NSR: Dog Help

[arbuckle]

ok so my 10 month old choc lab is showing all the sings of hip dysplasia. i know its pretty common in labs and especially big ones (hes closing in on 95 pounds and is actually pretty skinny.) im going to take him to the vet next week but just for a heads up is there anything i can do for him besides expensive surgery?

[jon gaper]

her xrays were flat on the pelvis side. we didnt find out until she was 6. she ran fine until about 10, and lived happily until 15.

[axebiker]

They'll tell you to give him LOTS of expensive supplements - glucosamine, chondroitin, etc. They help. The real key is exercise (moderate - not too much) and weight control. They won't recommend surgery unless there's no other choice and the dog is having BIG problems. There's really no "preventative measures" - it just happens. My brother has a 4 y.o. Yellow Lab - she started showing problems by the time she was 1. Bummer too - he's one of the most dedicated pheasant hunters I know, and has spent a small fortune on her already. My dog (he's a 3 y.o. Yellow Lab, about 85#), on the other hand, is BOMBPROOF, and I got him at the pound - abandoned. The best $125 I've ever spent - or probably ever will. Even if the dog has good lines, there's no guarantee, and with that said, I just can never see a dog as something I'd "return" because it's defective. He's a member of the family, and I'd do almost anything for him. I've never understood people who can treat them like damaged goods and want to return them. I can't stand to think of a good dog being put down because of a gentic defect.

Good luck - +vibes fer ya!! I'll have my dog Salomon say a prayer for him too!

[Cono Este]

When my Golden, (Norman RIP), was a pup he had the same symptoms. They reccomended surgery. He would limp after chasing the ball for a while. I skipped the surgery and he must of grown out of it, because he was fine the rest of his life. Made it to 15. RIP.

[killclimbz]

Vitamin C. Sounds crazy, but I read this article about it helping dogs with dyslasia when my pooch was diagnosed with it. It worked quite well for him and I got a few more seasons with my beloved pooch in the bc. Worth a try and it's a hell of a lot cheaper than some of the other things out there.

[samthaman]

it happens a lot in overbread dogs and those tend to be the popular ones. Goldens, labs, dalmatians were for a time. 95 lbs. is gigantic for a lab, what breeder is selling labs that huge?

[montanagirl]

Irrigation ditches or a small creek. My dog had a stroke last spring and it was the best therapy for him. I would keep a leash on him (in case he got tired and I could grab him) and walk up and down while he did his water therapy. He loved it as he got to snorkel and play while it was easy on his hips and joints to move in the water. Plus I think the cooler water was soothing. Also maybe try to contact the CSU Vet Hospital, I think it's off of Drake Street. I had my horse there for surgery this spring and it is an amazing facility. One building is devoted to dogs (Lance Armstrong made a huge contribution when his yellow lab was sick). Because it is a residency program for the vet students, my bill was a little cheaper when I agreed to have a 3rd year residency student work on my horse, but it was under supervision from one of the best animal surgeons in the west and it wound up being a win-win for me. At the very least, it could be worth a phone call.

[Snow Dog]

10 months is a little young for hip dysplasia. The bones aren't fully formed until they're 2. There's all sorts of growing issues -- aka growing pains -- that are more likely. BTW, hip dysplasia is when the socket (on the hip) doesn't form around the ball (on the femur). Strong ligaments and muscles will hold the ball in place for a long time. People use "dysplasia" as a catch-all term any time a dog limps.

On the other hand there's all sorts of degenerative bone conditions that will make your dog limp but not usually at 10 months.

For more information:
Orthopedic Founcation for Animals

[The Reverend Floater]

it happens a lot in overbread dogs and those tend to be the popular ones. Goldens, labs, dalmatians were for a time. 95 lbs. is gigantic for a lab, what breeder is selling labs that huge?

Not really uncommon. There are tons of labs that big, many of them champion trial dogs, etc. I hunt with at least 3 that big...downside is they don't make very good upland dogs!

[The Reverend Floater]

10 months is a little young for hip dysplasia. The bones aren't fully formed until they're 2. There's all sorts of growing issues -- aka growing pains -- that are more likely. BTW, hip dysplasia is when the socket (on the hip) doesn't form around the ball (on the femur). Strong ligaments and muscles will hold the ball in place for a long time. People use "dysplasia" as a catch-all term any time a dog limps.

On the other hand there's all sorts of degenerative bone conditions that will make your dog limp but not usually at 10 months.

There is more than one kind of displaysia, me thinks. The one above and then one that is more relevant to the ligaments, if I remember correctly.

All you can do (and I mean NO insult by this) is buy a dog who has parents xrayed and rated "excellent." Even then, it's not a guarantee.

GOOD LUCK!

[The Reverend Floater]

One more for good measure: I'll second the sentiment of growing issues, puppy issues, etc. Our buddy had a dog who ran funny for his puppyhood...awkward and looked like the hips didn't work right. He turned out just fine once he filled out, etc.

Make sure you keep your puppy's snow-time limited. It's tempting to let them play in the snow and wear themselves out bounding around but it reaks havoc on their joints. I've seen it happen here....some dogs are not meant to be ski dogs and labs, on the whole, are one of them.

[Big Turns]

Switch to adult dog food with glucosomine if you haven't already. That's a big lab for a developing frame. I had the same issues with my black lab at 10 months. The vets discussed surgery and other options, but I elected to not do surgery and monitor his weight and exercise. He's almost 8 now and healthy. I take him skiing/fishing with me all the time, but I don't push him too much. He gets sore after a long outting, but I give him an aspirin, which seems to help. Turns out that when he was 3 the vets said, he didn't have hip displaysia??
I'd try other alternatives first before surgery first, unless your pup is in serious pain. Good luck!

[Dawn Patrol]

There is more than one kind of displaysia, me thinks. The one above and then one that is more relevant to the ligaments, if I remember correctly.

All you can do (and I mean NO insult by this) is buy a dog who has parents xrayed and rated "excellent." Even then, it's not a guarantee.

GOOD LUCK!

Very true, just because the parents are ok, doesn't mean the pup will be. Dog's are just as (nearly) genetically complex as people. Neither of my parents have crohn's but hey, that didn't stop me.

[supermodel159]

OFA tests for hip dysplasia at 2 years old. If you are worried about it this early there are TONS of remedies that can be done. Surgery is usually the last resort, even then, it may not be the best option. Vizslas are prone to hip dysplasia as well, so Ive been reading up on it. It usually comes from their mother. Do you know what the OFA rating is of her mother???

[Woodlandclown]

it happens a lot in overbread dogs and those tend to be the popular ones. Goldens, labs, dalmatians were for a time. 95 lbs. is gigantic for a lab, what breeder is selling labs that huge?

95 lbs and its only 10 mths old. Its still gonna grow for many more months. I have heard this too about overbreeding. I have friends who got a back lab and the same thing. she just gives out when shes walking--all they can do is expensive surgery. I dont mean to knock labs and goldens etc, but why cant more people adopt dogs and stop all this breeding! the amount of dogs that are put to sleep each year is insane. mutts are the best!

[supermodel159]

95 but why cant more people adopt dogs and stop all this breeding! the amount of dogs that are put to sleep each year is insane. mutts are the best!

I'd say a majority of dogs that come from a planned breeding are adopted before they are born. Breeding does not lead to an overpopulation of dogs in animal shelters. It is the unresponsible people who do not take proper care and responisbilty for their pets who cause the over population of animal shelters.

[Woodlandclown]

I'd say a majority of dogs that come from a planned breeding are adopted before they are born. Breeding does not lead to an overpopulation of dogs in animal shelters. It is the unresponsible people who do not take proper care and responisbilty for their pets who cause the over population of animal shelters.

i realize that. there are labs and goldens in shelters too. when getting a dog, why not consider adoption BEFORE deciding to go to a breeder. that would cut down on the pets in shelters. thats what i meant. too many people are suck on the status symbol of a certain breed. in my area it happens to be "berners". Great dogs, but i'm just sayin..

[hutash]

As usual there is a lot of good and bad information above. The first step is to find out what the problem is, and that means good quality x-rays, preferably with sedation or anesthesia. It will be more expensive, but worth it for an accurate diagnosis. There is no need to rush into surgery, et cetera.

Feel free to PM me when you have more info, or have specific questions.

Definitely keep him slim and trim, it is very important for such a big lab. I am seeing more of these big labs these days. Great dogs, but 100+ pounds of lab puppy can be a handful.

[pipes]

One thing recomended to me was to make sure that the dog gets excesice but don't overdo it early on. I was told that labs are not fully developed until age 2. Definetly talk to your vet about it and express your concern.

[axebiker]

95 lbs. is gigantic for a lab, what breeder is selling labs that huge?

Not really - my Dad's is 105#, and he's not fat. His chest is H-U-G-E - he doesn't go over and under anything. He goes THROUGH!! They are breeding them bigger... All that bulk on 2 cups of food 2 times a day.

I'm glad mine is a "classic" lab. He's built like an antelope - L-O-N-G legs, and slender, almost greyhound-ish build. He jumps like you can't believe!

[axebiker]

why not consider adoption BEFORE deciding to go to a breeder.

That's what I did. Best $125 I ever could have hoped to have spent. I can't follow the pedigree, but he's neutered, so who cares anyway?

He's the healthiest of our family's 3 Yellow Labs, and is a natural hunter. I couldn't have asked for more!! Not to mention how GREAT of a family pet he is... I've never seen a dog interact with a cat the way he does - they're best friends!! When they play, he always goes and grabs a toy so that he won't hurt our cat, who thinks he's a panther and attacks the dog to get him to play. It's a riot!

[samthaman]

Not really - my Dad's is 105#, and he's not fat. His chest is H-U-G-E - he doesn't go over and under anything. He goes THROUGH!! They are breeding them bigger... All that bulk on 2 cups of food 2 times a day.

I'm glad mine is a "classic" lab. He's built like an antelope - L-O-N-G legs, and slender, almost greyhound-ish build. He jumps like you can't believe!

http://www.akc.org/breeds/labrador_retriever/index.cfm

ACK puts the breed standard weight at 50-70 lbs for a male, they describe it as a medium sized dog. 100+ lbs is generally regarded as a Large dog.I therefore maintain that though you may know someone with a 100 lab, that is very very big for a lab.
As I said earlier, it is generally overbred breeds that have a lot of variation, less rigorous breeding standards, and consequently more problems.
Less popular, and more standardized breeds tend to have more responsible breeders that generally attempt to stay true to the breed standard. this is because in rare breeds thats how you win shows, make a name for yourself as a breeder, and then sell more dogs. Popular breeds sell themselves, or in the tragic cases of lassie, rin-tin-tin, air-bud, and the 101 dalmatians, the media sell them.

[dk_alaskan]

get pet insurance BEFORE you go to the vets, it will save you in the long run a BUNCH!!!

[supermodel159]

i realize that. there are labs and goldens in shelters too. when getting a dog, why not consider adoption BEFORE deciding to go to a breeder. that would cut down on the pets in shelters. thats what i meant. too many people are suck on the status symbol of a certain breed. in my area it happens to be "berners". Great dogs, but i'm just sayin..

What are "berners?"

I do agree with opting for a shelter first. Before getting a puppy I looked into vizsla shelters, unfortunatly, in the entire state of CA there were only two available, and they were only being sold together (they have been living together for the past 5 years), so I went with a responsilble breeder who was not breeding for the money, but rather for the love of the breed.

[milton]

berner = Burnese Mountain Dog