Thanks phaedra!

I read through this thread, but haven't read the other threads about Capone. A couple things jumped out at me though. Capone is a pitty, correct? But you said he's 90 lbs. Unless he's a HUGE pitty, how trim are you keeping him? Any dog with HD should be kept very trim, the less weight on those joints, the less pain. You also mentioned that he doesn't get much exercise due to the HD and also the allergies. Can you find somewhere that you can take him swimming on a regular basis. One thing that will really help the HD, especially in a breed that is bred to be heavily muscled, is muscle development. I've seen dogs that didn't show any signs of HD at all, that had horrible hips on xray, but because they were so muscled up the muscles were actually helping to compensate for the bad hips. Swimming won't be as hard on him as walking or running, but will help build up some muscles.

My sister's Malinois has horrible elbows. Has had them all his life, he was diganosed at 4 or 5 months old, because he was already showing signs that early. She's used pain meds and injections quite successfully for him, he's almost 12 now and still doing well. I believe it is Adequan, I'll have to double check, but he gets an injection every few months, maybe every 4-6 (I'll ask that also) and that has really helped him.

 Quote: Kadi_Thingvall

My sister's Malinois has horrible elbows. Has had them all his life, he was diganosed at 4 or 5 months old, because he was already showing signs that early.

What were the signs, if you don't mind?

 Quote: Kadi_Thingvall

I read through this thread, but haven't read the other threads about Capone. A couple things jumped out at me though. Capone is a pitty, correct? But you said he's 90 lbs. Unless he's a HUGE pitty, how trim are you keeping him? Any dog with HD should be kept very trim, the less weight on those joints, the less pain. You also mentioned that he doesn't get much exercise due to the HD and also the allergies. Can you find somewhere that you can take him swimming on a regular basis. One thing that will really help the HD, especially in a breed that is bred to be heavily muscled, is muscle development. I've seen dogs that didn't show any signs of HD at all, that had horrible hips on xray, but because they were so muscled up the muscles were actually helping to compensate for the bad hips. Swimming won't be as hard on him as walking or running, but will help build up some muscles.

My sister's Malinois has horrible elbows. Has had them all his life, he was diganosed at 4 or 5 months old, because he was already showing signs that early. She's used pain meds and injections quite successfully for him, he's almost 12 now and still doing well. I believe it is Adequan, I'll have to double check, but he gets an injection every few months, maybe every 4-6 (I'll ask that also) and that has really helped him.

Excellent Post, My thoughts Exactly; What I have Thought, but written so much better than I!!

 Quote: Ross Rapoport

 Quote: Kadi_Thingvall

My sister's Malinois has horrible elbows. Has had them all his life, he was diganosed at 4 or 5 months old, because he was already showing signs that early.

What were the signs, if you don't mind?

Lameness. He was already doing some limping and just acting like he was in pain at 4 months. They had him xrayed shortly after, it's been awhile but I think the vet was assuming more along the lines of Pano, but they realized it was ED. I don't know if he already had changes that early, or if it was just the joint conformation, I can ask.

 Quote: Kadi_Thingvall

I read through this thread, but haven't read the other threads about Capone. A couple things jumped out at me though. Capone is a pitty, correct? But you said he's 90 lbs. Unless he's a HUGE pitty, how trim are you keeping him? Any dog with HD should be kept very trim, the less weight on those joints, the less pain. You also mentioned that he doesn't get much exercise due to the HD and also the allergies. Can you find somewhere that you can take him swimming on a regular basis. One thing that will really help the HD, especially in a breed that is bred to be heavily muscled, is muscle development. I've seen dogs that didn't show any signs of HD at all, that had horrible hips on xray, but because they were so muscled up the muscles were actually helping to compensate for the bad hips. Swimming won't be as hard on him as walking or running, but will help build up some muscles.

My sister's Malinois has horrible elbows. Has had them all his life, he was diganosed at 4 or 5 months old, because he was already showing signs that early. She's used pain meds and injections quite successfully for him, he's almost 12 now and still doing well. I believe it is Adequan, I'll have to double check, but he gets an injection every few months, maybe every 4-6 (I'll ask that also) and that has really helped him.

He is a huge pitty. I think that's what caused all the problems. His dad was 134 pounds at 18 months. Very muscular (he did weight pulling and was unaltered) capone is lankier than him, probably because we neutered him but not nearly as muscular because of the reasons you stated.

I go to the vet today to politely tell them I would like his xrays re done and ask if he is ready for swimming and short walks. I think he's ready. He has only been in the pool twice. Once because he chased my little brother down a rock water slide and fell in and another time I took him in the spa as a puppy. (Not hot, just slightly warm) being as that its winter right now, I'm not sure how to introduce him to the pool. My parents have one but I think it would cost way too much to ask them to heat it right now. I was waiting for it to warm up a bit.

My phone wouldn't let me edit but I wanted to add I personally believe somewhere down the line someone mixed their pits with mastiffs to create these xxl pits they are trying to sell. Then lied to be able to continue to paper them. Capone is UKC registered. Its a bunch of BS. And Its very popular in southern california unfortunetely.

Edited by Theresa MacDonal (02/07/2011 12:32 PM)
Edit reason: Edit Link

If you are in So Cal I wouldn't worry about the temperatures. I've been taking my dogs hiking and letting them swim in the "river" (where I come from we'd call it a creek LOL) all "winter" long. Even my older dog who does have some arthritis. We've also done some trips to Fiesta Island. The pool might seem a little cold for us to be hopping into, but it should be fine for Capone, especially if he's working out.

I was trying to find one of those dog pool places near me, but I wasn't sure what it was called. Everytime I serched I couldn't find one near me but I will search again! Thanks!

And Kadi, Good to know. I wasn't sure how cold was too cold for him.