Argh. Possible Diagnosis of Hip Dysplasia

[Leslie du Mont]

Well, our boy Atticus went into Beach Pet Hosp. for xrays under sedation today to check for hip dysplasia. Ugh. While we were on vacation I noticed his walking funny after playing with my nephew as well as his favoring his leg a bit after walks and a trip to the puppy park. :-( I just got the call that the vet wants to go over his xrays with me when I go to pick him up. I assume that is a positive diagnosis for it. My poor puppy. I did a search on hear for hip dysplasia posts and joined a group for owners with this problem. I'm worried about the pain and recovery period after this surgery which I'm pretty certain we'll do if it is an option. We've got pet insurance with a hip dysplasia rider. I hope that helps some. I just got it in February and honestly didn't think we'd need it any time soon. I'm so sad about this. Ugh. Why do you always get bad news on days when it is raining?

[F, Calla & Luca]

How is Atticus doing?

[Carol Vineyard]

Oh no! I feel your pain. My Abbey Doodle has severe hip dysplasia........

[Leslie du Mont]

Update: Atticus has malformations of the tibia and femurs of both legs as well as hip dysplasia. The surgery being suggested is to break both legs in two places over a four month period to try and make life better for him for now. Sometime later down the road we'll have to repair both hip joints. Yuck. :-( ...And to answer someone below about the breeder... I let Valerie at Old Mills Doodles know about the situation. She said how sorry she was to hear about the situation and that she has a policy to offer another puppy in case of a hip dysplasia. ...Well, at least she is aware of it.

[Leslie du Mont]

Thanks for the support, everyone. It is so sad to have my boy in this much pain ...which seems to get worse by the week.

Todd, I'm waiting to call Valerie at Old Mill Doodles (the breeder) when I get the official diagnosis from the veterinary ortho. surgeon this afternoon. Dr. Marti's afraid it isn't just simple hip dysplasia from what he said this morning. :-( I hope none of his other siblings have any problems. Atticus was born on March 20, 09. His parents were Parker and Roxy. (...If I remember correctly.)

[Mookie]

I'm so sorry - it's so hard to have a puppy in pain...I hope the diagnosis is better than you expect! And bravo to you for buying pet insurance! I did too (but didn't think to add the rider...). We love our doodle Mookie more than I can tell you (he just turned one this last week) but he's about bankrupted us with health issues. We're hoping we're in for many years without worries. I hope that for you and Atticus too! I'll hold good thoughts for you today!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Bev's Willy had hip replacement last November. He appears to be doing quite well and is fully recovered.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Penny's Beemer just had surgery to correct HD in both hips; she has posted a few blogs about it that you might be be interested in reading. Don't assume it is bad news though. Wait until you talk to the vet, and good luck!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Let's just hope it is not dysplasia....maybe a muscle like Todd suggests! Don't panic until you hear the diagnosis. Keep us posted please!