Pup diagnosed with CHD (Canine Hip Dysplasia)

[Miyax]

I'm brand new to this bulletin board. My Newf 'Ese' is 7 months old today. He was diagnosed last week with moderate hip dysplasia. I've been reading as much as I can about the condition and I guess I'm hoping for some further advice/insight from Newf owners rather than scientists and vets.

Ese was neutered the week before last. When scheduling the surgery I asked the vet to also take x-rays of Ese's hips so that I could start a catalog of sorts to keep tabs on them. He is my first Newf. His mother is OFC certified but his father just turned 2 in December and so was not yet certified but showed no signs of hip problems in x-rays thus far. Ese shows no signs at all of discomfort or restricted movement. I want to do anything and everything I can to help him. Please, can anyone offer advice/insights if they have had past experience with CHD? It would be greatly appreciated. I'm posting a picture of my baby boy on the photo board so you can put a face with the name. He's an absolute angel with a fabulous personality.

 

[bridge2itnf@aol.com]

Hi welcome to the board ,im sory i dont know alot about this but i do know i would get a second opinion. especially if he isnt showing any signs or problems . No on second thought i would get the second opinion . Your puppy is Beautiful! keep us posted ,Bridget

 

[Miyax]

Bridget: Thanks for the reply! I do intend to get at least a second opinion. Sound advice. Thanks again! I love this place by the way! I'm so glad I found this forum.

For those of you who may have looked for Ese's picture. It was viewable yesterday but isn't now. I think the server for Fototime might be down. I cannot access their homepage either. The URL for Ese's pic was assigned on that site which would I assume explain why it's not showing up.

 

[Kanela]

You don't say what kind of x-ray you had done but I'm assuming it's the standard. Have you considered getting the PennHip test done on your Ese? That one's a three-position x-ray that can be done as early as 4 months and is quite accurate (most will say it is the only test to have done when it comes to dreaded hip dysplasia). Please, please get a second opinion. These wonderful beings deserve AT LEAST that. I will pray for you and your baby, honey. :hug:

kanela

------------------
"To err is human.
To forgive, canine."

 

[Annie Milliron]

Hi... just checked your profile, and saw that you're from Ohio!!! So am I. I'm in Dayton... where are you?

As for hip displasia, I've heard that swimming is very good. If he's not suffering now, that's good. Also, check with your vet about glucosamine and chondroitin, and- be sure to keep his weight down.

I'm sorry for you about this. I'm sure you're very disappointed and worried. However, it's moderate... and remember that you have options.

Please keep us posted.

 

[Jeannie]

HI
I am from Ohio too, about 45 minutes north west of Dayton.

As far as the hip problems. If the xrays were not good quality, or the dog was not positioned correctly, you can get false readings. I would go to a specialist and get a 2nd opinion. Well worth all the money and time spent.

------------------
Jeannie and the rescues
Sara, Samantha and Panda

 

[Miyax]

Thank you everyone for your input. It really helps me to feel better. I've been sick about this whole thing. Ese is such a vibrant, jovial and active boy. I'd hate for him to be in pain and his activities restricted greatly. Thank you so much for your compassion and well wishes!!

You are all right on the ball with your advisements!! I read that swimming is good exercise because of the low impact. I also read about the Pennhip test. I'm going to try to find a vet that can do a Pennhip. I also read that the x-rays can be very deceptive if the dog isn't positioned exactly/correctly. The vet did do a standard hip x-ray and she is resistant when it comes to any kind of chondroitin regime saying there is no evidence it truly helps. I know from growing up with Labradors that excess weight is a major no-no for breeds prone to joint/hip problems so I am very careful about keeping Ese trim.

I've also read that nutrition can play a significant role in inhibiting the progress of CHD. My vet was specific in advising me to keep Ese on "puppy food" until he is 12 months old. But from what I've read, puppy food will foster faster growth which only complicates the problem. In addition, there is a thesis that "nutrition somehow affected the pH-value of the synovial fluid and this was believed to affect the thickness of the synovial fluid and its lubricating properties. The thickness then depends on dissolved nutrition which is the basis for joint pressure. The studies conducted clearly show that the patological formations are caused by the biological changes in the synovial fluid and this is the area where hip dysplasia occurs. Why is not yet fully known." It's recommended large and giant breed dogs switch to an adult/maintanence food at 4-6 months. Any thoughts on that recommendation?

Now mind you I got this information from an article on a site for a dog food/care distributor: http://www.shetland.fi/hipdyspl.html but it lists it's reference sources....and well, I'm desperate and want to make every effort to try to control this condition or improve it with means that are the least intrusive possible. I know this is windy so thank you very much if you managed to read through this!! I guess I'm just very scared. Thanks again for letting me share/vent!!

 

[Miyax]

OH!! ... and I live in Columbus, Ohio. Pretty close!

 

[Annie Milliron]

Hi!

Well, you're in the backyard of one of the best Veterinary Orthopedic Surgeons in the nation. I realize that this is very premature, and surgery for your baby may not be necessary. However, this Doctor just did a hip replacement on one of SCNC's rescues, and when we were checking this guy out, we got a report from a vet in the Cleveland area that the surgeon was tops in the nation.

So, hang in there.... good advice is very nearby. And, Dayton is not far away... are you thinking of joining any regional clubs? You're within reach of two... SCNC and PONC. Let me know if you have any questions.

Annie

 

[Miyax]

Annie: Thank you for the reassuring information!!!

I'd love to join a Newfoundland organization. I've bookmarked the PONC website and am very interested in joining atleast one regional club. I have to read more about them though so that I can hopefully avoid bombarding you with too many questions.

I'd love to attend Nationals. I have to read up more about that also although I did find that they are taking place in Pennsylvania this year ('02).

------------------
"beauty without vanity
strength without insolence
courage without ferocity
and all the virtues of man without his vices"
- Lord Byron, 1808

 

[Nicole]

Just looked back on the board after a few days off and saw your post.
Tayla our 15 month old girl has recently been diagnosed with moderate hip displaysia in both of her hips. Our vet seems really confident that it should not affect her quality of life at all or at least not until she is a lot older. We have started giving her a supplement with her food called "sashas blend". It is basically shark cartilage and sea mineral powder. She is also having monthly catrophen injections, this is a joint lubricant. He also recommended swimming for her and just not to let her run long distances at a fast pace. Other than that though he said to treat her normally.
So far so good and she is acting just like any other puppy her age.
I was really worried when we saw the xrays and found out the diagnosis but evreyone we have spoken to. The vet, the specialist and other people have all told us not to worry that moderate displaysia may not affect her at all.
Good Luck
Nicole and Tayla

 

[Miyax]

Nicole (& Tayla

),

Thanks so much for your reassuring response! I really appreciate it. I'm looking up Sasha's Blend as we speak as well as catrophen.

Something I've been fretting about since the diagnosis: Ese's greatest joy in life is "wrestling" with other dogs. I don't know if I can bring myself to take that away from him, but at the same time they play rough!! Which dogs do I know but when another big dog gets on his back or throws him down I wince!! I'm so worried it will cause trauma on his hips or worsen the condition. :/

------------------
"beauty without vanity
strength without insolence
courage without ferocity
and all the virtues of man without his vices"
- Lord Byron, 1808

 

[Lynne]

My first Newf, more than 30 years ago, had pretty awful hips, plus a very arthritic stifle joint. Back then, we didn't have the supplements, meds, surgical procedures we do now. Know what? We gave him Vit C and Vit E
and let him play with the other Newfs to keep him in good muscle tone. We lost him at almost 13 and he needed a little help on the stairs his last year. We had another one with NO hip sockets. He was having problems as a 6 mo old, but with the vitamins and exercise (This was also a LONG time ago), he, too, got around just fine, did steps, ran and played, jumped in the van, etc. Miyax, what shows on an x-ray does NOT mean your pupper will have problems.
Use common sense and let him enjoy his doggy life. Playing with the others will keep him in good muscle tone and that will help a LOT!
Give him a hug for me.
Lynne

 

[Miyax]

Lynne,

I can't thank you ENOUGH for your response!! I have tears in my eyes (and I'd normally NEVER admit that) from reading your encouraging words.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

------------------
A tribute to his Newfoundland:
"... beauty without vanity
strength without insolence
courage without ferocity
and all the virtues of man without his vices"
- Lord Byron, 1808

 

[mollysmom]

Please don't worry to much about Ese's hips. My greatest fear is that Molly will have this problem. Bad hips can happen from parents of good hips. I know that and I worry. But my vet gave me a good talking to when I came in with Molly concerned about the way she was moving, getting up, things like that. She told me that giant breeds grow so quickly that their bones ache. Just like growing pains. She gave this problem a long name that I'm sure I forgot a minute after hearing it. But the point was, I was to stop worrying. That it was too early to really be able to diagnose displasia. That the symptoms I was seeing were characteristic of this fast growth and nothing else. She wants me to keep her informed, but not worry about it.

It's easy to worry about our babies. I know. I don't understand why your vet even took an xray at this age? Just try to put it aside for now. Wait till he's grown then find out. I know dogs of various breeds that have been diagnosed with displasia. They are adults, some 8, 9 years old. They still show no signs of discomfort. You just don't want to breed a dog that's been diagnosed with this.

I don't mean to downplay your concerns, I just wanted to share with you what I was told when I worried about it.

I have put Molly on - now ignore the spelling, ok?- gluclosimine and chlondroiton. I asked my vet's advice when I decided to do this, and she told me that there was no proof that it prevented problems, but it would not hurt her. Then she thought about it for a second and told me that it just might make Molly's achy bones feel better, so go ahead. Maybe it would work for your Ese too.

Linda

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

I too use the glucosamine and chondrotin for my dogs. It really does help. I have seen and improvement in ease of movement and less discomfort. It works the same way in people. Starting early does help as a preventative. It can't hurt, in my opinion.
Lynn

 

[Miyax]

I agree with the both of you. And thanks for taking the time to give me your input!

I have read about chondroiton and glucosamine. I've come to the determination that it can't hurt and it certainly may help. I'm getting a supplement from a site recommended by another N.N member: www.springtime.com.

Mollysmom: I read your post in another of my threads regarding your vet's advice to not worry - tell her about everything - but not to worry about hips and joints yet with a growing Newf puppy. I have to say, it came as some relief. My vet was talking surgical options as soon as she put the x-rays up. Yet, when I picked up the paperwork from the technician that graded his hips it said "mildly moderate".

By the way, I asked her to take x-rays of Ese's hips when he was neutered since he would be under anesthesia anyway. I simply wanted to start a "catalog" of sorts on his hips. I didn't suspect any problems. I just wanted to keep tabs on them.

I'm still going to see a specialist. I just want to make sure I have enough money at the ready. The vet bills to date, for ordinary maintanence and care, have really drained my resources. The pet insurance has only reimbursed me $80.00 saying that we've exceeded the scheduled benefit allowance or something to that effect. I don't doubt it. I've spent over $1,000.00 at the vet. Mostly, on just puppy shots, neutering, micro-chip implant and x-rays. The only "maladies" he's had was "puppy pimples" (I forget the medical term) on his belly for which he received antibiotics (injection and pills) and of course his recent "bite" wound which called for another antibiotic injection and pill regime.

------------------
A tribute to his Newfoundland:
"... beauty without vanity
strength without insolence
courage without ferocity
and all the virtues of man without his vices"
- Lord Byron, 1808

 

[sarnewfie]

Miyax
i require all my people to Penn hip at 4 months ofe age. realizing that the hips may or may not change inbetween, i like the penn hip method, make sure to find a CERTIFIED penn hip doc, and also CONSULT before and after the proceedure, have the vet show you the views and tell you what he thinks in his own opinion to set your mind at ease, sometimes you have results back within a week sometimes two.
make sure you suppliment NOW with glucosamine and chondriton!!!
many of the vets here now, tell their giant breed people to raise their dogs on it. i have done it, and still continue to do it.
it is very beneficial and may even hold CHD at bay.
if your dog does not get a good reading, wait till he is 32 months, than go get ofa reading, if he has CHD depending how bad, i have seen many dogs without even the ball at the end of the bone that function happy normal lives. keep the weight down! that is most important.

good luck

 

[Miyax]

SARnewfie: Thank you very much for your insight!

I fully intend to find a certified vet through which I can have a proper Pennhip analysis of Ese's hips. In fact, if you read my other post regarding Ese's puncture wound, you find that my mentioning getting a Pennhip done to my vet in our last visit started our whole none-to-pleasant-for-me conversation. She didn't sway my determination to get a Pennhip done though.

Ese will be on a regime of chondroiton and glucosamine (which the vet also poo-pooed) as soon as these supplements arrive.

I'll remember to have his reading checked with an OFA reading at 32 months! Regardless of how his initial reading turns out - good or bad. Just to be sure. Thanks very much for that information!

Just to reassure you also, I've been very very cautious about Ese's weight and am keeping a hawk-eye on him. I know that any excess weight can stress the joints.

Thanks for that caution also though!

I really appreciate your experienced input and wishes for good luck!! Thank you! If you think of anything else, please, please don't hesitate to mention it!

- Miyax

------------------
A tribute to his Newfoundland:
"... beauty without vanity
strength without insolence
courage without ferocity
and all the virtues of man without his vices"
- Lord Byron, 1808

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

My vet told me that I could use the glucosamine and chondroitin (the human kind) from the health food store. It is the same thing and a lot cheaper. I buy a big bottle and feed it to my dogs and take it myself. We all have seen a big change and feel better. Also, the human form does go on sale from time to time and that's when I stock up.
Lynn