hortfurball Posted November 9, 2007 Author Share Posted November 9, 2007 Thanks Poodlefan. When the vet nurse took her leash I thought she'd lead her straight out the back but she paused and Ebony saw me leave through the glass doors. That little face was heartbreaking. I could see fear of abandonment. She thought I wasn't coming back. Won't she be pleased to see me later! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hortfurball Posted November 9, 2007 Author Share Posted November 9, 2007 Thanks Loraine. Surely life wouldn't be that unkind to the poor little poppet. A bad start and bad hips would be too much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hortfurball Posted November 9, 2007 Author Share Posted November 9, 2007 (edited) OMG She has hip dysplasia. :cheer: Edited for spelling Edited November 22, 2007 by hortfurball Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StaceyB Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 Oh No! Oh, poor little baby! Are they able to fix it?! That would absolute hell for her! I'm so sorry to hear that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monsterpup Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 Oh, no, I'm so sorry. I don't know anything about HD, so will just cross my fingers for you that it isn't quite as serious as it sounds, or that something can be done for her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hortfurball Posted November 9, 2007 Author Share Posted November 9, 2007 (edited) Option 1 - Management: I have to treat her like an old arthritic dog for her whole life. No agility. No ball throwing. Playdates cut short. Cartrophen injections, fish oil, Glucosamine, Chondroitin. Option 2 - Treatment: For approx. $5000- they can fracture her pelvis and try to realign it with the hips, but she'll still end up with arthritis, and it's not guaranteed. Hugely invasive. Think I'll be going option 1 and hope for the best. Life is just not fair. My poor little girl. What did she do to deserve this? She's the sweetest thing on legs. Edited November 9, 2007 by hortfurball Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tramissa Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 Pixie recently had her darling kaeliegh pts due to other issues, but I know she was successfully managing severe HD. Swimming was a big thing, and diet. Please PM her to ask exactly what she was doing - it made a HUGE difference. It may also partially correct as she grows into her bones as well. Slowing down her growth, limiting her exercise etc is vitally important until she has finished growing. It is possible that with the high protein and good food she's been getting, she has grown too quickly and therefore she doesn't fit together as well atm. Building up muscle to support the hip joints will help to stabilise them. Whatever you choose, good luck - she can still live a long and happy life with the right management. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peibe Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 So sorry to read this about your baby girl My male Shar Pei has HD, he has a had femural neck extension which has helped but his other leg is gone now and I do not want to put him through it again HD can be managed for a short period of time, my boy is on natural treatment from a naturalpath and lots of swimming He is 4 years old now and sadly I will not have him for much longer but it has been a great 4 years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 (edited) Yep! What Tramissa said It must be devastating but there is a lot you can do - cartrophen etc is really good - just thought I'd mention that I had an excellent, highly qualified chiro here for Zig recently who has a standard oodle x something with hips that are off the scale for dysplasia - she bought this dog years ago before understanding BYB etc - she does very gentle massage and manipulation to help manage the HD....might be something worth looking into. Good luck - I'm sure you'll do everything you can Edited November 9, 2007 by The Spotted Devil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hortfurball Posted November 9, 2007 Author Share Posted November 9, 2007 The vet mentioned swimming too. There are no dog pools in Perth are there? Anyone know? Will PM Pixi for advice and do a forum search too. I've been managing my old boy's arthritis for years so am sort of used to that. None of my dogs have ever been overweight so managing that is not an issue. I'm used to adjusting up and down by half and quarter cups judging by the waistline. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ittybitty_ Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 one of the best things I have ever heard of for issues like HD, is shark cartliedge, it is slightly expensive, but is great stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diva Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 So sorry to hear that it's HD Hortfurball. Poor baby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Piximatosis Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 I got your PM, Hortfurball, and replied to it. Best of luck to you and your girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tramissa Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 You don't have to have a pool to go swimming Creeks, Dams, beach etc. or do you know anyone with a backyard pool? Swimming is unreal for building up their leg muscles and getting condition. I started my 10 year old swimming when we moved into this house in September. I can see a big difference already, that that's just 10 mins a few times a week. Now that it's getting hotter, she'll be in nearly every day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 I'm really sorry to hear this HFB. Good luck with managing this. I don't know anything much about HD but I'm sure that DOLers with the knowledge will help you out. I know a few dogs with it that seem to manage OK. She'll be in good hands with you I'm sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidoney Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 Oh, hortie, sorry to hear of the diagnosis. Sounds like you are getting some good advice - sending my best wishes to you and Ebony. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikle Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 The vet mentioned swimming too. There are no dog pools in Perth are there? Anyone know? Will PM Pixi for advice and do a forum search too. I've been managing my old boy's arthritis for years so am sort of used to that. None of my dogs have ever been overweight so managing that is not an issue. I'm used to adjusting up and down by half and quarter cups judging by the waistline. Sorry to hear Horty Poor Ebony. There is a dog pool in Canning Vale. I do not know the exact details off the top of my head but can get it for you if you are interested.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wherezaball Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 I feed my Lab with HD Hills Science Diet JD (Joint Diet) It is brilliant!! You need to feed for about 3 weeks to see a difference and it is not cheap to feed but it is well worth it. she is 8 been diagnosed almost 2 years ago and you would barely know she had a problem. She bounces around like an idiot as much as I try to stop her JD has all the supplements that help with joint problems and I really cant recommend it highly enough. I know a few people who feed it and they are all happy with it. It is only available from your vet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hortfurball Posted November 9, 2007 Author Share Posted November 9, 2007 Thanks for your concern and well wishes everyone. The little girl is back from the vet. I took her outside when we got home and she immediately did a wee the good little girl (wonder how long she'd been holding on) and has been crashed on the couch ever since. I saw the x-rays, not good. Even my untrained eye can see it's severe. they showed me a normal x-ray for comparison and it is markedly different. The ball is right out of the joint and resting on the edge of it. There's no way I'd be able to completely stop her exercising, as she tends to do little figure eights chasing flies in the backyard. That doesn't actually worry me too much as there are no short sharp movements, and she needs to do some exercise. I intend to keep taking her to obedience and hopefully do obedience trials with her now that agility is out of the question. Puppy playdates will resume in a few weeks under careful supervision with off leash time limited to very short social sessions, with her being on leash the majority of the time. Her switch from Advance Puppy Growth to Advance Adult (Normal) is underway. I'll keep her weight right down to low normal, as I do with the old arthritic Kugameister. Her Cartrophen injections will start in 2 weeks when she goes back to have her stitches out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hortfurball Posted November 9, 2007 Author Share Posted November 9, 2007 Oh, and am looking into the best way to get supplements into her, whether we go Sasha's Blend, change to Hills or just add the appropriate supplements like I do for Kuges, haven't decided yet. Bikle, yes please!! I'd love details as I hate the beach Yes I know, I'm odd. It's all that soft sand you see, bad for her. Well that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now