Popping noise - rear hips

[Liisa]

My first two Tibetans didn't have this issue. My Tibetan Rescue - Khabo - did. His hips would make a popping noise. We had him examine by an ortho vet while he was still growing and the vet believed it was a laxity issue. It went away as he matured and he is now my most athletic dog.

In the last few months, Cooper's hips have begun to make this same popping noise - though it has become more frequent during the last month or so. He seems to move comfortably. His gait is fine. And he runs and plays with no obvious discomfort. When walking him on leash, if I put my hand over his hip joints, I can feel the pop at the same time the noise happens. We have increased his walking to strengthen his muscles. And we are going to coerce him into the pool to swim this summer all in hopes of supporting his bone structure with more muscle.

Cooper is about 2 1/2 years old at this point, so I realize his body is still changing.

Have others had dogs that went through this. Khabo grew out of it.... and as Coop gets older, if it doesn't go away, I'll take him to the ortho vet as well. But I'm wondering if this is not uncommon in large breed dogs as they grow...

 

[NessaM]

Certainly both of my guys had it - Pooka worse than Nanook. Pook had a LOT of laxity, as a puppy. He's also got hip dysplasia, bi-lateral, moderate to severe. But I don't think that's always the case.

Hugs! I'm sure Coop is fine. Just doing his best to give you something new to worry about!

 

[Liisa]

Nessa, don't they always? (Give us something to worry about that is!)

 

[NessaM]

Yes. Yes they do. Pook currently is rocking a skin-fold infection beneath one side of his schnozz that I must bathe every two days with chlorhexadine shampoo. He LOVES that. *sarcasm*

Nanook's breath stinks for no identifiable reason!

Despite being bathed and brushed out thoroughly by Sandy with my assistance two weeks ago, they both smell very "doggy" at the moment. (Although that could just be my pregnancy super-power of smell operating). The Super Sniffer is a curse, not a blessing.

Gah. Gah with bells on.

 

[YorkvilleNewfie]

(Although that could just be my pregnancy super-power of smell operating). The Super Sniffer is a curse, not a blessing.

Gah. Gah with bells on.

Off-topic, but I hated the super Spidey smell sense during pregnancy! Have you gotten the super Spidey taste sense? I did and it ruined very many things I had previously found very enjoyable, like olive oil. Olive oil for crying out loud! Oh the humanity!

Liisa: I have no experience with dogs regarding this issue, but my hips do the very same thing. Always have, I imagine they always will. I have no issues, but it happens to each hip with every step and I worry that someday I'll have arthritis there, but my doc says it's nothing to fuss over! Maybe it's the same for Cooper

 

[mulenag]

Yes. Yes they do. Pook currently is rocking a skin-fold infection beneath one side of his schnozz that I must bathe every two days with chlorhexadine shampoo. He LOVES that. *sarcasm*

Listerine applied with a cotton ball might also help with that. He probably won't like it any better than the baths, but it might help it clear up faster if used in conjunction with the baths. When Ebony had a lip fold infection Listerine did the trick with no baths or antibiotics.

 

[Snowden]

Hey Liisa,

At 8 months old Stella had super loose hips that popped and i could feel it when she walked. Again like cooper her hips did not hurt her and her gait was fine. Fast forward to today 16 months old and lots of growth, her hips are no longer loose or make the popping noise. Of course right now she is but high and toeing (sp?) in the front i understand he's older but i wonder if what your feeling could still be " growing pains" he's at the age where he should be filling out.....maybe just an adjustment to this growth?
You could also try giving him 1000mg vit c and salmon oil.
hope this helps and i'll keep my fingers crossed!

 

[Bojie]

Boj had/and still has that occasionally. He was diagnosed with mild hip displasia in the Right hip back when he was neutered at 10 months. I've had him on mega glucosomine supplements for forever I bumped them all up especially recently- with all his xrays he was getting for his knee recently, I had the ortho check his hips under xray again. NO HIP DISPLASIA anymore! Popping sound still occasionally happens when he is walking or standing and moves position. It's the muscles over the bone I'm told.

 

[Liisa]

Thanks!

Given his lack of pain and ease of movement, I thought it might be growth related. Of course, I'll keep an eye on it. But it eases some of the worry to know that it isn't a completely uncommon occurrence.

 

[jane]

Roger's had joint laxity since he was about 2. His hips always made the popping noise. Had his hips x-rayed and checked by Dr. Berzon. Hips were perfect. Has joint laxity and to do excercises to work the rear muscles. Roger has never shown any kind of discomfort either.

 

[Ohana Mom]

Have you had him x-rayed? Would be good to know. At 2 1/2 his growth plates have now closed. Although he'll continue to broaden and fill out, technically his bones are no longer growing - so doubtful that this is growth related.
But regardless of what they find on an x-ray, you always treat the dog.... Not the x-ray. So if he is moving fine and feeling good, then I wouldn't worry.

 

[Ginny]

Walking him up hills will help strengthen his rear. You can also add serpentines to the climb to get more bang for your buck. Another exercise is to hold opposite front and rear legs up, building up to the count of ten. Repeat at least 3 times. Swimming, as you said, is great for him...

 

[Liisa]

Thanks Ginny! My driveway is a quarter mile long and up hill. I was thinking that uphill climb would really strengthen his muscles. One more month before we open the pool and Cooper learns to swim (whether he thinks it's a good idea or not!)

 

[georgie1]

Liisa we got Mac at around that age and he has grown( not just filled out) since then. I believe their line is slower growers. I think just around 4 is when his wideness ended as well. I am sure he just wants to give you a few more gray hairs. Mac says High paws to his brother!

 

[Liisa]

Georgia,
We have GOT to get these guys back together for a play date soon!!!!

And Coop says "High Paws right back atcha Mac!"

 

[2Paws]

And just remember....dogs can't read their x-rays so if you decide to get him x-rayed and the results are not as good as you like but he's moving fine.....then go with the flow. Swimming will be wonderful for him.

 

[georgie1]

Hey Liisa! Just send me some dates that work for you guys! Also when water gets a bit warmer I will run some dates by you and my brother to swim at lake. Ohhhhh Coopie your days are numbered! The water is calling you!