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classetter User is Offline

Melbourne, Australia

MH
Posts:74

03/26/2009 6:35 PM
Hi there what are the symptoms of hip dysplacia and how would you go about having it diagnosed?

Texas Belle User is Offline

Austin, TX

MH
Posts:6938

03/26/2009 6:39 PM
Here is a link to a general overview of hip dysplasia, symptoms and treatment. www.peteducation.com/article.cfm

Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna) Yellow Rose GSPs "A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato

classetter User is Offline

Melbourne, Australia

MH
Posts:74

03/26/2009 11:47 PM
Thanks TB. I had a good read. Max is a 3 to 4 year old pure GSP (he is a rescue dog who was a stray so I do not know exact age). He is a very athletic, strong boy classed by the vet as being in excellent health. He is not overweight at all. He seems a very flexible dog - always when he walks he seems to be a little belly dancing, ie his hips are very flexible. I just saw recently that he just 'sat down on his hips' you know like toddlers do if they are walking, stop and then lose their balance but end up just sitting on their backsides rather than falling. Today he was playing in the park with an Alsatian who was trying to mount him, and afterwords his legs were 'wobbly'. He was previously examined by the vet and they said his hips are ok, but has had no X-ray. There is no pain, he is the usual superactive GSP who loves running. Could anything else be causing this? He has had the occasional soft poo - his tummy is hypersensitive and I have just put him on a special Hills prescription diet to identify what might be causing it. Are all our GSPs 'double jointed' and have superflexible hinds? Your opinions are much appreciated. You can imagine how worried I am. I am prepared to take him to the vet and have an X-ray no probs but would rather do some of my own research first to see if there are some breed specific things I need to be aware of.

lauralee

Plainfield, CT.

MH
Posts:449

03/27/2009 2:58 AM
classetter, I would really recommend getting him X-rayed.. It's really not that expensive, and would give you a definite diagnoses so you can make an informative decision as to treatment.. There are more than one treatment options for hip dysplasia..

Texas Belle User is Offline

Austin, TX

MH
Posts:6938

03/27/2009 8:01 AM
classetter - It does not sound like hip dysplasia, but for him to sit down like you describe is certainly not normal. If it was a one time only occurrence, I might blow it off, but if it has occurred more than once, I would definitely take him to get it checked out. As far as flexibility, my girl, Halo (4 YO), is very flexible. When she gets off the bed she slides off and puts her front feet on the floor. She then walks forward with her back legs extended straight out on the bed until she pulls her back legs off. This is one of the ways she stretches those back legs. She also lays out on the floor with her front legs extended in front of her and the back legs extended all the way out behind her.

Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna) Yellow Rose GSPs "A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato

singltrak

Las Cruces, NM

MH
Posts:1069

03/27/2009 8:10 AM
I agree, TB, it does not sound like CHD, but unless you go and get him x-rayed, you wont have anything definiitive to go on. Actually, sounds more like a spinal problem that can be alleviated by chiropractic and massage. (had a GSP who had osteoarthritis at age 10 and that was truly no fun at all) The sitting down is kind of strange, but I've had dogs that did that who were OFA excellent...just kind of one of those "plop moments". Its very difficult to diagnose CHD and spinal/ligament damage just with a cursory exam since these darned critters are so stoic with their pain management. Good luck to you, and hopefully things will be just fine with minimal treatment. Chilly at 38 in NM this morning, but no precip.... Phyllis and the Singltrak Furtribe

Look to the Past, Breed for the Future

TessaGA

Georgia

MH
Posts:2385

03/27/2009 1:05 PM
I would go for a thorough work-up by a vet. Please post back and let us know what they find...and good luck!

To live without dogs would mean accepting a form of blindness. [Thomas McGuane]

classetter User is Offline

Melbourne, Australia

MH
Posts:74

03/27/2009 8:50 PM
Thanks so much for getting back to me. I will definitely have him X-rayed. I agree it does not sound like hip D. Thanks again - will let you know Claudia

WildRose

Seymour Texas

MH
Posts:471

03/30/2009 10:14 PM
I'd say had to the vet. I agree it's probably not dysplasia, but would be even more concerned because the loss of muscular control you are describing would be a nerve related issue. Most likely some sort of injury to the lower back. Such things need prompt attention because it can become degenerative and severely painful and debilitating.

There's a reason I like dogs better'n people... .

Ace1cappuccino User is Offline

Carp Lake, Michigan

MH
Posts:1618

04/01/2009 4:35 PM
Maybe he got a pinched nerve or something. He is a big boy if I remember. You thought he was a great Dane mix right? The hd that I saw makes them have frog legs. The ankles almost touch. A weim was dropped off at our place a few years ago and he had it really bad and would chase his rear and whine. I had to have him put down he was in so much pain. Thanks to who ever dropped him off. Let me know what you find out.

Cornell's GSP'S- Mocha cappuccino, Lili Belle Lotte, Sir Leopold Vom Hunter 1, Lil Miss Lotte Doddi, Ace Hunter Twisted Mister(GSP'S)

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