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.

[Pat and Traveler]

Jane, so sorry you have this worry about Stuart.  Hope the 'little' guy will be fine.  Trav had an X-ray a few months ago for a different situation, and the vet commented that his hips looked great.  Nice to know!   

[Rose Ann and Amante]

I am so sorry to hear this . I think you are making the right decisions. Good decision to get Pet Plan. I have been considering it myself!

[Elizabeth & *Kosci*.]

Hi Jane, my Groodle f1b (9 months old). is cut short at the moment for summer, my husband was walking behind her and commentated and we both noticed the wiggle in her gate,
she also just stands at the car to be lifted in and we have also encouraged her to let us help her in and out so there is no jarring of hips etc.
I've been cautious not to walk her for too long and now only walk for approx 45min to an hour as I didn't want to stress her hips. This was recommended by by breeder.
It may be nothing, but like you, I've been concerned, as it common in both the poodle and the golden retriever , it is only sensible to keep an eye on their falults. Hope all goes well.

[Leslie and Halas]

I don't have any advice, but I hope the supplements help. If they don't, at least you've got a plan to have it checked out in April.

[Martha & Cooper]

Jane,  I am so sorry that you have this worry about Stuart and I truly hope that he doesn't have HD.  

I have been reviewing my PetPlan policy tonight after seeing your post and another one and it started me thinking.   The only waiting periods I could find were the initial 14 days and a six month one for knee issues.   As far as congenital issues, as long as it wasn't apparent when you took out the policy, they should cover it. See below:

As long as the condition was not showing clinical signs prior to the effective date of the policy or during the policy waiting period. Lifetime coverage is contingent on the policy being renewed each year without any break in coverage. Subject to annual policy limits of $8,000, $12,000 or $20,000. Limits are replenished in full on renewal. Pre-existing conditions are excluded from coverage.>>

I hope this helps.   You can also register online at www.gopetplan.com and see your policy info there, if you want to check further and put your mind at ease about the insurance issue. 

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

Jane, if it helps any, add Knox to the list of doodles who exhibit (or used to exhibit) some of the same behaviors that Stuart is exhibiting! In regards to jumping into my vehicle, I didn't think he would EVER learn to do it! He was around 16 months before he decided he could do it! I seriously thought there was something wrong with him!!! He continues to have the "swishy" walk at 2 years old, but my previous GD had it so I have never been concerned! It's kinda funny to watch, lol!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I think that the symptom that bothers me the most is seeing him get up from the floor and limp, that is the one thing that really has me concerned!  He has only done it twice now but it is the one thing that our Lab did too and he had H.D.  :(        Wish Stuart wouldn't lay on the hard tile floor but he loves to as it is cooler.

[Diana Erhart]

Charlie will limp when he gets up from sleeping on the floor, usually while we are away, at times.  I mentioned this to our vet once at his regular check up and he checked his legs and said they were fine.  I wonder sometimes if maybe his leg just "falls asleep" from laying on the tile/hard floor.  Like sometimes we wake up with an arm that has "fallen asleep" from laying on it.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I can see these very same symptoms in Lucy and will admit that the same thoughts have crossed my mind.  However, I can also only see the stiffness when she has been outside running and tumbling around in the yard with Sophie.  She has never been good about wanting to jump up in the car, but will jump up on the sofa or bed without even thinking about it.  We also went through a few rounds of hurt legs with Sophie when she was around a year old.  I was afraid the first time that it was her hip.  The vet always manipulates and feels their legs and things when they go in for their check ups and so far she doesn't seem to have any concerns.  We are traveling at the moment and Lucy hasn't been able to get out and run and she isn't limping or stiff when she gets up.  Think the rest is doing her good.

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

Jane, I hope poor Stuart is Ok, but if he does have hip dysplasia, you shouldn't have to worry about issues with PetPlan.  They don't increase the premiums based on the claims that you file.  I spoke with them yesterday when I noticed that Cubbie's premium went up $50 this year.  Starting at 3, they increase every year until the age of 11 to cover the added costs of illnesses/injuries that are common to dogs of that age. 

As long as Stuart wasn't showing any signs (that were noted by a vet) prior to coverage, then PetPlan will cover the lifetime costs of hip dysplasia (of $taken from their website: "As long as the condition was not showing clinical signs prior to the effective date of the policy or during the policy waiting period. Lifetime coverage is contingent on the policy being renewed each year without any break in coverage. Subject to annual policy limits 8,000, $12,000 or $20,000. Limits are replenished in full on renewal. Pre-existing conditions are excluded from coverage")  You will have to pay a new deductible every year, but that is peanuts compared to the costs of surgery or other treatments. 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

This is great information, Amy.  Did they say that the only thing that would increase the premium at renewal is the age of the dog?

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

yes, they said that they pride themselves in not increasing the cost of premiums due to the claims that you make.  They said that you are paying for the insurance in the event that you have to make a claim so why should you get a penalty for that?  They have annual "inflation" adjustments and then the age of dog adjustments.  I asked if it was the same every year and he said that they have actuaries that calculate the likelihood of injury/illness based on age and breed and that is used to figure the annual age adjustment to the premium.  Mine went up $50 for the year (Cubbie just turned 3 which is when the increases start), but I was told that the increases are larger in the early years so I shouldn't expect to see a $50 increase every year.  Guess i'll just have to wait and see though.  But I would rather pay the increase than have to foot a giant medical bill in the event of injury/illness.