Hip Problems
My baby of 10 months has been diagnosed with severe hip dysplasia.  The exrays showed the growth plates had already fused which makes surgical corrections at this time not an option. We are giving her glucosamine and she doesn't seem to be in any pain. The vet said she should be ok, just a bit slower. My worry is that it is something more than hip dysplasia. I have been reading everything on the internet about this subject and concerns have surfaced about neurological degenerative myopathy. This scares me terribly because she seems to not have a lot of strength and she continually crosses her back legs while standing. My question is - has anyone heard of this in sheep dogs? Can anyone tell me if crossing the legs and weakness can be another symptom of hip dysplasia? So I am worried about this for nothing?
Thanks |
|
|
Welcome to the forum, so sorry you're finding us under these circumstances. 
Degenerative Myelopathy is definitely a condition from which OES suffer; our first dog Jake had this condition along with some mild to moderate hip dysplasia, and lived to 13 1/2, the last 5 years on prescription pain meds. It was my impression that DM is a condition that noticeably affects dogs later than at 10 months, but I could very well be very mistaken. One test our vet taught us to help try and distinguish between HD and DM was to have your dog standing up, and you down alongside. Support the dog's weight with one arm and with the other turn a rear paw "upside down" so that the knuckles are touching the floor. This is done by gently lifting the paw and gently pushing the toes down forward. Obviously to do this you must be able to support most of your dog's weight. If the dog doesn't try to correct the footing, or fumbles around and doesn't seem to quite understand how to turn his paw back up then Degenerative Myelopathy is suggested over Hip Dysplasia. If the dog immediately flips his paw into the correct position, then HD is suspected over DM. Of course both CAN be present at the same time, and was in our dog's case. This test helped us to decide not to have surgery for the HD, as the vet felt that our dog wouldn't be able to stand up to rehabilitate himself after the FHO surgery. It was too late at about 10 or 11 years of age with the DM. Good luck to you, please keep us posted. |
| Welcome to the forum, I'm so sorry to hear your dogs diagnoses.
Another thing you may want to look into is cerebellar abiotrophy, or cerebellar ataxia (the symptom) It is quite prevalent in OES. OESCA is currently working with Dr. Jerold Bell to find the gene that carries CA so that it can hopefully be eliminated from the breed someday. Here is a link to get you started. The only test for it is unfortunately only after the dog has passed away, there is no cure, and no treatment that is effective. http://www.upei.ca/~cidd/Diseases/nervo ... trophy.htm I hope this is not what your dog has. |
| Thanks to both of you - I don't think cerebeller abiotrophy is what she has - but I hate to see her in any discomfort. I will just keep doing as the vet said and keep an eye on her. |
| Welcome to the group... I'm so sorry your pup is having some difficulties.
We adopted a sheepie with severe hip dysplasia in September. She turned 1 October 29th and was also too old for the TPO surgery that would have offered her the best future. It takes more effort for Panda to get to her feet and she is weaker in the hind legs. She almost seems to have over developed the front half of her to compensate for the lack in the back half. When she first arrived, she was unstable on her feet to the point of being wobbly. We don't think she got a lot of play/exercise because we were told she went to work with her owner and stayed in a crate. The exercise she's gotten since arriving has actually helped in her case. We have not had any of the leg crossing you've described however she first seemed to stand with her feet very close together. She now stands with them farther apart and has better balance. Panda is on two Cosequin DS and one buffered aspirin daily and does not seem to have any pain either. Here are her x-rays- http://www.pomeroys.com/EmmaDarby/MadisonXray.jpg . If it isn't Degenerative Myelopathy (or maybe even if it is?), you might want to ask your vet if swimming would help her build up the muscles in her hind legs. We were told that swimming is the very best form of exercise for a dog with hip dypslasia... it helps to build up the muscles but doesn't put the pressure on the joints. If the dog has better muscle-tone, he/she will be better able to get around. Please let the group know your baby does. I know it's difficult. |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|