Connie
(Zubrin is a nonsteriod anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used to reduce pain and inflammation due to osteoarthritis in dogs.)

Our vet is a new, she bought out the business from our old vets. She took over care of my last two boys during their last couple of months. Anyway, I can't say how much experience she has with HD, she explained the different treatment options and said she would recommend a specialist if we want to look into any surgury. She seemed pretty confident in her diagnosis and I know though other conversations with her that she tries to stay on top of everything. I do plan on taking him to a specialist in the near future to make sure nothing is missed.

I think she is probable right, Buddy does have some of the signs, bunny hop as he runs, stiffness when he gets up after resting, avoids jumping up in car. He didn't do any limping until we put that floor down and he just couldn't seem to keep his footing on it. I think it was the slipping that made him sore. Anyway, we just put the carpet down so that will not be an issue for him anymore.

Thanks for the link to the articles, I'll ready them.

Jamie, we tried that with Buddy also, the vet thinks because he wasn't putting his weight all the way down on his right leg is why he just kept slipping. Thank goodness we had only put the flooring down in one room.

Thanks,
Peggy

Give some description on the test that they did for Hip Dysplasia. Did they put the dog out or do it while awake? Labs are very prone to hip dysplaxian and I highly recommend you find a vet that will do the test while the dog is awake if you can. The X-rays from a dog that is put out can be very mis leading. All muscles are relaxed and they press out the legs. Not a good test in my opinion. Vets nowadays really piss me off. They want the bucks but dont really care about the long haul. Hip surgery is expensive. Don't go through with it unless you have at least 2 other vets that say it is should be done. Good luck.

Chris,

I was not in the room when they did the x-ray so I can't describe exactly what they did. He was awake though. The vet first watched him walk up and down the hallway (note-he was limping on right back leg that day). Then they put him on the exam table and she checked each leg, he just laid there and let them do what ever. He front legs appeared fine, but when she would bend and extend each back leg it appeared to bother him. (she could feel him tense & resist that movement) She was also able to feel some popping in his left hip.

She went over the x-ray with me and pointed out the problem areas and described his joints as loose. She does not recommend surgery and is more then happy to give us a referral to see a specialist. She feels he has a mild case and with keeping him lean, good exercise and the supplements he is on and he should be fine for now. I just want to do all I can to keep it that way.

Although she took over this practice within the last year, she is very aware that we have spent a huge amount of money at that office over the past 5 years on my last two dogs and has been more then fair on her billing. She was kind enough to come out to the car and to put each one of my dogs down and didn't charge us at all either time. As far as a general vet, she has been very good so far. I just don't know for sure how qualified she is for HD and I agree with you and would never consider surgury unless it had to be done.

Thanks
Peggy