Back legs?

[michellemoose]

I'm concerned about Oskar's back legs and was wondering what you all think. He is 17 months, 27 inches tall and weighs about 95 pounds. He has never been a very good jumper and has a hard time lifting his rear end off the ground. If he has momentem he can jump up into the truck but if he is just standing still he can only lift his front legs and wants me to lift his rear end up. If I pull him back and give him a little push (so he has a run up) he can jump up by himself.
After he has been lying down and tries to get up he looks like an old man. He only pushes himself up with his front legs and it almost looks like his back legs are asleep until they touch the ground. When he has all 4 legs on the ground his back is arched like a cat and it takes him a few awkward steps to 'walk it off' and he is fine. It looks like he should have a good stretch before he tries to walk.
He is quite active and doesn't have any problems when he is walking or playing with his brothers. He doesn't have any problems jumping when he is playing and running, just can't jump when standing still. When he walks his rear end sways alot (like a supermodel!) but from what I have read on this site that is normal for rotties. I did talk to my vet (not our regular vet, a new girl he has working for him) and she suggested x rays which I am going to get when I am in town next (we live 3.5 hrs away). She did notice that his back legs are very straight and said they should have more of a curve and this could be the reason. I have started him on Nupro Joint Support, has anyone tried this powder or heard anything about it?

[michellemoose]

Just bumping this up to new posts again to see if anyone can give me any info or has comments about this problem. Thanks.

[EmmysMom]

Well, Emmy has HD, moderate on one side and mod/severe on the other. She does get up slow in the back end also and we got a ramp for her to use to get into the SUV because we didn't want her jumping anymore than she needs to. She does not arch her back or walk stiff though. She is on Nupro Joint formula, GlycoFlex III, fish oil and Ester C. She will be 5 on tax day and so far she is doing great. We did have her xrayed and had them read by an ortho vet, that is how we found out. Sorry I couldn't have been of more help! Good luck!!!

[Shelby427]

Shelby also has HD and is slow to get up - once she's up and stretched, she's good to go. She also cannot jump (with hind legs leaving the ground) from a standing position. She also needs help in the rear when getting into a truck or SUV. We have her on GlycoFlex as well and it seems to be helping. Vet check and X-rays will let you know what's going on.

[AngelBunny]

Where did you get Oskar? If you got him from a good breeder, why not talk to his breeder about your concerns?

[OdinsMom01]

I'd say definitely get the Xrays done when you can. My Odin was diagnosed at 11 months with moderate HD in one hip and mild HD in the other. He has problems getting up from a laying position and has a very hard time jumping up into our suv (he's 8 now) and we've recently bought him a ramp. He also walks a bit shaky on his back legs until he's walked around a bit and done some stretching, so sounds similiar, but I'm not a vet, so just sharing what my dog has gone through.

He's recently developed arthritis in his hips and one knee,and he's on Cosequin DS, MSM, Traumeel, and when in pain, Tramadol. We no longer allow him to play frisbee or anything where he will try to jump up, as this only aggravates his problems. We walk him daily, as walking is very good exercise, and we'd love to get him to swim, but the dog hates water with a passion.

I've not used the Nutro Joint, sorry, but maybe someone else here has. Good luck with Oskar, and let us know how he's doing and what the vet says.

[michellemoose]

Thanks for the replies. I was just so scared that his hips might be bad and from what I am hearing I think they might be. I will definately be getting x rays done to find out for sure. Luckily, we live on a lake and he loves to swim so that will be good exercise for him. I wish I could talk to his breeder but he is a classic example of BYB gone bad. I rescued him at 2 days old after all 9 of his siblings died after being left out in the cold, he was the only one left and his mom was young and malnourished with no desire to look after her pups. I think he is lucky to have made it this far and if he has bad hips, it is a small price to pay for the joy he brings us!

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by michellemoose

I wish I could talk to his breeder but he is a classic example of BYB gone bad. I rescued him at 2 days old after all 9 of his siblings died after being left out in the cold, he was the only one left and his mom was young and malnourished with no desire to look after her pups.

I wondered if this was the case.

I mainly asked the question for lurkers. To get them thinking about the fact that good, responsible, COE breeders are a resource and are there to help them with them then they have questions and issues. To get them to understand if they get their dog from someone who doesn't care about the quality he or she breeds and who doesn't really care about the puppies they produce, this "breeder" certainly doesn't care about the heartbreak and anguish people who acquire one of their puppies can experience.

I am very sorry for you and your poor dog. And for Oskar's poor mother.

Xrays certainly are in order.

Please keep Oskar lean. For an orthopedically challenged dog, extra weight is really something that must be avoided. The fact he loves to swim is wonderful--swimming builds muscle and puts no strain on joints.

[Katie K]

I rescued him at 2 days old after all 9 of his siblings died after being left out in the cold, he was the only one left and his mom was young and malnourished with no desire to look after her pups.QUOTE]

Oh my, you are that dog's angel!! He's lucky to have found you.
My lab has HD. He was very overweight. Once we got him on a diet and he lost weight, it hasn't been a problem for him. He has to do a bunny hop to get up the stairs at night. I give him SynoviG3 for arthritis. It has glucosamine and antioxidants. Don't know how helpful it would be for HD though.

[peachesandchubby]

Im sorry for your furkins hip problems, I know how you feel. My Chubby started the same symptoms but he was only 8 months old when we had the x rays done and he has severe HD. There are many things you can get him started on like Cosequin Ds and Derm Caps which has the right fish oil, Im sure there are other combos you can give him... I give him Zeel and Traumeel for the arthritis that goes hand in hand with HD and this does a world of good in Chubbys case. First off get the x rays done so you know just how bad it is then get advise from your vet on what to do next. Ask about supplements like the ones I and others have mentioned as some vets dont agree with any thing but prescription meds for pain, it is good to postpone "nsaids" for as long as you can so they can be used later or only when he or she really over does it.
Chubby does really pretty good considering just how bad his hips are, Rotties are famous for not showing you just how bad they are really hurting so be mindful of just how much he does do as Im sure your vet has told you.
I did so much research on the subject that my mind was jumbled but it helped to get as much info as I could so I could understand better what was going on with my baby.
My regular vet and our OS got together on a plan that works for us and along with rehab Chubby is doing good for now.
Good luck and I wish you both well!!
Teresa