Hip Xrays - Page 1

Hi Everyone:  Below are my dogs hip xrays taken at 2 years of age.  I had her re-xrayed when I had her spayed at 3.5 years old.  The vet compared the xrays and he did not see any changes that he thought would be abnormal.  She does not show an signs of pain, however I retired her from Schtuzhund in December as the jumps seem to bother her.  My question is, would you continue to xray her every few years to see the progression and or if she did not show drastic changes from 2 years to 3.5 years, would you expect it to remain the same?  I am just concerned on what to expect down the road.

Thanks,

Cheryl

Positioning is ok but the exposure/clarity makes it difficult to see "bad" vs "might be the x-ray" - however IMO the right hip (left in the picture) isn't too bad though IMO wouldn't pass OFA for the seating in the socket - socket too shallow, ball not seated firmly enough.  The left hip IMO is terrible (unless part of what I'm seeing is the exposure/clarity of the x-ray) - lots of boney formation problems and remodeling, no seating at all, shallow socket, thickened neck and malformed head.  I think if both hips looked like this she could possibly be rated "severe".  So no wonder she was having trouble jumping, and good on you for noticing this and retireing her early. 

If you maintain her in a lean-as-possible-without-being-too-thin weight, give her joint supplements and restrict her jumping and running on hard surfaces, she will probably live a whole lifetime with very few issues.

Definately not sound hip structure for working or breeding, though.

molly

Hi Molly:  I took a picture of the xray - so I apologize for the poor visibilty.  She was rated severe thru OFA.  She enjoyed training so I continued after she was diagnosed as my vet thought as long as she didn't show signs, that it woud be ok.  After she started avoiding jumps and I noticed she would sometimes fall when a different helper would slip her the sleeve, I knew it was time for her to retire.  She also has epi so hard to put weight on her.  She is about 58 lbs.  I do give her supplements, so I am hoping that you are right and she has few issues in future.

Thank you for your comment.  I do appreciate it.

Cheryl

 I also have a 3 yr old spayed female with severe HD.  She is about 65 pounds. I give her glucosamine and 1000 mg of ester C every day.  She walks and runs normally and is not in any pain.  What supplements do you give your dog?

 Best of luck with her.  I hope our dogs fare well as they age.

I think keeping her fit would be the best thing.  She dosnt have much socket so the more muscle she has to support the joint the better.  Do you have a place she can swim?