Hip dysplasia

[Fran27]

I've done a search, so I know how to treat it etc, but I'm almost sure that Boris has it, even though he's only 8 months, and I was wondering if I am right to worry. He does the lazy sit quite a bit, loves lying down with his back legs on his sides, and his butt moves left and right when he walks. He doesn't show any pain, he's running around all the time, and walks for 30 minutes without any problem (we always stop after 30 as he's still growing).

I will definitely ask for a x ray next time we take him to the vet (probably when he's around 1 yr old for his boosters), so I can take him on meds if needed, but am I right to think those may be signs?

[Ratboy]

I was pretty sure Molly had bad hips pretty soon after I got her, she has a strange walk,unlike any other dog I have had. When they got older, I insanely started taking her for walks along with King. She started sitting down at about the 1.5 mile mark. Some xrays showed she has one really bad hip, and one not so bad. So far, she seems to be doing ok, and hopefully, she can last another 5 years or so, and that would take her close to 12. She's a horrible walker anyway, she lunges at anything that moves..after two dislocated fingers, I had enough.

King will go on forever, I took him for 7 miles once and I was pretty wiped out, but he thought it was great. I went ahead and had him checked too, he's fine, of course. Every test I have ever run on him has been a total waste of time, and especially, money.

[Athe]

My Rottie had the lazy sit and was x-rayed at one year of age which showed she had horrible hips. The only way to know for sure is to have x-rays done..and before the age of 2 (depending on breed) the hips can either improve or get worse as they are growing. It would be wise to start a preventative program now by giving consistant exercise, swimming is great. I would also start her on Glucosamine Sulfate and HCL, Chondroitin Sulfate, Boswellin, Manganese Ascorbate to help absorb the Glucosamine. Make sure your dog gets plenty of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. If in time your dog suffers from discomfort due to arthritis I found turmeric or Yucca works great.

[bubbatd]

If it's severe , a vet can usually tell by manipulating the hip.. but Xrays will tell and OFA will diagnos. We are luck to have one of the best ortho vets in the nation here in Indiana. Dr. Lee . One of my friends in Florida upon my recommendation, sent him the Xrays and he suggested the treatment. It wasn't severe enough for surgery , but did something with elastics....sorry I can't remember more.

[Athe]

With my Rottweiler, I went for quite some time before they actually diagnosed the dysplastic hips. The Vets (wonderful Vets btw) had manipulated her legs, checked the drawer effect for ARL, the first x-ray came back fine (she was laying wrong). I had to keep on them to finally get the dianosis...I "knew" she had HD, I just wanted to know how bad. Finally I stayed with her for her x-rays and found out she has horrible hips.

[showpug]

Some researchers now believe that one of the largest factors in a dog developing hip displaysia is from being raised on surfaces that have poor traction. They also say that diet plays a role as well. The best thing you can do is keep your puppy on carpet or a non-slip surface as much as possible. I would also start supplementing with glucosamine and chondroitan. I have never heard that the "sloppy sit" or laying down with the legs on each side was a sign of displaysia??? I have had a few dogs do that in the past and they were not displastic. Remember that OFA won't even do hips until at least 18 months of age. I wouldn't worry too much at this point!