HD confirmed - Page 1

***Update****
click here for x-ray pic

So today i confirmed my suspicions via x-ray that my 10 month old female has HD.  The left side is probably mild as everything appears to be shaped properly but is seated a bit shallow.  The right side on the other hand has some slight "out of round" deformities to both the ball and socket along with some apparent thickening of the femur.  She still gets around fine and has no issues with stairs or jumping onto the bed, but I could tell something was not right even with the little bit of experience i have in the breed (reading/pictures/videos).  She has a lot of the typical symptoms:

-incorrect movement:  the best way i can describe it would be that she doesn't have enough stretch in the rear legs.  
-doesn't seem to have the power she should in her rear legs
-cowhocked
-often sits crooked or back on the butt.  Will sit down correctly initially then slide over.
-quick to sit or lay down
-often pushes herself up with front legs


At this point i want to do what is best for the dog, who is strickly a pet.  I am curious to see if anyone else here has been through a similiar situation and how you went about treatment.  I am considering starting her on a joint supplement and then obtaining an opinion from either the closest university or referral surgeon.  I appreciate any shared stories or advice.


Thanks,
Jp

I'm so sorry to hear this.  Not all of the things you listed are necessarily "symptoms" though.  This also is not a dire diagnosis as many with HD live long, happy, pain free lives with no treatment.  If you are suggesting though, that you could tell there was something not quite right, she may be one of the unlucky ones, such a shame at her age.  Best of luck with her and please update us on what treatment you decide upon and its result.

I'm sorry to hear of the diagnosis. As for what to do, every dog is different. AsGSDtravels mentioned, some of the things you describe do not necessarily indicate a dog has HD.  I've known plenty of dogs with good hips to do some or all of those things, but the x-rays of your dog do confirm the HD so i guess that is a mute point. I had a working line GSD pup who was dysplastic and symptomatic at 4 1/2 months of age. We had TPOs (triple pelvic osteotomy)  done on both hips and he was never 100% sound. A friend of mine had a Dutch Shepherd that was dysplastic (based on prelim x-rays at 6 months, confirmed later at 2 years of age) and many in our Schuttzhund club suggested she should have him PTS. She didn't and he lived to be thirteen years old without having any surgery. He swam almost every day so i'm sure that helped. The last few years of his life he needed Rimadyl. Up until then you'd never know by looking that this dog had HD. He was an amazing athelete. What to do about your dog?  It is a tough call. If I had to deal with HD again I think I'd give a good joint supplement, swim my dog and wait until obvious symptoms showed up which affected the dog's quality of life and then do hip replacement surgery. Seeing a good orthopedic vet would be a good start though.  I wish for you and your dog the very best. Your dog is lucky to have such a kind and compassionate owner.

I think that I may be paranoid about my own dog, she does the things mentioned by ipendler (First post appended below). I was under the impression that my dogs behaviour was natural, doubts however are again creeping in. Reading through the site I see these medical terms and don't have a clue as to what they are.

Can you help with this, or sugest where I can get the info?

Have got much good info from another site subscriber but need more.

NB: My puppy is now 18 weeks old.


-incorrect movement: the best way i can describe it would be that she doesn't have enough stretch in the rear legs.
-doesn't seem to have the power she should in her rear legs
-cowhocked
-often sits crooked or back on the butt. Will sit down correctly initially then slide over.
-quick to sit or lay down
-often pushes herself up with front legs
 
Thanks in anticipation.

I found out Ruger was displastic last summer, he was 19 months old. I know the pain and anger you are feeling. The vet mentioned something about the arthritic changes making up for the displasia, and your dog should be re generating for the next couple of years. After that, is when you start to notice deterioration in the hips. I would suggest not putting anything in your dogs body that is not absolutely necessary. No outward pain, means no pain meds. Just let her exercise at her own pace, and don't push her, but keep her moving to keep her joints oiled. I might suggest some natural supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin to help the building blocks along. Good luck, and know you are not alone.

Thanks everyone for the support.  I managed to pull the x-rays from the junk proprietary software that the vet gave me.  I created a gallery and uploaded it.  Hopefully everyone can see it here.  Let me know what you think regarding the positioning and obviously the hips themselves.


Jp

I should also mention i have x-rays of the knees and spine which all look good.  Also, the vet pointed out that all but one growth plate are completely closed and the last one is very close. 


Thanks,
Jp

Submit the x-rays for a formal reading. Even if the dog is dysplastic, it is potentially not a huge detriment. Plenty of dogs are dysplastic and lead good lives. They do if given appropriate exercise, appropriate food, and kept lean. In general, one should not jump a dog who has bad hips or elbows. Giving supplements of certain things may not hurt, but there are no serious studies in humans or animals proving any real measurable benefit from doing so. Common sense should be your guide here. 

Personally, I would never recommend surgery except in extreme cases. Based on what you say and the x-rays you posted, I do not believe your situation to be extreme.  Joint replacement is often talked about, and too often performed. Believe me, it is not all it is cracked up to be in both humans and dogs, and it is not without some risk. So it should be a last resort in my opinion.

And don't waste time being angry about this. Look at your contract and if necessary, exercise the options provided. Give your dog the love you should, socialize and train it properly and enjoy as many activities as you can and the dog can without showing lameness or pain.

Good luck.

Get your pup swimming, build the muscle in the hind legs, keep her lean and don't stop her doing the things she wants.  HD doesn't have to mean she's crippled.