Diagnosis complete & THANKS everyone!!

[oldehome]

OK...dopey, woozy Zoe & I are now home from xray time!

They did numerous xrays...spine & knees look beauty! YAY

Hips...excellent xray taken..they called it the "perfect xray" as far as position. The hips actually aren't too bad. No roughness of the bones BUT the femur does show slight flattening (instead of perfect round) in the socket part of both hips. It is not really bad but shows some indication that she may be a candidate for hip dysplasia or at the beginning stages. When Zoe was totally having some good zzzzz's, they moved her hips around and she did flinch with pain even while under. The vet said she is definately in pain.
They feel that she may possibly have "loose hips" & with the way she walks, maybe some tendon/muscle pain?

They think with her young age & nothing too advanced that she is a perfect candidate for "pennHip" research??? My vet would like to use Zoe for her "pennHip" certification that she is going to be doing & asked my permission. ANY THOUGHTS ON THIS as I am trying to absorb what all this is about. But if this helps my wonderful vet (I love her) and helps other animals, I have no problem. I think it could only benefit Zoe for the future too???

Does this all sound ok? Any input?

Oh yes...it was suggested if she continued to have a lot of pain, that we could put her on the drug "novogabapentin" to give her comfort. I have my 13 year old 3-legged Denver on it, along with 2 other compatible drugs for pain & it helps him, BUT I hate drugs if it's avoidable. I know they have their use but I know they can have long term side effects. Zoe's not even 2 yet (guesstimate 22 months?).

What would you do with this sort of 'not-so-bad' present diagnosis?

THANKS!

PS...I'm going to add to this.. as Zoe definitely has pain no question there,,, but her diagnosis is, that it appears she may be at the early stages of hip dysplasia &/or maybe loose hips? Can she have this much pain with not a really horrible diagnosis??? She yelps and limps on 3 legs at least several times a week that I alone see and often hobbles a bit after laying around. I don't know enough, to understand this diagnosis & her future? I want to do right by her...

 

[AngusMcDubhsMom]

I don't know anything about hips per se, but I'm so relieved for you and Zoe. It sounds like it can be managed? I wonder if acupuncture would help with pain? I'm sure more knowedgeable folks will weigh in. But hurray for Zoe. It wasn't as bad as feared. Onward, Zoe....

 

[mudji]

I am no vet, but I'd get her on Condroitin-Glucosamine-MSM right away. That will help, or at least it's helped my kids. Angus was on it for years and he had NO HIPS! Everyone is on it now in this house. We use the human kind, albeit a quality one, with the vets blessing. That might help as it increases the fluids in the joint area.

I am sure others can weigh in with other suggestions.

hannah
in maine, tired after skiing today

 

[Murphy]

Judy.. many of us use Osteo Bi Flex triple strength.. But yes.. glucosamine chondritin in any form.. Murph`s surgeon was insistent on that even though he has been on it since a pup... Bless little Zoe and I am so happy she is home with her Mama and darling siblings..:hugs:

 

[suse]

Judy.. many of us use Osteo Bi Flex triple strength.. But yes.. glucosamine chondritin in any form.. Murph`s surgeon was insistent on that even though he has been on it since a pup... Bless little Zoe and I am so happy she is home with her Mama and darling siblings..:hugs:

Exactly what I was going to say. Glad it went well!:hugs:

 

[Blacknewfs]

PS...I'm going to add to this.. as Zoe definitely has pain no question there,,, but her diagnosis is, that it appears she may be at the early stages of hip dysplasia &/or maybe loose hips? Can she have this much pain with not a really horrible diagnosis??? She yelps and limps on 3 legs at least several times a week that I alone see and often hobbles a bit after laying around. I don't know enough, to understand this diagnosis & her future? I want to do right by her...

Judy, this concerns me, and I am wondering if something has been missed. Mild HD should not cause this much pain.

Is it possible that she has a soft tissue injury? A torn ligament?

 

[KodysGrandma]

I have no experience to speak from, can only say glad it wasn't worse and prayers and good wishes the cure for the pain is found.

 

[R Taft]

Judy, this concerns me, and I am wondering if something has been missed. Mild HD should not cause this much pain.

Is it possible that she has a soft tissue injury? A torn ligament?

Or a pinched nerve, which is quite common. It cannot be seen on X-rays. Bulging discs or canal stenosis can cause this. Sometimes will settle whithout interventional treatment and only anti-inlfamm's. Because it can also be caused by a recent injury and swellings of the soft tissues can go down and everything is fine again .But some times requires more. Often difficult to tell hip pain and back pain apart.

 

[Lori]

Yes, I had thought Chance had hip pain, but it was his back and neck from the spondylosis. I'd be wondering too about so much pain and a diagnosis of mild HD.

I've had all my dogs on glucosamine/chondroitin, starting out with Sam's Club brand or whatever else was on sale. Vet kept trying to get me to use Cosequin, but it was expensive. When my husband started taking Cosamin DS for his knees I figured I would try it on the dogs. There was a noticeable improvement with Chance. I asked the vet about the difference of human Cosamin and canine Cosequin. She said there wasn't one and I could use the human version, especially since it was cheaper. I get it at Sam's Club now or Costco.

This is just what worked for us. Different glucosamine/chondroitin supplements may work better or worse for different dogs. Just getting them on one is important. It does take a little while to see results though and you usually have to start out with a loading dose for a little bit.

Hugs to Zoe.

 

[oldehome]

Or a pinched nerve, which is quite common. It cannot be seen on X-rays. Bulging discs or canal stenosis can cause this. Sometimes will settle whithout interventional treatment and only anti-inlfamm's. Because it can also be caused by a recent injury and swellings of the soft tissues can go down and everything is fine again .But some times requires more. Often difficult to tell hip pain and back pain apart.

What you and Sandra have suggested makes more sense as I was confused too, as to why she has such pain at times & not anything extensive hip wise yet, other than possible "loose" hips and mild HD.
The only thing is...I sensed something wrong last year and the vet said to wait and see if she outgrows it as she was still growing a lot. Well she didn't outgrow anything, and I think she is bothered more than she used to be with pain. She definitely has always had a strange back leg walk, like she doesn't want to bend her legs. I have no history on her other than total neglect, undernourished and abondoned. I believe she was isolated too as it took her a long time to overcome fear of simple things.
This is not a recent injury but more something right from the start that seems to be worse..unless she is wimpy with pain and it only seems worse. As a mommy though I believe she gets true pain. The vet did mention that her funny walk could be causing discomfort...soft tissue, ligaments...but what is causing her strange gait then? It's in both legs...the pain is too, especially the right I think. Anti-inflammatories might be a good thing to try...can't hurt.
It's frustrating to know there is definitely something more wrong, but not much can be found. I will followup on all your suggestions that I don't already do though and I appreciate you reading my longgggggggg e-mails.
As I write I see that she looks stiff and awkward as she just stood up to walk. I hate seeing them with discomfort....

 

[NewfMom]

I have no new suggestions, just :hugs: It's miserable to see them hurting.

 

[BaileyBear]

I hope you find the cause soon so that you can find a solution. It's harder to see them in pain than it is to be in pain ourselves, isn't it? One of the many times I wish they could talk so they could tell us where it hurts. Sending Zoe healing thoughts.

 

[Blacknewfs]

Was this your regular vet who read the x-rays? If so, maybe take the x-rays to an ortho specialist for a second opinion?

 

[skoorka]

Hi Judy, we just started Maple on rimadly and gabapentin for her horrific arthritis. Granted she's almost 10, but they are both doing wonders! I know Canada is different (i.e. BETTER than the US) but I get the gabapentin at Walgreens. Maple has her own account and with their prescription plan it's cheap!

 

[KodysGrandma]

What is the gabapentin dosage for Newfs and/or labs

 

[oldehome]

What is the gabapentin dosage for Newfs and/or labs

My 13 year old 3-legged Denver...collie/shep is on one 100mg novogabapentin twice a day (with food) and also combined with one 100mg Pms-Amantadine one per day and 1/2 chewable 100mg tablet of Dermaxx once a day.
Metacam stopped working and then Gabapentin was no longer effective alone (but did help in its time)...so these 3 present meds have made his eyes look brighter (less pain). His arthritis is very bad though & it's a matter of time now.

For a newf, I don't know what the dose would be for gabapentin.

AND thank-you everyone for your help with Zoe! I'm going to get her on something for comfort and see what happens..might give me more of a clue on her pain or condition.
BEST ALL!

 

[Ginny]

I'd be very skeptical about allowing a vet to use my dog to 'get her certification'. I'm not a fan of anyone yanking on my dogs' legs to measure joint laxity which is what they do with PennHip. Also, it's my understanding that a part of the femoral head usually is flattened and isn't always an indication of a problem.

 

[oldehome]

I'd be very skeptical about allowing a vet to use my dog to 'get her certification'. I'm not a fan of anyone yanking on my dogs' legs to measure joint laxity which is what they do with PennHip. Also, it's my understanding that a part of the femoral head usually is flattened and isn't always an indication of a problem.

THANKS so Kindly...I totally agree now that I understand what is involved. I had never heard of pennHip till now and thought I'd be helping. They are not yanking on my baby's legs...no way! I am learning a lot and now realize how important it is not to rely on just one opinion.
All of you are just the best for supporting each other!

 

[Blacknewfs]

What is the gabapentin dosage for Newfs and/or labs

Matilda (140 lbs) takes 300 mg twice daily in addition to Metacam and Tramadol.

 

[Ginny]

THANKS so Kindly...I totally agree now that I understand what is involved. I had never heard of pennHip till now and thought I'd be helping. They are not yanking on my baby's legs...no way! I am learning a lot and now realize how important it is not to rely on just one opinion.
All of you are just the best for supporting each other!

I'm sure, Judy, the vets would use a verb other than yanking! They do pull on the legs so that they can measure how much space is produced. Many think it's an objective measurement...it seems to me it depends on the strength of the vet.