[Mathilde's]

My bitch is also diagnosed with HD, severe in her case, but I have never seen any signs of it (yet). She is now five years old, and I am starting her on gluc/chond these days only as a precaution. We have not been excercising her any less because of the HD, but have to the contrary done regularly climbing with her in a varied terrain (off leash) to keep the muscles in shape, and I think this has been very good for her. The clue is regular, not moderate excercise I think. We have also avoided biking, running, and have not let her carry any weight. She has been on a BARF diet since she was 18 months (when she was X-rayed) and she also gets Omega 3 an vitamin E. I keep her very lean.

I don't really know of that many things you could do, except maybe swimming to build muscle without pressuring his joints (unfortunately my girl does not swim). Some have gold studs implanted in their hips, and say it works wonders, but not everybody get the wanted effect from this. Avoiding any kind of starches in his diet is also very important, but you probably have that covered cooking his food yourself. And there is the option of surgery (which is what I will do if nessecary - and if her upcoming removal of mammary tissue/lumps goes well, but that is another story), at least as long as the dog is otherwise healthy, and the $$$ is there.

How a dog with HD manages is extremely individual, and I think that predicting how they will do as they get older is impossible. Odins reaction to over exertion is quite common in HD dogs, and I don't think you can expect anything else in those situations.

This probably wasn't of much help, but I do know how you feel, it is horrible to watch them when they are in pain, and you feel helpless.

Good luck at the vet's.

Best of wishes, Thea