i know this might sound silly but i've not been on here too long, what are the classic signs for HD in labs, my 2 1/2 yr old hasa pronounced wobbel when she walks, her ribacge seems to rotate the opposite to her hips if you know what i mean, she had her hips x-rayed when she was spayed at approx 10-11 months at the vet said that they were pretty good for a lab. but i'm afraid i haven't got total confidence in the vet proffesion as a whole after being let down badly previously with my other dog. Also should i be giving her any of the supplements that you see in the dog magazines and if so which one would you reccommend, she never seems to be in any pain and apart from being a bit lazy she can when she wants to keep up with my lab mix with no problem.
thanks
dawn

Unless the hips are very bad the chances are you would never know how good or bad her hips are. Some dogs do have a pronounced "Marilyn Munro" wiggle in their walk!!! It means nothing. If she has difficulties standing, was a bit wobbly on her feet particularly when tired, moves with a "Bunny Hop" kind of movement or seemed in pain then is the time to worry. A vet may not be able to give a very good idea of the score but really bad hips are unmistakable so I would not panic if I was you. If you are really worried then I would get plates done for scoring but if you have no intention of breeding then I would just accept your vets judgment.

Regards, John

many thanks john for putting my mind at rest,should i not bother then with any of the joint supplements until she gets older, are they a preventative or just someting you give once they start to get older and slower.? i wish i had found this site years ago it would of been a great help to get other peoples opinions when i had my elderly cocker and her skin problems
Many thanks
Dawn

She could well be a paceing, some dogs do it most of the time.

My young lab has a VERY distinctive wiggle when walking, like Marilyn Monroe as John put it! :D

She will pace and wiggle and then as she moves up to a trot the wiggle wobble goes, as does the pacing.

~ Sharon :)

Hi again Dawn.
I'm not a great believer in suppliments for any dog, (or puppy for that matter) unless there is a very good reason. A good food is balanced and any suppliment could go to unbalance the diet. There are some very good suppliments available, if a dog realy needs them, but my advice is that unless there is a specific problem I would not use them.

Best wishes, John