Hip Dysplasia

[Jolene, Sassparilla & Josie]

I know they have their own site but there has been no activity since Nov 2011 so I thought I'd post here too.

Okay I am full of questions.  Over the memorial weekend my niece commented on my doodles gait and said she had a dog with a similar gait the vet ruled as hip dsyplasia.  She described it as a pace (in horse talk) where when she runs (occasionally) the legs on the same side stride together?  Is this what you noticed with your dogs?  In reading it seems they test after age 2 and that is when our health guarantee expires with the breeder.  It's bad enough she has severe separation anxiety and a heart murmur but now possibily hip dysplasia!?!  She's an EXTREMELY active dog and has to be ALWAYS playing/chasing something, if she can't run she'll literally go crazy!  She loves to sleep on her back with her belly up is this a sign of the problem, I'm not sure how spread eagle her legs are?  Our other dog is always on her belly with her legs in a frog like position and people are always telling me that means she has great hips???? 

We don't have insurance and I'm wondering if I should seriously consider it now before things get worse?  With those who had surgeries and/or FHO did you have insurance and was it covered or did you bare the cost on your own?  I will do whatever I have to for my baby girl but I live on a very limited income.

Read more here: http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/doodleswithhipdysplasia#ixzz2UtLl...

[F, Calla & Luca]

I wrote a long response but it's gone. First step get health insurance no matter what. Make sure you do not tell your vet about any hip problems if you have to get a physical exam for knees first as I did (Pet Plan). The Evans for hips are expensive, Calla went through this but she was OK.

[Emily]

I wrote a long response too and it is gone!!

My doodle has dysplasia. I saw a Orthopedic Vet. I had xrays done at my regular vet because they cost 1/4 as much from my vet. My vet put them on a disc and I took that to the Orthopedic Vet. He charged me a $95 consultation fee. My doodle walks like a model on a cat walk. From behind her tail area bounces a little but her rear end sways to the right and to the left in a very snooty look at me type of way. It's cute. When she sits down on her bum, her legs roll outward. She looks like a hinged bear from the Vermont teddy bear, those long and lean ones. He also said upon xray, the ball and socket should be very close together and the space is thinner than a piece of paper. My dog has a 1/4 gap!! That means when she runs, the ball and socket are smashing against each other and it's constant knocking. Sometimes when she runs very hard, she is stiff and has problems getting up. The Ortho Vet said he has NEVER had a pet insurance pay for anything related to hip dysplasia because it is genetic. He has been practicing for 42 years. I am not saying all pet insurances won't pay for that, it's just what he told me and what I learned from calling around. My sister in law said her insurance wouldn't pay for hip/hip surgery until the day her dog was hit by a car! That was "an accident requiring emergency care". So her dog, who could barely walk before the accident, got a new hip paid for but only because he was hit. It was a long painful recovery. My Otho Vet told me as long as my Doodle was having good days then he would leave her alone. He said we all take Advil once in a while for aches and pains and there are things to help a dog if they seem uncomfortable. (joint supplements, vitamins, therapy, doggie Advil products) He said he would never do surgery on her unless 5 out of 7 days of the week she couldn't move and get around and we were using actual medications for her to get up and around. For now he said to let her live her life being a dog and enjoying  things. That was my experience. If you have any other questions feel free to ask. 

[Penny, Comiskey & Beemer]

Jolene, Just checking in. I was wondering how your pup is and what the final diagnosis was. Been thinking of you and and sending prayers.

[Jolene, Sassparilla & Josie]

THANK YOU ;). She seems to be fine, once I get through my upcoming convention and vacation I'm going to look further into insurance before I approach the vet. Emily's message has me concerned though, but I understand genetics. Either way her two year breeder guarantee expires in September. We already have an issue with the heart murmur! You'd never know watching her play she has any issues!!!!! I was told there is a site here that talked about the various gates, I'm hoping to run across that. Ive since heard from several folks that the bunny hop is a poodle thing???? I'm actually spending more time fretting over her heavy breathing, day/night, at play or rest. Everyone tells me thing is normal but I have never had a dog pant like this constantly?

Last several weeks have been crazy busy between work meetings and my daughter finishing job corp and returning home. We still haven't unloaded the boat since our camping trip! Where does the time go? I will post my findings when we return. Thanks again.