Hip dysplasia

Erica · #1 07-20-2006, 02:17 AM

Im am looking for some new relief ideas for my rottie, Xena. She is almost 4 years old now and was born with bilateral hip dysplasia. At 17 months old she had a THR (total hip replacement) surgery on her right side...this was the worse of the 2 hips. With only the right side done she gets along great...runs, jumps, and plays. However only in the summer time during high heat and humidity does she get sore. Originally before she had her surgery the doctor had her on Rimidyl which is and anti inflamitory but after a short period she became very ill. Turned out that she was allergic to it. I have her on glucosimine and condroitin supplements for her joints but I feel terrible when she is sore.
Any suggestions would be helpful..

Erica

mom2bichons · #2 07-20-2006, 09:58 PM

Erica, I am so sorry to hear about the pain this pup is going through. Good news though that the right THR worked well. Is the vet considering doing the other hip? Poor baby.

I am sorry to say that I have no answers for this but I am sending the poor baby some healing vibes!

I have heard about the chondroitine helping, please keep us posted!

Erica · #3 07-21-2006, 01:34 PM

Thank you Beth for your encouraging vibes!
the vet says her other hip shouldn't have to be done. However from time to time she will have some discomfort. Like I said usurally during days of high humidity, or only once in a while if she over exerts herself playing (most of the time she knows her limit). Luckly we are in Michigan so its only during the 3 months of summer she has some discomfort. The other 3 seasons she is fine.

Erica

hmay · #4 07-25-2006, 09:37 PM

Hi Erica,
I'm very sorry to hear your baby is suffering at all. I've been thru the same situation with one of my girls, Bear- is a Malamute x border collie and when she was only 9mths old she had to have one of her hips done. Thankfully she recovered well, she still has a slight limp if she has overdone herself running, and in summer we have to get her shaved, it's too hot here in Australia in summer. I have found that if she has plenty of shade and something supportive and comfortable to lay on she is o.k. Have you tried a cold compress on your rotti in those times when she's sore, as this helps to keep the inflammation down.Hope alls well and my suggestion helps, bye for now Heather.

Yme2 · #5 07-26-2006, 12:30 AM

Hi Hether,
Thanks for the idia of using cold on Xenas hips. I never thought of that. I'm sure Erica will see your post to if not I will sure tell her.In the winter we were using a warm bean bag which works well in the cold wether.But when the humity is high she hurts.Oh by the way Erica is my daugther.That's why I know all about Xena her rott.There are pictures of her on the forum. can't wate to see your dogs too.

Erica · #6 07-26-2006, 03:34 AM

Heather,

Thanks so much for your suggestion! I never thought of cold compresses. I am going to have to try that the next time she is sore. When she was a pup before her surgery she lived under the heating pad. The bag of beans had to be microwaved every ten minutes...lol. As far as having a supportive place to sleep she is spoiled rotten and has not one but two dog beds doubled up as her bed, and she only sleeps there at night the rest of the time she is sprawled out in the middle of our queen size bed.

Erica

P.S. What kind of hip surgery did your dog have to have? Was it a full THR (total hip replacement) or something else?

pmacbohlen · #7 08-10-2006, 01:59 PM

My Chiba is starting to show signs of Hip Dysplasisa. When she was only four months old she acted like she was hurting so we did the Xrays and they came out ok. The vet said she was more likely to develope Hip dysplasia in the future since she had signs of it at that young of age. She has a hard time walking up stairs and getting up from bed. She seems to be in no pain at the moment. Chiba is nine years old. My friends dogs had Hip dysplasia and it was hard to watch them go through it. I feel for Raven and I hope he feels better soon. Raven seems to have a wonderful mommy! Good luck!

Erica · #8 08-10-2006, 02:32 PM

Pmac,
Even though Chiba is not showing any signs of pain. You might want to ask your vet about putting her on glucosimine and Chondroiton supplement. My Xena is on this and it help promote better joint health. If her x-rays were good then she has probably a mild case of dysplasia. So the supplements would help her. My Xena had to have the THR surgery because her dysplasia was very severe. Good Luck!

LadyTalisman · #9 08-10-2006, 04:44 PM

Sorry to hear Xena is not having such a good time of it with her hips.

I know how frustrating this can be as Yogi a Rotti we used to have had OCD which is a problem with the front leg joints and when he got stiff or sore we used to gentle masssage them for him which seemed to help.

Sending big GENTLE HUGS & lots of LOVE

mom2bichons · #10 08-10-2006, 11:05 PM

Hi Erica,

How is Xena doing? With cooler temps she maybe doing a little better right?

I have been thinking about that girl. Please keep us posted on how she is doing, poor thing.