Hi Ed. I need your advice. I just took my female 13 month old GSD for x-rays to send for her "A" stamp. The vet told me the the dog is dysplastic and that her hips snap in place. I looked at your page on proper hip positioning and they look like they were done correctly plus I was referred to this guy because he does these to the German standards. Anyway, he told me that the dog cannot do agiliity and obviously I cannot breed her. What are your feelings on this and what do I tell the breeder. I bought the dog to show and to breed. What are my options?
Thank you for your time and experience. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Colleen, I know the news is devestating. I've been there. My only suggestion to you is to take the dog to an ortho vet and get a 2nd opinion. My ortho vet does the penn hip. My situation was a bit different in that my pup started showing signs of limping and bunny hopping before 6 months of age so I really didn't have any doubt. My ortho is very well respected and once I saw the x-rays I knew she was dysplatic. She ended up having two TPO's and is doing great. Terrible news, I know. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />. Keep us posted....

It hurts I know... been there myself.

Your options are pretty cut and dry. Fix the dog and keep it as a pet, fix the dog and rehome it into a pet home, or put the dog to sleep (depending on how severe the HD is)

Tell the breeder. Any ethical breeder will offer a replacement.

I would definitely get another set of xrays from another vet, AND make sure you do PennHip. Is the problem with too much laxity? Or is there already deformation in the joint and signs of arthritis?

Some good sites to read up on are:

http://siriusdog.com/articles/hip-dysplasia-ofa-pennhip-lanting.htm

http://www.thepetcenter.com/xra/hd.html

Using Esther-C and a glucosamine/chondrotin supplement should help keep the hips healthy http://www.yourdoghealth.com/dog_ester-c_study.htm

Additionally a fit and lean dog can do well for years with hips that look bad on an x-ray.

Thank you all for your replies. I am devastated and am crawling in my skin trying to figure out what to do. I have a call into my breeder. She is in Germany until the tenth. I am going to drop off the x-rays to my vet on monday for him to review. I don't know how bad it is, I didn't ask. I was so surprised! He told me that her hips are snapping in place now. I went there thinking I was getting good x-rays to get her "A" stamped. He told me not to bother sending them , that she fails. I have never been in this situation before. The vet also told me that she cannot do agility. Looking back on things..... maybe i should have thought there might be a chance she would have this. When she runs around the yard with my other dog, she almost always loses it and the back end slides out on her. My dilema also is that my oldest child is worried what is going to happen to her. We have money into the dog for training. In my contract with the breeder it states a replacement dog. But I don't know if my hubby wants another big dog in the house. I should call the vet who took the x-rays and ask him how bad it is although I am waiting for a written certification from him for my breeder. Maybe that will answer my questions?

Just an FYI regarding the ability of your dog to do agility. One of the best things you can do for a dysplastic dog is maintain good muscle tone to help hold the hips in place. Swimming is wonderful for conditioning and initial build up of these muscles, especially for a 13 month old dog.

Also if you teach proper jumping form/style to your dog that will build up and maintain muscle tone in their back and hip area. Suzanne Clothier initially developed the jumping chute to condition the dog to this activity, Rhonda Carter has modified it for the competition agility dog and states that this type of conditioning is one of the best things you can do for a dysplastic dog.

It would be critical to get the muscle built up and to maintain it, however there is not any reason that a mild to moderate dysplastic dog cannot do agility. It would just require much more conditioning which would make a better athlete anyhow.

I'm sure this is dependent upon the severity of the dysplasia, but just keep in mind this is not necessary a career ender in reference to agility.

Good luck.
Linda

Colleen, if possible, phone the original vet who took the Xrays and ask them for their opinion on your situation. I'm in the UK so not sure what the USA vets are like, but here most vets would be happy to speak on the phone and discuss the situation further with the owner. At the time you would be so upset receiving bad news so wouldn't have thought to ask away. If necessary, book another consultation and go minus the dog. I'm hoping it will turn out not so bad for you - I've been through this as well....

Thanks Jenn for your web pages. Now I am pretty sure she has the Displasia. She has the signs listed in the article. If I don't get the information in the vets letter as to how bad her case is I will call the vet and talk to him about it. I will be having another vet and another breeder look at her x-rays before presenting them to my breeder. Just in case she tells me the dog is fine. Hope the breeder will do the right thing but also have a lot invested in this dog already. I feel bad for my dog. She knows something is up. She looks sad and follows me everywhere. Tough situation. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Colleen,

When my vet did the x-rays I asked him to e-mail them to me and I sent them to the breeder. You could also post on this board I would imagine. At this young age she may be a candidate for a TPO which cannot be done after they start to develop arthritis. My dog has had both sides done and is doing great. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks again to all for your replies. I just saw my vet to have him look at the x-rays. He said their is no question that she is Dysplastic, her left hip is 2/3 and the right is half... I forget the term, anyway they are both loose. He also told me not to spend anymore money on diagnostics. He told me that if we did the pennhip they would be worse. I will keep you posted... looks like we are going the puppy route once again!