[Mog]

Hi,

So here's the situation. Our 5 and a half year old GSD, Maximus, began exhibiting a hip issue in December. He's very reactive to other dogs and runs up and down the back yard (there's an adjacent sidewalk) whenever another dog is being walked as expected He tries to make a short stop and turn around and I've seen him slip several times. So I was hoping that he may have pulled a muscle and it would heal. Well, it's been a little over two months and I've noticed the past couple of days that it may be getting worse.

When on our walks, he hops on his right hind leg, rather than walking. If we slow down, he'll walk fine. But if we are walking at a brisk pace, he'll hop. And as stated, I believe it may be getting a little worse. He doesn't seem to be in any pain other than the hoping. He'll let me touch and massage the area without reacting.

I called the vet to see how much it would be to have an x-ray taken so we could see exactly what was going on and was told we're looking at $500 for the visit, x-ray and sedation... Unfortunately, with a loss of an income due to the Covid epidemic, funds are tight now and $500 is a lot to us.

I've done some reading and research and would like to try some joint supplements, but there are so many out there, I don't know which one to try. So I thought I would ask here and get some recommendations for some supplements to try with Maximus. The vet recommended some over the counter supplements, but she said them so fast, I couldn't catch the names.

I'd like to at least try a supplement with a good recommendation to see if that may help. The vet told us not to give him any type of asprin/NSAID's...

Any and all advice would be appreciated.

Mog

 

[Pytheis]

$500 is A LOT for simple x-rays. I would call around to other vets in the area and compare prices. For example, it cost me somewhere in the $100-$150 range to have my dog sedated and multiple positions taken.

That said, it really does sound like your guy somehow hurt himself and isn’t just dealing with lousy hips and arthritis. I would say it’s important to get him into the vet. If it really is impossible and no other vet has better prices, I have had great luck with a brand called Connectin with my 10 year old golden retriever. Once I started her on it, she actually wanted to play and run around again, something she never was willing to do before.

 

[Mog]

$500 is A LOT for simple x-rays. I would call around to other vets in the area and compare prices. For example, it cost me somewhere in the $100-$150 range to have my dog sedated and multiple positions taken.

That said, it really does sound like your guy somehow hurt himself and isn’t just dealing with lousy hips and arthritis. I would say it’s important to get him into the vet. If it really is impossible and no other vet has better prices, I have had great luck with a brand called Connectin with my 10 year old golden retriever. Once I started her on it, she actually wanted to play and run around again, something she never was willing to do before.

Well, they stated $70 for the visit, $190 for the x-rays and and $175 - $225 for the sedation, depending on size. Max is 110lbs, so figuring on the high end, so $485 in total. And she said that if they had to have a specialist look at the x-rays, it would be more.

Thanks for the recommendation on the Connectin, I believe that's one of the over the counter meds she mentioned.

I did call another vet, but haven't heard back yet. But I'm guessing the price will be similar.

Mog

 

[readaboutdogs]

My GSD Cody would run and make like hairpin turns, he had to have acl surgery on his right rear leg. Tore up his knee doing that. his surgery was like $500 but that's been 15 years ago! Like suggested maybe check with other vet offices.

 

[readaboutdogs]

What you described how your dog is acting was similar to how Cody acted, limping, not putting weight on the leg.

 

[Mog]

2nd vet called and their x-ray machine is down, so left a message for the one they are using for their x-rays... I'll call a couple more as I would like to find out what it is.

Thanks for all the replies.

Mog

 

[WIBackpacker]

I agree, call and shop out the X-ray pricing. Even if you have to take a day trip somewhere.

If you’re dealing with an ACL/psoas/other soft injury, all the joint supplements in the world won’t help.

If you want to try a no risk ultra conservative route, do 4-6 weeks of strict quiet crate rest and only out for bathroom breaks on a leash. If symptoms vanish, you’ve ruled out hip/knee/some other problems, and not out any money. It’s not fun, but if it’s a psoas or ACL injury, you’ll be heading for activity restriction anyway.