HELP! Need advice about my Hound dog-update (last post)

[Nobas Mom]

My 10 1/2 month old basset puppy has me so worried. Last week, I noticed he was limping on his back right leg... it was a small limp, something that only I would notice (I know my puppy from head to toe). I woke up the next morning, and the limp had intensified to the point where he would barely walk on it without being in pain. I called his vet, who is on vacation, and the soonest I can get an appt for is this Tuesday. I am so worried about him. I have put pressure on his leg from the toes to his hip just to see if he winces or shows any signs of pain, and he doesn't. I've tried extending his hip out to all range of motions and he does not seem to be resisting, with his knee the same way either. Any suggestions as to what this may be?? Does this sound like the onset to hip dysplasia?? I am concerned beyond belief... help!

[Sevaede]

Hmm. Could you get him in any sooner at another vets office? Does he go outside unsupervised or is there even a slight chance he could have gotten out?

I ask because this sounds like a less severe version of what my RB kitty Tier had. He was completely indoors his whole life. One day, we came home and he was slightly limping. The next day, he couldn't use his back end at all. There's a lot more to all the things that were wrong (PM me if you'd like to know, I don't want to hijack your thread). I am not entirely sure what the vet called this because I was in a daze. We had to send him to the RB the day after he lost the ability to use his legs, so I stress the importance of going to see a vet ASAP because you might be able to save your baby with surgery or, if it's less severe, then meds and therapy (i think!). So check around!

I hope he gets to feeling better soon!

[Aurie]

You can give a baby aspirin for pain until you can get into the vet. The one's by St. Joesph are the same strength as baby aspirin (81 mg). I don't know if they label them as 'baby' any longer. Anyway, you can give one twice a day.

[Minnie, Patches, and Jesse]

Try giving him a small dose of beneadryl. Call where you got the puppy if you can see what problems run in the family and then you can be almost sure of what it is. Good Luck!! I wish you the best!

[Nobas Mom]

Thanks for all the responses. I did get ahold of his breeder, and there have been no reported problems. His vet is amazing, that is why I am waiting until Tuesday... he has been working with basset hounds for over 20 years, owns and breeds them himself and knows them in and out, so I trust his advice and diagnosis. He personally called me from his vacation and told me as long as Noba is continuing to eat / drink, then he should be able to wait. Noba has been trying to do things, be energetic... he tries to play, but only for short periods of time. Instead of walking, he prefers to run because it puts less pressure on his leg quicker. I will update you all tomorrow after his appointment. Thanks again...

[RedyreRotties]

If this were my puppy he would be on crate rest except for leash walking for bathroom trips until you see the vet.

[Nobas Mom]

So I got home from work this morning and Noba could barely walk on his leg. I decided to not wait until his appt tomorrow and rushed him to the vet. His regular vet is on vacation, so the fill-in took a look at him and his initial assessment was a dislocated hip??? They decided to do x-rays, which involved sedation, so I went home. I received a horrifying phone call a few hours later... it was not a dislocated hip, but it turns out my 10 month old sweet basset has major signs of hip dysplasia , and he has the onset of pano, which i later learned will most likely outgrow by age 2. Hip dysplasia has me petrified. I looked at his hip x-rays, they are not good at all. He is now on crate confinement for three weeks, only allowed out to use potty, not even to lay on the floor with me or on his soft bed... If in three weeks, there is no improvement, well my vet and I will talk about issues dealing with quality of life. I have been an emotional wreck all day. Hip dysplasia is not supposed to happen to him this young... help! Should I seek a second opinion?

[cmayer31]

I'm so sorry to hear about your puppy. My Riley also has hip dysplacia in both hips and we found out at 10 months of age as well.

Second opinions never hurt, and there's different ideas around treatment.

There's three major surgical corrections to hip dysplacia at this time.

1. Triple Pelvic Osteotomy (TPO) is usually performed on dogs 10 months of age and less and only as long as the joints do not show sever damage or have become solid/developed and damaged. It's basically a hip re-alignment where the pelvic is broken and reshaped to the joint. The dogs wieght also plays a part in this. This is most common if caught early in puppyhood and is quite expensive.In the case of Riley, her joints were already too well formed to perform this surgery and it was determined that she was too old, at 11 months.

2. Total hip replacement. Just like it sounds, very expensive, and usually takes about 3-4 months to recover. This is the best bet for adult dogs, but is sometimes the best course if the hip(s) are too badly worn. Typically performed on young adult dogs as the bones have to be fully matured.

3. Femoral Head and Neck Excision. This is a salvage at best and includes the removal of the femoral head. In place the body produces a fiber like substance that pads the joint. This is typcally reserved for older dogs to reduce/remove pain from bad joints. The dog's weight is a major issue and again this is almost always for older dogs.

There are other surgical treatments out there, but I don't know them too well and are not as common.

There are medications that can enhance the quality of living for a dog with hip dysplacia and this is where a second even third opinion is always valuable. Often these are in the form of steroids, pain relievers, and anti-inflamitory medications.

Low impact exercise such as swimming is great for dogs with dysplacia. This is because weight is a major issue. It's a catch 22. It's hard to exercise a dog with dysplacia, but being overwieght amplifies the affects and harms the joints even more. Low impact, and controlled exercise/play time is a must.

In my case Riley gets many short walks and lots of of play in a small area. She gains weight easily so she's on a reduced calorie/fat diet and I do the best I can. She knows her limit for the most part, and I can see when she is sore and we stop. If for whatever reason she seems uncomfortable then I give her, her medicine and we have a slower day the next morning.

[Nobas Mom]

I just pm'd you for more information... thanks

[Minnie, Patches, and Jesse]

I am soo sorry. Feel better, Pup!

[Nobas Mom]

So, this morning when I got home from work, I let Noba out of the crate, which he was miserable being in... ... and he was walking much better. He is actually bearing weight on his back leg as he walks!! I was so happy. He still won't stand with any weight on it, but after only a little rest and medication, there is already a great improvement!

[critters]

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/orthodogs/ will probably be a big help to you. There are also options such as hip braces and splints, or even wheelchairs. You can find out more at http://www.handicappedpets.com/help/ .