My 2 yr old Lab has severe hip-dysplasia.?

Question

I walk him almost every day for about 1 to 1-1/2 hrs. He is on Rimadyl for pain but how can I tell if he is getting the right amount of exercise? My vet told me NOT to let him run, but he loves to. How do you stop an active dog from playing so hard? Also how do I know which surgery is best for him........total hip replacement or femoral head? His left leg is completely out of the socket!
Thank you,
Christine Q.

Answer 1

I can't believe the dog even wants to move if his hips hurt that bad. I would think for a dog that young it would be best to get the total hip replacement. Good Luck.

Answer 2

Sorry to hear about your dog. That is a devastating news to receive.
My American Bulldog was diagnosed with a severe hip dysplasia when she was 3 years old (she is now 8). She has been on Rimadyl ever since, every day 1/2 pill, and an extra dose if she seems in discomfort. the vet told me to give her 2 a day, but I don't see the need, as she seems to be fine on 1/2 and I don't want her to be overmedicated.
There are surgeries that you can have done on your dog. An artificial hip - depends on the material used, they range between $150 to 2000 a hip. They can also take the bone that fits into the hip socket and turn it the other way around.
I didn't have my dog have a surgery as the Rimadyl seemed to help. She is now too old for such an invasive procedure, I think.
She does run around, but "listens" to her body and will be less active when the hips bother her - cold weather or when it's raining. I do stop the play fighting with my pitbull that they do sometimes when I feel they are going too crazy and she might roll off the bed or something.
Since your dog has this condition, he has to learn to live with a little discomfort every once in a while - not pain, though. Always give him extra medicine when you know he's in pain.
Good luck!

Answer 3

Hi Christine,

I am a vet and I own a lab too that possibly could have similar probs too one day so I sympathise. There is one golden rule that must always be followed. A dog must be allowed to be a dog and we can't do anything that will restrict his quality of life. Femoral head excision is where the head of the femur is removed and basically you are removing the ball fromt he ball and socket joint. It is a salvage repair not a good repair. The muscles form a new joint (provided that the dog is rested enough) and there will always be a funny gait but he will be free from pain. However, the total hip replacement allows a new ball to be installed into a new socket, albeit an artificial one, and restores most of the mobility back with time. It is usually only performed by specialists or surgeons with extra training and it is seen to be the standard of good surgical care for hip dysplasia. Most dogs do extremely well and many do not have any obvious signs of the surgery. I would strongly advise that you ask your vet for a referral to a specialist so he can talk to you in more detail as sometimes other options are available too. However, I am glad your dog is on rumadyl to keep him comfortable. Also many vets these days including myself reccomend hydrotherapy especially post surgery to build up the muscles. When dogs swim they can exercise their muscles without the weight impact on the joints and it is excellent physiotherapy for them. Good luck!!

Answer 4

A dog with hip dysplasia can do what they feel like doing..if they feel up to it then fine. With that said I would not allow him unlimited exercise.You need to supervise him carefully, let him out on leash or long line to prevent over exertion. I also would be very cautious about using Rimadyl. it has some very serious side effects and should NOT be used long term. Also liver testing should be done every few weeks to insure that liver damage is not being done.
There are much safer alternatives to Rimadyl.
As for the surgery it depends on what you can afford and how experienced the vet you chose is on the surgeries.

Answer 5

Stay on Rimadyl, it's great! Unless you can afford specialist and total hip replacement, which is priced out of this world, but is always what vets want you to do for their money sake. I recommend FHO Femoral Head and Neck ostectomy. The muscles around the joint will tighten and form a false joint that is pain free. Yes they will have a strange gate, but quality of life is excellent and a lot easier on your pocket book! If your rich then by all means go for the replacement, but most people in the world don't have that option, me included and I've always worked at animal hospitals. I have however heard of reports that dogs who had total hip replacement still got arthritis in the socket area years later. Never personally seen any, but heard the rumor. Yes they are correct that hydro therapy would be great for your lab. Take him swimming 2-3 times a week or more if he can stand it, it is much easier on his joints, and there is no impact stress like running or walking.

Answer 6

Has your vet suggested a pectinectomy? The pectineal muscles inside the top of the hind legs have a bit cut out of them, enabling the hips to fit back in the sockets. It depends how bad the dysplasia is, but it's a much more minor op than the other two suggested. As for exercise, I'm afraid it is best for him not to do too much.

Answer 7

Your dog is very young for it to be this severe. Sorry to hear this. Did your vet recommend so much exercise? The good news is most Labs start to calm down just after two years of age. You notice I said MOST not all. Only your vet or orthopedist can really help you with the decision on which surgery is best. Each dog can vary. Good Luck to you and your dog. I too will say a prayer.

Answer 8

Hey- My yellow lab had FHO surgery at 6 mos. old!! Other than the day she came home from surgery, she was still as hyper and as active as ever. In fact my vet had to keep prescribing her increasing doses of meds so that she would settle down and heal. (Her healing time was extended b/c she was such a hyper puppy.) Now she's great. She doesn't run as much as she used to, and she has a little hooker swing to her walk (her left rear leg is shorter than her right leg), but her spirit is great!!! I let her run and play as much as she wants---and rest when she wants. and MOST IMPORTANTLY I keep her weight controlled!!! b/c her hips can't support excess weight. (I also had her spayed b/c the weight of pregnancy would be too much for her.)

I empathize with the decisions you'll have to make---but surgery will not change your dog's spirit!!!

Answer 9

With my own dog with HD (only mild), I found that swimming was a great compromise. She got plenty of exercise and a chance to release pent up energy. I got the peace of mind knowing that she wasn't making her hips worse. Completely removing exercise allows the muscles to atrophy which isn't going to help but you do need to find appropriate exercise for him. Swimming does not put strain on the joints like running does and it tightens the muscles.

The other option that I know of is surgery. This is something you need to discuss with an orthopedic vet. They specialize in this type of surgery and can tell you the best course of action for your dog based on his films. Good luck to him and you with whatever you choose.

Answer 10

THR is the best rout to go for a Labrador. "Typically large dogs with an FHO have decreases in range of motion, a decrease in thigh-muscle size (atrophy), and an abnormal walking or running stride... THR offers the best chance at normal or near-normal function in dogs with incapacitating disease of the hip" --Just Labs July/August 2006 pg 22-23.
Good quality breeders check hips on their breeding stock before breeding so as to avoid this disease however it does still crop up sometimes. I'm sorry it had to happen to you.