What does hip dysplasia feel like?
Here is why...... Maggie was a running machine last night and in the middle of playing, I noticed that she was limping from her hind legs. She continued to run and play with the same intensity, but was as tad slower. I read up on hip dysplasia and became as educated as I think I should be...well, to a point. We did not have her x-rayed when we brought her home last year (she is a shelter doggie) and now I am thinking that maybe we might want to, if this could be it. Her first vet visit with us, the vet checked for HD by palpation and manipulation of the joint and said she was sound, and he would do x-rays if I wanted to...I opted not to. Oh, and she runs like a rabbit and I read that this type of running could POSSIBLY indicate a hip issue. She isn't in any pain and I couldn't find anything in the pads of her feet or anywhere else on her legs or hip when I checked her out. I even checked the laxity of her knee and ankle joints to see if she pulled something, along with checking the stability of her pelvis. Nothing I did made her indicate there was a problem. Although she does have a "point" that comes out of the top/side of her hip (femur part, not pelvis) I am not sure if that is the problem or if it is on the other side because it is swollen or if one side is developed more then the other. Not quite sure what is normal! She had her yearly check-up last month and the vet didn't see or feel anything wrong. I have scheduled an appointment for the vet on Tuesday if it is not better over a few days, and they said that they would see her anytime Saturday or Monday if she was worse. Thanks in advance! |
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| If this just started happening, she might have dislocated her hip. That is what my vet thought when I took Ellie in when I thought something wasn't right with her right hip. I thought that she had just pulled something as Lulu (3 1/2 yr old OES) and Ellie can play pretty rough and fly around the back yard together. Ellie also had the "Bunny Hop" gait and I thought she was just being a goofy puppy. That day when I took her in, they kept her most of the day and took x-rays and was later told that she in fact does have Hip Dysplasia.
I took her to a few different vets for 2nd opinions and they all came back with the same diagnoisis. Hard to digest when she wasn't even 8 months old. In March of 2009, she had an FHO done on her right hip and is doing great. We are working hard on getting all of her muscles built back up again with hopes that down the line, she won't have to have her Left Hip repaired. If so at time, it will most likely be the THR. To be on the safe side, I would take her in sooner than later. In the meantime, I would give her a baby aspirin for pain. Throughout this whole process, Ellie never once whimpered, cry or made any indication that she was in pain except for slow to get up off the hardwood floors and sometimes wouldn't put all of her weight on her right leg. The vet said she was one tough little girl. Now for the hot spot she got last month, you would have thought somebody cut her leg off. She was one big baby. 
Michelle, Dudley, Lulu and Ellie |
| All you can do is wait until you see the vet, but incase its a sprain you might want to limit any serious running or jumping. My agility dog pulled a cruciate this winter and we didn't notice right away (they are good at hiding it) so she didn't get the proper rest - it seems to affect her once in a while now as well.
Before surgery I wouuld look at other options - exercise and stem cell. One of my guys was diagnosed at 2 with the start of dysplasia. at three we did new x-rays and he is in better shape. our exercise program included swimming and competition obedience exercises (lots of straight sits). Anything to build up his muscles int he hip and pull the hip bone into the socket tighter. I plan on pursuing stem cell therapy with him if it gets worse. I know it isn't always an option - but worth looking into. |
| I hope Maggie is feeling better today.
Last fall when we met at the dog park, I did notice she runs with an odd gait, in her rear. I suspected HD at that time. She also seemed to fatigue earlier than a dog her age would otherwise. I think it's a good idea to get her checked out, along with xrays. There are so many things (non-surgical) that can be done if you do find out that is the issue. I would recommend the vet clinic in Stillwater if you decide to get xrays. Most people go there for their OFA films, even from all over the state. We went here too for Chewie's films (besides the fact it's my hometown  ).
There are a couple clinics, you want the one on Curvecrest Dr. They do the films without anesthesia or sedation too, that is what you want . Good luck, your Maggie is a sweetie!  |
got sheep wrote: They do the films without anesthesia or sedation too, that is what you want . Not to hijack the thread. Why do people have isues with anesthesia and sedation? Always wondered never asked. |
kerry wrote: got sheep wrote: They do the films without anesthesia or sedation too, that is what you want . Not to hijack the thread. Why do people have isues with anesthesia and sedation? Always wondered never asked. Anesthesia is always a risk. No sense subjecting a dog (or human for that matter) if it's not needed. You can have a reaction, aspiration, all kinds of horrid complications, even death. A good, experienced vet or radiologist can get darn good xrays without sedating the dog. I got to help with Chewie's xrays, and it was not bad without any drugs. The dog is in a U-shaped trough, on their back with the rear legs stretched out straight back. I was at Chew's head, keeping his upper body in straight alignment. There were also a couple other helpers. I don't know if all owners get to go in....maybe the fact I was an experienced orthopedic nurse was in my favor! (oh, and Simon the basset was with, he was laying on the floor of the radiology room, patiently waiting for all this attention to be over!) - We were on our way to a show in Duluth.... I had made the appt so we could stop on our way up there.  |
got sheep wrote: kerry wrote: got sheep wrote: They do the films without anesthesia or sedation too, that is what you want . Not to hijack the thread. Why do people have isues with anesthesia and sedation? Always wondered never asked. Anesthesia is always a risk. No sense subjecting a dog (or human for that matter) if it's not needed. You can have a reaction, aspiration, all kinds of horrid complications, even death. A good, experienced vet or radiologist can get darn good xrays without sedating the dog. I got to help with Chewie's xrays, and it was not bad without any drugs. The dog is in a U-shaped trough, on their back with the rear legs stretched out straight back. I was at Chew's head, keeping his upper body in straight alignment. There were also a couple other helpers. I don't know if all owners get to go in....maybe the fact I was an experienced orthopedic nurse was in my favor! (oh, and Simon the basset was with, he was laying on the floor of the radiology room, patiently waiting for all this attention to be over!) - We were on our way to a show in Duluth.... I had made the appt so we could stop on our way up there. Okay that was what I suspected. Its why we always try to schedule other surgeries with xrays. We have to do the puppy sooner or later, but I suspect a dog that big is going to need to be sedated. If we decide to neuter him, we will do a two for. On Marley's last surgery the vet used gas and she was up and home in under an hour. I need to understand the differences better. |
| I know of some specialist judges who can tell if a sheepie has HD by just watching the dogs movement, but I know of no way of feeling for it and I reckon if you could feel HD it would be a very bad case. It is recommendable to get the dog X-rayed just to make sure, if the dog has HD it is better to curtail the amout of jumping it does, long walks and bike work help to build up the muscles to support the hips. |
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