Hip Dysplasia and Dogs: New Treatments?

[Mike 03]

This week I am going to be meeting with my veterinarian to discuss early symptoms of hi dysplasia in my Lab Retriever.

I have done some online research about new treatments, but I want to hear first hand from someone if there are new treatments for young dogs with early onset HDP, if you know, so I can have some information going in.

My dog is pretty young to be developing this (he's about three) and even after reading all the material online, I still am not sure whether it is wiser to get a hip replacement at an early age or treat it with painkillers until it turns into severe arthritis.

Any advice would be very, very much appreciated. I know this is a sort of heavy topic for the Lounge, but it sure doesn't belong in Politics or GD.

Thanks in advance for any help with Canine Dip Dysplasia advice. And if you don't feel comfortable talking about it, I understand that too.

I am sorry, I am just worried. I don't want to see my dog go through the same pain my first dog went through.

We go to the vet this week, but I just want to be armed with some kind of info on some avenues we might be able to pursue.

[LeftyMom]

1. I'm concerned that you're shifting your hypochondria and obsession with remedies to your dog.

Your dog hasn't been diagnosed with dysplasia yet. The problem may be something else entirely, and in a young dog it likely is.

edit: Assuming you have a good vet, let her do her job before you start playing Dr. Google. If you don't have a vet you're confident in, start there.

[Mike 03]

4. Thanks for your help, but he has so many symptoms of hip dysplasia,

from the swaggering gait and bunny hop to the exhaustion after our walks.

But I hope you are right and this is all just a fantasy in my mind. Nothing would make me happier.

[LeftyMom]

5. Those can be symptoms of lots of things.

Let your vet do her job.

[LeftyMom]

6. .

[Hawkeye-X]

2. Surgery is the best way to ensure a good, long life out of your dog

Once done early, the hips will stay in place.

[Mike 03]

7. Hawkeye, you are someone I respect from way back and respect deeply, your advice.

Thank you.

Is there sone surgery we can do to prevent really bad Hip Dysplasia? That would be so important to me dog and me. He loves our hikes

[Hawkeye-X]

9. Well, I don't have a vet's license, but Animal Planet's Emergency Vets is a huge favorite of mine

because the hospital settings is only less than 2.5 miles from my home, so I learned a lot from Dr. Taylor and Dr. Fitzgerald.

But I happen to know that there are DU'ers that are actual practicing vets so I'll defer to their sagely advice.

Hawkeye-X

[lizziegrace]

3. Before I could breed my Sheltie,

I had x-rays done to confirm and certify he didn't have it. His clean report was then registered. Until you get radiographs confirming your dog even has dysplasia, I wouldn't borrow trouble.

[Mike 03]

8. Random, but Hawkeye, it is so good to see you. I recognize your name from way back when, and i

makes me so happy to see you. Sorry for going on so long.