Vet recommending hip X-Rays..

[Jbartu]

Luca will be 8 mos old on thursday and we went to see our vet today. Let me start off by saying I started seeing this vet because she is more conservative and believes in alternative medicine which I also believe in. With that in mind, she feels there is 90% chance Luca has atleast minor dispalysia. He is showing no signs of it that I saw, but she feels the way he moves to sit down is a clear sign. This is a big concern for me because Luca is a big boy, and although he is very lean (vet agreed) he is already 95lbs. I can't imagine how big he will become and I know this puts extra stress on the hips. She did say he is very muscular which helps support his joints. I planned on always keeping him lean, but I cannot prevent his muscle from developing.

I guess I am just venting a little because ofcourse I am extremely concerned for my boy. I was wondering if anyone else has had any experience at this age with a similar diagnosis? Or any possible suggestions from this point. I plan to go ahead with the xrays next friday.

Thanks everyone.

[JeanT]

You will hear from experts here, but my thoughts are...

From what I've read here, around two years is the age for hip x-rays. Muscle is what keeps the ball in the socket (if the socket has a problem) but... even I wouldn't pay for hip x-rays at his age unless there was a very noticeable problem - meaning that even I could notice it at his age. I also would not rely on your vet's opinion of the x-rays, if you have them done and she says there's a problem. I appreciate that there are things you like about your vet, but she sounds alarmist to me, in the absence of your observing a problem (at this age).

Even if she says the x-rays look "OK" or non-diagnostic at this time, you will have to have them performed again later. I'm sure she will tell you this if they appear "inconclusive" to her at this time.

My other thought... even if there is "mild" HD, so what? Use the supplements. "Mild" is nothing to worry about - I've had two with severe, and others here have had worse problems with HD. Keep his weight down, which is always good advice. If you start worrying about "mild" dysplasia (other than supplementing), you may well start worrying about how much activilty he can have, then restrict activity, then there's weight gain, then there's overall loss of quality of life because you are going to worry about everything that might possibly cause him discomfort.

Stop worrying unless there is something you can see that seems to be a problem. Read more here. Do a search. Let your dog have some fun.

[AngelBunny]

Since various cancers have been the bane of my Rottie-owing existence, a possible case of mild HD sounds like a walk in the park to me.

Keep Luca lean. Look into perhaps giving him supplements. Swimming is excellent exercise, since it builds muscle w/o puting any strain on the frame.

Frankly, I wouldn't let what your vet said keep me awake at night.

[spidey]

I'd get them done if my vet, whom I trust, recommended it. The "2 year" mark is for OFA certification, but HD can be diagnosed earlier. I would definitely want to know sooner rather than later if there's a problem, since if he DOES have HD, then you will want to be careful of the sorts of exercise he gets, and will want to start on joint protection supplements.

I don't know that I agree that the vet is alarmist, it's MUCH better to know about a problem like this before you see any symptoms, since then you can work aggressively to delay the onset of symptoms and maintain a high quality of life. You have to do your own cost/benefit analysis, of course, but I don't see any real reason not to go ahead with it if you trust your vet. If you don't trust your vet, get another vet.

[lblax]

does your dog limp or limp after excersise?? have trouble getting up or down??? ever show any sign of lameness or pain??? if not dont worry about it it is ridiculous for your vet to think that he has hd based on the way he sits. has she even done a manipulative exam yet????

[rottlove]

I just want to second the advice of taking him swimming. It has done wonders for my girl, and my vet is ecstatic at her improvement. (She has arthritis in her hocks but you wouldn't even know it!)

Building up the muscle with low-impact exercise is extremely helpful!

[debbiej]

My girl has HD, and it looks fairly severe. Her xrays showed very shallow sockets. She was about 9 mos when we felt pretty sure she had a problem and took her to the vet. She could see that the hip was already developing arthritis. but she felt that suppliments, careful muscle building exercise and weight control would work for her, and that is the course we have chosen. Later, if need be, we might consider hip replacement. If you would consider surgery for your dog, go to a specialist and get xrays. The specialist can tell you if the pup is a good candidate for TPO surgery, and if that is the choice you would make, eary xrays are important. There are lots of common sense things you can do to lessen stress to joints in a pup that MAY have dysplasia. As I've researched, I have read and heard about lots of dogs that have long happy lives with HD. I'm determined mine will be one of them!

[AngelBunny]

How old is your girl now, Debbiej?

[Jbartu]

Larry, Luca does not limp or show any signs of pain at all. But at class last night I had my trainer, who also breeds Rottweilers take a look and he did notice that Luca's left leg does turn out a little more then his right. While in a stand you can see how the right leg is very straight from the hip to the paw, but his left is not. He is not sure it's his hip, but does feel something is not exactly right. He recommended I go see Dr. Link in Madison, Wi. I have heard wonderful things about this doctor as he does not sedate dogs to x-ray their hips. I set up an appointment this morning for 4/21. In the meantime, we are going to keep his exercise to walking only.

Thanks for all the advice, I will be looking for somewhere for Luca to swim once it warms up a bit.

[MOKASMOM]

I had Moka tested for HD when she was 9 1/2 months old. I took her to a wonderful vet here in Waukesha WI and they do not sedate your dog at all. And she was diagnosed with HD.

[debbiej]

I'm not sure of my pups exact age, we adoped/rescued her, best guess is now she is about 11 months.