Questions about Hip Dysplasia in Dogs.

[Mike 03]

I am getting very worried that my Lab has early signs of hip dysplasia. He bunny hops up hills and steps, he walks much more slowly than he used to.

Next week are going to the vet.

Does anybody have some suggestions about what kinds of questions I can ask? It is not obvious he has hip dysplasia, but when fatigued or in the situations I mentioned, I see the early signs.

Should I request X-rays, or advice, or some kind of dog painkiller?

I'm worried that when I tell my veterinarian "I have this gut feeling my dog is getting hip dysplasia" that she is not going to take me seriously or know precisely what to do, and I don't know enough to ask for specific procedures, or, for that matter, even know if anything can be done in these early stages.

One other thing: My dog is the kind of dog that doesn't want to let on that he is in pain and wants to be strong, stoic, and please me, which is making this process of having him diagnosed more difficult.

This dog is the best thing in my life right now. I love him more than I can even put into words, and he brings me more joy than I can articulate.

But I am having trouble telling if he is in pain, and I am not sure how to ask my veterinarian to check him out.

Not sure what I am trying to ask: Any advice on how to get a younger dog diagnosed with hip dysplasia, what the treatment might be, and if it is a good treatment?

[femmocrat]

1. Your vet will know precisely what to do. She can probably diagnose dysplasia through an examination

She will ask you if you want additional measures such as X-rays. Just describe your dog's symptoms and let her take it from there. You don't need to offer your own diagnosis. She might prescribe some medication. One of our dogs was on an anti-arthritis medicine in his later years.

Your dog isn't trying to be stoic. If he is in pain, he will indicate that by showing discomfort during the examination.

Hope everything turns out to be fine. Let us know, OK? :hug:

[lukasahero]

2. I don't know specifically about dysplasia

but I know about Labs and bad hips.

First things first though, I don't know about your relationship with your vet but if she doesn't take your questions seriously (only YOU really know your dog and the vet should respect that), I'd find another vet.

I don't think I'd go in telling your vet you think it's dysplasia unless you are aware of specific symptoms that are only attributable to it. I would tell your vet what you've said here and let the vet determine the cause (it could be arthritis due to any number of causes). It could also 'just' be an injury - my Lab tore his ACL when he was young - I never saw him do it - we found out when we visited our vet with just about the exact same situation you're reporting here....

Labs are notorious stoics so it's not unusual that he wouldn't "let on" (they are bred specifically to be "pain tolerant"). Your vet should also know the breed well enough to understand that in her approach to testing and diagnosis. The vet should start with a physical work-up - just bending the leg and pushing it around - she'll be able to tell quite a bit just by feel. X-rays mean the dog has to be sedated so that may not be the first thing you want to do. If this is an intermittent problem (how old is your boy?) maybe just starting on some glucosomine (I know I spelled that wrong...) would relieve his symptoms some.

If the situation has progressed to where you feel x-rays are warranted, talk to your vet about it. She should listen to your concerns. My understanding is that dysplasia is "curable" with surgery so there is that option should you choose it.

[livetohike]

3. Hip dysplasia is common in large breed dogs

Just tell the vet the symptoms you observed and let the vet give you the diagnosis. I had a lab diagnosed when she was four years old. She was probably born with the dysplasia because she bunny hopped and seemed to walk strangely since we had her as a pup. Due to an injury to her back leg, we took her to the vet and he saw the dysplasia on the x-rays. In her, it was pretty severe but she lived to be 13.5 years old and didn't have too much trouble until she was 11 or 12.

I think my Catahoula Leopard - Cindy (just turned 7) has hip dysplasia and I have started her on glucosamine and chondroitin supplements and fish oil supplements until I take her in to the vet. The vet may recommend Adequan injections which they inject into the hip joint or even surgery since your dog is younger.

Please update and let us know how it turns out. There are more treatments and solutions out there for hip dysplasia than there were 20 years ago.