Hip Problem for my Pointer

[zak3737]

Hi all,
New to the site, and just wondered if anyone can offer any help.

Our fabulous GSP Ziggy has developed problems with a hip, which was only noticed when he was stood still, but taking his weight off the right hind led . After a while, we had the vet take him in and after Xrays, has diagnosed some Hip joint 'looseness', which usually means Hip Dysplasia or something like.
Trying currently to keep him as inactive as possible, hard for a dog only 3yrs old who's used to 3 runs off his lead every day ! :-(

After some reading, it looks like Cortaflex is a good supplement that may releive his discomfort somewhat, but has anyone else any advice please, as the thought of him becoming more and more lame and more discomfort is really hard to think about....

He's an absolute beauty as you can see.....so upsetting for all of us. :-(

Any advice gratefully read.

 

[Oneofthepack]

He's a stunner! Do you think an orthopedic specialist might be able to give you a better idea of how to help him? Your vet's diagnosis seems a little 'general'. I saw one with my lurcher after about 5 visits to the vet and 2 sets of xrays a year apart and they still had no idea. The specialist took one look and showed me exactly what was wrong on the xrays and told me how to manage it and he's fine 90% of the time.

 

[MurphysMinder]

I agree that your vets diagnosis seems little vague. One way of finding out how bad the dysplasia is would be to submit the x-ray for scoring to the BVC. But if the plates weren't taken with this in mind you would have to have him re x-rayed. Alternatively I would try and find a vet who can really read x-rays. You're not in Cheshire by any chance are you as my vet is brilliant, he will predict the score on a hip x ray and is usually only 1 or 2 marks off. I wouldn't particularly say keeping a dog with HD inactive is a good thing either, building up muscle tone is the best way of keeping the dog sound, though obviously if he is badly lame at the moment you need to rest him.

 

[zak3737]

Thx for replies. Im due to take him back again, so will press them further for info.
I'm sure the idea is to keep him as inactive as poss for a few weeks to let the inflamation/discomfort die down, but it reallly is hard as he just wants to go out !
Let him off the lead and he's as manic as ever, chasing rabbits thru the crops and god knows, but I understand that this may just aggravate the joint.
Also agree that inactivity isnt neccessarily a good thing long term, as his muscles need to be kept up to scratch to compensate etc, so bit of a dilemma here....

Bloody pets, they really get into you, closer to him than a lot of my relatives !!

 

[Oneofthepack]

[ QUOTE ]
Bloody pets, they really get into you, closer to him than a lot of my relatives !!

[/ QUOTE ]

Know exactly how you feel!

I can see the logic in keeping him quiet while you're waiting for the follow up visit but as said before the muscle will help support the leg in the long run, which was exactly the advice I got for Alfie. I don't know much about dysplasia but I thought they were pretty much unable to run if it is severe, or at least unwilling to run because of the pain?

A good set of xrays would be enough for a specialist to give you an accurate diagnosis so I'd ask your vet for a referral. It's a bit embarrasing to have to say you don't trust your vets opinion but at the end of the day it's the dog that's going to suffer if the diagnosis isn't accurate. Good luck and let us know what happens

 

[MurphysMinder]

Have read through your original post again. If he is not actually lame it doesn't really sound like HD to me, but I am not a vet. Is he on an anti inflammatory medication? I really do think it would be worth at least asking your vet to explain things more clearly, and if you are not happy with anything ask for a referral. It would be interesting to hear if any of the vets on the forum have a view on whether this is typical HD, how about it ann-jen or star (or anyone else I don't know about). Agree with you about pets being closer than relatives!