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Post by bethanyy on Jul 30, 2012 19:23:24 GMT
Was wondering if anyone could offer me any advice  I have a 5 year old chocolate lab b*tch who has stiff hips and is now losing the functions in them. She has always had a problem with her hips since we bought her at 8 weeks old, and it was her funny walk which made us fall for her  we did some research into the breed before we got her, and learned that it was common in labs but it didn't put us off because we knew we could give her a wonderful home and the best life. We also hoped her condition would improve or hold off until she was a bit older. We took her to see the vet a few years ago and we was told that she was fine and nothing to worry about... However recently she has taken a turn for the worse she finds it extremely difficult to walk later in the evening after tea time and becomes very stiff. However being a lab she loves her food so needs to be walked twice a day for 45 mins to ensure she doesn't become obese... So back to my original question do you think it is better to keep her exercising and moving the joints as much as possible? Thought if we cut her exercise or kept her in a limited space it would make her worse? Please any advice welcome to her lifestyle etc as it is heartbreaking seeing her like this, especially at such a young age xx |
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Post by Em5 on Jul 30, 2012 19:41:48 GMT
Hip dysplasia is.very common in labs, my advice would be to take her to the vets and asked to be referred to an orthopedic veterinary clinic for a full work up to include xrays. Only xrays will show if it is the hips that are the problem rather than lower spine. I have seen lots of dogs have bilateral hip replacements and return to full exercise and a.fantastic quality of life. What area are you, I can highly recommend an orthopaedic vet in the east midlands, you can pm me for.details.
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Post by nia2311 on Jul 31, 2012 22:53:17 GMT
Echo Em5. Labs are a breed known to suffer hip dysplasia and it sounds like she is suffering from this condition, which may also lead to premature arthritis. The funny walk gives it away. My black lab had dysplasia and had a hip replacement in the 1980s when it was all new fangled. He lived to be 13 years old and was happy and otherwise healthy. He did become arthritic in older age, but this was managed with Seatone tablets and keeping him exercised and at a good weight.
Labs are also prone to becoming overweight (as they are greedy!) and most labs I have seen out recently range from tubby to obese. Make sure she is not carrying excess weight, as this will put strain on her joints. She should have a noticeable waist which is narrower than the chest. Labradors should NOT be barrel shaped!!
I would take her straight to the vet for x-ray of the hips and back to diagnose the problem, and do not delay. Did the vet who told you nothing was wrong actually check her hips and carry out x-rays?? Funny walking in labs should always ring alarm bells.....
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Post by bethanyy on Jul 31, 2012 23:24:22 GMT
Thanks for your advice, have passed the information on to mum so will be taking her ASAP  xx nia no the vet didn't.. |
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Post by nia2311 on Jul 31, 2012 23:47:20 GMT
Just out of interest, you don't use a Pets at Home vet do you? My experience is that they don't go beyond giving vaccinations and trimming toe nails. Anything else they choose to ignore. They ignored my rescue rabbit's overgrown back teeth - told me they were fine. It was only when he was admitted as an emergency to another vet I was told differently. They also gave my brother shocking advice about his choc labrador. I moved to another vets... Just a thought! Otherwise, I am appalled a vet did not properly examine a labrador with potential hip problems.
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sarahp
Happy to help
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Post by sarahp on Aug 1, 2012 9:57:31 GMT
At an earlier stage I'd have suggested a joint supplement - chondroitin greatly helped our old collie some years ago, she went from no longer being able to jump into the back of the estate car to being able again to get into the much higher LR! And our "mistake" dog came with a clicky hip and has been on one all her life, now 10yo, stiff after long walks and does favour it but is in no pain from it. But I feel this one sounds rather beyond that and needs pain killers at least, the vet will advise. I agree, vet and X-rays.
The parents should have had their hips checked before breeding, and the breeder should have been able to give you their hip scores. it does show how careful you need to be when buying puppies, and anything out of the normal should be treated with suspicion.
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Post by bethanyy on Aug 1, 2012 10:01:45 GMT
Nia I'm not sure, I was only a young teen at the time so my parents dealt with vets etc.. Sarah we didn't buy her from a breeder.. She isn't KC registered either so couldn't find out |
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sarahp
Happy to help
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Post by sarahp on Aug 1, 2012 12:23:58 GMT
Sorry, as you said you had her from 8 weeks old I assumed you had done as that's the age they normally leave their mothers.
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Post by bethanyy on Aug 1, 2012 14:34:45 GMT
No we bought her from a puppy market type thing, horrible place just full of different breeds of puppies in cages...
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Post by pipandflo on Aug 3, 2012 12:35:32 GMT
Depending on the diagnosis we have found hydrotherapy (swimming) really helpful for our hip dysplaisia spaniel
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Post by bethanyy on Aug 3, 2012 13:13:57 GMT
Yes we live near Pennington Flash and go to the beach often with both dogs and swimming seems to help her |
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Post by Tralala on Aug 8, 2012 21:27:30 GMT
A visit to a specalist orthapedic vet is your best bet. You may have to ask to be referred by your own vet if they do not have an in house vet with that sort of expertise.
Would be worth asking about using some sort of supplement to help lubricate the joints. Cortaflex (high strength) canine is a very good one.
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Post by bethanyy on Aug 8, 2012 21:48:20 GMT
Thank you x |
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Post by shellywell on Aug 22, 2012 10:26:37 GMT
Sorry to hear aboutyour Lab, 5 is young to have hip problems, however all is not lost, recommend to you mum that she takes her into a vet, a proper one with a proper vet surgery not attached to a supermarket. They will examine her, and probably prescribe rimadyl and metacam - similar to bute in horses, ie pain relief. This she can be on for years, you will see an improvement quite quickly and she will be a happy dog.
Hip pain is SO painful for dogs, please don't ignore, if you can, imagine your bone grinding against bone and the pain that that would create - that is what is happening to your beloved dog.
Xrays will tell you how bad it is etc, BUT she needs to be on medication, at a guess the cost will be around £20-£25 for the consultation and about £30-£50 for the meds.
There is no point in lecturing you about where you bought your puppy, however for others out there, please don't buy from anyone who can't introduce you to the mother and either tell you who the father is or introduce you to him. There are so many diseases and conditions around that it pays for you to do your research - KC dogs have their genes on show, this allows you to make an educated decision on the breed you choose. A cheaper puppy at 8 weeks could turn into an expensive older dog, whereas an expensive puppy may be a better bet, normally because the parents are registered into the stud books, they may have all been hip scored (a ideally a dog should have a combined hip score of 12), eye tested for all the congenitive diseases associated with the breed and have been wormed regulary since 2 weeks of age.
Please let us know how your girl is getting on. x
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xx
