Advice please!

[pyrlab]

We need to take the dogs in to get their yearly shots/exam etc soon cause we are overdue!! I have found that the Petsmart veterinarian is TONS cheaper and it's on a walk-in basis. Last week Montana did something to her leg while jumping into the truck and every once in a while she whines, so I want to get it checked out. I am ultra PARANOID about her...someone told me yesterday it could be hip dysplasia, which he said is common with Goldens (MT is 1/2 Golden)...she's only 3 is that possible???? I don't want to sound like a freak, but she's been acting strangely lately. I think she is traumatized by our move. Her first owners packed up and left her behind in an empty house, which breaks my heart. Anyway I think she's worried cause we are in the middle of moving and our house if getting very empty!! We took her to the new house on Sat. and she seemed to love it! Maybe she made the connection, that we are ALL moving, cause she seems happier...at least she's finally back to her barking self! !! Anyway I want to make sure they are being seen by a good doc..any insight??

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[This message has been edited by pyrlab (edited June 11, 2001).]

[Karen]

Hip dysplasia doesn't have anything to do with age - it's a genetic problem, not an aging one. Definitely have her checked out - the whole moving thing will probably be very stressful for her, and better safe than sorry!

[Logan]

Chuck, who posts as Spencer the Lion, on the Cat pages, speaks very well of the Petsmart Vets. I think you should be fine. And, if you're not satisfied with their response, then seek a second opinion.

And Karen is right. Hip Dysplasia isn't discriminating when it comes to age. My Golden Retriever, Lilly, was diagnosed with a mild case at 1 1/2 years old!

Logan

[tatsxxx11]

Ditto to all the above advice. My husky Cody is 6 and was diagnosed with hip dysplasia. Like you, I thought it was from a high jump into a pick up. It wasn't the jump that injured her. It was the pain of the arthritis jumping into the truck!!!! It actually is a disease of younger dogs. Not related to aging. She has bad arthritis in one hip from it. Definitely get it checked out. There are lots of medical and surgical avenues to pursue with this. Young dogs have great success with surgery. It's become quite a "routine" procedure, says my vet. (Well, routine for HIM!!) I'm trying to say that the surgical correction is done quite frequently now with great success. A lot of the medications available and physical therapy are also alternative routes. The move has probably been quite stressful to Montana, especially considering her previous horrible experience. Sounds like she's coming around though. Give her a little time and I'm sure she'll be assured you're all in it together!! Good Luck! Your kids are so beautiful!!! Hugs to all.

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[Rottie]

We went to the PetsMart vets a couple times (for shots). They are much less expensive, but I've had 2 problems.

1. They don't really do a general exam. They do look over the dog; but once Carl had a growth on his upper leg/hip and all they could do was just look at it and tell us what they thought. So, we had to take him to the normal vet, (another $20 exam fee), so we didn't end up saving any money that time.

2. We do a lot of dog activities, mostly going to several dog clubs. We're gone to dog training at least 4 nights a week and we can usually find some dog event on Saturdays All the dogs have to have UTD shots for this, and sometimes they have to have the vet's signature that they did indeed give the shots. So, we have to wait until the next clinic to go get the papers signed, and sometimes the same vet isn't even there. It was just too confusing and too much of a hassle to save the few dollars.

[Dixie Belle]

I have a ten year old Golden...no hip dysplasia...he is still as hyper as he was ten years ago, and shows no signs on any pain. As for the move, keep taking the pup to the new house, every time you go if you can. We did that with Dixie Belle and Mama Dog and the move went perfect!

P.S. she might have just sprained her hip

[KYS]

I also take 2 of our dogs to the local petshop that has a vet that comes in 3 times a week to give shots and treat simple
problems. Other than anything
simple, the vet requires you do be seen at
his vet clinic which is located in another city. If you have a regular vet for Montana you might concider going their. If
you like the Petsmart vet be prepared to travel to his clinic if any testing is needed such an x-ray. Let us know what happens and how Montana is doing.

[Sudilar]

My Great Pyrenees, Avalanche, had a cruciate ligament rupture from jumping down our three stairs from the dining room to the front room. She had to have surgery on it. Good luck and let us know what happened.

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[pyrlab]

Thanks to you all. Well we took them to the PetsMart vet. It went fine. The vet TECH looked Montana over quite thoroughly and MT didn't respond (ie: whine or pull away)to any of the palpation or movements...the vet tech thought maybe her stress level from being at the vet was high enough to mask the pain for now. The vet himself just said that if it's not gone in a week to bring her back in He said to keep her rested...HA! It's a chore to get her off her butt! If only I could stop Sam from jumping all over her...man that dog is constantly bouncing off the walls!! Anyway the vet really didn't put my mind at ease, cause I want to know what the problem is...the vet tech did a good and thorough job, but since when does the vet tech do more than the vet??!?! Anyway..she seems to be doing better since the inital injury. I'm glad that it doesn't appear to be the hip!! Thanks for your concern!

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