I hip scored my St Bernard bitch when she was around 4yo, she got a score of 44, which is high for the breed, the average is around 18-20. Her hips have never given her any trouble. But yesterday she yelped when she stood up, i walked her around a bit and she seemed fine. Today she tried to stand up and yelped again, and kept yelping while she took the first 2 or 3 steps. I know her hips aren't great but was hoping that she'd see out her days without them causing her pain.She's 7yo. The vet has put her on painkillers for the next 7 days and told me to restrict her exercise, and if things don't improve to come back to him. I don't think he's convinced that her hips are causing the problem (although i am). What else could it be.
If it is her hips, what's the next move? i don't realy want to put her through an op. She had an op 4 months ago when she had a pyometra. Is there anything i can do to help her. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Jimbob

I've got a Golden with a score of 96. He didn't show any signs until he was almost 7. He'd then find it hard to get up etc. If it is the hips, it is important to keep the dog moving, short gentle walks, as no exercise makes them seize up. He was on Rimadyl but that stopped working after a while. He's been on Glucosamine with Chondroitin for at least 2 years now (can't remember exactly)-without it he can't walk at all, with it he's more or less normal. :)

Glucosamine with Chondroitin

Is this available in pet shops or chemists or do you need a prescription.

Jim

It's available over the counter from just about everywhere Jim. I take it for my knees and buy it online because it's so much cheaper.

If it's come on literally overnight, as your post seems to say, I wouldn't be suspecting hips either. Possibly a back or neck problem, something 'out of line'?

M.

I wouldn't be expecting hips, sounds like an injury, maybe a pulled muscle or ligaments or some such thing.  My Golden has a hip score of 55, the breed average being around 19.  She will be 12 years old in 11 days and has never had a lame day in her life or in fact any problem with her back end.  She is still climbing the stairs of a night without our help and is still getting her exercise.  One thing you must always do is ensure that they have good muscular condition, as even with hip dysplasia the dog manages the condition with good muscles helping keep the hips in place. Hopefully the tablets will help whatever is the problem. Don't forget that the scores go up to a maximum of 106 and so technically in the 40's is only partially hip displastic.

I'm starting to think the same thing. One minute she is in pain, 5 minutes later she is galloping around like a lunatic and showing no sign s of pain. It's definately something towards her rear but can't quite figure out what. She showed no sign of pain while at the vets, thus making it very hard to diagnose anything. I think another visit to the vet may be needed.

Perhaps see if you can find a local doggie chiropractor and get her checked over. I routinely get my dogs back and joints checked as we compete in agility and obedience. It amazes me how frequently they have something out or have hot spots.

If you continue to have problems, then it might be worth finding a local hydrotherapy pool. One of my friends has a border collie who has HD. The vet initially put her on mix of meds which caused no end of problems. In the end she tried swimming and now does it once a week. Its done her the world of good and has eased the pain up so much shes no longer on meds. Its def the swimming as when she missed a couple weeks she got worse again.

I'm not saying these will work in your situation, but its worth a try.

Hope you manage to find something to help your girlie

I don't know whether this is something to think about, but is she over weight?I know SB are big dogs anyway, but if she is a tad paunchy, then maybe if she does have any problems, whether it be HD or just an injury, maybe making sure she's OK weight wise will just rule that idea out of the equasion? Just an idea, but I know in my breed, if they have HD, it's always a good idea to keep an eye on their weight.

Hope she's OK, and it's nothing serious

She's not overweight at all.Although she would be if she had her way. She loves her grub.

Jim

if you can take her swimming at a dog pool , at least once a week it will help tremendously, non weight bearing exercise builds up the muscles surrounding the hip and helps to support the dog, we have done this for 4 years, different condition but results amazing, most dogs there are hd and are having a great result

justi