And I have a nervous mess. The vet is really concerned about his hip. The estimate was high and I burst into tears and luckily they let me split it into two payments. My poor baby I will know within a couple hours what we are working with, but at the least I know he will be on crate rest. Any helpful ideas to keep him intertained since he can't have exercise? I searched for crate rest but wasn't coming up with much.

I just received the call back as I was typing this. Severe hip dysplasia in both hips. He thinks he aggrivated the right one which is why he is showing signs of pain. He said something about the right hip is almost completely out of socket and that eventually it would probably turn into arthritis, without surgery. He knows we are struggling so he didn't bring up surgery yet, but if he doesn't improve over the next couple days and weeks with rest we have to look at other options.

I am going to go get him and then do research on here with others hip dysplasia experiences. We have adequan at home that I can give him. Other than that and rest, I don't know what else I can do to help. I am so sad for him, yet a little relieved to have an answer. Poor dog has pano and dysplasia. I hope I can find a way to help him have a good quality of life, without living in pain every day.

That's bad news Kristi, especially with his other issues.

One thing worth doing is looking into hydrotherapy, the stronger you can make the structure surrounding the joint - the longer he will be able to go on as he is.

Surgery is not always required or advisable, time will tell the story. It woul have to wait until he is grown anyway, so you have some time to save cash.

I am rooting for you and Capone too Kristi! I know you are in CA like me -if you guys happen to be in Northern California here is an aquatic center I would recommend:
http://www.therexcenter.com/

..I went there just to give Shiva a swimming experience but they do specialize in hydrotherapy as Tanith mentioned...

Hang in there -he is gorgeous and so lucky to have landed with you!

How old is Capone?

He is 11 months Betty. 1 Year old on January 21st. I am in southern California, but I think they have something like that around me. I will look into it. My parents have a pool and spa that I can take him in too. I just have to introduce him into it, as his first experience was him falling in after my little brother and he didn't want to get back in after that. Thank you everyone for your support. I will probably be on here reading off an on all day.

He had x-rays on his front legs when he was younger that showed mild/moderate dysplasia I can't remember which, but the doctor thought it was mostly pano because his limping switched legs. Since going raw and watching his weight, his front legs usually don't bother him much.

I believe he's only 11 months old. I don't know if your vet went over the cost of a THR (total hip replacement) surgery with you, but it will be at least $4000 - $5000 per hip, plus recovery, rechecks, xrays, possible complications, etc. I don't want to shock you, but a lot of places will quote the bare minimum, without including all the extra little things, like suture removal, pain meds, iv care, and on and on - and they add up.
The cost of the implant alone, is somewhere around $1200 - $1500. Just something to consider.
My last GSD had mild HD when I adopted him at around 9 months old. When he passed away this summer at 4.5 years (he had a lot of medical problems), his xrays showed severe HD with extensive arthritic changes and muscle wasting. Just to give you an idea, it took about 3 year to go from mild to severe, and I did everything I could to help him.
I hope you can find some solution that works for him, and you.

Thank you Phaedra. That breaks my heart, but I appreciate the honesty. Because not knowing what to expect, both with him and financially is very scary.

Not to say that there haven't been dogs come through the clinic who have lived to say 7 years, after a dx of severe HD at a young age. Those dogs, however, are VERY carefully managed, and do not lead normal dog lives.

I'm glad you were online, Phaedra, to post.

I'm so sorry to be reading this, Kristi.

Is it selfish to be a little sad that I don't get a normal dog companion too. I really enjoy family outings, and hiking and jogging and walks and it is disappointing that I probably will never get to share those with my boy. I am still just trying to process all of this. As long as he is happy, I am happy. But part of my is disappointed for both of us. =(

I am really sad to read that, my heart is breaking. I love this dog like he is one of my kids and I can't imagine my days without him in it. I just want to take it a day at a time and hope for the best and try my best to do everything I can to help him. but again...thank you for being honest. I don't think I would have gotten that from anyone outside of Leerburg.