Golden Retriever puppy with mild hip dysplasia?
Sunday, July 18th, 2010 at
1:44 pm
My puppy was diagnosed with mild hip dysplasia, he is 7 months old. He is running and jumping and doing all things that puppies do. Only think is his rear is sways left and right when he walks slowly. I wander if someone has a puppy with mild hip dysplasia and how it is being treated.
I have heard about the surgery for puppies, but is sounds so scary. Any advise would really help.
Filed under: Dog Training
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Our dog was diagnosed with mild dysplasia when she was 3. Here’s some things that help:
First of all if you aren’t already buying a quality dog food you need to. It made such a difference with our dogs hips not to mention the other many health benefits. Innova has a large breed formula for puppies and it is excellent food. Avoid a puppy food with high protein as this will make the hip condition worse because it causes too rapid growth. Look for a food that has glucosamine, chondroitin, or beef cartilage. This is all good for the joints.
You can get glucusamine and chondroitin tablets that help too. Shark cartilage is one form of it.
A soft bed in a warm place helps on cold days, cold makes it more sore.
Don’t have her do any excessive jumping or climbing.
Hip dysplasia is only curable with an operation as you said otherwise you can only hope to slow it and minimize the discomfort. If the surgery is feasable for you financially I’d say go for it. Our dog ended up putting her back out as a result of her hips and she had to be put down. She was only 8 years old.
ok first off dont listen to the tin man, u should call ur vet and ask what would be better for the dog if he says the surgery than get dog insurance but dont be surprised if hell need more than 1 surgery but in the mean time try to keep him calm and frome jumping to much , u can massage him and u can try a warm wash clothe if u think its hurting him . good luck
well if you dont’ take care of it then it will get worse and he’ll be in pain sooner or later. its i would get another puppy or take this one back if you paid forit i mean hey its not too old so therefore you have had this one not too long that is horrible to have this and its not too cureable i think its just pain for the animal.
I know someone with a Golden who has recently had the same diagnosis.
She went to see a Veterinary Orthopaedic Specialist on the recommendation of her Vet and he has advised her to keep the pup on a lead for 6 months when she is walking her (free play at home in her own garden is fine) and to take her to a Hydrotherapy Pool once a week for at least 6 weeks . Swimming is a good exercise to tighten the ligaments around the hip joint but it must be carried out under supervision. They usually put a harness on the dog and someone is in the pool with them the whole time.
Her Vet, on the recommendation of the Specialist, has prescribed a course of anti-inflammatories and advised her to give the puppy Glucosamine with Chondroitin which will help to build up the muscle around the hip joint. The puppy must have a warm bed out of draughts.
The Specialist has asked to review the dog after 3 months to take more xrays to determine the extent of the HD then and to see if the treatment has improved it in any way.
Sometimes this is all that is needed when HD in a puppy is diagnosed this early and if you follow your Vet’s
instructions precisely this could save the neccessity for an operation.
I believe they don’t like to operate on a puppy until it is over 12 months anyway.
I hope this helps you but do see your Vet and take his advice on the best course of action to take.
Good luck with your Golden.