What food for Hip Dysplasia??

[Meegs]

My 8 month old female is on canidae as per the advice of people on this forum. She had just been diagnosed with HD :(... I have been reccomended Hills special hip dysplasia food.

Is it best to add supplements to canidae, or change the food altogether to hills h/d?

Thanks,
Meegs

[bliss7373]

I am sorry about your girl. She's so young for such a potentially debilitating disease.

I would not change to the Hill's food. I think that you cannot really depend upon your kibble to treat the HD. You generally won't get enough of the supplements in the kibble to help. Far better to feed a good quality food and supplement appropriately.

As far as appropriate supplements, you should look into glucosamine/chondroitan supplements for starters. I personally like the Synovi brand. Given her young age, if she's already showing pain, I would go with the Synovi G3, which includes MSM to aid uptake. This supplement can be ordered online for far cheaper than the Cosequin that the vets sell. Other forum members also like other, similar supplements. Search old posts.

I would also supplement with fish oils, as I've heard excellent things about the effects of fatty acid supplementation mostly with arthritis but also with HD.

You may want to look into Lubrisyn, which is a hyaluronic acid based supplement. I have heard very good things about it. I believe you need a prescription for it.

Finally - don't forget to keep your girl lean. The less extra weight she carries, the less stress on her joints!

[handlerspride]

As a vet tech, I can honestly say that we have treated many dogs with JD Hills perscripton dog food with good results, also adaquin injections have been an inexpensive treatment for discomfort.
Granted there are many supplements you can use but until you research what will be most effective for you pup, you might try these two things first.

[sweetlee]

I would not change the food, most Hills foods are crap. They probably call it HD formula because they add glucosamine, chondoitrin and msm. Probably in too small amounts to do any good. this is what most "large breed" formulas do as well.
If Hills foods really cured all the ailments they make a food for, none of us would ever have dogs with HD, digestive issues, allergies, overweight, whatever the so called "prescription" is for.
I agree that using supplements is a good way to go.
I have not checked out the Hills food you are speaking of but I am betting that it contains corn, wheat and or soy. And I know it isn't inexpensive, but it IS cheap ingredient wise.
Unfortunately Canidae isn't a super premium food any more, but you certainly could find worse. Lots of our dogs have developed problems with it recently. If your girl does good with it as far as allergies, digestive issues, (loose stools seem to be the biggest complaint) you could leave her on it, but for the price they are charging now, I would start looking at something else that really IS a premium food. They added fillers recently and raised their price to boot, I don't consider them a premium food anymore, but a middle line kibble.
My dog doesn't have any signs of HD but I still give him a glucosamine sup that I buy at Sam's Club once a day. I think it's about 14 bucks for 300 of them.
I am so sorry your baby has HD at this age. I am sure if you do a search for it on these forums you will come up with all sorts of advice concerning supplements, excercise and how to keep it from progressing quickly.

[AngelBunny]

How bad is her HD?

Regardless of what food she's fed, any dog with HD benefits from being kept on the lean side. Swimming is a good way to build muscle w/o placing stress on the skeleton.