Living with a Corgi with two bad hips.

Bailey's driver · 11-20-2006, 02:13 PM

My 14 month old just was diagnosed with two bad hips. This time the symptoms showed up when we had been doing an unusual amount of running together. That night and the next few days he was limping a lot. In a way It might be a good thing that I have arthritis in my hips too. I can understand a little bit how he feels and what makes him feel worse and what makes him feel better. One example is a lot of running makes our hips hurt but it goes away slowly in a couple of days if we take it easy. If you go right out again the next day and run even if you feel good, the irritated parts in the joint will tell you that you made a big mistake. I know sometimes at night when he moves around he's not comfortable. The soft warm cloth texture of my chair and the couch spread the pressure on the joint out a little bit and make us feel better than say a hard floor for him or a hard chair for me. It's like we were matched up for a reason.

I'm letting him walk down his ramp out of my car, and a guy watching says why do you use the ramp? I say "he might have a bad back". The guy says why don't you just lift him down? I say "I have a bad back". The guy notices I switch to the short leash instead of the long extendable leash. He asks why. I say " he has hip problems and can't run much". The guy says do you run alongside him with the short leash? I say "not very much I have hip problems". He sure gave me a funny look.

What advice or stories do you have for me about Corgis with bad hips?

Thanks.

Fluffypants · 11-20-2006, 02:22 PM

I wish I had advice or stories for you, but I don't.

I am just writing here to offer support & sympathy. It does seem like Bailey found you for a reason. You are two peas in a pod.

tandemgal · 11-20-2006, 04:09 PM

Check out the threads that Corgimum has on Monty's hip problems and the video she just added on the Monty and Dylan thread. It may give you options down the road.

Sorry to hear Bailey has been having so much trouble - he is so young!

Dillydoodle · 11-20-2006, 04:53 PM

I wish I had stories for you. my heart does go out to you, i understand what it feels like to have a bad back. I have some arthritis in my back so I can sympathize with you both. I agree that maybe corgimum's thread about Montrose and Dylan might be helpful, the k-9 carts are a wonderful option down the road.
The only thing I was going to mention was that adding some glucosamine Chondriotin to Bailey's food might be helpful...it actually might be helpful to you too. Me and Dillon and my elderly cat misty are all taking it regularly. I started taking it for knee and back joint issues- and found some improvement in about 30 days...I then started Misty on it when i found her to have some arthritis that was preventing her from jumping up on our bed ( where she sleeps on her own pillow over my head at night) and i added it to her diet and within 45 days she was able to jump on my bed again, that was 4 yrs ago, and she is even better now, rarely showing signs of arthirits. When DIllon was a puppy he was misdiagnosed with joint issues and i started him on glucosamine chondriotin and after i was told all was fine with his joints I asked my corgi vet if she felt i should discontinue giving it to him and she said it cant hurt and she actually thinks it is quite beneficial in the prevention of issues...so i have him on it too. I buy mine from Dr. Foster's and Smith on line www.drsfosterandsmith.com and i buy it in the powder form rather than pill becuase of misty the cat who wont eat chewable pills- but i can mix the powder in her food and she takes it. The ramp idea is wonderful and even dogs that do not have this issue should really be using them, or being lifted out of cars and suv's so they dont hurt themselves.

Emilie

darci · 11-20-2006, 07:17 PM

Did the vet do xrays ?

I know Darci at 2 yrs old was diag. with mild HD.
The number one thing our vet said was to keep her weight down, for her frame he wants her between 24-26 lbs and regular excersize.

What kinds of things did your vet reccomend ?

Bobbie · 11-20-2006, 09:35 PM

A dog that young might be a candidate for a hip replacement. It might be worth a consult with a good orthopedic veterinarian since you have a lifetime ahead of you. Sometimes one hip replacement allows the dog to put enough weight on the now good leg that the other doesn't need to be done. A dog showing pain at a young age is likely to end up unable to walk without surgery. If surgery is really not an option, a cart may be needed someday, but if you have a bad back, a dog in a cart can be a problem, as can a dog you have to lift a lot.

ZdogZ · 11-20-2006, 11:04 PM

We will keep you and Bailey in our thoughts and prayers. Hope everything goes well.

Jespah · 11-21-2006, 06:30 AM

I certainly can sympathize with you on the arthritis front. I was just diagnosed with osteoarthritis in both my hips.
I was going to suggest the glucosamine chondriotin as Emilie mentioned. My other Corgi Riley had an injury when she was young and suffered from shoulder pain from then on - the glucosamine chondriotin made a difference for her. I give it to both my dogs now as it is in the supplement I give them. I use Missing Link Plus for that reason. Be careful as to what forms of it you use - some dogs I have known get sick from the liquid form. Ask your vet what they're expereince is with it.
If Bailey will tolerate it, try massage for him. I say tolerate as Rupe goes nuts if I try to rub him or give him a hug!

We are thinking of you.

Bailey's driver · 11-24-2006, 02:54 PM

Thanks for all your good posts.
I did see the x rays myself. I can see the problems in both joints. The bones are not the right shape and there are some rough areas too.
He is on a pain pill. Rymadil? The vet said to reduce our running. He is also on glucosamine chondriotin. The vet did explain exactly what you just said about hip surgery. Sometimes one hip surgery is a solution. She also mentioned that it is not really hip replacment but removal of part of the joint and dogs (especially muscular ones like a Corgi) get back to walking on it as they did before.

The main recommendation for now is to cut down on the running. It really does add a lot of pressure on a joint. We went from the long extendable leash to a short one so he moves around a little less.
At Thanksgiving Bailey did not run free in the house with his cousin the Boxer. He stayed on the leash but he enjoyed the company of about 15 -20 people that like dogs. And the Boxer got to be near by. He likes that a lot.

If he has to go in a cart I will make a ramp or a lift to the get the cart in and out of the car. Or over steps. I won't have to pick him up much.

CorgiMum · 11-24-2006, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bailey's driver

He is on a pain pill. Rymadil? The vet said to reduce our running. He is also on glucosamine chondriotin.

If he has to go in a cart I will make a ramp or a lift to the get the cart in and out of the car. Or over steps. I won't have to pick him up much.

I'm so sorry that Bailey has this problem.

Dylan has been on Rymadil before and it did help him. And both he and Montrose have been taking glucosamine or years with no ill effects.

You are very wise to be thinking ahead, I wish I had done that with Montrose. As you may have read we are picking up her cart on Monday.

Since you are thinking of a cart, here is a link to a group of very helpful people, with a lot of experince to share, which you can tell form the name, is for our corgis & their wheels.

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/wheelcorgis/

Sending Bailey healthy vibes, and a hug for you.

glencorgi · 11-24-2006, 04:10 PM

Bailey's Driver,

I'm so sorry to hear this for Bailey, but am certainly glad he has you in his life to care for him. I don't think he could be in more conscientious and caring hands.

The only other tidbit I'll throw in as a suggestion is to really keep an eye on and monitor his weight; keep him on the lean side, this will help to keep stress off of his hips. The Breeder's Choice (Avoderm) dog food brand has a food designed to help with hip management - chock full of all kinds of good supplements to help with joints. I came across it when helping research for the little Pug puppy with bad hips and it might be something you would want to check out too. Hugs and scritches to Bailey.

Debbie

Bailey's driver · 11-25-2006, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CorgiMum

I'm so sorry that Bailey has this problem.

Dylan has been on Rymadil before and it did help him. And both he and Montrose have been taking glucosamine or years with no ill effects.

You are very wise to be thinking ahead, I wish I had done that with Montrose. As you may have read we are picking up her cart on Monday.

Since you are thinking of a cart, here is a link to a group of very helpful people, with a lot of experince to share, which you can tell form the name, is for our corgis & their wheels.

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/wheelcorgis/

Sending Bailey healthy vibes, and a hug for you.

Thanks. I hope Montrose adapts quickly to her cart, I bet she will. I did see the videos on the page of the company that makes them. What a clever invention. The way it is made I can tow it behind the trike with Bailey in his basket.

Quote:

Originally Posted by glencorgi

I'm so sorry to hear this for Bailey, but am certainly glad he has you in his life to care for him. I don't think he could be in more conscientious and caring hands. The only other tidbit I'll throw in as a suggestion is to really keep an eye on and monitor his weight; keep him on the lean side, this will help to keep stress off of his hips. The Breeder's Choice (Avoderm) dog food brand has a food designed to help with hip management - chock full of all kinds of good supplements to help with joints. I came across it when helping research for the little Pug puppy with bad hips and it might be something you would want to check out too. Hugs and scritches to Bailey.

Thanks, I will take a look at that food. Good advice about the weight.
I have the same advice from my doctor. I already have my cart, it's the trike.

Chip's Mom · 11-25-2006, 08:19 AM

Sorry to hear about Bailey. Good luck.

Bailey's driver · 11-26-2006, 07:46 PM

Bailey seems to be doing good. He's not limping. The pills help I'm sure. No way to know for sure how much of him feeling better is the pills, or how much is not running. He was doing some running every single day. He walks without any odd movements. He might be a little stiff when he first gets up, but sometimes he moves around before I get to see him in the morning. His trot is almost the same speed as my fast walk, just a touch faster. I let him get a little ahead and then I catch him when he slows or stops. I think there is less pressure on his hips troting with the long leash, than pulling sometimes on the short leash. Pulling against something is a lot of pressure on the joints. It's not hard to keep him from running after a squirrel, I just have to keep my eyes open and lock the leash quickly. I was chosing to let him run before, not having any trouble controling him. He needs to get his heart rate up etc. by moving somewhat quickly as long as it does not pressure the hips. That's why I took up bicycling. A little fast trot and a few almost run steps once in a while is better. It's not hard to tell how happy he is when we arrive at the park, and when he gets some exercise. It gets him a little pumped up for the rest of the day.

11-20-2006, 02:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
Bailey's driver Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 163 Images: 3	Living with a Corgi with two bad hips. My 14 month old just was diagnosed with two bad hips. This time the symptoms showed up when we had been doing an unusual amount of running together. That night and the next few days he was limping a lot. In a way It might be a good thing that I have arthritis in my hips too. I can understand a little bit how he feels and what makes him feel worse and what makes him feel better. One example is a lot of running makes our hips hurt but it goes away slowly in a couple of days if we take it easy. If you go right out again the next day and run even if you feel good, the irritated parts in the joint will tell you that you made a big mistake. I know sometimes at night when he moves around he's not comfortable. The soft warm cloth texture of my chair and the couch spread the pressure on the joint out a little bit and make us feel better than say a hard floor for him or a hard chair for me. It's like we were matched up for a reason. I'm letting him walk down his ramp out of my car, and a guy watching says why do you use the ramp? I say "he might have a bad back". The guy says why don't you just lift him down? I say "I have a bad back". The guy notices I switch to the short leash instead of the long extendable leash. He asks why. I say " he has hip problems and can't run much". The guy says do you run alongside him with the short leash? I say "not very much I have hip problems". He sure gave me a funny look. What advice or stories do you have for me about Corgis with bad hips? Thanks.

11-20-2006, 02:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
Fluffypants Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,447 Images: 1	I wish I had advice or stories for you, but I don't. I am just writing here to offer support & sympathy. It does seem like Bailey found you for a reason. You are two peas in a pod. __________________ Jessica (aka Fluffy-P) Jackie's Dogster Page: www.dogster.com/pet_page.php?i=262231 My Flickr Page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/71443492@N00/

11-20-2006, 04:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
tandemgal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,336	Check out the threads that Corgimum has on Monty's hip problems and the video she just added on the Monty and Dylan thread. It may give you options down the road. Sorry to hear Bailey has been having so much trouble - he is so young! __________________

11-20-2006, 07:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
darci Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,049 Images: 14	Did the vet do xrays ? I know Darci at 2 yrs old was diag. with mild HD. The number one thing our vet said was to keep her weight down, for her frame he wants her between 24-26 lbs and regular excersize. What kinds of things did your vet reccomend ? __________________ Cindy ( darci's mom )

11-20-2006, 09:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
Bobbie Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 11	A dog that young might be a candidate for a hip replacement. It might be worth a consult with a good orthopedic veterinarian since you have a lifetime ahead of you. Sometimes one hip replacement allows the dog to put enough weight on the now good leg that the other doesn't need to be done. A dog showing pain at a young age is likely to end up unable to walk without surgery. If surgery is really not an option, a cart may be needed someday, but if you have a bad back, a dog in a cart can be a problem, as can a dog you have to lift a lot. __________________ Carts for Corgis: http://www.corgiaid.com/cart Corgis on Wheels: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/wheelcorgis

11-20-2006, 04:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
Dillydoodle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,381	I wish I had stories for you. my heart does go out to you, i understand what it feels like to have a bad back. I have some arthritis in my back so I can sympathize with you both. I agree that maybe corgimum's thread about Montrose and Dylan might be helpful, the k-9 carts are a wonderful option down the road. The only thing I was going to mention was that adding some glucosamine Chondriotin to Bailey's food might be helpful...it actually might be helpful to you too. Me and Dillon and my elderly cat misty are all taking it regularly. I started taking it for knee and back joint issues- and found some improvement in about 30 days...I then started Misty on it when i found her to have some arthritis that was preventing her from jumping up on our bed ( where she sleeps on her own pillow over my head at night) and i added it to her diet and within 45 days she was able to jump on my bed again, that was 4 yrs ago, and she is even better now, rarely showing signs of arthirits. When DIllon was a puppy he was misdiagnosed with joint issues and i started him on glucosamine chondriotin and after i was told all was fine with his joints I asked my corgi vet if she felt i should discontinue giving it to him and she said it cant hurt and she actually thinks it is quite beneficial in the prevention of issues...so i have him on it too. I buy mine from Dr. Foster's and Smith on line www.drsfosterandsmith.com and i buy it in the powder form rather than pill becuase of misty the cat who wont eat chewable pills- but i can mix the powder in her food and she takes it. The ramp idea is wonderful and even dogs that do not have this issue should really be using them, or being lifted out of cars and suv's so they dont hurt themselves. Emilie

11-20-2006, 11:04 PM	#7 (permalink)
ZdogZ Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 656 Images: 1	We will keep you and Bailey in our thoughts and prayers. Hope everything goes well.

11-21-2006, 06:30 AM	#8 (permalink)
Jespah Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 1,024 Images: 5	I certainly can sympathize with you on the arthritis front. I was just diagnosed with osteoarthritis in both my hips. I was going to suggest the glucosamine chondriotin as Emilie mentioned. My other Corgi Riley had an injury when she was young and suffered from shoulder pain from then on - the glucosamine chondriotin made a difference for her. I give it to both my dogs now as it is in the supplement I give them. I use Missing Link Plus for that reason. Be careful as to what forms of it you use - some dogs I have known get sick from the liquid form. Ask your vet what they're expereince is with it. If Bailey will tolerate it, try massage for him. I say tolerate as Rupe goes nuts if I try to rub him or give him a hug! We are thinking of you. __________________ Deb Toronto, ON, Canada Rupert Jemma

11-24-2006, 02:54 PM	#9 (permalink)
Bailey's driver Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 163 Images: 3	Thanks for all your good posts. I did see the x rays myself. I can see the problems in both joints. The bones are not the right shape and there are some rough areas too. He is on a pain pill. Rymadil? The vet said to reduce our running. He is also on glucosamine chondriotin. The vet did explain exactly what you just said about hip surgery. Sometimes one hip surgery is a solution. She also mentioned that it is not really hip replacment but removal of part of the joint and dogs (especially muscular ones like a Corgi) get back to walking on it as they did before. The main recommendation for now is to cut down on the running. It really does add a lot of pressure on a joint. We went from the long extendable leash to a short one so he moves around a little less. At Thanksgiving Bailey did not run free in the house with his cousin the Boxer. He stayed on the leash but he enjoyed the company of about 15 -20 people that like dogs. And the Boxer got to be near by. He likes that a lot. If he has to go in a cart I will make a ramp or a lift to the get the cart in and out of the car. Or over steps. I won't have to pick him up much.

11-24-2006, 04:10 PM	#11 (permalink)
glencorgi Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Piedmont Triad, NC Posts: 2,417 Images: 3	Bailey's Driver, I'm so sorry to hear this for Bailey, but am certainly glad he has you in his life to care for him. I don't think he could be in more conscientious and caring hands. The only other tidbit I'll throw in as a suggestion is to really keep an eye on and monitor his weight; keep him on the lean side, this will help to keep stress off of his hips. The Breeder's Choice (Avoderm) dog food brand has a food designed to help with hip management - chock full of all kinds of good supplements to help with joints. I came across it when helping research for the little Pug puppy with bad hips and it might be something you would want to check out too. Hugs and scritches to Bailey. Debbie

11-25-2006, 08:19 AM	#13 (permalink)
Chip's Mom Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Northeast TN Posts: 2,243 Images: 3	Sorry to hear about Bailey. Good luck. __________________ Bonnie A Good Home, Loving Family and Three Loyal Corgis at my feet - I am truly Blessed.

11-26-2006, 07:46 PM	#14 (permalink)
Bailey's driver Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 163 Images: 3	Bailey seems to be doing good. He's not limping. The pills help I'm sure. No way to know for sure how much of him feeling better is the pills, or how much is not running. He was doing some running every single day. He walks without any odd movements. He might be a little stiff when he first gets up, but sometimes he moves around before I get to see him in the morning. His trot is almost the same speed as my fast walk, just a touch faster. I let him get a little ahead and then I catch him when he slows or stops. I think there is less pressure on his hips troting with the long leash, than pulling sometimes on the short leash. Pulling against something is a lot of pressure on the joints. It's not hard to keep him from running after a squirrel, I just have to keep my eyes open and lock the leash quickly. I was chosing to let him run before, not having any trouble controling him. He needs to get his heart rate up etc. by moving somewhat quickly as long as it does not pressure the hips. That's why I took up bicycling. A little fast trot and a few almost run steps once in a while is better. It's not hard to tell how happy he is when we arrive at the park, and when he gets some exercise. It gets him a little pumped up for the rest of the day.

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