Doodles with Hip Dysplasia

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Comment by Susan on March 19, 2017 at 11:34am

Our 10 month old F1B medium Goldendoodle Finnigan was diagnosed with hip dysplasia last month. We could feel and hear clicking in his back hips when he was 5-6 months of age. We spoke to our breeder and she thought it might just be a growth plate and that Finn's problems would resolve by the time he was 18 months. When Finn was 9 months old our vet took the x-ray and he was diagnosed with HD. The plan is pain meds if needed and then surgery if the pain medication is no longer effective. Our vet said some dogs go through life with HD and have no issues so she suggested "we treat the dog and not the x-ray"

Finnigan didn't seem to be in pain until he had a play date with another dog and he started to limp. The pain seem to worsen after he laid down for a while. When he tried to get up he was in obvious pain. Fortunately 18hrs later he was back to normal.

The contract from the breeder says we can get up to half the cost of the puppy back if the HD is severe. We found out once Finn had the diagnosis that she has never had any of her dogs x-rayed. The breeder wants her vet to talk to our vet.

Where do we go from here?

Comment by Jennifer Moore on November 3, 2014 at 5:39pm

Hey Dina,   Dazi's surgeon said that her hips were the worst he had seen also.  When Dazi had her surgery they kept her overnight the first night.  The next day we picked her up. For the first night home she whined the whole night.  I just sat and cried with her. She had pain meds and antibiotics and anti-inflammatory pills to take.  The worst part was you have to get her up every few hours to move around.  I think it was after the 2nd week we had to start walking her uphill and slowly up the stairs to build muscle and strengthen her leg.  Dazi actually put a little weight on her leg walking around right at first where some dogs wont put any weight at all on it at the beginning.   Dazi would walk a little and rest and then walk a little and rest.  Once she was putting all her weight on the leg she had surgery on, then her surgeon scheduled her other hip to be done.  It was about 8 weeks when the other side was done.  The second surgery recovery was not as bad because she didn't have the pain in her good leg now after her first surgery so she was able to get around better since she didn't have the pain in that leg.   She will have to wear a cone also to keep from getting to her staples.   She will be a little wobbly at first too cause they have to get used to how her hips are after the surgery.    I am very glad I chose to do the surgery for Dazi, she is now pain free and runs and plays and jumps and can be the puppy she missed out on being from having so much pain before.    Dazi did have some constipation after surgery so I gave her some pumpkin or yogurt and that helped a lot with that problem. 

Comment by Dina C on November 3, 2014 at 2:17pm

Erin, did you find any issues with her bowel movements after surgery? I'm wondering if we should do something to help with this with her diet.  And that brings up another question.  We have always fed our dogs Purina One Lamb and Rice.  We've never had issues, but wonder if maybe for Ellie in general, if there is something out there that is not going to break the bank but work for her.  She is on Glucosamine once daily at this time..(Osteo BiFlex-recommended by our vet). 

Comment by Dina C on November 3, 2014 at 2:12pm

I do wish we could skip this surgery, but just not sure what to do. The Vet said in his 25 yrs of practice these are the worst hips he has ever seen. I was gutted to say the least. Just breaks our hearts knowing this little thing has to deal with all of this. Just not right at all. She is so unlike she was just even 2 months ago.  Her appetite is down, but regardless will find a way to run with her friends Scout and Lucy (our Aussie and Golden) but it really slows her down after she's done too much. Thank you all ..I do need to hear the stories of what to expect w/recovery. At this point we've scheduled it for Friday, and my husband is off work mon and tues so he can help with her.  I work from home but cannot be with her constant.  I will keep her with me where I am working, so that I can help her outside etc.  

Comment by Jennifer Moore on November 3, 2014 at 1:29pm

Hi Dina,    My Dazi was dx with sever Hip Dysplasis in both hips at 6 months old.   She had the FHO surgery on her left side in August of last year and then had the other side a month later in September.    She was in a lot of pain.  Her surgeon said that all her cartilage was gone and she was rubbing bone on bone causing her so much pain.  The first surgery was tough.  And after she was putting her weight on the surgery leg then her surgeon did the other side.  It was a long tough recovery and after about 4 months she was fully recovered and she can run and play and jump and is pain free.  I cried the first time I saw her running and playing with other dogs.   I cried to when I found her counter surfing for the first time since her legs were strong enough.   We walk everyday to keep her legs strong and healthy.  She is now doing great.  I will be glad to answer any questions you have about the surgery and the recovery if you like since I have been though it with my baby and can tell you a little more of what to expect through the whole thing.   I am really sorry you and your baby are having to go through this.  I had contacted my breeder who didn't care at all and did nothing to help.   Let me know if I can help at anyway.    

 

Comment by Erin & Maizey on November 3, 2014 at 1:04pm

Hi Dina, 

So sorry to hear about Ellie.  Maizey was also diagnosed with hip dysplasia under a year old and we elected to hold off on surgery - our vet and the specialist didn't think it was necessary at that point.  Maizey has been getting adequan shots every few weeks and takes a glucosamine vitamin and has been doing really well.  She'll be three in January (where does time go!) and she runs and jumps like any other dog and seems very happy.  We just don't run with her on a leash.  She's only allowed to run when she wants, like around the yard and dog parks.  We know she may need the surgery in the future but for now the shots are really working great.  Just another route in case you wanted to try that to see if it helps.  Good luck with your breeder and hopefully you're able to get in touch.  Sending good wishes to Ellie!

Comment by Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom on November 3, 2014 at 11:55am

Sadly, Missouri is probably the puppy mill capital of the world and you wouldn't be the first person to fall victum of a fancy website fronting a puppy mill.  That is one of the main reasons that Adina started this site and we all push the "What to look for in a breeder" tab that she has here.  Many of us didn't get it right the first time around but we have learned.  I hope that you find a way to get her to stand up to the documents you should have received.  Best of luck to you and Ellie.

Comment by Dina C on November 3, 2014 at 11:33am

Thank you, I will ck the blog out there.  We are in the process of gathering documentation, xray copy and letter to present to our breeder. Unfortunately, based on our past correspondence with here, I don't feel very confident she will be willing to stand by anything.  The day we picked her up (we met 1/2 way in middle of Missouri-our request honestly) we were told she "forgot" the papers..and then after email after email, and call after call requesting it be sent, we just gave up.  Lesson learned..but she will be hearing from us for certain.  She has a fabulous website that states wonderful reviews, which is quite scary to me, only b/c everyone else may fall in this same predicament.  :(

Comment by Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle on November 3, 2014 at 11:14am

Yes, very important to notify the breeder. 

Comment by Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom on November 3, 2014 at 10:41am

Sorry to hear about your Ellie. Go to Penny, Comiskey & Beemer 's page.  She has some blogs there about her journey with Beemer.  He had both hips done at around one year of age and last I heard he is doing fantastic.  Hopefully her story will help you.  Best of luck.  Also, if you haven't already you need to contact your breeder.  Hopefully you had a health guarantee with your contract and she will refund a portion of the cost, as well as not continue breeding the parent dogs. 

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