Doggie's health problems

[M&M's Mommy]

Hi guys,

I've been reading lotta threads about dog breedings on this forum (just for information, 'coz Missy & Mocha were both neutered . The words "hip dysplasia" & "luxating patellas" came up frequently. Someone mentioned that a dog may have it, but since dog has high pain tolerance, it may be in pain, but the owner may not know about it. I'm suddenly being paranoid about whether or not M&M has it. How do I tell if they do? Is there any symptoms? How's bout other common dog deseases? What are they, and what are their symptom?? Missy & Mocha are current on all their shots.. Should I take them to the vet periodically even though they do not have any symptom of being ill??

I know I'm being paranoid, but I can't help it

 

[princess_poppy]

your being paranoid, i wouldnt take them unless you notice something, i'm sure there fine adn if anything happend i know you would know!

 

[tac_1]

From what I understand about luxating patella, you can lay them on their back and see if their feet cross, which could be a sign...no one attack me, this is what I was told...sorry a bit "gun shy" I think that annual trips to the vet are a good idea, just for an overall checkup. I know what you mean though, I am always worrying that one of my babies will get sick.

 

[bubbatd]

I only vet once a year , unless there's a red flag. Even at that it might be a very minor red flag..... when you know your dog , you take heed. I still can't believe that my Chip on a Friday was his old playfull self ... all normal ... on Wed. he was PTS. The clue was Saturday he really wasn't interested in his food ...though he did finish . Sunday morning he barely wanted his morning " cookie " and his eyes " looked funny ". ... he refused supper. Monday were XRay and blood tests ....Wed. ultra sounds .... major cancer invasion . WE can't live in fear. He had had his annual 3 mos earlier and ALL seemed fine . Know your dog's eyes.... they are the first to reflect pain or discomfort .

 

[Poppy]

If your dogs are running and playing without lameness then all's well. You would know if your dog had a patella problem as the knee would come out of socket every once in awhile and the dog would hold that leg up. The knee will normally go back into place.

Hip Dysplasia can be quite common for many larger breeds. Not as common in small breeds. For HD, many people have various ways of telling or thinking they can tell the dog has HD. A dog with normal hips can lay on it's back and put it's legs out like a frog. Sometimes a dog with HD will have an abnormal sit (off to one side).

I wouldn't worry about it, if your not using your dogs for breeding purposes I would not put them through the hazard of X-rays. It's when you see a problem that you take the dog in.

 

[bubbatd]

Poppy ... I agree ! Whenever I see a dog or pup on their belly in " frog ' position I give high 5s. !! My 2nd Golden , ( another Chip ) was bought at 4 months ... I swear now that the breeder ( who showed Goldens ) must have known he had hip problems .... this was back in 1955 when I didn't know better . Chip could never sit square and HD wasn't diagnosised until he was 4 yrs.old ..... he was beyond help at that point ,,,we did what we could and finally had to put him to sleep . From then I , I did my research . Luckily the breeder never bred .... remember HD was'nt an issue back then .