I couldn't find a place for this on the puppy forum, but how do you know if your puppy has hip problems?

My 3.5 month old bullmastiff puppy - Star - gets up in the morning with stiff joints / legs. She gets up very slowly and walks like an "old lady" shen she first gets up. She has a little "puppy belly" on her, so also when she walks (anytime) she walks with a bit of a swagger, and when she runs it's usually the bunny hop, even though sometimes she runs with a full gait. She can sit straight on - on "sit" command - but when she sits on the front porch to watch the neighborhood she sits in the lazy puppy sit.

I've read that these are all the signs of early hip problems. Her father was DNA tested and his hips checked out fine, but her mother was not tested. Her grandparents were both tested and checked out fine so the breeder never tested the mother. I know that nothing guarantees perfect hips anyway no matter what the history, but how early do hip problems show up in a puppy? Is this just typical puppy stuff (she has tons of energy the rest of the day) or should I be concerned.

We do have 2 stairs on our front porch that go out to our yard, and two stairs on our back porch. On our back porch we put a ramp to make it easier for her to run down, but since she slides a bit she prefers to go out the front door. We try to help her down slowly, but many times a day she runs out on her own (the front door is almost always open) and runs down the steps. From time to time she stumbles and that always concerns me, as you have to be so careful with bullmastiffs to make sure they aren't hurting themselves as a puppy. Are even just the 2 steps too dangerous for her?

I know - lots of questions. I do keep in contact with the breeder and I ask her questions on a regulary basis, but to get an objective point of view from others would be good.

My pup was diagnosed with HD at 4 1/2 months...and he had the signs you describe before he ever limped the first time.

If you're at all concerned I'd see your vet. There are a number of things you can do (and should not do) at an early age that can help minimize the damage of HD.

Also, take a look at Ed's FAQ on hip x-rays. It is really important you get a properly positioned hip x-ray for a diagnosis.

X-rays are a good idea if your concerned. Either they'll turn up nothing, and put your concerns to rest, or you'll catch the problem early and have plenty of options.

The options you have become more limited as a dog gets older, its best to do something now, and possibly avoid the $8,000+ total hip replacement on both hips.

My puppy was diagnosed with HD at 9 months, it was severe and getting worse. We opted for the Total Hip Replacement on both hips, its costly, but knowing that he would be problem free for the rest of his life was more than worth the money.

I strongly agree with both Sarah & Brian. Make sure you go to a vet well versed in postioning & reading xrays - not all are.

Excuse me if this sounds a bit stupid but when a dog is checked for Hip dypasia by XRays or Scan, would they not have to give it an injection first and if so how do they take the Xrays in the proper postition, My Fred is 8 months old and i will take him to be checked out in a couple or three months, and i will get his front legs checked at the same time

As Sarah mentioned, take a look at Ed's FAQs on hip xrays. He talks a lot about positioning for then reading them. Not all vets sedate dogs for hips.

 Quote: Steve Patrick

Excuse me if this sounds a bit stupid but when a dog is checked for Hip dypasia by XRays or Scan, would they not have to give it an injection first and if so how do they take the Xrays in the proper postition, My Fred is 8 months old and i will take him to be checked out in a couple or three months, and i will get his front legs checked at the same time

Here's a discussion of sedating for the x-rays:
http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/75400/page/1

More:
http://www.thepetcenter.com/xra/hd.html
(Scroll down to PennHIP for the anesthesia discussion)


http://leerburg.com/hipart.htm

Thank you Connie i have looked at them Leerburgs gives a full description of what goes on
Before i Bought Fred i had read up about this Hip Problem and since then i have been dreading the day when i take him to be checked out
Breeders say if there is a serious problem in there Guarantee, that they will replace the dog,
But they also know that regardless of a problem, a fair minded owner would not discard the dog after having it for 12 months with them
Well, i for one would not get rid of him regardless of any problem, but i hope there will not be,
hes now part of us

Thanks for the help everyone - we are going to have our baby x-rayed - I spoke with our vet today and she is going to help us arrange it. The vets don't do it here, they send you to a puppy orthopedic surgeon - and there are only 4 in this entire country!