Zoey has been spayed, but...

[happylabs]

Zoey went in to be spayed yesterday. My daughter mentioned to the vet that Zoey does not like it when you move her hips. Our worst nightmare was confirmed by xrays. She has hip dysplasia. Rach was in tears. My vet said many times this can be kept under control with meds. She also said she has seen dogs live to 12 or 13. I honestly do not know much about it. I never have dealt with this with any of my dogs.

The boyfriend is considering surgery. I am not sure how they would pay for it because I ended up footing the bill for the spaying, meds and x-rays which came to $398.00. And, I just do not have the money to pay for the hip surgery.

Zoey was so happy to see my daughter when they brought her into the exam room she climbed into her lap and it was only a little chair. This dog is just such a love. I never thought I would say this, but I think she is sweeter than my Casey was.

Well, at least she is spayed now, and also, I had her micro-chipped.

[Freedom]

I'm glad you stepped up to help w/ the spay costs. That is important in so many ways, as you well know.

I am sorry to read about the hip dysplasia. Finding out early is critical to managing it going forward. As the vet said, many cases can be managed w/ meds. They should also have her on glucosamine and chondroitin at a young age.

[chocolatepuppy]

I'm so sorry to hear Zoey has hip dysplasia. I don't know a lot about it, but isn't there different degrees of it? I hope and pray Zoey gets along ok with it and for many years.

[luvofallhorses]

Glad she was spayed! Bigger dogs are prone to hip dysplasia.. I had a Rottweiler mix for 10 and half years and she had mild hip dysplasia and she didn't need surgery, thankfully but we would have done if had she needed it. She actually never needed meds for it either, she lived out a good life without pain.

How old is Zoey now? Surgery may be the best thing if it's really bad, but there is also a possibility that she can tear her ACLs later in life. I would see what their vet thinks as it's a big surgery and not all dogs need it, usually meds can control it. Did they send her home with any joint supplements? Glucosamine is a really good one.

[cassiesmom]

BIG prayers for Zoey !

[K9karen]

I hope Zoey is recovering nicely from her spay. {hugs}

Mz Logan has bad hip dysplasia. I give her glucosamine/chondrodin in a prescription called Dasiquin from the vet. She also takes a prescription form of Omega fish oils for dogs. Of course more expensive than OTC but I opted to go for a formula made for dogs. I also give her a massage everyday. She loves it.

I took Freedom's advice and asked my vet about laser treatments. Apparently they help a lot. A bit expensive and must be done permanently, but I'm seriously thinking about it. I'll just eliminate buying stuff I don't need. Logan is top of my ladder rung.

Please tell Rach not to cry. I know it's so upseting, but there are things you can do to help Zoey. It's amazing how far vet medicine has advanced, and all the specialists there are now.

[happylabs]

I hope Zoey is recovering nicely from her spay. {hugs}

Mz Logan has bad hip dysplasia. I give her glucosamine/chondrodin in a prescription called Dasiquin from the vet. She also takes a prescription form of Omega fish oils for dogs. Of course more expensive than OTC but I opted to go for a formula made for dogs. I also give her a massage everyday. She loves it.

I took Freedom's advice and asked my vet about laser treatments. Apparently they help a lot. A bit expensive and must be done permanently, but I'm seriously thinking about it. I'll just eliminate buying stuff I don't need. Logan is top of my ladder rung.

Please tell Rach not to cry. I know it's so upseting, but there are things you can do to help Zoey. It's amazing how far vet medicine has advanced, and all the specialists there are now.

Thanks everyone! This is good information. She is going to take Glucosamine/Ch and also Omega 3. I wondered about the massage. Will look into that. Rach is very sensitive and she loves Zoey more than some people love their children. I know it breaks her heart to think Zoey is in any kind of pain.

[Taz_Zoee]

Aww, I also got tears in my eyes reading that Zoey has hip dysplasia. But it sounds like it is manageable.
I put my Zoee on the glucosamine w/chondroitin a few months ago when she started limping. Her issue is her knee not her hips. So I think she will remain on this supplement for the rest of her life. She is also on Previcox, which I hope she doesn't have to be on forever, but she might. I am just lucky that she will take her meds like a treat. I throw it in her food, but if we forget I can just hand it to her and she gobbles it up.

My sister had several German Shepherds over the years and one female had hip problems. It got so bad my mom had to use a towel or something to lift her back end for her when she walked. She would have good days and bad days. She lived to be about 14 years old.

Did the vet mention how severe her hips were?

[K9karen]

[QUOTE=happylabs;2355295 Rach is very sensitive and she loves Zoey more than some people love their children.[/QUOTE]

I hear ya. I have no children, so RB Cody and Mz Logan are everything to me. The vets are always telling me to calm down because it's upsetting the dog. Lord knows I try. I hold it in but I must give out terrible, scary signals to Mz Logan. I usually weep when I get home. Seeing Mz Logan limp breaks my heart, but I know I'm giving her the best care possible.

Hugs to Rach.

[dab_20]

I'm so very sorry to hear about Zoey having hip dysplasia. I really don't know much about it either, although I've known a couple dogs with it that was controlled and they were happy and mostly pain free. Maybe get a couple different vet opinions on the surgery?

Glad to hear she was spayed and micro chipped. Oh, sweet Zoey, I think she has really grown on a lot of our hearts.

[snakemama]

Keeping her nice and slim will help keep her hips in good shape too!