Hey all.
Pesto my 3 yr old mongrel has developed a limp and a very sore back hip. My parents are taking her to the vets tomorrow to have it checked out.
A little back ground:
About 1 1/2 yrs ago she got a fright and ran home from out local park - to get home. This was over a very busy main road. She turned up at home and over the next week or so she was stiff in her hips. This led us to believe that she was probably hit by a car - even if just a slight bump (and also why we think her noise phobia started with cars  :( )
Any way since then she has sometimes favoured a puppy sit which she never did before that night. And also sometimes has stiff hips if she does to much running after her ball - thrown by a chuckit (so is now limitted so she doesn't over do it).

She has also got a funny left front leg which instead of going straight back and forth when running it goes round in circles.

Basically what i was wondering was:
a) should we ask for xrays considering this goes on and off for now nearly 2 yrs
b) would glucosamine and the other one (i can't remember its name) help her and also would it be a good preventative in my vizsla?
c) If you do think it would work could you give me details of an effective brand that isn't too expensive (tho i would pay anything if it was brilliant)
and lastly
d) any other questions I should ask my vet (well get my parents to ask the vet as i am at uni)

Thanks and sorry this is sooooooo long
Anna

Glucosamine & chondroitin can be useful for joint problems, haven't heard of it doing any harm anyway. Cartrophen can help too - think there's a link on a previous thread? but that has to be given by your vet.

Did your dog have any Xrays when she first hurt herself? If not Xrays might certainly give an idea of what had gone on. If it was me, I'd probably ask my vet what they thought might have caused it, whether they thought it would be a long term problem, and whether they thought further investigations eg Xrays would help with diagnosing and treating the problem. Also might be worth asking about things like cartrophen, and hydrotherapy.

HTH.

PS Been reading this board for a while before I managed to register. How's it going at uni? Hope you're enjoying it :)

thanks for that. we will def try and find out what has happened. I would never just medicate without seeing a vet.

Uni is ok. i miss home hugely. the course is brilliant tho so I will stay just for that :)

Thanks again
Anna

I found the missing home thing got easier after 1-2 terms :) How's Pesto, what have they found? Hope everything's under control :)

Well she is jumping back into the car. Even tho we are trying to stop her!!! I havne't heard anything about her xrays yet. I am going to order some G&C so that we can start her on that.
Thanks for all the help.
I have a bad cold at the mo so not really haveing a great time hear at the mo. Hopefully when I feel better it will get better. I was ready to leave my parents but not my dogs if that makes sense ;)
I do miss my parents but know that when together we just get on each others nerves.
Any hoo the course is brilliant and really interesting. I have learnt how to hold a barn owl and how to tie a falconers knot. The barn owl is sooooo cute and really light. We are about to start getting her down to her flight weight so we can teach her to be free flown. Really excited about that.

Thanks again
Anna

I would definitely go back to the vets and ask for further investigations to be done. If she is only 3 - it will only get worse as she gets older especially as its left untreated.

I would ask your vet to determine the problem, that way you know the best way to tackle it. If you're not happy with your current vet then find another and get a second opinion.

Glucosamine certainly can benefit joint problems, as can hydrotherapy. We have a rottie who ruptured her cruciate and had TPLO. I give joint supplements and still swim once a week. That said, although these wont harm your dog it would be better finding out what the actual problem is, rather than stabbing in the dark. You might end up paying a small fortune and then finding out its a different problem altogether.

We haven't been to the vet as before it was just stiffness. She is going today I think with my mum.
I also trust my vets so wil be staying with them. I will def push for xrays tho to find out what is happening.

Thanks for you imput.
Anna

Sorry, I just assumed that you had already spoken to your vet as its been going on for so long. Even if it is just stiffness its not normal for a young dog to be constantly stiff so its obvious there is something wrong with her.

Go to the vet and tell them what you've noticed and explain what you think happened. They will be able to tell you what they think is the problem and determine the best course of action in finding out exactly whats wrong.

hey all. I forgot i should update you all on what has happened.

Pesto had her xrays and they came back with good results. The stifles are slightly flat - tho nothing to be concerned about. They even xrayed her back to check that wasn't a problem. Nothing conclusive really.

So now we (us and vet) are thinking it is muscular and mostly due to her being stressed most of the time. Now this is where the questions start again.
How much success have people had with this TopSpec calmer?
Do you know when it is on the market? and if not would there be anyway to get it?
Also does it cost a huge amount (not that it would matter but just out of interest)?

We are running out of ideas with how to help her with her noise phobia because now it is getting to the point where she is scared of rain (association with thunder following rain) and hense sometimes won't even pee for over 24hrs. She won't walk most  of the time due to the rain (new fear of hers as from this year) and just looks miserable alot of the time.
Thanks again
Anna

My friend has recently purchased the Top Spec calmer for her Yorkie who suffers with terrible fear of fireworks.  I don't know how successful it has been yet but I'll ask her when I next see her.  She rang the number on the Top Spec website and spoke to someone about her dogs issues. It cost £20 for a 9 month supply.