Hi All
I have another question, we found out a while ago that Rosie our 8 mnth old BC possibly has HD. The vet said that he won't x-ray until she's a year old, which is fine, but she seems to be getting worse, she runs with her 2 back feet together and I can hear a faint clicking noise (very bad). She also finds it hard to go from sitting to standing position.

I was just wondering if you thought the vet should have given her something for it, and if not the vet then what alternative medicines/therapies could be used.

Hope you can help

Thanks

Jo

Why won't the vet x-ray?? Most vets I know will x-ray a pup from 6 mths, some earlier (of course any vet will take your money from you)  but its just to give you an idea of what condition a pups hips are in and not to actually have them hip scored by the BVA.  Go to another vet and ask if they will carry out an x-ray to put your mind to rest. Good Luck x   

Hi JO.  I am sorry but 'bunny hopping'  is not a good sign, especially if you hear a clicking also. I find it hard to believe that your vet will not x-ray they are normally in a hurry to diagnose HD and take your money. IMO you need her x-rayed, if she has ill fitting hips or at the worst no hip sockets you need to know. Hopefully she is insured because you can have hip replacements but hugely expensive.
What breed is she?
Debbie.

Thanks for advise I have booked her in to be x-rayed next wednesday so will wait to see outcome. She is a Border Collie and I've heard it's fairly common in these breeds.

Get your BC on Synoquin which is a growth supplement. It has made such a difference to my 15 month Lab since she has been on it. Also regular lead walking and hydrotherapy will help to build the muscles up to compensate for the HD. A dog will continue growing until 18 months and so you can get an Xray done now but you BC will still be developing and so the more treatment you can give now will help in the long run the better. Keep weight off which you will find easy with a BC no so easy with a Lab !! :D

HTH

Lucy
xx

Thanks so much Lucy, where can I get Synoquin from???, also if they do x-ray now and find that it is severe will they operate now or will we have to wait until she is fully grown?????

Do you think she shouldnt be running around when we go walking she LOVES to fetch the ball etc, is it to much though?????

How much do you estimate it may cost to operate???

xx

No there is no need to worry yet. Wait until she is at least 18 months and then she can be Xrayed and assessed to the severity of the HD. I would ask your vet how experienced he is on HD as it is better to see somebody who knows what they are talking about.

High Impact excercise is not so good at the moment as she is still very young and growing, it will cause strain on the joints . You need to build up the muscles so many but short walks and the Hydrotherapy will helpn

Ask your vet to prescribe Synoquin and get her to take that until she is at least 18 months and then see what the situation is like. So long as she is not in pain though as she will need anti-imflamatories and painkillers to help that.

If you have anymore questions then PM me I will be happy to talk you through things !

Lucy
xx

Thanks Lucy!

If I need to I'll PM you

xx

Hi Jo
The cost of total hip replacement was £1750 per hip, when I had my (now departed) GSD's done. How early it is done IF it proves to be necessary depends on dog. The preference is to do them later, so that the implants 'last' the whole of the dogs life. If however a dog is suffering terribly, they can be done earlier.

In the meantime, definitely follow the other posters advice on supplements, also I found Cortaflex can help. The vet may prescribe Metacam if pain becomes evident. This can help too. My old GSD had awful hips, but was like a pup again after the hip replacements. She had both done, but that is rare. More frequently it is only a case of having the worst one done, and this compensates for the poorer hip. Having the ops for my girl was the best thing I ever did.

The difficulty with insurance is that if you have a company that excludes after 12 months, they will not pay for an op beyond that time after clinical diagnosis. If you have a company that doesn't limit you're OK. Otherwise, start saving just in case! There are also alternative surgeries to Hip replacement, FHO, where the ball joint is removed, and triple pelvic osteotomy, where the pelvis is resituated so the ball sits in the socket in a better position. You can find loads of info on the ops on the web.

Once you have the x-rays, you/they should be referred to an orthopaedic specialist for advice.

In terms of exercise. Little and often is best, swimming is brilliant as it exercises the legs and joint without trauma of weight. I personally don't believe that it's worth taking the joy out of a dogs life, by stopping doing everything they love.

If you ever want to chat about it feel free to e-mail me.

Good luck, and remember, it isnt the end of the world - it can be overcome.

Kat

Hi Kat
Thanks so much for all your info, thats great. We are taking Rosie next week so fingers X'd.

x

Good luck
Let us all know how you get on.
Kat

Hi Jo. my border collie/w.sheepdog flynn went intermittintly lame around 8months, the vets didnt think it was anything serious but i wasnt happy so had him rayed [at 8months]. it showed up looseness in both joints. i was pleased id had him done as i was able to restict his exercise, supplement his diet etc. i also take him swimming once a week at a doggy pool. the good news is he is totally sound now & on normal exercise. the bad news is when i had his hips scored at one year, they were 21+21=42. i was gutted,& really cross with the vet who didnt want me to get them scored!!!-how can you get a breed average if the higher scores are not sent off?& therefore know the true problem in the breed!
Anyway he is almost 14months now sound & happy, im positive that the swimming has really helped by building strong muscles,to hold the hips securley.& would recommend this.
if your dog has really bad hips then ive heard alot of success on the total removal of the femoral head, but you wont know till you get xrayed!!!!
good luck, its not the end of the world & i know i wouldnt swap my boy!!!!

Hi Michelle
Thanks for that, I'll let you know how I get on next week. My vet advised also on using some human joint supplements, any ideas which ones I could use.  Also I don't think they have a doggy pool where I live in Wiltshire, do you know how I could find out???

Jo

THere is a hydrotherapy pool just outside Swindon, and another in Devizes; http://www.k9hydrotherapy.co.uk/

Cortaflex, MSM supplements, Glucosamine, Chondroitin made for dogs and humans too.

Thanks so much tohme, I'll have a look and call them.

Hi! yes supplements as Tohme said. i also give Vit c which is said to add lubrication of joints[but not repair] & if the boy is ever stiff i put him on Devils Claw tablets for a day or two.you can get human or animal devils claw. i prefer to give the human stuff as it is in a tablet not a liquid & often there are good offers on it at health food shops/chemists.

your vets could tell you were the nearest pool is,or look on the net!i live out in the sticks in somerset & there are two near to me!!!!they are spring up everywhere now! if you have a choice go & visit differnt pools & see what they offer!
i was intending to cut Flynn back to evry other week once he was fit, but he loves it so much i think i will keep it weekly!!!