I have a bad feeling

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I have a sinking feeling that Stuart might have hip dysplasia.  For those of you who are not aware, Stuart was a F1 goldendoodle puppy that came to me from a Golden Retriever rescue organization at 8 weeks - he is now 9 months.  I knew going into it that we would run the risk of health issues as puppy mills (where he was born) are not known for using quality breeding animals.  For this very reason, we did purchase PetPlan Insurance for Stuart.  Here is why I am thinking we may have a problem;

1.  Stuart has a very "swishy" walk - don't know how to explain it but others have commented

2.  Stuart does not jump very often - we use an ottoman to help get him up onto my bed, and he'll put his front paws up and into the SUV but I have to lift his back end up - he won't or can't jump in - even the lower side door

3.  Twice now I have seen him get up from sleeping on the tile floor and noticed that for the first step or two - he is limping/stiff - it goes right away but . . .

So now what do I do? 

1.  I will start him on a Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplement - any suggestions of which ones and how much?

2.  Should I wait for the symptoms to get worse before having the x-rays done for a diagnosis?  I'm afraid to go down this road too early as I don't want the insurance company to limit future claims.  Anyone know how that works?

I'm trying not to worry - I know that many dogs can and do live full lives with hip dysplasia but it just hurts my heart to think of him having to suffer with this.  If you have any suggestions or tips I'd appreciate it.

************UPDATE

I have decided to have Stuart's hips checked out at his 1 year check which will be April.  Until then I have put him on Glyco-Flex III.  Which says it contains Perna, Glucosamine, MSM, DMG & Antioxidants for joint health.  Might just be making expensive pee - but I don't think it can hurt him any so why not give it a try until we find out.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Oh Jane, I sure hope this is not the case.  Our Lab had it, but the symptoms didn't show until he was quite a bit older than Stuart.  If it helps any, it Murphy a real long time to be willing to jump in or out of the car...I'm thinking we were picking up his butt and hoisting him in until he was over a year.   Murph also does a similar thing when he's getting up..he seems stiff for the first couple of steps...then he does a huge stretch and he's fine.  From my experience PetPlan does ask for full Vet records (two years) every time you file a claim....regardless of what that claim is for.  If you did get a diagnosis of Hip Dysplasia it would be given to Pet Plan with your next claim.  I certainly don't think they would drop your coverage....that would put them in a very bad light.  I think it's possible though that it could impact your rates at renewal....but I'm not sure.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I have spoken to the vet's office just now for help with the proper dosage for the supplements - strictly OFF THE RECORD.  I requested that they NOT note our conversation in his records for this very reason.  I wouldn't want to raise any red flags until we knew for sure.  We also had a Lab with H.D. - he passed away the year before we got Rooney at the age of 12.  He lived with it well with supplements and the occasional pain pill.  At this point I'm just going to get him on the supplements and WATCH.  Cross your fingers but I'm suspicious.

 

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Jane, my daughters doodle, 4 yrs old, has always done exactly what you describe. He still won't lift himself into any of our cars or SUVs, so we are always hoisting all 80 pds of him. He does jump onto and off beds, but very carefully. He has a very swishy walk. We joke that if we put a grass skirt on him, he'd look like a belly dancer. He gets up carefully and slowly most times after resting, as his nickname has been "Ol Man " since he was a yr old cuz he moves like one. He might have hip issues, but doesn't seem uncomfortable and they don't have insurance, so not going down that road. There was also a recent post on the uselessness of chondritian and glucosamine you might search for. I will try to find. I believe F Parker had posted an article.
as for insurance, it would probably be listed as pre-existing if you got a diagnosis. That could limit future coverage.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Stuart's symptoms mimic a friend's doodle who had hip replacement at about a year. I am so sorry for his pain.  Once Willie had surgery, he actually became a different dog - way more active - so we figure he must have been hurting a lot most of his life.

Doggies in pain are no fun.  I know pet insurance is a good thing but it really shouldn't rule your decision as to whether to get Stuart checked. He will be covered initially and if not later then so what? Saving coverage for possible future coverage is kind of silly.  I speak from experience of one who does not/did not have pet insurance and paid a huge bill for a surgical repair of a torn CCL.  We then couldn't get  coverage when the second CCL tore (yes it happened).  We are over $8,000 poorer but Gordie has repaired 'knees.' I wish I had had the coverage for the first tear but we found the money for that and the second one that would not have been covered anyway.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

However my suggestion would be to go to another vet and get him checked. Don't mention your current insurance.  Dishonest - maybe, but at least you would then have some knowledge to plan what you want to do.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Jane I can't tell for sure what is going on either by the symptoms you are describing. As the others have said it could go either way at this point and only an x-ray will tell for sure. I'm really sorry to hear that there may be a chance of it in Stuart though!

MANY years ago I had a black lab who was diagnosed at 6 months with severe CHD and was told he would not be able to walk by the time he was a year old (BYB!!!).  SOMEWHERE I had heard that large doses of vitamin C would help with CHD so I started stuffing him full of Vitamin C. He did very well and was able to hunt and live a normal life. Due to a relationship break up I no longer had contact with him after age 5 but he was still going strong at that point.

Here is an article about Ester C ( a specific type of Vitamin C) which sites some research studies involving its use in dogs with CHD.  If it sounds reasonable to you it might be worth a try. Please keep us posted!

http://workingdogs.com/doc0039.htm

[F, Calla & Luca]

This sounds like an ad for Ester-C and is based on all anecdotal evidence. I wouldn't pin my hopes on this it sounds like hokum, until scientific studies prove otherwise. Sorry.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I would get him on glucosamine straight away - I have heard first had from owners who say they saw a difference in their dog. There are many brands, but the one I know most about is Recovery SA (Small animal) http://www.purica.com/

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I would get xrays now.  I think it is better to know sooner rather than later.  My DSIL (doodle sister-in-law), lol!, was diagnosed with HD at age 1.5.  INlaws purchased her from a backyard breeder, she was a re-home and kept in a shed when they got her. Go figure.  Anyway, she's the best dog on the planet, aside from mine, and has been doing quite well with clucosamine and chondroitin - she is TEN.

I certainly hope mr. stuy is not diagnosed with this, however, I think this sounds like it is probably hip dys. :(

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

Hunter does not jump at all either.  She won't jump into the car on her own, we have to life her back end up.  When she gets up on to the couch she more or less crawls up, no jumping involved.  I have noticed on occasion that when she gets up she does sort of stretch out her back legs somewhat slowly.  I have not had her hips x-rayed yet, but I had also been thinking about a suppliment.  I am curious what other's say about them.  Stuart and Hunter look so much alike!!  :-)

[Katie, John & Parker pup]

Aww I hope this is not the case and adorable Stuart is fine. I am a worry wart so I would probably ask a vet, but I am sure other people here would say otherwise! Parker has a booty (swishy) walk...like he sways his hips...his that what Stuart does?

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I have observed the exact same signs in Winston. I have no idea how to know if he needs to have his hips checked, but I have been worrying too. He seems happy though, and jumps around a lot at the park when we play ball, so maybe he's just being a big ol' suck. Does Stuart jump and run and play at the park? Honestly, I have no idea how to know, so will be keeping on eye on this discussion for sure. Please let us know what happens!