New vet, new problems!

[Kawakaze]

For those of you that dont know, Smokie was given the all clear for dsyplasia and has had problems with growing too fast, after advice given in this forum I changed vet.

After a new set of xrays by the new vet it seems Smokie has mild hip dysplasia on his right side.

We have his feeding sorted, he is now closer to the recommended weight, and I am weighing once a week. So, thanks for your help.

Any recommendations on an exercise plan. The vet told me to cycle for 10 minutes a day and to take him swimming, Smokie is a natural at cycling, he is dutch after all! He also loves a swim.

[brunie's mom]

Glad to hear that you have things sorted out.
I would NOT recommend cycling with a puppy....and a puppy with HD should not be doing any forced running.

A puppy with good hips should not be doing any forced running till 18 months of age...because the growth plates have still not closed.

Cycling usually means running on pavement, and that is terrible for a dog with HD.

Swimming is great for a dog with bad hips, or for any dog. He needs shorter walks that are more frequent...no long hikes.

Let him run and play free in a fenced yard...but do not leash him and force him to bike or run with you.

Did the vet tell you to get him on glucosamine/chondroitin? This is what is recommended for dogs with HD.

Gina

[Kawakaze]

*bangs head against wall*

Thanks once again Gina!

I have emailed a supplier of the supplements, I have also just ordered a book on hip dysplasia in dogs. These should be here Monday.

[TrinaJ]

I think swimming is a wonderful idea. Do you have a hydropool in your area that smokie can use?

Am glad that you got his weight down, thats a BIG step in the right direction

[Andy Larrimore]

I do NOT agree with cycling a dog. The main reason is that most cycling is done on hard surfaces and that really takes it's toll on the joints. Swimming is by far the best.

[targonrotts]

apart from swimming, low impact exercises such as playing/walking in the sand and on thick grass is fine.
if dog is under 18 months, let him be a pup and play at his speed.
if over 18 months, you can do moderate exercises to help built rear muscles.
you might want to consult with a rehab clinic on what they would suggest for him.
supplement with glucosamine/chondroitin and use fatty acids, vitamin c, and vitamin e.
keep him trim.

[Andy Larrimore]

I aggre with everything except giving the pup / dog vitamin C. I use to give me dogs vitamin c until I was told by my vet and confirmed it through several books that dogs produce their own vitamin c. As humans we must intake vitamin C because our body can not produce it on its own. If we give our dogs vitamin c on a regular basis then the dogs body no longer pruduces what it needs because it is flooded with it. A dog will always produce the exact amount of vitamin c that it's body requires. If we provide vitamin C for the dog and then stop suddenly. It will be a month or so before the dogs body begins to produce it's own vitamin C because it has become dependant on us.

Vitamin E however is not produced by the dog and must come through its diet either through food or vitamin. A couple of times a week is plenty. The dog stores vitamin E for it's immune system to help fight off infections. It does not use vitamin E on a regular basis as humans do. Humans produce their own vitamin E. A really good book on this is subject is called "Successful Breeding and Health Management" by Margaret V. Root Kustritz. The information can be found in chapter 1 page 7. It gives a full vitamin break down on what is essential for dogs and what is not.

[Kawakaze]

I have read your recommendations. I am planning to take Smokie on three 15 minute walks a day, luckily we live within 1 minutes walk of a field, i intend to just let him have a sniff around, i was recommended a supplement (NAF: Products - HipRite) and when possible to the beach for a swim and a play on the sand. We have also moved his bed closer to a radiator and put some extra cushioning in. He likes to play tug of war with our other dog, would you consider this a way of building muscle? Or is it too rough? Is there anything else we can do?

He is showing no signs of pain, but he does start to run like a rabbit towards the end of his walk, that is when i take him home. Is it true that showing HD at this age is a bad omen?