Potential Hip Dysplacia

[CamH]

Hey Guys,

I have recently been noticing some clumsiness/weakness in my nearly 6 month old Bulldog Pups back legs.

He also has a 'bunny hop' gait when he is running. when he is walking he kind of drags his back legs aswell. He doesn't seem to show any pain what so ever though and will attempt to jump on the couch/bed

As a first time dog owner i immediately took him to the vet to get him checked out..

at that stage he was around 4-5 months old and the vet didnt X-ray him just did some movement tests on him and seemed to think it was because of lack of muscle development around his legs.

After doing some google-ing on different dog websites its seems as though he has SOME tell-tail signs of HD.

Has anyone heard of it developing in such a young age in a pup?

And if so is what are you experiences with it??

Cheers.

[Xyz]

Certainly can show at an early age, and is not rare in. Bulldogs, especially so called 'Aussie ' Bulldogs.

I would ask for X-rays, by an experienced vet

[Podengo]

Through my work I've seen a 6 month old puppy diagnosed with severe HD. We took the X-rays and our vets sent them to be evaluated by a specialist so we could find out if the dog was a candidate for any kind of surgery, and he said they were the worst hips he had ever seen. The dog was bunny hopping while moving prior to intervention, has muscle wastage and a bad limp on the really bad leg and tight/sore muscles. The dog also roaches its back while standing and doesn't stand with its weight squarely distributed. The dog isn't a candidate for surgery until fully grown, as the usual corrective surgery they do on dogs that young isn't an option, so they are managing with multi-modal pain management, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and keeping her very light.

In your situation, if you are really concerned, I would just go and get X-rays for peace of mind. If the dog is still exhibiting unusual movement and X-rays don't show anything I would be looking for a canine physio, or rehab vet to get to the bottom of it all.

Edited January 29, 2016 by Podengo

[Staffyluv]

Certainly can show at an early age, and is not rare in. Bulldogs, especially so called 'Aussie ' Bulldogs.

I would ask for X-rays, by an experienced vet

^^ This..

To an experienced vet for x-rays. The earlier it is diagnosed the better.

My, now 4 year old, staffy cross was bunny hopping and seemed to be limping and sore in one back leg all the time but he was still super active (when he was about .

We initially thought it was a knee injury and we opted for x-rays. months old).

Under x-ray, the vet managed to get a bit of his right hip in the x-ray and that is when he called me to say that he needed to extend the x-rays to his hips.

His right hip is really quite bad and we are now booked in for updated x-rays and to remove some fat for stem cell therapy in the near future.

Don't leave it - if you are concerned but your vet fobs you off - find another vet that will listen.

Personally, I would rather be out of pocket the cost of x-rays and tests and have them all come back clear, than have the dog suffering because the tests weren't done.

[bianca.a]

Agree with the others, my then 10 month old pup was diagnosed by xray and two specialists with severe bilateral HD. He has since had surgeries on both hips. So to ease your mind, get xrays and get them seen by a specialist. Good luck.

[*kirty*]

Something like 80% of Bulldogs have hip dysplasia so it wouldn't surprise me.