Hip Dysplasia...

[Mandy & Benny]

Yesterday I had Benny, my six month old doodle, neutered.  His laser procedure went well.  The vet did a variety of blood tests and all was fine, but when she palpated his hips she noticed that the bones were loose in the hip sockets.  She said that it indicated hip dysplasia, although she didn't do any x-rays to confirm.  She said it wasn't something to be too concerned about right now, but suggested giving Benny a glucosamine/chondroitin supplement for now.  I spoke with another vet who said that when puppies are growing, their joints can be loose but can correct themselves before it becomes a problem.  I know this can be a very painful and debilitating problem, should I be worried right now?  Benny doesn't seem to be in any pain, has a normal gait, doesn't favor one side over another, etc.  Anyone with experiences with young puppies like this?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm sorry to hear this. Yes, we have a number of members whose doodles have been diagnosed with HD, as it is relatively common in Goldens and Labs as well as Poodles, and we havea couple whose dogs have had corrective surgery for it. There is a group here for owners of doodles with HD. http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/doodleswithhipdysplasia

One of our members, Penny, Comiskey & Beemer, had to have surgery on both of Beemer's hips and has blogged about it here. It might be helpful for you to read her blogs.

My first question would be, do you have health insurance for Benny? If not, it's very important for you to get it before there is any diagnosis. If it was even noted as a possibility into his records yesterday, you may not be able to get coverage, and if he does need surgery, it is very expensive: usually $3000- 5000 per hip.

My other thought is that assuming that you do have insurance, it might be much better for you to get a definite diagnosis sooner rather than later, for two reasons. First, there are certain surgical options that have better outcomes than others, but can only be done while the dog is young, usually under a year old. Second, depending on your breeder's health warranty, you may need to notify her of an HD diagnosis within a certain time period. Two years is what the better breeders specify, but i have seen some who only warranty against HD for one year. And of course, your breeder will want to know so that she can prevent this in future puppies.

Good luck. 

[Jennifer and Jack]

I could not agree with Karen more about health insurance.... Get it now..I think if I remember with Pet Plan when Jack had his eight week visit, the vet had to write their evaluation down.. Jack at the time had a loose patella but she never made note of it but it was fine and he out grew it. It was never documented.

I waited till Jack was around six months or so to get insurance, I didn't know better..... Molly was insured the exact day she turned eight weeks old......  

[Mandy & Benny]

I did get insurance shortly after I got Benny, so thankfully I'll be covered.  I'm thinking about getting a second opinion soon just to see what someone else says.  The breeder has a two year warranty on the puppies for hip dysplasia, but it only goes into effect if the dog is determined to have severe dysplasia- the vet told me Benny's seems mild from what she can tell without X-rays.  I am going to let the breeder know just to give her a heads-up.  Benny's parents were both OFA certified excellent, but I guess in the grand scheme of things that doesn't guarantee nothing will go wrong.  Thanks for your input ladies!

[BG and Gavin]

Sounds like you have a good breeder and have health insurance, so two big pluses for you.  Fingers crossed that all turns out fine for your guy.

[Bonnie and Kona]

We had a dog with hip dysplasia that exhibited symptoms at around one year. The symptoms lasted several months and then disappeared and never returned. He lived to be 13. I am not suggesting that you do not need to be checking Benny out. I am just letting you know that there are different degrees of hip dysplasia and you may be fine even if that is the diagnosis. I didn't know that when Dudley was diagnosed. Hoping to hear this worry is unfounded and Benny is a healthy and happy pup. 

[Jennifer Tramell]

A couple years ago my mom and dad got a mini goldendoodle puppy.  They took her to a vet for a well check and the vet said that the pup had a luxating patella (floating kneecap?).   This, of course, greatly concerned my parents so they decided to take the pup for a second opinion.  The second vet did not find a luxating patella.  My parents decided to go for a third opinion.  The third vet was a vet who had a lot of experience with mini goldendoodles (they found this out during the visit).  This vet said that the joints are loose to allow for the pups to grow and that it is impossible to diagnose a joint issue in such a young pup (she was 10 weeks old).  He said that if the joints weren't loose, THAT would be the problem.

We had another recent experience with a vet who jumped to a conclusion far outside of the normal scope.  I think there are some vets who might be excellent at treating issues but aren't experienced diagnosticians.  If you are worried, find a vet who is experienced with hip dysplasia and take Benny.  Otherwise, the glucosamine won't hurt (it did wonders for our 13 year old dog) and make sure not to over-exercise him.  I have always worried about hip dysplasia so I understand your concern. 

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

I had 2 vets tell me that Finn had no problems with his hips, based on their physical examinations, but at 18 months he was having episodes of pain and weakness after strenuous play. I took him to an orthopedic specialist who x-rayed him and diagnosed him with mild HD.  We sent the films to the OFA for a preliminary review. They concurred with the vet that it was mild HD. The OFA, however, won't give a final diagnosis until the dog is two years old.  A vet cannot diagnose HD without x-rays.  And I'm a little confused by the description of loose bones in the hip sockets since with dysplasia, the hip sockets are too shallow and the bones rub causing a remodeling on the end of the bones which causes pain and can progress into an arthritic condition, more or less. The range of motion is usually less flexible not loose. Since you have insurance, I would consult a good orthopedic vet.  If there's a serious problem that needs to be corrected then you'll know.  Or it may be a different skeletal issue. I knew somone with a teacup poodle whose legs kept sliding out of the hip sockets --but that was more of a luxating patella and surgery was needed.  Many dogs with mild HD never show any symptoms.  If you saw Finn run today, you'd say no way that dog has HD. But with the help of our ortho doc, I think we've got a good management plan.  Good luck and I hope Benny is fine!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Cheryl, the luxating patella has to do with the knee so I don't understand how it relates to femurs sliding out of hip sockets.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Sorry F, it wasn't called a luxating patella,but I don't remember the actual name. It was different because it involved the hips not the knee. Poor little Salsa, but after surgery and recovery, she was fine.    

[Jennifer Moore]

HI Mandy, 

  My golden doodle was diagnosed with severe HD at 5 months old,  she had the FHO surgery on the left hip in August and just had the right hip done this past monday on sept 30th.   She was in a lot of pain and walked funny.  At first the vet thought it was her knees but after doing x-rays, it confirmed how bad her HD was and I was referred to a surgeon.   The surgeon recommended this FHO surgery and we are hoping now that my puppy has had both hips done, that now we work to get her muscles stronger and she will be able to be a normal puppy and pain free.    She is 8 months old now and just wants to be a puppy and she hasnt been able to because of being in so much pain.      The main thing we did notice that the surgeon asked when we went to him the first time is if she hopped when she ran with her back legs and she did.  He said that was a indication of the HD.     Hope this helps a little bit for you.   

[Bonnie and Kona]

Hoping your dear puppy heals quickly and has no more pain. hugs and doodlekisses