I took Cicero to the vet last week to get his hips prelimed and his knee checked. Well turns out it wasn't his knee it was his hips. Dr. said severe hip dysplasia(sp). Unfortunately for me and him he is only 10 months. Vet said to put him on the Dr. Foster and Smith brand stage 3 joint supplement for now and gave me some rimadyl for days when he is really sore. Due to his age surgery is not an option but will be needed when he is done growing provided he can hold out that long.

My question is there anything else I can be doing to help him have the best quality of life he can for as long as possible? Keeping in mind that I am in school and money is a bit of an issue.

Here is a link to the joint supplement the vet suggested

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3307+58+19868&pcatid=19868

Rimadyl can be some nasty crap.
Get him on the series of Adequin (sp) shots!
Connie will have more info on this.

She did mention adequan but I was in a bit of shock (not expecting that one!) so I can't remember when she said that could be started. I know adequan works wonders in horses I'll have to call and see what the deal was with the Adequan. I realize that rimadyl is less than ideal especially at his age, at this point I think I can keep him to 1 a week (thats how often we go to the barn and he just runs and runs so he gets a little sore)

Can you post the xrays? Do you trust this vet totally?

I don't have the x-rays but am calling down to get them so I will post them when I do. I have heard good things about this vet but this was my fist time seeing her. The breeder requested that I see another vet as well so I will have a second opinion at some point.

I am calling down and will post them as soon as I can!

So sorry to hear this! If the second diagnosis does confirm HD I will give a second thumb's up to Adequan therapy. It is extremely beneficial. I give the injections at home, which helps cut down on costs.

I also agree with Bob on the Rimadyl. I use Metacam, which is every bit as effective with less risk. Deramaxx is another good choice for pain. With any NSAID use, especially regular use, your dog should have blood work done prior to starting the medication and then a month or so later.

Connie recommended this so highly that I got one for my dog:
http://leerburg.com/742.htm

It provides a constant, gentle heat which feels good on stiff, sore muscles and joints. Great for a dog with HD.

Well so much for posting the xrays I called the vet and they said they don't send them to me that they will send them directly to the other vet who then sends them back so they have them for their records.

Personally,
I'd pay for a second set of xrays.
So let me get this straight, the dog is favoring it's front leg but the vet said it's the hips?
Off the top, if the dog is running just once a week, it's going to be sore afterwards......just like we would be.

In answer to a question you had in another thread.......Yes a dog needs exercise everyday. More and more vigorous as the dog gets older and gathers strenght. Then maintance exercise there after.

Anyways, I'd pay for a second set of pictures.

Randy

I was planning on having a second set of xrays done but the breeder told me to have the old xrays with me when I took him to the other vet. I am going to call tomorrow to try and schedule the appointment with this new vet.

He was favoring his right hind which is what made me think it might be his cruciate. She did xray his knees as well I believe but decided that it was his hips not his knees.

He does run other days also just not quite as much as he does when I take him with me to the barn and he gets to be off leash in a large area. He plays with the barn dogs and accompanies me on short trail rides at the barn. These are the days he gets sore enough to warrant pain meds.

I do exercise him everyday. In my previous post I was worried about a cruciate tear and was wondering what was appropriate until I was able to get into the vet.

I am so sorry to hear Cicero might have HD. I had a very similar symptoms with my 10 month old Doberman. She started the lameness around her first heat cycle at 8.5 months. The first vet I went to did XRays and told me that she had terrible HD and would have to have both hips replaced by the time she is two.

I had another local vet look at those xrays and he said they were terrible xrays and not diagnostic. He retook the xrays (also did knees, elbows, back and neck this time) and her hips looked ok, the left being a little worse than the right. I then sent the rads off to an orthopedist and a radiologist. Both told me her hips look good and she has no HD at all.

I had an appointment today to see a specialist at the vet school but decided to hold off for now as it seems she healed completely on her own. She was getting adjusted by a chiropractor, getting laser acupuncture and taking fish oil and SynFlex. She is doing great and no longer has any symptoms from her injury/condition.

Long story short, retake the xrays and get a second and even third opinion. Go to an orthopedic specialist if you can. Sometimes getting a correct diagnosis is the hardest part. If it is infact HD, surgery may be an option at this age. It is called a TPO (triple pelvic osteotomy)and has a success rate of 90%.

Hope this helps. Good luck!