Competition - HD Dog - Page 1

I have a question, and hope the experts on the board could give me some answers.  My 6 year old dog was diagnosed with HD in both hips about 3 years ago.  I have competed her in akc obedience and rally for the past 2 years.  She is now going for her Rally Excellent title, which can have two jumps per trial and if we continued for her RAE title she would have to qualify in 10 events in both Rally Advanced and Excellent in the same trial which could be up to 4 jumps per trial.   We train 2x per week on Rally and was just wondering if I should stop competing her due to the jumps?  She enjoys training and competing, but if I am causing further damage to her hips by competing, I will no longer pursue her additional titles.  I try to not to practice the jumps to often - just enough to keep her knowing what she is suppose to do.  So I guess my question is for with an HD gsd - how many jumps is to many?  Should they be totally avoided or can she continue to compete?

Her xrays were posted by GSDFan under another HD thread - http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/bulletins_read/123446.html

At this point she does not show any visible discomfort and does not show any trouble in making the jumps.

Cheryl

In my opinion as long as she is symptom-free and comfortable - work her.  She is having fun and it's great for the two of you to have fun together.  Take her as far as she and you want to go.  Limiting jumps is a good idea, or just put the height down in training, only bring it up to full height once in a while to make sure she'll do it in the competition.  Give her supplements for joints because you know there is a problem - but she might never be uncomfortable due to her HD and jumping her isn't going to make it worse.  When she gets older arthritis will be the cause of any pain she might have, and then jumping could make the pain worse.  Right now she's not in pain and enjoying it - so keep going.

There are several dogs I know of that are/were Schh3, National-level competitors with HD.  One I knew was SEVERE in both hips.  Yet they did just fine and the severe dog was a-sympomatic until his later years, at which point the arthritis caught up to him but he still enoying coming out to club for a grip or two, made him very happy. 

molly

Exactly,  obviously she doesn'r know she has bad hips.  So, don't tell her!! LOL! Many top border collies in agility compete as well....granted smaller framed dogs, but HD is HD no matter what size you are

She will tell you.. she may refuse jumps or take down bars, much less likely to happen in Rally.. no time involved.. hope you two continue to have fun!

I agree with the posts to date work her as long as she will work or until she shows signs of problems the worst thing you can do is stop working her and when she does show signs remember Adequin injectable it,s great stuff you might even talk to your vet  and use it now.      

Thanks everyone.  I was kind of sad thinking we would have to stop competing soon.   I had an older gsd end up with hd - but I had no idea she had it until she turned 11 /12 years old, so I did not take steps to minimize etc.  Since I know that  Libby has hd I want to do all I can to keep her symptom free and active for as long as possible.  This site has given me great advice on nutrition options and I have been able to get her to drop 10 lbs which should help.  She could stand to lose at least 5 more, which I am working on.  Reno (my prevous gsd with hd)  was on Medacam liquid, but I am not familar with Adequin injectible.  I will definately talked to my vet about it and if it will help will start using it.

Again, thanks - now I can mail in her registration for the Del Val show in October.  

LOL - you are correct, I never told her she has hd and as for refusing jumps - she has done that already - never in practice but a few times in competition.  I will never know if she is just not feeling well enough to jump or is just being her sometimes smart a__ self! 

Cheryl

Many a shepherd with no pass of OFA havae continued on to so schut and activities , and until she start limping or tells you....use common sense and go right on......What she doesnt know wont hurt her....good luck,,,,,,

IMO Molly has offered some very sound advice. Good luck with the advanced titles. You will know if and when the time comes to pull her from competition. There are most likey dogs with worse hips running every year in the Iditarod .

I have one at home with a spine problem. I can tell he misses working, that fool would work until he droped. He makes me feel guilty for wanting him around and trying to make him comfortable. This fool has a high tolerence for pain and will continue to work and wince in pain. He is very frustrated with me. Every once inawhile, I will just give him a "little work out" and he is like a puppy he will pance around the house and he is so excited. I think it gets down to quailty of life, If you asked him he would tell you this lying around and retired, is B>S>. I just can not stand the wincing and knowing he is in pain. If he showed no signs, I would continue. I have a friend who continued her Rott who lost his leg due to cancer and he finished up one of his OB titles.