Hip Dysplasia

[rowdy ridgeback]

I am thinking of adopting a dog that has hip dysplasia. This is from someone that shows RRs and had the OFA check for hips. X-ray showed dysplasia. The dog is 2 1/2. I am not familiar with it. I dont know how severe it is yet. Will talk to the people when I go look at the dog. Any advice?

 

[Xena]

Hip dysplasia literally means an abnormality in the development of the hip joint. It is characterized by a shallow acetabulum (the "cup" of the hip joint) and changes in the shape of the femoral head (the "ball" of the hip joint). These changes may occur due to excessive laxity in the hip joint. Hip dysplasia can exist with or without clinical signs. When dogs exhibit clinical signs of this problem they usually are lame on one or both rear limbs. Severe arthritis can develop as a result of the malformation of the hip joint and this results in pain as the disease progresses. Many young dogs exhibit pain during or shortly after the growth period, often before arthritic changes appear to be present. It is not unusual for this pain to appear to disappear for several years and then to return when arthritic changes become obvious.

 

[makenzie71]

http://www.cvm.uiuc.edu/petcolumns/showarticle.cfm?id=346

Treatment options inside.

 

[kazkirk]

If the dog had xrays, surely they can tell you the severity of the HD. My ambull has moderate to severe hip dysplasia and unless he gets surgery, wont be walking by age 5. He is 3 right now and we are talking with vets to see if surgery is a possibility in his case.

 

[Gallien Jacks]

Good luck this is a huge responsibly and the costs involved will be huge, but you could save this dogs life and make things as easy for him as poss

 

[rowdy ridgeback]

Hmm ok. How costly is surgery? She is going to show me the xrays when I come see the dog. I would try to get surgery right away. Dont want the dog to suffer. She said the dog isnt showing signs.

 

[gracelund]

take a look at this link it shows how the vet works out the score http://www.thedogscene.co.uk/articles/health/hdscore.htm

 

[kazkirk]

My 65lb dog will run $3500 to get a hip done.
Now, if the dog has mild HD, they can live quite happily with supplements and the correct care (no jumping, high impact sports etc). It all depends on how bad it is.

 

[bubbatd]

I'd have an OFA reading. Chip had both hips done ...I think it cost $700 each. At nine he shows absolutely no problems. Not even on meds. Good luck !

 

[rowdy ridgeback]

Well, I am going to meet the dog and handler tomorrow. Will find out how bad it is.

 

[bubbatd]

Let us know ! Many years ago ( 1956 ) I bought a 7 month Golden from a breeder ( good one who had titles on all dogs ) because I was " Golden hungry ") ... that was before I even knew about HD. Ended up he was bad and then no one really knew what to do. He became very lame and died young because of complications. I've learned a lot in 50 years...thank heavens !