Severe Arthritis with x-ray pic
The vet says it looks like he HAD hip dysplasia, then developed extra bone growth over time, probably with too much exercise  He's on pain meds "Onsior" and a supplement called "Synoquin", but he will need a hip replacement if it gets worse, which it probably will I guess. Does anyone have any advise on better supplements or dietary advice? He's been on Purina Pro Plan forever, the vet said the arthritis could NOT have been caused by his diet. I've been told he needs to lose some weight to take the strain off his hip. I'm so bummed. Does anyone else have experience with this? I guess it's quite common in sheepies? Here you can see the one on the left of the picture is worse, there is extra bone growth around the joint, and there are quite a lot of jagged edges where it should be smooth.  |
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| I am really sorry that you have that diagnosis. Violet was born with hd and did very well up until the last year or two. We were always conscience of her disability, so she couldn't do alot of things the other dogs could do, like agility. The last month before she passed, her hd got really bad, of course she was 11 yrs old. I hope other who've had to deal with this can be of some help to you. |
| Poor boy!! I don't know what to say, but I hope you get some answers. I'm glad he's getting treated though in hopes he doesn't have to be in any pain. |
| You do need to get the weight off him and keep it off him, with the diagnosis keeping him on the lean side will help enormously. Change the dry food to a "Senior" formula, less calories in that to help ease off the weight, proplan has a seniors one so no drastic change there to transition him over to that. Give him less too in the Kibble and add grated carrot about 1/2 cup and mix it through, it gives them a full feeling without them realising there is less in the bowl. Get him onto supplements for joint care, chrondroitin/glucosamine to help out. Most pet stores sell it for joint care, many different brands out there, also when using natural supplements you probably wont notice anything special for several weeks, as these sups dont work a miracle overnight. I would be giving this to him everyday for the rest of his life.  First priority is weight off and that will make an enormous difference for him. Luv to you both, not a diagnosis anyone wants to hear with there beloved fur balls but with proper management you and rufus might be lucky to not have to have a hip replacement done on him in the future. Weight off !! Supplements started!!! No overexercising either, still needs it but not anything extreme, if you can swim him that's wonderfull for them too, exercising not on roads, paths etc, soft surfaces down the park on grass let them have free runs there. , what your trying to do is lessen the wear and tear of the joint by lessening the impact while exercising. He does need exercise to keep the muscles supple and strength there for his back end but nothing extreme. xxLisa |
| Our vet said that loss is the single biggest thing we can do to help arthritic HD hips (in addition to his meds). As mentioned swimming can be very helpful in preventing atrophy of the thigh muscles (from lack of use/weight bearing) |
| Ditto both recommendations...get the weight off!! Exercise should be gentle, look into water therapy. Hip replacements are expensive but do give relief......his recovery will be easier if he's lighter in weight....both on him and you as you'll have to support him for awhile. Don't know the two meds he's on, assuming one is for pain and anti inflame the other ?? I've found sheepdogs are lousy with pain tolerance when compared to the Pyrs.......who were banner bearers for stoic. I'm sorry this has happened. Yes. OES are prone to HD, especially if breeding has been lax in keeping tract and breeding for good hips. Even 2 dogs with good hips can produce pups with problems. One vet we use in emergencies told me he rarely sees any large dog--anything over 50 lbs without some degree of HD, and often major. We love our big dogs and this is what he got when we supersized them. |
| I am sure the pain meds will help him. I dont have any advice but lots of crossed fingers and pawsies...xxxx |
| We found out when Frankie was 6 mos that he had HD. It's devastating when you first hear the diagnosis. We also were told hip replacements. Our vet doesn't believe in glucosamine, but I know many do. I try too keep him thin. Fish oils are supposed to be good. Frankie walks on the underwater treadmill once a week. I was told swimming is mostly for the front joints and bones. He's almost 5, and I let him be as active as he wants. He doesn't seem to be in pain, but he's lived with this his whole life so it's the norm to him. Coconut oil is another good one, and I just started Frankie on that. I don't give him pain meds, I don't want too start this young, but he does to seem to need it. There are a lot of things you can do for pain. Laser, acupuncture, herbals. Frankie throws his back out often because he over compensates for his bad hips, so he gets Chiro adjustments on occassion. If you want to chat, pm me. I know how you feel. Lisa Frankie and Mattie |
| I took my dog to the chiropractic veterinarian and Lucy, a 15-year-old Westie, is now fine. It could be a subluxation in a vertebra or the hip! |
There could be help wrote: I took my dog to the chiropractic veterinarian and Lucy, a 15-year-old Westie, is now fine. It could be a subluxation in a vertebra or the hip! Seeing the xrays, sadly it's not a subluxation issue.  |
| Thank you very much everybody. We went back to the vet for a check up and he is doing better on the pain meds. The "Synoquin" is a brand name of joint supplements. The cost of keeping him on these two medications, the pain relief and the joint supplements is £250 a month! There is simply no way I can afford that- that's two weeks' income! There must be a cheaper alternative, if anyone knows of any good supplements for joints I would love to know! I will change his food and try the carrots, and follow the exercise advice. Thank you again  |
| Cassie go to a health food shop for humans you can buy the same thing (Glucosamine/Chondroitin) in a capsule for humans, whatever the dose is for uprights/half it for 4 legged. Makes me mad what they charge for animals, same ingredients in doggie stuff twice the price sold through vets or pet stores. Get the weight off most important, as well as the carrots, try green beans, other vegies as well as taking him onto in the proplan a seniors formula, should not upset his tum if you can keep that same kibble, half the amount and bulk it up with the vegies. XX lisa |
| good idea to try the human version of glucosamide....thanks for the grated carrot tip, the little yorkie likes rubbish dog food but I give her same as Summer, makes sense, Green Dog holistic. I struggle to get her to eat it usually. Not any more I grate carrot and mix it in, she loves carrot and wolfs it down. |
| Thank you SO much that's very very helpful! I love you guys |
| I use the human dose of Glucosomine/Chondrioton/MSM from CVS for my dogs. I toss it on top of their food every morning. Started my dogs when I started to jump them in obedience. With the puppies, I started them at 13 months. Not necessarily jumping them yet but they are adult size now but I checked around with other breeders & this is when they are starting their dogs on the supplement. Mine like the "gel" capsule best. I suppose because it is easier to chew thru than the hard caplets. I watch CVS's ad & generally stock up when they have their "Buy one get one Free" ads. |
| Yes, I use the human supplements as well for my guys. Read your label on the vet stuff - then you can shop for the same (or close) ingredients for Ru. |
| Cassie if you google there are quite a few foods for dogs with joint problems... |
KTB wrote: Cassie if you google there are quite a few foods for dogs with joint problems... Not sure in the UK...but in the US there are those that advertise joint health. However it is mostly misleading. They have ingredients, but not at sufficient levels to be helpful. It's sadly just good marketing, and not helpful for the dogs who really need it. |
there are lots advertised in UK I must admit perhaps if you go for the senior ones.....I am off to get my dog food this afternoon £40 a bag, but it does last about 6 weeks just the initial shock of paying out a weeks wages...  |
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