What kind of special care does a puppy with hip dysplasia needs★?

Question

She is in a special treatment now, but are there any special things that I can do at home for her?

Thank you all for your comments, she is a 5 month old labrador, and now she is taking 1/2 pill of Previcox (firocoxib) once a day, she is also now in a low fat diet, to reduce her weight, she seems to be better now, and probably she will need surgery when she gets older. Im just asking, besides the treatment that she is in now, for some other advice or things that I can do at home to make her more comfortable. Thanks again, I really appreciate it!★

Answer 1

Weight management and moderate exercise! Do not let her get heavy!!! Keep her at a moderate, healthy weight. The more weight she carries, the more strain/pressure is put on the hips! Also, keep her fit, but do not overdue it. I walk my Saint Bernard (11 months now, was diagnosed at 5 months too!) who suffers from Bilateral Hip Dysplasia twice a day for 30 minutes. Once in the morning, once in the evening. I do not push her at all. We have a leisurely walk. When I start to see signs of her slowing down or if she is starting to look uncomfortable then I immediately turn around and head home.

She also loves to swim and swimming is GREAT therapy for hip dysplasia. Obviously, again, do not overdue it. I try to avoid stairs with her all together. I know this is not always possible, but stairs should be kept to a minimum.

Hip Dyslasia is a degenerative malformation of the hip joint. Basically, the ball and hip socket do not fit snugly together, causing inflammation and lameness that usually require surgery and/or pain management (Rimadyl, Deramaxx) as age progresses.

How old is your baby? What type of treatment is she receiving? Is she on any pain management medication? If so, be VERY very careful when walking/swimming because your pup will not show signs of being uncomfortable because they are on the medication. It can be compared to a person taking advil before a run. You don't feel any pain during the course of the run, but you sure will feel it once it wears off!! Your best bet is to not walk her over 30 minutes at a time and do not let her swim for more than 20 minutes.

Have you had x-rays sent to a specialist (orthopedist) to determine if surgery is a good option? My Saint is NOT a good canidate for surgery (dysplasia is too mild and the surgery option would actually be worse for her) so I keep a close eye on her weight and exercise lightly.

You are doing everything right!! Good job! My best advise would to keep doing what you are doing! Watch her weight, exercise her lighty daily, avoid stairs, get her a comfy bed and try to encourage her to stay on carpeting (hardwood/tile is a lot harder on the hips). Good luck! Enjoy your lab!! They are wonderful dogs :)

UPDATE: In response to the vet tech students answer: GOOD orthopedists/Vets will NOT perform surgery for hip dysplasia for a dog over the age of 1!! We work with Orthopedists from Tufts and they refuse surgery for anyone over one unless there are extradorinary circumstances. So, no, surgery cannot be done as your dog gets older. It needs to be done before the age of 1 for best chance of recovery/results.

Answer 2

she'll probably at one time or another be on some kind of pain meds like rimadyl. There is also a surgery that they can do to help eleviate some of the pain as she gets older. If you can afford it they will go in and cut the top portion of the femur off and surprisingly they feel much better. For right now keep her weight down and keep up with her treatments and go to your scheduled vet visits. Thats really all you can do. Good Luck

Answer 3

How old is your puppy? Usually dispaysia doesn't show up until the dog is more of an adult.

However, let us assume that "Puppy" is 3 years old and in considerable pain.

First of all, what does your Vet say about this? That's who is most familiar with Puppy's situation.

Short of a hip replacement (and yes, they do this procedure on dogs - costs $$$$$ tho) there is medication she can be given to ease some of the pain.

Make sure her weight is controlled. The more she weighs, the worse her hips will hurt

Consider a raised bed to make it easier for her to get up and down from sleep.

Answer 4

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