German Shepherds Forum banner

7 Month Old Already Diagnosed w/Dysplasia

2K views 9 replies 8 participants last post by  helgahah 
#1 ·
Hello All, I surely appreciate that you're out there. I have a wonderful, SO SWEET, and happy baby boy gsd. I joined this website specifically looking for advice/help with his dysplasia. I know the basics about Dysplasia, have a great vet etc. But I'm wondering about a support brace for this? The link is:
HandicappedPets.com - Mobility Brace for the Active Dog.
Has anyone ever used this?
I have him on good supplements and am learning the proper exercises vs bad ones. But he hurts himself A LOT (and he's a screamer). I want to do anything at all that I can to help him!! Any help is much appreciated.
 
#2 ·
So sorry to hear your GSD has HD, my 5yo GSD girl has HD also, but not to the point where she hurts herself all the time and screams in pain.

If your GSDs HD is extreme, then be guided by your vet, if you are not happy with your vets management then seek a second opinion. In terms of managing HD, you could put him on a good quality joint medication such as Glyde for dogs or glucosamine, eliminate any high impact exercises such as jumping and sprinting with sudden stops and if possible encourage him to swim as this helps with getting good exercise with minimal impact on joints.:)
 
#4 ·
I have a mixed breed female who was also diagnosed with severe HD in both hips at a round that age. It didn't take much activity for her to begin limping.

You should probably consider the affordability of surgery. These dogs can live a much higher quality of life with surgical intervention. The joint supplements and restricted activity will absolutely help, but I have never once regretted the expense of hip surgery with my girl. She is in much less pain, can be more active, and I feel that there is no reason why she can't go on to live a normal, relatively pain free life. Her surgery was almost four years ago and she has not had any complications from it (it was a Total Hip Replacement).

I would at least do a surgical consult with an orthopedic specialist and have them do their own x rays. They can let you know what your options are and the cost. Often only one hip needs to be treated, because the dog will learn to bear weight on the fixed hip which reduces strain on the other hip.

Good luck. I think if your boy is hurting himself so often, you owe it to him to try to mitigate his pain. He is so young and has many years ahead of him. I don't think it is right that he should be in pain all that time.
 
#5 ·
At this age are you certain that it is hip dysplasia and not Pano or Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy? Has he been x-rayed?
 
#6 · (Edited)
My dog was diagnosed at 6 months by xray. Im sure we are also looking into a THR somewhere down the line. Right now supplements and medication are helping alot. If you dont have a pool , I dont, other good exercises are walking up hill. I hope he feels better soon.

i have not tried the mobility brace as I dont know anyone who has and whether it works or not. have you tried researching reviews of the brace on amazon?
 
#7 ·
I'm so sorry also. I got a Wheelchair for Struddell (White Boxer with DM at 8 yrs) from Walking Wheels and I never saw the back brace.

Maybe you can get in contact through them with someone who has used it? They also have a forum that would most likely be the best place to ask questions.

Good luck with your baby.
 
#9 ·
Hello Everyone who was SO NICE to help with words and advice. Yes, His name is Lieben and we did have an xray done. He went in for lethargy after a day at doggie day care and the vet wanted to xray his stomach and decided while doing that he would get the hip. From what I saw, there wasn't much hip socket and the leg 'bone wasn't anywhere near it...I read one post in there where "Good Karma" was suggesting the THR surgery. Believe me, it is definitely on the table. I was told his bones had to reach full maturity.

So, what I do for him right now is limit his activity (length of play time), I don't run him on concrete anymore, I take him to a beach here and run him using his tennis ball on the sand and into the water. The thing is I wonder about the "bounding" he does in the shallow part of the water. It's a lot like jumping so, could that be bad? And then I throw the ball around in the back yard, but he makes sudden stops, and I think I read that could be bad?

Lately (last 2 weeks) I am noticing he puts the first half of his body on the bed and so I go and lift his rear to help him on the bed. And I'm hearing new pops and cracks in his joints when he moves. I think this may be because we've been doing the ball in the back yard exclusively lately, because the beach has been so cold.I'm so sad, he's so young.

We're working on passing the Canine Good Citizen certification and all the trainers remark on his temperament...he is just such a sweet sweet baby. I want to know I am doing the right things for him. I wish the best for all of our loved babies on here. I most definitely want and need all of the advice I can get from all of you more knowledgeable than myself!!! Thank you for being here!!!
 
#10 ·
PS, he is on Dasoquin, adult breed food, and we have Tramadol and Previcox here when needed. I just don't want to over do it and have only used the tramadol once after he slipped on the floors here and screamed or literally a full m\heart wrenching minute. *SNIFF*
(I know I have got to replace these floors to something not slippery, like yesterday)
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top