14 month old with hip problems

[Bailey's driver]

The symptoms are limping on a rear leg.

The vet has found that in the left hip only he has pain, and is going in for an X-ray next week. I would be interestred to hear anything havng to do with hip problems. Individuals or just general knowledge. I know some Corgis have hip displeasure. Can that really be checked reliably at 8 weeks old?

If this dog does have hip displeasure I feel the breeder may not have been the best. I did not go to the breeder or have anything to do with the purchase.

Thanks.


Edit post: I found the correct paper work. One parent was listed as "good" hips. The other parent, all I have is a preliminary check. Comments?

[Jespah]

Hip dysplaysia, I was told by my vet couldn't be diagnosed until the dog was at least two years of age - UNLESS it was a severe case and could be diagnosed as early as 7 weeks. It's good to go to a vet that has experience wit hthe dwarf breeds such as Corgis - they have a different build and their bone structure is different. Most breeds should wait until the age when the bones are fully fused to know. I went through a scare with Riley - but it was just an over playing injury.

[Bailey's driver]

Originally Posted by Jespah

Hip dysplaysia, I was told by my vet couldn't be diagnosed until the dog was at least two years of age - UNLESS it was a severe case and could be diagnosed as early as 7 weeks. It's good to go to a vet that has experience wit hthe dwarf breeds such as Corgis - they have a different build and their bone structure is different. Most breeds should wait until the age when the bones are fully fused to know. I went through a scare with Riley - but it was just an over playing injury.

That makes sense to me. Things change as they grow. I'm very glad to hear your comment about over playing. The day befor this last episode we had been doing a lot of running together on the grass. Once in a while the gound is closer or farther away then you think when you take a step in 5" high grass and you get surprised. I'm hoping that is the real cause. He seems to be a little better every day. He's very good today and we went on a walk about half of our normal distance. Thanks.

For an animal with 7" legs he goes pretty fast. I can keep up with his cruising run. But when he sprints it's like a rocket went off. I wish my power to weight ratio was any where close to his !

[sweetlychee]

I would expect hip dysplaysia to affect a dog that was a bit older than 14 months old. I would check with a vet first regarding when can a dog be diagnose with this.

A lot of people have told me there's no guarantee on perfect health even if the parents didn't have certain diseases.

[Bailey's driver]

Originally Posted by sweetlychee

I would expect hip dysplaysia to affect a dog that was a bit older than 14 months old. I would check with a vet first regarding when can a dog be diagnose with this.

A lot of people have told me there's no guarantee on perfect health even if the parents didn't have certain diseases.

I think this is true, you can never be sure. I'm hoping to learn as much as I can before next Wednesday when he goes in for the X-ray in case I feel the need to ask about something.

[glencorgi]

Hopefully, Bailey's limping was the result of some over strenuous exercise. Crate rest and limited exercise would be recommended until you know more definitely.

Hip dysplasia can be diagnosed earlier than 2 years and often is. I know of a not over 8 month old Pug that was diagnosed as severely dysplastic and I saw the x-rays. Xrays are the only definitive way for diagnosis. The only reason I can think of for a puppy to be checked as young as 8 weeks is IF there were obvious deformities and issues already presenting and Bailey would have been symptomatic by the time you got him.

Hip dysplasia is polygenetic - that means there is more than one set of genes at work for it to manifest. It isn't like coat length or coat color for example where things are determined by "simple" dominants and recessives. Two parents with excellent hips can still produce a puppy that comes up dysplastic. But breeding good hips to good hips and breeding the resulting good hip to more good hips lessens the probability of dysplasia occurring. That's the nature side.

The nurture side/environmental is also a factor. Obesity in puppies can contribute (and I don't mean normal healthy puppy pudge). Floor surfaces - the amount of traction a puppy can get for footing can contribute. Rate of growth (another reason I'm cautious about feeding high protein puppy foods for too long), appropriate exercise and activity. So yes it is possible for the nurture element to cause a case of hip dysplasia. No accusations, just spelling things out.

Originally Posted by Bailey's driver

Can that really be checked reliably at 8 weeks old?

If this dog does have hip displeasure I feel the breeder may not have been the best. I did not go to the breeder or have anything to do with the purchase.

What concerns me about the breeder is the statement that he was checked for dysplasia at 8 weeks of age. Not likely. Secondly, that Bailey was purchased by your daughter and is now with you. Is this because he was a gift? or exactly why? IF he was bought for you for whatever reason or event, reputable responsible breeders are going to want to at some point deal with the person who is going to have their puppy. Hip dysplasia is one of those things in spite of doing everything humanly possible to prevent on the breeder's end, Mother Nature is going to have the last say. How the breeder works with you and deals with this is the determination of the quality of the breeder.

Edit post: I found the correct paper work. One parent was listed as "good" hips. The other parent, all I have is a preliminary check. Comments?

Okay, that means one parent had a rating of good by OFA. The other was too young to receive a permanent rating (was under 2 years of age), so they bred on a preliminary rating. That is an acceptable way to do things. The rating on the prelim is what is important.

I also would recommend contacting the breeder, responsible ones would want to know.

Debbie

[sweetlychee]

I wish you the best of luck, Bailey's Driver. It's scary not knowing what's going to happen. Keep us inform on the progress and best of luck.

[tandemgal]

Hopefully Bailey just has a sprain. Has he been more active than usual? or been jumping off the sofa or something a little higher? My Em has had a couple of sprains over the years - happily she hasn't needed anything more than crate rest and a little anti-inflammatory meds for them.

Keep us posted.

[Bailey's driver]

Thanks for all the comments.

It's possible my daughter misunderstood or was telling me what I wanted to hear about the breeders comment regarding the hips. My daughter has a full time job, goes to college full time, has a boyfriend, and does not live with me.
That's why I have Bailey at my house 98% of the time

I get a free Corgi !!

[glencorgi]

Originally Posted by Bailey's driver

I get a free Corgi !!

Can't argue with that!

Debbie

[Bailey's driver]

Originally Posted by glencorgi

Can't argue with that!

Debbie

I think I'm going to change the locks so she can't get him back!

(just kidding)

[Michael Romanos]

The percentages are stacked against Bailey having HD.

[milles2]

Lulu was just diagnosed with Panosteitis (pano). She was limping on and off with her front leg.

The anit-inflamatory has been helping. She was hardly limping at all until last Friday when Tucker jumped on her and she came up limping again. Yesterday she was playing at day care all day, limped to the car, took a 1/2 hour nap, then went to obedience class. She was walking fine during class.

Fortunately she will grow out of the pano with time. I hope Baily's limp is temporary.

Susan

[Bailey's driver]

Thanks for all the support and all the good information, I appreciate it.

From an X-ray today Bailey was diagnosed with mild to moderate hip dysphasia. He is now on a pain killer and Glucose Chlosadimine. I'm sure you know what I mean, I did not check the spelling on the box. It may help the bones. Some people take it for one kind of arthritis.
At least I know how to take care of him, I have arthritis in my hips and knees. I have the same symptoms. I have been researching this kind of thing for 25 years. It will keep me from forgetting and letting him overdo it. I have plenty of patience for the times when he might feel bad. I know exactly how it goes. I know when to not rush him around. I can probably take care of him better than someone who does not know about hip joint pain, and how it can come and go. How ironic is that ? I know that it can feel fine once you get warmed up and exercise, but lousy for the next couple of days. I know how to exercise without much pressure on the joints. I know how to even take care of your joints around the house or in the car.

One day at a time is all you can do with this kind of thing. He may feel fine or terrible, no way to ever know the future. That's life, you need to accept what you have and live with it. I still have a very happy little guy. The pain pills really help him too. I think with the pills he feels 100% right now.

I am interested in any comments about living with hip pain in a dog. I could always learn something new.

[MissGambler'sMommy]

I give Miss Gambler Glucosamine HCI(Arthramine, purchased at PETCO) each day, her vet says that it's a good medicine for joints and could only help stave off any future problems. That and Lipiderm (skin and fur) are her daily pills. Also, I love reading about you and your friend, and wish you the very best. Keep us updated and maybe start a new thread asking about pain management, I don't want people to miss that question, it could help all of us.