Questions about Hip Dysplasia
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| Rear limb lameness, particularly after exercise. Difficulty or stiffness upon rising or climbing uphill. A "bunny hop" gait (moving both rear legs together). Rising using front legs only and dragging rear end. Waddling rear limb gait. A painful reaction to extension of the rear legs resulting in a characteristic short stride. A side-to-side sway of the croup (area of the back above the hind legs and in front of tail.) Tendency to tilt hips down when pressure applied to rump. Reluctance to jump, exercise or climb stairs. A puppy with Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) usually starts to show signs between five and 13 months of age. Symptoms of Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) range from mild discomfort to extreme pain when the affected dog uses the hind limbs and will occasionally be seen following prolonged activity or when the dog gets up or lies down. Later in life the signs of Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) become more consistent and occur daily regardless of activity levels. Adult dogs that are in severe pain will usually decrease their activity. They are unwilling to run or climb stairs and, with decreased use, the muscles of their rear legs weaken. Some dogs learn to alter their gait and posture, often showing little or no signs of discomfort even when bone changes are severe. The only way to accurately diagnose Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) is through X-rays. |
| Lisa, thanks for the quick response. My hair stylist has a pup that is four months old and having problems with her back leg(s). She has had the dog to the vet, but does not like this vet and wants another opinion. The vet did NOT mention hip dysplasia and could not even tell if it was the front or back leg that was the problem. I've seen dogs with dysplasia before and she asked me to come over to meet and see if I can tell whats wrong. I'm no expert but as I've said, I've seen it but I think the dog is too young to be having problems with the hips. The pup was eight weeks old when someone asked her..."whats wrong with your dogs back legs" because the dog was not "running" right. |
| Sometimes puppies that young (8 weeks) are just so uncoordinated that they run funny. We have a neighbor who is a vet tech that has the goofiest puppy I've ever seen. Upon meeting him for the first time at 9 weeks, Hagrid was stumbling, leaning from one side to the other, and completely off balance; it was just puppy though. He's grown out of it at 14 weeks old. We had signs of Oliver's h/d when he was just 4-5 months old. We could hear his hips clicking when he walked and when a hand was placed on the rear joints could actually feel them popping in and out of socket. His behavior was much different than that of a "regular" puppy too. He did not jump and only played for very short periods before laying down. Oliver's ortho vet said that when h/d is seen in this young of a dog the genetic factor is the main key. |
| GSD's are having angulation issues - being bred for the extremes. They seem wobbly - and in fact are wobbly! Here's an article - http://leerburg.com/gsd-gate.htm I also would think they are having spine issues as well. and from digitaldog.com: The stunning, imposing German Shepherd may be a dog of the past. Overbreeding and excesses, like a fascination with overdoing the exaggerated flying gait of the German Shepherd has left most of the purebred representatives of the breed in the US as mere shadows of their ancestors only 20 years ago. This weakness is especially apparent when one realizes those weak rears combined (or as a result) of hip dysplasia often leaves the dogs crippled in need of serious surgery, or worse, at an early age. Even so, one can still find wonderful, and noble examples of the breed but there is likely no other breed that requires more careful research into finding a responsible party for a good example. The true German Shepherd Dog, confident, proud, intelligent, well cared for, well bred and happy may very well be the pinnacle of the canine world but that example is rarer and rarer. |
| That is heartbreaking, Dawn. I always stop and look when I see one and have always admired them. |
| Oh, I so agree with Dawn's article on GSDs. What once was a lovely dog now moves and looks like "a terrible low back ache." It isn't pretty, the movement is extreme, just awful. As for HD and the pup, she needs to consult with an orthopedic vet. Poor pup. |
Simon's Mom wrote: I'm no expert but as I've said, I've seen it but I think the dog is too young to be having problems with the hips. Don't rule it out, even that young. We had a beautiful 8 month old Golden Retriever come into the vet where I worked with such terrible HD that she could barely walk, even on carpeted areas. It was heartbreaking. As for GSDs as a breed, Dawn's article is right on the money. Good luck, and I hope your friend finds an orthopedic vet who can help. |
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