Signs of HD? - Page 2

Not too many stairs, yet !  (It can help build the muscles, and
does at least help them know what stairs are, and how to climb
them and not be worried by them - but it is also risky for growing
joints).

Upstairs is fine - downstairs is more than bad - so don´t do it.
Get the x-rays done - everything else is just guessing, and doesn´t help.

Hey guys,

So we went to the vet today to schedule an appointment for her x-rays. They'll be next Tuesday. 

But the vet checked her hips manually, and watched her trot. Shelby has some lameness in her back left leg that's apparent when she trots, and is likely why she's started bunny hopping when she runs (that last bit is me assuming). Her front legs are both good and strong with no loose joints and nice musculature.  Besides the back leg lameness, both of her hips are lax, with a reduced amount of musculature. She said that while it's possible that this may be due to her growing and all that, but she said that from the way it feels, she's actually pretty concerned that it could really be HD. She is not going to start Shelby on any medicine until the x-rays are taken, and she said even then, if Shelby does have HD, that she'll give us a referral for hydrotherapy.  If it comes to that, our dog trainer we've been using does have a certified hydro pool (so our insurance will pay for it).

Shelby was very brave while at the vet- I've manipulated her legs and body before, but no one else has. We did all kinds of things from having her stand while the vet moved her hind legs, to having her lie down while she rotated her hips. Shelby was a very very good girl. Also, since we've been working very hard to reduce her dog reactivity, she didn't even bark at the other dogs that were in the vet's with us.

If we find out that she does have HD, we'll be pretty heartbroken since someday she may be in pain, but the vet assured us that since she's so young that we can work to build up her musculature and reduce her likelihood of pain.

So, with that in mind, do any of you have any recommendations for helping with her lameness? I'd appreciate any help.

Before I forget, normally the only x-ray picture needed is from the front, right? The vet said something about taking the normal one with her legs pulled down, but then another with her legs open, and then another type (but I couldn't really tell what she was saying). Are the other ones necessary? I was planning on telling her that I only want the normal one, but if ya'll say it's standard procedure to get multiple, then I guess that's okay. The x-rays aren't expensive (at least, I thought they'd be a lot more money)- it's just the sedation that's going to cost a pretty penny.

Wait til you have her xrayed. A buyer of one of my dogs was told by their vet that dog was going to need hip surgery after he pulled on his rear legs. HIp laxity and a weak rear end. The dog got an OFA excellent. Were Uschi's parents xrayed clear, her grandparents? That doesn't meant she's OK, but it ups the odds. Ask for a copy of the xray and don't do anything radical until you post it here for opinions. Do you  understand what a correctly positioned hip xray should look like? Don't accept a half assed xray. Good luck.

Right now the only xray you need is one taken with her lying on her back and her legs pulled down. I wouldn't let her do anything but ONE xray with her on her back. No manipulations, no more xrays. Stand firm.

The vet didn't say anything about surgery, and there's no way I'd have a surgery on her hips when she's so young. I don't know about her dam, but her sire was clear, with his parents being clear. If it's something genetic, I don't think I'd be surprised if it came from the dam. 

When I get them, can I send a copy of her x-rays to OFA?

I did look at a few links posted on PDB about what to look for in the x-rays. I asked the vet if I can see the x-rays the day of, and if I can take home a copy. She said yes, and that they'll copy the images onto a CD for me. If they're not good, I'll ask for them to do another set.

What about her parents, were they xrayed clear. Does her breeder xray his/her dogs?

The vet will send the xray to OFA if that's what you decide to do. You might not need to do that unless it's a close call or if the breeder asks for it.

She had Kaiser x-rayed, but Echo was pregnant before her x-rays were scheduled.

But like I said, if Shelby has bad hips from her genes, I wouldn't be surprised....

Well, don't jump the gun yet. A GSD should never be bred before hip xrayed, obviously her breeder isn't too responsible, but that's secondary until you see the xray.