Hip opinions please - Page 1

A friend of mine has a GSD x Malamute and has had her hips xrayed as sometimes she yelped out when her leg is moved when grooming, but is perfectly sound, no lameness at all.

I don't think the vet who took the xray knew about positioning as even I with my very limited knowledge can see it's crap. The vet has told her... hip dysplasia put her on Metacam. and didn't even explain what the xray showed.

So can you gurus please tell me what you see from the attached xray?

Many thanks

You can see in the xray that the muscle is not as large on the left leg...Thickened femoral necks on both. I'd say mild on the left and the right is not as bad, but not good either.

Melissa

Sorry I forgot to say, the bitch is 3 years old and allegedly it's her right hip which is giving the problems so the vet says...
Oh and for some reason took a very pale side on view xray!

Moderate HD, bilateral. Remodeling, shallow sockets. Actually the positoning isn't that bad IMO; it's diagnostic. Another another xray isn't going to make any difference.

Thank you, would you consider using Metacam based on that xray when there's no lameness or leave it until there is [if ever]?
 

the dog is clearly overweight.  dropping some of that excess poundage might
help the situation dramatically.
pjp

I would reserve the Meticam for the time when the dog would seem painful. I'd try aspirin first, then the big guns. If this were my dog I would be giving it a supplement with glucosamine. I forget the brand name, there is one sold by vets and pet shops specifically for dogs. I think it's possible to find human supplements with the same contents for a lot less money. Just takes a  little research.

This dog is the result of the 2 breeds that are probably the worst there are for a risk of bad hips - Malamute x GSD. I assume it was not a deliberate breeding?

Very shallow sockets probably causing the hips to move around in the sockets;  my recommendation would be raw diet, loose weight, and low impact exercise until this dog gets the extra weight off (swimming excellent);  also ArthroX, a product that VetionX makes that is completely natural and non toxic to dogs especially if given long term.  Also have a pain med Promoxal that is very effective when dog is showing discomfort;  both these are natural and liquid to put right in the food.  Metacam is very liver/kidney destructive and this dog is probably going to need long term comfort care.  Good luck  Nan

OMG, the dog looks to be more than just "overweigh" from this xray. First things first, lose weight and muscle up. Muscle keeps joints in the sockets. I've had much older dogs with MUCH WORSE hips show ZERO signs of pain. SLOW, steady exercise on soft, natural surfaces, as well as a reduction in calories is the way to go- don't just go all-out on exercise- this dog is clearly not in shape for it. How sad that a 3yr old is already in this shape...

Spooks, try telling your friend (much more nicely than I just put it!) that the dog's weight is the first problem. Babying a dog w/HD isn't the answer. These hips just aren't THAT bad. I agree w/Blitzen and Nans. You must use your head w/a dysplastic dog, but keeping them on the couch and feeling sorry for them is just not going to help.