Hips?

[cybersmum]

Hi all, I would like to ask you all your advice… My bitch Cyber is 6 years old and a fantastic dog her problem is her hips. She has had all the tests, muscles checked ex rays 3 times even blood tests. The Vet has put her on “Glycol-Flex III” which to be fair seems to help her, trouble is I don’t quite believe it is just normal hip problems …
I know 2 other rotties which both suffer from bad hips, and had all the normal problems that go with that. But Cyber can go for weeks with out a single sign of a problem, she is very fit and although I limit her walking to about 1-2 miles a day she would happily walk further. During the day she has a very big garden to play in and as I work for home I know that she again is very active in the garden playing with her tyre etc.

Then all of a sudden she has trouble getting up her legs click really loud and her back left leg shakes so bad that she can hardly stand. Once up and moving she starts running around is fine again….. I am at a lost to what’s wrong? Is it what the vets say “bad hips” “normal for her age” etc or does anyone know any difference I can’t stand to see her in pain on these odd occasions.

If you do think that the vets are right and this is “normal” does anyone have any suggestions to help her other supplements? Special beds? Walking limitations? Exercise? Etc.

Any help/opinions would be greatly received.

Thanks Maria

[hokisteph5]

I'm hoping those more knowledgeable about this area will chime in, but here's my input. I give my dogs Cosequin DS b/c it seemed to generate more positives on here than Gycoflex III. In terms of beds, I bought Samson a Kuranda bed because I figured if he did have hip problems, it would help ease them. Of course, he hardly ever uses the bed, but Gretchen will sometimes sleep on it. I've also heard that some owners' dogs exercise by swimming b/c there's less stress on the joints.

[brunie's mom]

It may not be hips, it could be arthritis at this age.
My China is 8 years old, and started limping in the spring. Had her x-rayed from stem to stern and the vet said her hips are perfect...but she has arthritis in her shoulder and elbow.

She was put on Metacam for the first week or so, and is taking gluc/chond/MSN supplement as well as wild salmon oil (good for imflammation) as well as Ester-C.

She's been doing great for the last 3-4 months, and it's so nice to see her run.

Keeping your dogs weight down as they get older, is also very important....if they have arthritis, every extra pound that they have to carry does more harm.

Gina

[Sam's Mom]

How about an ortho/rehab vet. They often see many more situations than reg vets and are much more knowledgable about diagnosis and treatment options I use Synflex for a joint supplement for my Mastiff/?? with knee issues. It is pharmicueticle (sp) grade and claims to be more bio-available. (do online search you can find it for around $23 including shipping) He does very well on it. I also got him a 5" orthopedic (egg crate) bed. Just afew thoughts...good luck.

[winniecnm]

I would second having an ortho vet take X-rays. Not all vets know how to properly position the hips to get a clear view. Sometimes the head of the femur can look normal but actually dislocate right out of the socket - what you describe sounds like that could possibly be the case.

[cybersmum]

Thanks for the reply’s.

Cyber is a perfect weight and since her problems started I have slightly reduced her food just to keep her weight at a good level.

I have also brought her a kuranda style bed but she refused to use it or a dog bean bag style bed. But I will look at the bed “Sam’s mum” suggests. We live by the beach so she only walks on sand; I have been told this is best for dogs with bad legs? I have tried to get her in the sea but she is scared of the waves so I can only get her in on very calm days! (and they say rotties are fearless:)

I spoke to 2 vets this morning the ones where she had her x-rays I went to two different ones. They both in a non directly way refused to do more tests on her, and made me feel like I an over reacting, but she my dog and I know her best and know what is being told to me is incorrect, and she is still on occasions suffering.

I will now look in to “ortho/rehab” vet and the supplements you suggest.

Thanks

[Sam's Mom]

Cybermun...I just noticed you are in England. I got my dog's bed at Pet Supplies & Pet Products: The Pet Supply and Product Choice - Drs Foster & Smith. I am not sure if this company ships worldwide or has Outlets in England but you can try. What I did was order the 5" ortho foam and made my own zipped cover, although they do sell them with the cover..by making my own I was able to save money. I am glad you are going to look into the ortho/rehab vet....I am confident "they" will not turn you away and that they can help you get to the bottom of your baby's problem.
Good Luck.

[Sam's Mom]

Hey Cybermum...FYI....If you go to the website I gave you in my last post and type in the search orthopedic pad...it will come up. "Deluxe Orthopedic Pad" It actually is 4" thick and very supportive. They no longer offer only the foam so you would have to get the whole bed. My dogs love and use them nightly. Hope this helps Sam'sMum

[cybersmum]

Thanks for that I have already e-mail them to see if I can get shipping to the UK for her bed. There is nothing I can find similar for sale here.

I have had no luck find an ortho/rehab vet. I did receive a call from the vet that recommends I just continue with the “Glycol-Flex III” but don’t give her any other supplements as she doesn’t need it??

I disagree and want to do any thing I can for her, what else can I put her on whilst taking Glycol-flex? The vet seems reluctant to give out any further info and I don’t want to over load her! Sorry to go on but I really want to stop her getting any worse! Thanks

[Sam's Mom]

Maybe this info will help you in your search for a rehab vet.

The Canine and Equine Rehabilitation Gateway

Your gateway to resources on canine and equine rehabilitation
England

Rebecca Sharples
P.T., C.C.R.P.
23 Point Terrace
Exmouth, Devon, EX8 1EF
England
Phone: 0044-01395-270648
Mobile: 0044-07980-623993
Email: bexsharples@hotmail.com

Angela Griffiths
C.C.R.P.
Greyfriars Rehabilitation and Hydrotherapy Centre
Greyfriars Farm Veterinary Centre
Hogs Back
Guildford, Surrey, GU3 1AG
England
Phone: 0044-1483 811172
Fax: 0044-1483 811876
Email: angela@grefriarsrehab.co.uk
Website : greyfriarsrehab.co.uk


Kirsty Arthur
C.C.R.P.
Greyfriars Rehabilitation and Hydrotherapy Centre
Greyfriars Farm Veterinary Centre
Hogs Back
Guildford, Surrey, GU3 1AG
England
Phone: 0044-1483 811172
Fax: 0044-1483 811876
Email: kirsty@grefriarsrehab.co.uk
Website : greyfriarsrehab.co.uk

[cybersmum]

I have been to a new specialist vets today for Cyber’s 3rd set of x-rays, and its not great – to be honest I am pretty devastated as she has “Hyperostosis”. They have told me that she is a real fighter as she is still running playing etc, but they think it will get a lot worse for the next 6 – 12 months after this they hope she will be pain free. I simply can’t get my head around it all yet, especially 2 vets missing it to start with.

I have never heard of this in dogs, have you? She is now on pain relief drugs, but I don’t know how I am going to cope with seeing her in more pain in the months to come….

There was some ok news that her hips / legs are not that bad as we were told and she hasn’t got arthritis with is good.

Can anyone offer any help for Cyber? Or are dealing with similar problems?

Thanks to all!

[winniecnm]

This disease is not well known, and is frequently underdiagnosed even in humans.

Basically it is an overgrowth of bone, commonly along the spine..and common symptoms are pain along the bones where the tedons insert.

Keep her walking and keep her from jarring her bones. If she is suffering from a disease where the bone is overgrown the last thing you want is for her to stimulate more bone growth by injuring herself.

Did doc mention any meds to protect her tummy? Or X-ray her spine? Just curious.

[Sam's Mom]

I too am having trouble getting a handle on this....Is your baby just going to be in pain for 6 to 12 mo. and then it stops. Are meds involved..therapy...what?
Hoping for the VERY BEST OUTCOME...you know our rotties are so very strong and determined...if a way is there...they WILL find it!!!!!!!!!

[cybersmum]

She had a full spine, hips and body x-ray, but they never mentioned her tummy?. They have put her on pain relief drugs. They said it will take 6-12 months for the bones to “fuse” together and although she will lose some movement in her back spine after this she will be pain free….

Trouble is they want her to rest as much as possible, to help the bones join. This is day 1 of resting and she having none of it, we had a short walk this morning and the moans I got from her when after a few minutes I turned round to come home in fact she is still sulking about it now.

[BostonRott]

I'm very sorry to hear this. And now it seems it's time for you to make a very difficult decision.

Your dog is in a LOT of pain.

She can't live the life she enjoys, and won't be able to do so for an extended period of time.

She's got a disease that no one knows a lot about, so ANY estimates are "guesses" at best.

You need to decide if this is still a "life" for her, or if it's time to permanently release her from her pain.