Worried about Nikon *video added*

I really don't know much but I've heard in countless seminars that the big deal in x-rays is that they be  done VERY WELL.  It's tough to get them in the right position to really *see* what you need to see to diagnose, so get absolutely the best x-rays you can and you can save yourself tons of time by getting a more accurate diagnosis from the start.  Good luck!

 Correct, I will not pay for x-rays that are not properly positioned, and OFA will not accept them.

 Wow, I think my dogs need insurance.

I hope Nikon's off gait is easily figured out!

 I'm going to ask them to x-ray his back as well.

 good idea, but keep in mind that you can't see disc injuries on x-rays. You need mri's for that. The doc may be able to measure the distance between each disc but that's not really accurate.

The toe dragging jumped out at me.  I, too, was thinking DM.  Is this something fairly recent?  Maybe it isn't DM but possibly a vertebrae pinching a nerve.  Will keep my fingers crossed that it's something minor and treatable!

 That is something I'd be worried about, too. I understand your concerns.... I really hope it's nothing serious, just his gait.

 I AM NOT AN EXPERT!!!! First and foremost I wanna say that! :) But, I will say, I don't think his pre-lim x-ray is positioned right.  I'm sure you've been to this site (VBG) but, if not here is a good place to check out positioning:  http://leerburg.com/hipart.htm  His legs are straight, which is nice, but, it looks like he's twisted a little in the back (at an angle, I don't know/think it's his back, just mean he's not straight on) and it's indicated in a couple of ways, including his left leg is covering his pelvic wing a bit more than his right even though the legs are straight.

 Based on what's there, it doesn't look bad, though... I'm hoping for an all clear, for you. It'll be a long few weeks.  I'll be sending good thoughts!

The prelims are not perfectly positioned, but we did not submit them.  It was enough to show that they look good/normal, at least for his breed at that age.  I think they are important because generally a dog with HD will show it in the prelims, I think prelims are a good predictor about 80% of the time and there's nothing on his film to suggest he is/was even borderline HD.  When I meet with the vet to go over his new x-rays, I'll bring them along for comparison.

I've been reading about "spondylosis" and honestly this sounds a lot like Nikon.  It's a back problem that often effects how the dog walks, would explain his limp/drag.  Also it's common that the dog doesn't have pain, like they aren't even aware of the problem and also common that it only effects the walk (doesn't show when the dog is gaiting, running, jumping, etc) until later on when arthritis develops, or if there is another injury that exacerbates it.  Reading about this, I'm going to beg the vet to x-ray his back when they do the OFAs.  If this is what he has and he's not showing pain, that means we can continue training but I would cut out doing flyball for sure and agility, or maybe put him in a much lower height class if we wanted to continue and be careful about contact obstacles.  For Schutzhund it would mean we can continue but I'd have to be aware of the condition when doing bitework and the possibility that a bad "jam" could be more damaging for him than a healthy dog.  In Nikon's favor, he is not one of those high flying dogs that slams into the helper and gets swung around.  I'm probably getting way ahead of myself but if he has something, I hope it is this and not DM!

Here is the walking video.  See how it's just not quite right?  He is not a "hock walker" and doesn't have extreme angulation but his rear just seems...awkward, no?  He also looks more roachy when walking, not at all when actually moving.  I'm just letting him walk normally on his own, no obedience.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xE7kzH0wsTU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHARO37ZduI

Now for comparison, here is a recent obedience vid, no problems when doing anything other than just walking (closer up shots and faster movements in the second half): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjPEHD0YU8M

Retrieves over a jump: http://vimeo.com/11874172

Dock diving just fine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJuMfadJ96k

 It's sooo subtle you have to look really hard to see it. Also, watching the slow walking videos she seems to sort of kick out her back right leg.

I do see it yes. not marked, but he definitely favors the right hind side. Be interested to see what you eventually find out.

 LOL, now that I know it's there and hasn't gone away, to me it looks worse b/c I *always* see it.  The more I think about it, the more it bothers me!

Odd suggestion I am sure, but consider an equine vet who works in the performance or racing industry.  These folks can spot the what's and where's of motion related issues better than anyone.   This would allow you to be more targeted in your interactions with your vet.  I got the best of both worlds as my vet worked with one of the top equine vets in Lousiville prior to moving here to west central OH.  She is much better at motion related concerns than most vets.   Small animal vets do not do extensive prep work on structure and movement.

My late GSD had such a glitch (with him it turned out to be a major issue and also with my terv which was not an issue (he competed in herding),   It has become more pronounced as he ages (he will be 12 in Dec.   I too support the idea this is not about hips but something spinal or neurological.  We all (human and dogs) have glitches, in most all cases they turn out to be simple abnormalites that cause no real impact in life,

 Here's hoping to questions answered and worries calmed.

Added:  I "think" there is a canine sports medicine practice in Ann Arbor.  I can check if you would like.  You could also try a consult with Chris Zink DVM  http://www.vetsportsmedicine.com/about/staff_czink.html

Added  potential local connection/support.  If I remember correctly you are in Kalamazoo (or relatively close to it).  While surfing to see if Chris Zink was comingn to that area I found this agility business.  The owner Penny, has apparently done work with Chris.... could be an option.

http://www.pawsitiveimpact.com/httpdocs/Background.htm

I'm in Grand Rapids and go to Southkent in Caledonia but they do equines too so that is an option.  For radiology I would normally see Dr. "Mos" (private practice), for other diagnostics I see Dr. Jackson at Southkent and for routine stuff I don't care who I see.  Dr. Jackson is scheduled to do the x-rays.  I don't know how adept he is as far as radiology but I do like him and always ask for him anytime there's something wrong or we're trying to figure out what is wrong.  Since it could be nothing but just a "hitch" in his step I'm going to start w/ Dr. Jackson.  If there's anything abnormal, we can talk about referrals to a specialist.  If it is HD or spondylosis, I'm guessing a lot of it is just common sense.  You can't cure it but you can keep the dog lean and fit, do the right exercises to maintain strength and flexibility but avoid activities that would exacerbate the injuries.  I've heard some people sing the praises of acupuncture or a chiropractor and others that said it did nothing if not aggravate problem areas.  For now, no jumping and no long bites at Schutzhund....