Hip Dysplasia?

Question

I have a german shepherd puppy who since she was 3 months old her back legs would sometime go to the side when she would run. She is now 5 months old and still does the same thing except but not as much. she doesn't have any signs of pain, and our vet quickly checked her and said she is fine. So I am just wondering if I have anything to worry about hip dysplasia?

Answer 1

Hopefully it's just clumsiness - Shepherds grow quickly and getting used to their own bodies sometimes takes awhile.

Answer 2

Hip dysplasia is most common among larger breeds, especially the German shepherd, rottweiler, Labrador retriever, golden retriever, mastiff, Saint Bernard,etc.

Canine hip dysplasia is caused by the presence of many genes (polygenic), while no environmental cause has been detected.

Hip dysplasia can exist with or without clinical signs. When dogs exhibit symptoms of hip dysplasia they usually are in pain and lame on one or both rear legs. Severe arthritis can develop as a result of the malformation of the hip joint and this results in pain as the disease progresses.

The condtion you're referring seems to be that your pet is suffering from calcium depletion. Please do give your pet with calcium syrups. And also try to get calcium level in the blood. (Check this source for calcium level in dogs- http://www.edogadvice.com/bloodchemistry.htm)

I think your dog might be alright within few months with calcium supplementation.

All the best!

Answer 3

Hip Dysplasia is not something to take lightly, especially in German Shepherds. If you do not feel comfortable with your vet's answer, take her for a second opinion and ask them to take a radiograph (x-ray) of her hips. This is the only sure way to know if there is something wrong and how bad it is. If she does show signs there are many options to choose from to correct it.
I hope this helps and your puppy lives a happy and healthy life.

Answer 4

Humm are her legs under her body but her whole body is at an angle to the direction she's traveling in? If so it's called "crabbing" ('cause its sorta sideway like a crab moves)
It's a function of that loooog "sweeping' german shepard rear which makes a longer stride in the rear than the front this . It's not nessaraly from hip dysplasia (though it doen't mean she has good hips, just that it says nothing)
If it's just the leg lengthi t's harmless, though it may lower her speed a tad I doubt that's critical to you or her

Answer 5

My mastiff was diagnosed at six months with severe dysplasia and a very deformed spinal cord. We tried 2 surgeries, and still she was only 2 when she became paralyzed from her waist down due to the spinal cord. The vet took X Rays and knew at her young are it was dysplasia. The only way to know for sure is X rays. I would get them done. You need to know what you are in for if in fact she does have it. Good Luck!!

Answer 6

YOu can not get a dog checed xrayed for hip displasia till the dog is 2 yrs old as this is when the hips are fully developed. large breed dogs somtimes have hip problems as they are growing so fast and usually goes away when the dog gets to be around 1 yr old

Answer 7

They would have to xray your dogs hips to see if she has hip displasia.
Most likely she would be showing some signs of pain.Most have some degree of pain or problems walking or getting up and that is how it is found.
As puppys their joints are going to be sort of loose which is normal until they get fully grown. Much like a human baby they are very flexiable. So are pups.
If she has not pain I would say she is most likely fine.
Have fun with her.

Answer 8

Sometimes the larger breeds are 'clumsy' when they are puppies...you cannot be sure in regard to hip dysplaia until they are 2 YOA. That is when a Penn hip exam or OFA xray can be performed.

Answer 9

I have a 4 month old german shepard and he does the same thing...Runs kinda crooked...i think thats jsut how they are as puppies. I think i would get worried if i saw her like falling......And remember dont let her jump and run vigorously until her is a year old and is fully grown.

Answer 10

Why don't you get her x-rayed??? You can find a Vet the does the PennHip method, and they can do a puppy that is 5 months. It helps to have all the info as soon as possible. Then you can take steps to help the dog to live with it and to try and help it not to get worse.
If your vet doesn't want to help you out, get another vet!!!!!!!!