My little girls hip problem - hip dysplasia?

[boomshukka]

I've just taken my girl the vet and they've concluded that though it is not clear and she is only 7 mos., she may develope hip displacia (sp?). All her signs point into the same direction the vet is pointing to....I don't want to come to that conclusion.
Any advice?

[Nancy Estes]

There are all sorts of things you can do - diet, supplements (glucosamine/chondroitin, Hokamix 30, etc.), keeping her fit and trim as opposed to overweight, not over-exercising for her age, and so on. And there are surgical options too. A lot depends on what her hip problem is - shallow socket?; bony changes in socket or head of femur?; all of the above! Is she showing signs of lameness? Structure can also determine how many problems she might develop - over angulated rear, straight stifles, etc.

Nancy

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von Dorow Rottweilers
doggo1@apex2000.net

[boomshukka]

There hasn't been a full x-ray yet, but when she was at the vet, the vet said that he can move her bone around in the socket..is this what you refer to as "shallow socket"? Also, the breeder said that we should give her time to grow into it....is this right?

[Nancy Estes]

Actually, that's not a good diagnostic test. Only an x-ray can show what's there. Your puppy might just have tight ligaments or be heavily muscled, or just not want the vet messing with her legs! MY opinion is that this is just a guess on the part of your vet ... If you decide you want an x-ray to be sure of the status of the hips you might look for a vet with a lot of experience in x-raying Rotties. But if she doesn't have any symptoms you might be better off making sure she has proper diet, exercise, etc., and wait until she's older to x-ray her. It would also help to know the hip status of her parents and their littermates, grandparents, any other relatives you can get information on. If she comes from a background with good hips you have less to worry about, all other things being equal.

Nancy

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von Dorow Rottweilers
doggo1@apex2000.net

[boomshukka]

As far as syptoms...here's what she does:
when she's sitting down, she won't get up to turn around but rather scoot herself around. When she walks, it's as though her knees are stiff and doesn't fully bend in her strides. She does whine when she gets up telling me she's hurting...breaks my heart. She also chews at her hind...alot, but there doesn't seem to be any fleas or rashes. She doesn't like to run and when we go on walks, she has to stop every now and then to sit and rest.

[Nancy Estes]

Since she's showing the symptoms you described you need to find a vet that has some knowledge of orthopedic problems and is experienced at hip x-rays. Do you know any other Rottie owners or breeders in your area that could recommend someone? There's no point in having to waste money in getting several x-rays if you can go to someone who'll get it right the first time. Maybe the vet you went to qualifies on these scores but you should try to find out. It will save time and money in the long run to go the best qualified, most experienced vet you can find.

Nancy

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von Dorow Rottweilers
doggo1@apex2000.net

[boomshukka]

Is there some sort of listing that posts all the Rottweiler qualified vets in the country...specifically California?

[Nancy Estes]

No - your best bet is to talk to other Rottweiler owners or breeders. There would be a listing of Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeons - your current vet's office should be able to give you that information. It's probably also on the internet somewhere! Anyone else on the list that has show catalogs from California shows that might have informaton on local Rottie owners??

Nancy

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von Dorow Rottweilers
doggo1@apex2000.net

[LisaS]

correct me if I am wrong, but isn't Suisun up near San Francisco? I am in Southern Cal myself. For a rottie vet - I'd check with either the Northern Cal rottie Rescue (on the net but I don't have the URL) or the local rottie club (also online but don't have the URL).
That being said - if I was near San Francisco & had a dog with a serious problem - I'd head to the vet school at UC Davis for a consultation/2nd opinion - it's only a couple of hours away from the Bay Area, but they should know their stuff.


[This message has been edited by LisaS (edited September 28, 1999).]

[boomshukka]

I've been advised to go to UC Davis...I've heard good things about that place, pretty thorough because they're out to learn and not make money. More advice welcome!!

[Kaz]

After posting my pup's dysplasia problem I have been reading the previous posts. As I said I have already started her on Glyco-Flex, but would like to know what Hokamix 30 is? Is it a food, or a food supplement? I live on the coast of S. Georgia, and if you are on the west coast you have lots of things we have never heard of, unfortunately. I don't know anything about this pup's parents because she was a rescue. I found her on a tennis court during one of those 100 degree days in July. And it seems you get attached quickly to those that need you the most. Any help you can give will be appreciated. Thanks again.

[Nancy Estes]

Actually the US distributor for Hokamix 30 is in north Atlanta area - www.naturmix.com has information and email and phone number.

Nancy

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von Dorow Rottweilers
doggo1@apex2000.net

[Kaz]

Thanks Nancy for the info on Hokamix30.I just talked to someone filling in for the distributor because he is out of town. I explained my pup's problems and ordered 2 lbs. of the Hokamix30, and will start her on vitamin C and vitamin E as well. The lady I spoke to said I should also feed raw meat in combination with the Nutro Natural Choice lamb & rice (puppy) that I am now feeding. As well as vegetables. I do feed vegetables, but have never used raw meat. What are your feeling on this? I hope I can find something that will work instead of surgery for this dysplastic 6 mo. old pup. Thanks again for any info you might share.

[Nancy Estes]

If you'll click on *search* (upper right of screen) & look for raw diet, BARF diet, etc., you'll find quite a few discussions of this topic - and some controversy! Several people on this forum feed either all raw or partial raw diet (including myself). The discussions you'll find w/ the search function list several books that cover this topic too.

Nancy

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von Dorow Rottweilers
doggo1@apex2000.net

[Troy Dailey]

Boomshukka, After a reading of xrays and a diagnosis of HD ask your vet about a series of Adequan injections they go right to the joints unlike Hokamix wich gets digested in the stomach. Good Luck!