Hip dysplasia in year old Lab cross

[dressagechickmn]

So my fur baby has been diagnosed with HD. She turned one on 3/11/17 and was diagnosed two weeks later. She is currently 67lbs but at vet recommendation the goal is to get her closer to 50lbs. I’ve ordered Glycoflex 3 for her to start(also vet recomm. But heck of a lot cheaper to buy online rather than the vets) I plan on starting a more focused exercise plan other than just going outside and playing on her own so I can make sure she is using her limbs correctly to build adaquet muscles to keep her hips as happy as possible.

So I think I’ve finally gotten past the sad stage thinking I helped this along and I’m a horrible dog mom and she’s so young etc. she is a oops puppy and the one we think is her sire has severe symptoms at 7.

Can anyone pass on any other tips I need to consider or their experiences? I can tell she gets sore and stiff but don’t want to confine her movement to much cause that seems to be a trigger but I don’t want her to over do it. Vet is sending X-rays to a board certified surgeon to see if they recommend surgery(which I’m hoping isn’t the case)

I plan on doing hydrotherapy as we have two local lakes I can take her to swim at. I’ve also seen hip braces that help with hip dysplasia but no reviews or info for use on young dogs it’s only been on seniors that I’ve found.

thank you in advance for any tips or ideas!!!

[khall]

I have a lab X who has HD in one leg only (thank goodness) where the ball is almost out of the socket. He did fine for many years because he is very active here on the farm, but within the last couple of years (he is 10) he started having issues. We did the previcox trial, where we started with a higher daily dose for several months (dosage appropriate though for his size) then gradually weaned him back. At 60 lbs, he gets 1/4 tab 4 Xs a week. More often when he has trouble, which just started happening when he over does it. He is also on Omegas for inflammation. That is it. If he gets too much worse we may do a FHO at some point but right now he is doing great, still very active farm dog.

[DrBeckett]

Talk to your vet about FHO - femoral head osteotomy. If you can get your dog’s weight down, he may be a candidate.

[scierra]

My first Rott was diagnosed at 1 year with HD. I didn’t go the surgery route, but swam her all summer, watched her weight and exercise. She lived to be 11. She ran and chased jack rabbits, swam and did all regular pet dogs things.

[Minxitbabe]

Extra weight is going to be her worst enemy. For a vet to recommend a 17 lb decrease she must be pretty heavy. The hydrotherapy is the best way to keep her moving with out adding extra stress. Sorry that you are having to go through this with such a young one!

[luvmyhackney]

Keep your lab as lightweight as possible. It really helps. Omegas help and MSM. If you have access to swimming (hydrotherapy) to get the weight done and not stress the dogs joints. My vet always said no jumping on and off furniture as well.

[D_BaldStockings]

You could try a dog treadmill.
Even build your own; there are plans out there google carpet treadmill for more. Cheaper than surgery…
http://www.make-and-build-dog-stuff.com/build-a-dog-treadmill.html

Try to find a lowest carb dog food, limit feed and use kongs, tugs and perhaps nylabones for chews. Google low cal or healthy treats dog.
http://www.ahna.net/healthy-treats-your-pet

If she is at 67# and needs to be 50#, then she is overweight by fully a third. You need to get that weight off her hips ASAP. As much water therapy as you can get her to.

Good for taking control of this issue.
Wishing you the best; it is so hard for you when they are hurting.

[D_BaldStockings]

Treadmill
Swimming
low carb dog food

Good luck and thanks for going the extra mile with your dog.

computer ate my earlier post

[dressagechickmn]

Vet said she isn’t obese but to feed her like she was 50lbs to get her to drop some weight but she didn’t tell me exactly what weight she wants her at. I have to ask that when I talk to them next.

what I’m having trouble with is trying not to baby her and let her keep going like she was. She usually goes outside every morning to play with her new boyfriend(she’s spayed don’t worry and they are usually supervised) and then wanders about the property. I’m just afraid that she loves doing all of this stuff but doesn’t know quite when to slow things down

[Rain]

Try not to let it get you down. My Goldie was also diagnosed at a year old (via x-ray) with “severe dysplasia in both hips.” I was crushed. But he lived to age 13 and never had hip trouble. He had arthritis in his last couple years, but never showed symptoms of dysplasia.

I kept him on Glycoflex 3 his entire life, but I have no idea if it made a difference. He was a tall, slender Golden, so perhaps that helped his “hip issues.” We did lots of hiking and agility in his younger years, but no special food or exercise regimen.

Best of luck!

[D_BaldStockings]

You never said your dog was lame.
Is she?

How serious is the ‘grade’ on her hips? Many dogs DO fine with somewhat abnormal hip sockets (not that you would want to breed from them) and good supplements.

If no lameness, then don’t stress. What Rain said above about keeping an active life is the best therapy.

Your dog does not appear fat in the pics, perhaps not as lean as she could be, but certainly not morbidly obese at all. So dropping her weight should also help: she can always wear a dog coat if her fat layer gets minimal so she doesn’t suffer from cold - think whippets!

[cloudyandcallie]

Some HD can be corrected by surgery and some can be controlled by medication.
Consult a board certified vet or get a referral to a vet school.
What makes me mad is that HD can be eliminated by not breeding dogs that have it. I have seen breeders who have my breeders’ books on their coffee tables, but obviously never read them or had morals because the back yard breeders bred and sold dogs with HD.

I only buy from reputable breeder, Las Rocosa, the Hartnagles. (Plus pick up dogs off the road, as rescues.)
Buying from a backyard breeder only encourages bad breeding. Do not do it. If you want a purebred, go to someone who shows and has a good reputation. Saving a dog’s life from the pound is another way to go and I do that also, non aussies from the roadways and the pound.

Keeping weight off of your dog will help with wear and tear on that hip joint. Surgery is the way to go if the joint is really misshapen.

[horsenut_8700]

Keeping her VERY lean and fit will go a long way. I have a dog that had a TPLO because she had been HBC when she was a stray down in GA. They had thought they would have to amputate, but she actually has full use of the leg now. To avoid a future issue I keep her very lean and very fit and she’s only ever lame when she plays too hard.

[Marshfield]

Not sure what you’re seeing physically. But the x-rays aren’t that bad

[dressagechickmn]

I’m not seeing non weight bearing lameness but I see discomfort. I had a friend look over the X-rays that’s a vet as well and she may suspect a cruciate tear over a hip problem so now to start a savings for an ortho consultation. She was kinda surprised that the original vet stopped at the hips and didn’t both to check her knees as well since she was already sedated.

[khall]

Yeah, those rads don’t look bad! If it is a CL tear then be ready to pony up some money to repair it and more than likely the second one as well. Our now 12 yr old bully mix tore his first at 18 months, second at 2 1//2.

[Marshfield]

I think your friend might be right. Also look at the iliopsoas. I don’t think these hips would pass OFA, but I’d call them mild at worst. I think there’s a good chance the hips aren’t the problem; I don’t see any secondary changes yet.

[dressagechickmn]

Has anyone been able to heal a CL tear without surgery? I plan on taking her to for an ortho consult as soon as the budget allows but in the mean time I’m guessing keep her kinda quite and refrain from strenuous activity.

[S1969]

@Marshfield

I think your friend might be right. Also look at the iliopsoas. I don’t think these hips would pass OFA, but I’d call them mild at worst. I think there’s a good chance the hips aren’t the problem; I don’t see any secondary changes yet.

I agree with this. I don’t think they would pass OFA, or maybe would be graded “fair” at best, but I am surprised that your vet is sure the discomfort is hip related at h er age, without checking for a cruciate tear, which is so common. I also agree with iliopsoas - have had several friends whose dogs have had this injury and it’s hard to diagnose, particularly if vets aren’t familiar with it.

http://www.akcchf.org/assets/files/c…groin-pull.pdf

[khall]

No, our bully mix had fishing line surgery on both stifles. We know that is not the usual for a dog his size (95lbs at the time, 88 now) but he is now 12 and has not had any issues with his stifles. Has arthritis in his left elbow which has been a problem since he was young, worse now after fracturing it a couple of years ago chasing a coyote and stepping in a hole. Non displaced fracture.