My 10 month old Lab was diagnosed with quite bad hip dysplasia in both hips at 7 months so is not allowed and won't be allowed to play and chase with other dogs and will not ever be able to do long walks.
I had planned to work to a high level of obedience with him and did go to 2 training clubs.  one was indoors on a slippery floor so we have had to stop that one.  We do still go to the outdoor one and do a little taylor made to suit him. But can only do so much.
I am lucky that when i let him off lead on a little walk where there are no other dogs he will not charge about, so he does get that but I would like some ideas to mentally tire him without stressing his hips as he really does need something as is very bright and was doing remarkably well at dog training and got his bronze good citizen guide just before 6 months.
Any ideas please?

Bev

As he gets older you ought to be able to do more with him, I have owned 2 dogs with atrocious hips and when they were adult it was far less an issue and they had plenty of off lead play and running with other dogs.
Teach your Lab to "find it" - hide items round the house and have him find them - start easy with sausages and progress to toys then keys - then you can move on to searching in the garden.

Also teach him to speak on command, touch items that you name on command.
Pat a ball with his nose to you when lying down.
Freeze Kongs for him.
Do you have a place you can swim him - its great for dogs with HD.

Sorry to hear about your young lab's hips.  Hydrotherapy is a great exercise for dogs with hip dysplasia or arthritis and can really be fun for them too especially if your lab loves the water as my golden does!  Often once a week helps a lot.  Ask your vet to recommend a local pool.  Good luck.  

Hi Bev

Why can't he play with other dogs and run with them ? So long as you keep the of lead excercise in moderation and balance that with good on lead work, and swimming to build the muscle base then he should be fine. MB my 2yr old Lab has very bad HD score of 86 which is as bad as they get but leads a very active life with her sister Moose who is 3yrs. She has a zest for life and so we try and keep that zest alive as she is happiest out and about having fun ! We do however keep a good eye on her and make sure we stop her over doing it ! 

HTH

Lucy
xx

My vet has told me both hips on the x ray were very bad and he has no proper ball and socket joint.  He has said his exercise must be lead exercise only for 20 min max twice a day with no running around and I must not throw a ball or toy for him to chase.
It was noticed after short games with a friends dog he would be limping badly and hardly able to get up during the evenings.  He is now not limping with this limited exercise although mentally he is consequently hypo so I need to tire him mentally.

Bev

Hi Bev

Is your vet a specialist in HD? If he is that bad then does he not need an OP then? What medication is he on and are you taking him swimming as it is so important that the muscles are strengthened.I must admit and this is my personal view that if MB was unable to have more than lead walking then she would not have the quality of life that she needs and so would definately look at an OP if all other ways of improving the condition failed :)

Lucy
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Sorry Bev has just seen he is only a ten month old baby ! He still needs hyrotherapy now as this will greatly strengthen his muscles without putting to much strain on his hips and you should see a great improvement in his stature and also his spirits ! :)

Hi,
Yes vet has said about the op when he is older for hip replacement, but it would be both hips as they are both bad and this I believe would then mean a very long recovery time as they can only do one at a time.  I am hoping with what I am doing at the moment he will slowly build the muscle to help hold the hips steadier.  I do give him a little more than the vet has said approx 30-35 mins twice a day on a flexi lead so he can have a good wander and sniff and its not frogmarch walking.  I do also a few times a week roll a ball a little way so he can fetch it.  I have balanced things so he is getting a little more without ending up stiff or limping in the evening.  it all seems trial and error really.
The playing with other dogs I have stopped as that was what was really causing him discomfort a few hours later and alerted me to the condition.  He cannot play in moderation he really has to charge round leaping all over them at 100mph and really gets over excited doing himself no favours.   Thats why I asked on here for more ideas to mentally stimulate him to compensate for missing that fun.  I do not want him bored and miserable but equally I do not want him in pain and discomfort.
The way I have things at the moment I have him not stiff and sore at all and needing no pain relief, do a little too much though and that changes.
I am going to get the number for a pool once New year out of the way and see about taking him as yes he loves water so much that he leapt in my horses water trough full of freezing broken ice yesterday, daft lad didn't even seem to notice it was cold.
I really love my boy you know and although I have to watch the pennies I will do anything I possibly can to keep him happy and well he is my world.

Bev

Have you got him on Synoquin or the equivalent as this will greatly help his development over the next few months and help for the future ?

Lucy
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Hi,
No he is on nothing at the moment, did try him on Glucosamine but he ended up with terrible runs so had to stop it.  He does have a very sensitive tummy.  Have not heard of Synoquin, can you give me more info please as to what it is and what it does?
Thanks

Bev

It is Glucosimine and Chondroitin. It is essential that you get him on this now as without it he be so much worse.If he has a dicky tummy then persevere for a while and see if he settles down. You will see such a difference in him on this as it will help so much with the HD ! :)

It is a horrible condition HD but with help they can lead an almost normal happy life :)

Lucy
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I did persevere with the Glucosamine for a while but he ended up passing a lot of blood too where his stomach etc was getting so irritated and sore.
Will try this though as perhaps with something else added it may not be so strong or cause such a reaction.
Where can I get it?

Bev

I think it is prescription only.

He should initially be on Synoquin Growth upto 18 months old and then Synoquin loaded after that. Perhaps the vet can give him somthing for his tum if he does have the runs as this is such an important supplement for HD ?

Let me know how he gets on :)

Lucy
xx