Puppy Hip Dysplasia

[persephone]

How are things now ?

[catbrit]

Alfie has had a few quiet days and had 3 days on pain meds. He seems to be a lot happier now. Im starting to think his body needed a rest as he had fallen or slipped.

We are looking into an option in which the vet will give him injections of an arthritis medication into his hip to see if it slows down the progression of his hip issue. So 4 initial injections over a month then either 3 monthly or 6 monthly boosters depending how he goes with it

[persephone]

Glad he's had a rest :)

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

catbrit

you might want to ask your vet or the specialist if you decide to go to one - to submit the details of your puppy's ancestry (pedigree) to the LIDA database

With a view to tracking this problem and perhaps preventing it in future Brittany Spaniels

http://sydney.edu.au/vetscience/lida/dogs/

As far as I know most of the data on the problems by breed are from American information but hopefully more and more Australian information will become available.

Your dog's breeder needs to be informed too. Some are really pleased to hear - with a view to avoiding future problems and some get angry and defensive - either way you should tell them and offer the vet details (copies of xrays or reports) if they want them.

[catbrit]

I sent the breeder an email to let her know and a copy of the X-ray. We will do further X-rays when he is 12 months and inform her then too so she is aware.

I will look into the LIDA database. Thank you

[skip]

Firstly catbrit let me say how sorry I am that this happened to you and your pup. I was absolutely gutted when I found my kelpie had HD.

For what it's worth this is what I learnt and I will try not to waffle.

My kelpie was just 3 and going well, loving agility and all things sheep. She seemed to pull a muscle out swimming and my vet said she had a knee problem. So we started Petasan injections much like u describe your pup has just started. Bearing in mind she was barely showing lameness and your pup sounds much worse. I trusted my vet so it was 6 months later before I took her to a chiro who thought (as I suspected) that it was her hip. Note here he thought it was a injury only as HD cannot be unilateral. But I left thinking it can be if both hips r Crap but only one causes pain.

Even then they didn't think it was HD. So I went to another vet and had her xrayed. Really gutted that day to find she had shocking hips despite showing little physical discomfort. Maybe born that way but her hip ends are gone, she has no ball left and cartilage erosion particularly on left.

So she is given ( since a whole series of Petasan given already for a misdiagnosed knee) a daily dose for a kelpie of glucosamine and chondrotin. It was vital to not just give glucosamine but the chondroitin as its great for cartilage growth. The idea being to grow cartilage faster that ragged hip end is wearing it away. Happy to find Blooms make one but hard to get the right mixture.

Her story continues but her situaton differs from your pup. I don't know where u r but in my area there is a specialist available in parramatta who is said to be the best. The vet can forward xrays for an opinion or can refer you to him. I will b doing this. There are three common procedures but one can only be done on puppies very early. You don't want to miss any window of opportunity. So see whoever is the best in your area.

I was referred to a qualified physio ($$) who gave us really useful exercises to do. For my dog she will be allowed to live as full a life as possible while trying to minimize exercise and wear on her joints. Eventually she will need a TPO and hopefully have some years after that.

So all this has raised some questions about finding the right balance for my dog in regards to her quality of life. I have chosen to allow her some freedom, probably more than her hips warrant but what is her life worth if she is frustrated and unhappy.

You have some hard choices ahead. But we cannot judge you as only you know what your dog needs and what you are able to provide.

But ask questions. Get the best help. That's the best you can do.

Your pup is lucky in one way cause he has a loving home and owner. I hope you find the answers you need.

Edited September 21, 2015 by skip

[Xyz]

Firstly catbrit let me say how sorry I am that this happened to you and your pup. I was absolutely gutted when I found my kelpie had HD.

For what it's worth this is what I learnt and I will try not to waffle.

My kelpie was just 3 and going well, loving agility and all things sheep. She seemed to pull a muscle out swimming and my vet said she had a knee problem. So we started Petasan injections much like u describe your pup has just started. Bearing in mind she was barely showing lameness and your pup sounds much worse. I trusted my vet so it was 6 months later before I took her to a chiro who thought (as I suspected) that it was her hip. Note here he thought it was a injury only as HD cannot be unilateral. But I left thinking it can be if both hips r Crap but only one causes pain.

Even then they didn't think it was HD. So I went to another vet and had her xrayed. Really gutted that day to find she had shocking hips despite showing little physical discomfort. Maybe born that way but her hip ends are gone, she has no ball left and cartilage erosion particularly on left.

So she is given ( since a whole series of Petasan given already for a misdiagnosed knee) a daily dose for a kelpie of glucosamine and chondrotin. It was vital to not just give glucosamine but the chondroitin as its great for cartilage growth. The idea being to grow cartilage faster that ragged hip end is wearing it away. Happy to find Blooms make one but hard to get the right mixture.

Her story continues but her situaton differs from your pup. I don't know where u r but in my area there is a specialist available in parramatta who is said to be the best. The vet can forward xrays for an opinion or can refer you to him. I will b doing this. There are three common procedures but one can only be done on puppies very early. You don't want to miss any window of opportunity. So see whoever is the best in your area.

I was referred to a qualified physio ($$) who gave us really useful exercises to do. For my dog she will be allowed to live as full a life as possible while trying to minimize exercise and wear on her joints. Eventually she will need a TPO and hopefully have some years after that.

So all this has raised some questions about finding the right balance for my dog in regards to her quality of life. I have chosen to allow her some freedom, probably more than her hips warrant but what is her life worth if she is frustrated and unhappy.

You have some hard choices ahead. But we cannot judge you as only you know what your dog needs and what you are able to provide.

But ask questions. Get the best help. That's the best you can do.

Your pup is lucky in one way cause he has a loving home and owner. I hope you find the answers you need.

Just in regards to the bolded bit, I have had a lot to do with dogs having Total Hip Replacements, and would have to disagree. As long as they have suitable post op care (crate resting, leash walking, weight management and no slippery surfaces) they do great. By 6weeks post op you can rarely pick a limp, and their owners are delighted. Years on and still nobody would ever know anything was wrong with the dog! Sometimes the other hip needs doing at a later date, sometimes they manage with just the most affected hip operated on.

Yes, it's expensive (probably 50% of the dogs I've known have had pet insurance, which covers all but the implants)

[bianca.a]

I have to agree with Xyz. My then 10 month old GSD was diagnosed with severe bilateral HD (my vet and two specialists - one who is super involved in the GSD world). He had his first THR at 1 and then a year later the other side done. He is about to turn 4 and he is like a brand new dog! I should also add that because I live in the boonies I had no access to physio etc. It cost me about $8000 per side.

[skip]

Sorry guys, I stand corrected and admit my experience with dogs that have had THR is limited. After having two little rescue dogs for a decade without any issues, it is a but of a wakeup when you suddenly hit a health problem.

I edited my post as in hindsight I was uncomfortable posting about somebody else's business. My friends are devoted to their fur babies.

I am lucky I wasn't faced with such difficult choices. Becoming more involved with dogs I hear of so many health issues that can happen. There was a time when a lot of these procedures on dogs were not common. Now the vet care available seems to be unlimited.

This is partly why when asked about getting another dog I answer no. I have to be able to provide fully for the 3 I have so for now it is will be just a family of 3. And you learn a lot about what to look for in the next puppy.

Glad your dogs have had brand hips that do the job though. ☺ hopefully catbrit's pup will do as well whatever happens.

[Staffyluv]

Alfie has had a few quiet days and had 3 days on pain meds. He seems to be a lot happier now. Im starting to think his body needed a rest as he had fallen or slipped.

We are looking into an option in which the vet will give him injections of an arthritis medication into his hip to see if it slows down the progression of his hip issue. So 4 initial injections over a month then either 3 monthly or 6 monthly boosters depending how he goes with it

Cartrophen (edited for correct injection) injections - my boy has them every six months (he has HD and his right hip is much worse than his left).

We also see a canine chiropractor every 6 weeks - this alone has made a huge difference to the way Zig moves.

I am looking at stem cell therapy for Zig. At the next round of x-rays, they will also harvest the fat from near his kidneys and then 'extract' the stem cells (or whatever they do). We will store them until we decide to use them.

I never thought I would consider femoral head removal but I had a foster dog here and she came into care with a dislocated hip, that was left untreated - the only real option for her was to remove the femoral head. I was amazed at how quickly she recovered and how quickly she was up and around. I kept her weight right down, so it didn't put extra pressure on her good leg.

I now keep Zig's weight on the lighter side, which helps.

Good luck with your dog - it is hard to watch our pups in pain.

Edited September 25, 2015 by Staffyluv

[persephone]

Femoral head removal - yep , I have seen dogs with that done ..instant relief , and a very good recovery/quality of life . Amazing to see, actually !

[Starkehre]

Alfie has had a few quiet days and had 3 days on pain meds. He seems to be a lot happier now. Im starting to think his body needed a rest as he had fallen or slipped.

We are looking into an option in which the vet will give him injections of an arthritis medication into his hip to see if it slows down the progression of his hip issue. So 4 initial injections over a month then either 3 monthly or 6 monthly boosters depending how he goes with it

Carprofen injections - my boy has them every six months (he has HD and his right hip is much worse than his left).

We also see a canine chiropractor every 6 weeks - this alone has made a huge difference to the way Zig moves.

I am looking at stem cell therapy for Zig. At the next round of x-rays, they will also harvest the fat from near his kidneys and then 'extract' the stem cells (or whatever they do). We will store them until we decide to use them.

I never thought I would consider femoral head removal but I had a foster dog here and she came into care with a dislocated hip, that was left untreated - the only real option for her was to remove the femoral head. I was amazed at how quickly she recovered and how quickly she was up and around. I kept her weight right down, so it didn't put extra pressure on her good leg.

I now keep Zig's weight on the lighter side, which helps.

Good luck with your dog - it is hard to watch our pups in pain.

Just to clarify SL, could Zig's injections be Cartrophen, Pentosan or Xydax? These are disease modifying osteoarthritis drugs and help preserve cartilage.

Carprofen is the generic Rimadyl which is an NSAID.

[Staffyluv]

Yep you are right, apologies - it is cartrophen injections and we do it every six months.

[Starkehre]

Yep you are right, apologies - it is cartrophen injections and we do it every six months.

All good :)

[tendayi]

Years ago we were in your position with a 7 month old brittany puppy. I had the puppy xrayed and seen by a specialist who diagnosed the puppy as being dysplastic.To have this puppy operated on will cost several thousand dollars and several weeks in a crate and being walked on a lead.

Have you tried contacting Dr Rawlinson and explaining the situation to him and see if he will score the hips for you.

Another option is to send him back to the breeder and see if they will replace him or give you your money back. My breeder did.