Beginnings of hip problems???

[SuJess2018]

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Recently I've noticed that Jess has stopped jumping up and down on the sofa as much (she used to love a particular spot) Now if she does go on she seems to pause as if summoning the energy to get up put her front paws up for a few seconds before then pull herself up.

After a day out recently when we did more exercise than usual she suddenly started holding one of her back feet up quite high that evening. I looked at her paw and there was no cuts or anything that might indicate her actual paw was injured.

After looking a few things up online the incident of the dog pausing before jumping up on a bed or sofa has come to my attention and listed under hip problems arthritis or Hip Dysplasia.. She does do the 'bunny hop' occasionally when she's been running about a lot.

I'll be booking her in for a check up next week but wondered if there was anything else I could do with her instead of the running? I was looking at the FITpaws equipment and wondering if any could be made into a gentle physio game we can do at home that would help keep her hips mobile as she's only middle aged (estimated 5-7yrs old she was a rescue with not much known about her exact age and medical history).

She loves her tennis ball or football too so I'm trying to create some games that still involve a ball thats not so fast paced with no jumping in the air, as I think she'd be depressed if she didn't get to play ball at all ever again!

 

[leashedForLife]

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do U already have pet-insurance? - & if so, does it cover any portion of Dx for joint issues [X-rays, sliding-drawer test for a slipping kneecap, etc], hydrotherapy, surgery, support devices [sling, brace], & so on?

If U don't, U might want to get a policy & go thru the waiting period BEFORE U ask yer vet to check her hips, knees, hocks, or spine - any of which might be involved in joint pain or tenderness in her rear, when she jumps onto a raised surface or jumps down to the floor, gets sore after extended running periods, etc.

U really can't make up an exercise program without knowing what the issue is, as it might aggravate it.
But U don't want a diagnosis BEFORE U get coverage - pre-existing conditions won't be covered.

I'd just extend her walks, & if possible, get her wading in shallow water - that's a safe low-stress form of getting more exercise in a shorter period, without irritating less-than-perfect joints, as the dog must PUSH each leg thru the water column to move forward. // It's also cooling.

- terry

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[arealhuman]

Can you also do some mental stimulation games? I've read on here that they can be as tiring as a walk, so that might help. Let us know what the vet says, fingers crossed for you.

 

[JoanneF]

Hydrotherapy might strengthen the supporting tissue around her hips without adding strain?

 

[Violet Turner]

If you loved your dog as much as you seem to you would have taken it to the vet ASAP as this could be a mixture of problems. Do your self a massive favour and take your beloved dog to the vet, you will have to pay more depends on the practice. But please for your dogs sake!

 

[SuJess2018]

.

do U already have pet-insurance? - & if so, does it cover any portion of Dx for joint issues [X-rays, sliding-drawer test for a slipping kneecap, etc], hydrotherapy, surgery, support devices [sling, brace], & so on?

If U don't, U might want to get a policy & go thru the waiting period BEFORE U ask yer vet to check her hips, knees, hocks, or spine - any of which might be involved in joint pain or tenderness in her rear, when she jumps onto a raised surface or jumps down to the floor, gets sore after extended running periods, etc.

U really can't make up an exercise program without knowing what the issue is, as it might aggravate it.
But U don't want a diagnosis BEFORE U get coverage - pre-existing conditions won't be covered.

I'd just extend her walks, & if possible, get her wading in shallow water - that's a safe low-stress form of getting more exercise in a shorter period, without irritating less-than-perfect joints, as the dog must PUSH each leg thru the water column to move forward. // It's also cooling.

- terry


.

There's only one area she could wade in water near here but it also tends to get very muddy and with this Alabama Rot been around and them saying to avoid walking your dogs in muddy areas we haven't been for months.

How long would the waiting period be? She's lost the limp this morning as she had painkillers last night (Pardale V I got form a online vet site) and is keen to get out for her walk again. I'll just walk her to the nearest grass for a sniff about no off lead for the weekend and see how she feels Monday. It's meant to be raining heavy all weekend here anyway so we wouldn't be going far anyway.

 

[SuJess2018]

If you loved your dog as much as you seem to you would have taken it to the vet ASAP as this could be a mixture of problems. Do your self a massive favour and take your beloved dog to the vet, you will have to pay more depends on the practice. But please for your dogs sake!

I do have a first aid for minor injuries at home and things like painkillers suitable for dogs and the stuff you give them for tummy upsets. If it was just a small cut or sprain that needed resting for a couple of days there's no reason to rush to the vet like its life threatening. It only happened the other day after returning from a day trip and she's been resting since and had pain medications. She doesn't need antibiotics as there are no cuts or anything on her paw/leg so we've rested it as possible sprain/over exercise and overdoing things a bit much. She hasn't been sick or had any tummy upsets, is eating and playing with her treat toys. She didn't seem to have any problems this morning putting her back foot down and has been in her indoor ball pool sniffing out her breakfast.

Our last dogs we had when my husband was alive before they started getting stiff back legs we gave them supplements (Turmeric paste was great for them I take it for my arthritis and its much improved) and it kept arthritis at bay and under control for years before they had to go on traditional medications at about age 16 and they were fit healthy dogs. We have no medical history for Jess but even so I wasn't expecting her to be showing 'old age' conditions so young. I haven't had her very long I took her as a favour to a neighbour as Jess wasn't coping well in their busy family.

 

[Josie]

If you loved your dog as much as you seem to you would have taken it to the vet ASAP as this could be a mixture of problems. Do your self a massive favour and take your beloved dog to the vet, you will have to pay more depends on the practice. But please for your dogs sake!

If you read the post she says she’s going to be taking her dog to the vets next week. She’s asking if there is anything she can do to stop her running. So I think it’s unfair of you to say ‘if you loved your dog as much as you say you do’

 

[SuJess2018]

Can you also do some mental stimulation games? I've read on here that they can be as tiring as a walk, so that might help. Let us know what the vet says, fingers crossed for you.

She has quite a few I went and bought a selection from pets at home when I first got her to build her confidence with me sitting nearby as she was very shy at first. She's smart though and empties them quite quickly, it didn't take her long to figure them out even though I suspect she'd never seen anything like them before.

 

[JoanneF]

Most (all?) pet insurances have an exclusion period of at least 2 weeks before you can claim, then of course they won't cover a pre-existing condition.

I met a lady recently who was using a magnetic collar on her dog with fabulous results.

 

[SuJess2018]

If you read the post she says she’s going to be taking her dog to the vets next week. She’s asking if there is anything she can do to stop her running. So I think it’s unfair of you to say ‘if you loved your dog as much as you say you do’

Thanks, glad someone agrees with me. I can tell when a situation is life threatening or not. My 'marbles' are still all present lol! I'll just start her on the supplements at a younger age if it looks like its something she may start developing at a much younger age. As I said we have no history so for all I know she could have been dumped because she was showing these health problems so young. She also has vision problems that I did know about before taking her on and was officially diagnosed by a vet, they didn't find any signs of anything wrong with her hips or back legs at the time. It's possible she just over did things with a much longer day on her feet, (our first long day trip since I'd got her) but surely if that keeps happening every time she runs about more than usual (holidays etc) even if it she recovers quickly it could be a sign that she may develop arthritis earlier?

 

[SuJess2018]

Most (all?) pet insurances have an exclusion period of at least 2 weeks before you can claim, then of course they won't cover a pre-existing condition.

I met a lady recently who was using a magnetic collar on her dog with fabulous results.

I didn't know they had them for dogs! I have one (a bracelet not a collar!) for my arthritis and it does help with the pain. I also take turmeric capsules with piperine in and have a small chunk of coconut oil with it. I haven't had swollen joints in my hands all winter despite it going on for longer this year with all the snow! ..and they used to get really bad. I'll definitely look into that. Thanks

 

[leashedForLife]

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glucosamine-chondroitin with N.Z. green-lipped mussel is a very safe, helpful supplement for joints -
many dogs & humans benefit from them, they are often formulated together, or can be purchased separately so U can control each dose.

In the U-S, the typical waiting-period for vet insurance is a month, but as she only had this happen one time after an exceptionally-long exercise period, i don't think it's an emergency - & assuring that it's covered is more valuable than treating it as a crisis, IMO & IME.

- terry

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[Violet Turner]

Right but the longer you leave it then most likely the more expensive it will be if it's a real emergency... I'm sorry for what I put

 

[SuJess2018]

.

glucosamine-chondroitin with N.Z. green-lipped mussel is a very safe, helpful supplement for joints -
many dogs & humans benefit from them, they are often formulated together, or can be purchased separately so U can control each dose.

In the U-S, the typical waiting-period for vet insurance is a month, but as she only had this happen one time after an exceptionally-long exercise period, i don't think it's an emergency - & assuring that it's covered is more valuable than treating it as a crisis, IMO & IME.

- terry

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I found this dry dog food that contains green lipped mussel this is for delivery to the UK.

Integra Protect Dog Joints. Buy Now at zooplus

There doesn't seem to be any reviews though. The only other food that specifically mentions joint care is Hills Science but the ingredients don't seem as good it mentions alot of grains and doesn't mention any of the things thats meant to be in it (glucosamine etc) in the breakdown of ingredients! Royal Canin special diets also seem to contain alot of grains in most of there's except for specific allergy food where it has tapioca instead of rice, corn, wheat etc.

They do sell some treats with green lipped mussel in too which she would enjoy but wondered if there was a good quality grain free (sold in UK) that had glucosamine etc?

 

[SuJess2018]

Right but the longer you leave it then most likely the more expensive it will be if it's a real emergency... I'm sorry for what I put

She has been fine today managed 2 short walks to the nearest bit of grass for a sniff about and has been dropping her tennis ball at my feet all day wanting to play, no sign of a limp. I suspect she maybe never had an opportunity to go for day trips before or get walks like that as we've had to build up slowly to going out to more different places with more people around as as she was very nervous when I first took her in. I'll be more mindful of how many miles we've done when we go away later in the summer and start her on some supplements I think.

 

[JudyN]

I found this dry dog food that contains green lipped mussel this is for delivery to the UK.

Integra Protect Dog Joints. Buy Now at zooplus

I'm not an expert but the ingredients list looks rubbish. Better foods are ideally grain-free, and the main ingredient should be meat (not meat meal or derivatives). I also don't rate Hills Science or Royal Canin. My feeling is that you would be better off feeding a good food, and adding a supplement (with veterinary agreement of course). Even then, a supplement might not help, depending on the cause of the problem (for instance my 20-year-old cat has problems with his back legs, but it's down to muscle wastage, so joint supplements wouldn't benefit him).

I'm dubious of treats marketed as 'joint care', 'calming', etc. I suspect that they just have one ingredient added that's meant to be good for a specific purpose, but that the amount your dog is likely to have would mean any benefit would be negligible.

I doubt (but am prepared to be proved wrong) that any of these 'functional foods' have been tested by feeding a number of dogs on them, a number of matched dogs on another dog food, and looking for significant differences.

 

[leashedForLife]

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Green Lipped Mussels for Dogs: How They Can Help | petMD
Green Lipped Mussels for Dogs: How They Can Help | petMD

"The Benefits of Green Lipped Mussels for Dogs
The best known components of green lipped musselsare Omega-3 fatty acids, including the fatty acids EPA and DHA, explains Petty. 'Omega-3s work by reducing the level of inflammation associated with diseases such as osteoarthritis', Petty says."


This includes a summary of a feeding-trial, but all dogs had arthritis, to varying degrees -
http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/green-lipped-mussels-dog/


Multiple brands & blends here -
Green Lipped Mussel for Dogs: Amazon.com

BE SURE that the manufacturer does not steam the mussels open! - that destroys many of the nutrients & greatly reduces the joint-soothing effect.

- terry

.

 

[SuJess2018]

I'm not an expert but the ingredients list looks rubbish. Better foods are ideally grain-free, and the main ingredient should be meat (not meat meal or derivatives). I also don't rate Hills Science or Royal Canin. My feeling is that you would be better off feeding a good food, and adding a supplement (with veterinary agreement of course). Even then, a supplement might not help, depending on the cause of the problem (for instance my 20-year-old cat has problems with his back legs, but it's down to muscle wastage, so joint supplements wouldn't benefit him).

I'm dubious of treats marketed as 'joint care', 'calming', etc. I suspect that they just have one ingredient added that's meant to be good for a specific purpose, but that the amount your dog is likely to have would mean any benefit would be negligible.

I doubt (but am prepared to be proved wrong) that any of these 'functional foods' have been tested by feeding a number of dogs on them, a number of matched dogs on another dog food, and looking for significant differences.

ok Thanks I just realised that food says gluten free I thought it was grain free as that's what I'd typed in the search! There's so many supplements out there I didin't realise they'd be so many. I do know turmeric works as its worked for my own arthritis so may stick with turmeric paste and I've had success with pain relief from the magnetic bracelet. I was on Tramadol previously for my arthritis pain and have been able to come off it.

 

[Violet Turner]

A good food brand is Simpsons Premium Dog food @JudyN... Hills isn't too bad for dogs who have come round from GA as it's soothing to tummies, not good for the long run.