then, cause he had a hard time with deep snow (and he loved snow), so it was something to monitor and try to avoid those conditions, not to mention slippery ice.
As Gimpy said, the pool sounds like a great idea for little Bryn. Our first, who had parvo as a pup, developed sore hips, partially we though then, cause he had a hard time with deep snow (and he loved snow), so it was something to monitor and try to avoid those conditions, not to mention slippery ice.
Re: Distressing Vet trip
In Australia there is a product called "Sasha's Blend" which is an all natural treatment for animal joint health. It contains a blend of green-lipped mussel powder, abalone powder and shark cartilage. We use it and have another friend who uses it on her dog all with solid results. Worth a look for your doggy. Google the name and it is an easy find. Good luck :)
In Australia there is a product called "Sasha's Blend" which is an all natural treatment for animal joint health. It contains a blend of green-lipped mussel powder, abalone powder and shark cartilage. We use it and have another friend who uses it on her dog all with solid results. Worth a look for your doggy. Google the name and it is an easy find. Good luck :)
Re: Distressing Vet trip
I am sorry, Guardian, that your dog has this problem. At least it doesn't look really bad, but then, as you said, he is only one year old. But you can definitely take preventive measures and it should turn out all ok.
I looked at the Merck Vet Manual, and that's pure mainstream manual, mind you, but they also say that it's beneficial to strengthen the muscle tone and do some antiarthritic treatments, through certainly not with corticosteroids. Better to go with natural remedies and proper diet here. Here is the snapshot of the page.
Gimpy said:
I am sorry, Guardian, that your dog has this problem. At least it doesn't look really bad, but then, as you said, he is only one year old. But you can definitely take preventive measures and it should turn out all ok.
I looked at the Merck Vet Manual, and that's pure mainstream manual, mind you, but they also say that it's beneficial to strengthen the muscle tone and do some antiarthritic treatments, through certainly not with corticosteroids. Better to go with natural remedies and proper diet here. Here is the snapshot of the page.
shellycheval
The Living Force
Re: Distressing Vet trip
Vets often give the worst case scenarios (because they have to)--as young as he is, I think, like Gimpy pointed out, there is an excellent chance this can be positively regulated or even naturally outgrown. It has been my experience with horses, dogs, and myself that increasing a mild exercise like walking, to strengthen the ligaments and muscles around the joints, can make a huge difference in improving and maintaining joint function. Most "domesticated" humans and their animals in modern settings don't get the amount of exercise required by nature. Regular walking, in addition to finding a way to swim your dog, will help, but I know the hills where you are at can make it difficult on your knees as while as his hips--maybe going two or three times a week to some nearby flat-er park paths or boardwalk can be included in his strengthening program--walking in public places is also a good way to socialize dogs too.
This may well be a case that resolves itself as he grows. It is easy to say "don't panic" when it is not your loved one, but breathe deep and slow and have faith in the remarkable ability of the body to heal itself, in addition to the help you are so willingly giving. Good luck dear.
shellycheval
Vets often give the worst case scenarios (because they have to)--as young as he is, I think, like Gimpy pointed out, there is an excellent chance this can be positively regulated or even naturally outgrown. It has been my experience with horses, dogs, and myself that increasing a mild exercise like walking, to strengthen the ligaments and muscles around the joints, can make a huge difference in improving and maintaining joint function. Most "domesticated" humans and their animals in modern settings don't get the amount of exercise required by nature. Regular walking, in addition to finding a way to swim your dog, will help, but I know the hills where you are at can make it difficult on your knees as while as his hips--maybe going two or three times a week to some nearby flat-er park paths or boardwalk can be included in his strengthening program--walking in public places is also a good way to socialize dogs too.
This may well be a case that resolves itself as he grows. It is easy to say "don't panic" when it is not your loved one, but breathe deep and slow and have faith in the remarkable ability of the body to heal itself, in addition to the help you are so willingly giving. Good luck dear.
shellycheval
Re: Distressing Vet trip
I am not sure I remember correctly but I think Bryn is a crossbreed?
Did he grow up very fast?! Now its to late but there is some evidence that tendency for hip dysplasia can be reversed by slowing the growth rate. Usually the worst affected are large and giant breeds that grow very fast.
I personally think this case is not so bad. I can understand that your vet wants to tick all the boxes but I think it is too early to scream hip dysplasia.
I would avoid strenuous exercise for another 6 months , and agree with others swimming is the best but even this has to be done in moderation if the dog is water crazy.
There is a brochure on this link where you can find all you want to know about this condition.
_http://bakerinstitute.vet.cornell.edu/contentimages/library/File/Canine_Hip_Dysplasia_brochure_11_05.pdf
I tend to agree with this. 50 % is not that bad at all.shellycheval said:
I am not sure I remember correctly but I think Bryn is a crossbreed?
Did he grow up very fast?! Now its to late but there is some evidence that tendency for hip dysplasia can be reversed by slowing the growth rate. Usually the worst affected are large and giant breeds that grow very fast.
I personally think this case is not so bad. I can understand that your vet wants to tick all the boxes but I think it is too early to scream hip dysplasia.
I would avoid strenuous exercise for another 6 months , and agree with others swimming is the best but even this has to be done in moderation if the dog is water crazy.
There is a brochure on this link where you can find all you want to know about this condition.
_http://bakerinstitute.vet.cornell.edu/contentimages/library/File/Canine_Hip_Dysplasia_brochure_11_05.pdf
realitybugll
Jedi Council Member
Re: Distressing Vet trip
I'm pretty impressed you will swim in the lake - I would miss the ocean too much.
so maybe seasonal swimming would be enough to build his muscles. that would be something to consider before getting a pool.
I'm pretty impressed you will swim in the lake - I would miss the ocean too much.
so maybe seasonal swimming would be enough to build his muscles. that would be something to consider before getting a pool.
Re: Distressing Vet trip
Not sure if this is in the area of your dog's needs, but may be worth checking into: Although your doggie is a pup, and may not need anti-inflammatory type help, I give my 12 year old doberman South African Devil's Claw Root powder for his pain associated to hip problems. Besides the fact that it is remarkable for humans, it works on dogs as well for arthritis-type inflammation. It might help. My herbologist (who also gives it to her aging doggie) suggested (for an 80 lb male dog) 1/4 teaspoon once a day, then upping that amount to twice a day with a maximum of 1/2 teaspoon twice a day (severe pain).
Guardian said:
Not sure if this is in the area of your dog's needs, but may be worth checking into: Although your doggie is a pup, and may not need anti-inflammatory type help, I give my 12 year old doberman South African Devil's Claw Root powder for his pain associated to hip problems. Besides the fact that it is remarkable for humans, it works on dogs as well for arthritis-type inflammation. It might help. My herbologist (who also gives it to her aging doggie) suggested (for an 80 lb male dog) 1/4 teaspoon once a day, then upping that amount to twice a day with a maximum of 1/2 teaspoon twice a day (severe pain).
mcb
The Living Force
Re: Distressing Vet trip
My only experience was with an aging golden retriever with hip problems, Rusty, that belonged to a housemate years ago. She took him swimming in the American River year round. He seemed completely oblivious to cold, and we would have to bring him out if he started to shiver. For a while we had a house with a swimming pool and he liked that too, if we enticed him to jump in by throwing tennis balls into the water, although we had to cope with a filter full of dog hair, and I learned a thing or two about letting a 60 pound swimming dog come too close in the water. I saw him use a floating inflatable raft once as a tool to retrieve a ball without having to jump in. After that house, we had a small backyard wading pool for him, between river trips.
I knew nothing then about taking care of animals (and apparently the same could have been said for his owner), and it was probably all toxic and bad for him in all kinds of ways, but that dog lived to go swimming and to retrieve and I think it did him more good than harm. His big thing was to go underwater and bring up rocks in his mouth, as many as he could find, as big as would fit, and drop them on the shore. He would sometimes bring one home.
My only experience was with an aging golden retriever with hip problems, Rusty, that belonged to a housemate years ago. She took him swimming in the American River year round. He seemed completely oblivious to cold, and we would have to bring him out if he started to shiver. For a while we had a house with a swimming pool and he liked that too, if we enticed him to jump in by throwing tennis balls into the water, although we had to cope with a filter full of dog hair, and I learned a thing or two about letting a 60 pound swimming dog come too close in the water. I saw him use a floating inflatable raft once as a tool to retrieve a ball without having to jump in. After that house, we had a small backyard wading pool for him, between river trips.
I knew nothing then about taking care of animals (and apparently the same could have been said for his owner), and it was probably all toxic and bad for him in all kinds of ways, but that dog lived to go swimming and to retrieve and I think it did him more good than harm. His big thing was to go underwater and bring up rocks in his mouth, as many as he could find, as big as would fit, and drop them on the shore. He would sometimes bring one home.
Guardian
The Cosmic Force
Re: Distressing Vet trip
I sized one "normal" xray to match the size of Bryn's xray, put them together, and looked at them in front a strong light. Of course I am not an expert, but Bryn's xray does not look that different from the "normal" one?
Yes, and we're not really sure which breeds...but I'm thinking there's at least 3 or 4 in there? His appearance keeps changing DRASTICALLY as he gets older, in fact he's starting to get a black "saddle" when he's been blond up to this point. Even one of the techs commented on how much he looks like a "different dog" every time we come in?
Maybe? I don't know how to judge that? He had a couple of growth spurts...but nothing drastic. He currently weights 63 lbs
Yeah, she kinda said the same thing, that he is looking "borderline" right now. She also said we could take another xray this time next year, compare the two, and then we'll have a better idea of where we stand.
Thanks!
Yeah, I did a LOT of reading while I was freaking out, and it could be MUCH worse judging by some of the xrays I saw.Herr Eisenheim said:
I sized one "normal" xray to match the size of Bryn's xray, put them together, and looked at them in front a strong light. Of course I am not an expert, but Bryn's xray does not look that different from the "normal" one?
Yes, and we're not really sure which breeds...but I'm thinking there's at least 3 or 4 in there? His appearance keeps changing DRASTICALLY as he gets older, in fact he's starting to get a black "saddle" when he's been blond up to this point. Even one of the techs commented on how much he looks like a "different dog" every time we come in?
Maybe? I don't know how to judge that? He had a couple of growth spurts...but nothing drastic. He currently weights 63 lbs
Yeah, she kinda said the same thing, that he is looking "borderline" right now. She also said we could take another xray this time next year, compare the two, and then we'll have a better idea of where we stand.
OK, we'll do that. NO more Frisbee. I'm feeling that I might have actually caused some of this because he LOVES to play Frisbee, and he literally FLIES through the air to catch one. He and his girlfriend used to see who could jump the highest and also play tug with it. No more of that!
Thanks!
