I got bad news.

I'm so sorry to hear about your pup having this problem.  I guess I didn't realize that hip dysplasia could develop so early.  I know some people swear by using Nutro Knox as a glucosamine supplement, but there might be others that are as good or better.  I honestly don't know anything about Metacam either, but with all medications that my pets are given, I do as much research as I can.  Sometimes there are safer alternatives.  Again, I'm real sorry about your puppy having this and I'm sure others will be along with some helpful advice.

Yea I thought he was alittle young too. But obviously I was wrong. The vet said he's been seeing more and more large breeds coming in around 7months with early signs, and only a few like Rupert.

Metacam is an anti-inflammatory (NSAID) and controls pain. He put Rupert on it for a month to see how he does, and if it even works at all. And then after a month he'll recieve a blood test to see how it is reacting with his organs. And if he is doing well he'll continue for life. Or until something better come along I guess.

Hi Rupert's Mom!
 
Sorry to hear that. I can kind of tell by the picture of him (sitting) that he has something going on. I'm so "into HD" that I spot hips issues on dogs all over the place these days!
 
Yes, they can get it very young. Very young. Who knows why, really? It happens. Did you get an X-ray? Sometimes that helps you see what types of options are available.
 
I have two dogs with it--littermates. One showed signs when he was as young as yours and my other one is just now showing signs (they are 3 years old as of last month). You can't do THR (hip replacements) until they are full grown anyhow, so . . . you have some options.
 
For now, check those X-rays, see what you're working with, and then stop feeding him soy, wheat, beef, and gluten. All of those just aggravate sore joints and cause more inflammation. You can't and don't want to let his hind leg muscles shrink, so take him swimming and do some slow walking uphill. Give him buffered aspirirn (if you don't know how much, ask). If you can keep stronger hind leg muscles, they'll help support the weight so his joints don't take it all.
 
Also, consider acupuncture. It's amazing. Really. And ask/research/find a holistic vet that can give you other pain-pill optioins, like Channel Flow.
 
He's a darling and I hope you don't feel too freakish. There are a LOT of those HD "parents" out there. I am a recent one myself  (adopted my male 8 months ago and have been dealing with it with him, and just recently with my girl), whether I like it or not!
 
Give him a hug from Ellie, Murphy, and me!  And feel free to PM me anytime for anything. I just hope I have something wise to say!

Nancy

Oops-- I forgot to tell you what else mine take. They take GlcoFlex and Triple Joint Max. They take both chondrotin (sp) and glucosamine (sp), as well as MSM and some basic vitamins. I can't really tell, honestly, if those work, but hey, they won't hurt.

One more and then I'm leaving the post for a bit! You can do all of these things while you save money for surgery. That's what I'm doing with Ellie. I'm considering a THR on her (very expensive, I know) because she is so young. We'll see, though, what my second opinion comes out. It's hard when you see surgeons, though, because surgery is the best solution and the gold standard is THR for these kinds of dogs. But, though you're upset and Rupert is hurting, if you can manage that without surgery, then save for surgery in the meantime.
 
It's not an emergency--you'll be fine!  
 
 

Thank you! My biggest concern is him in pain. I know he's uncomfortable, especially after his xrays where they pulled his legs straight. But his Metacam already seems to be helping with pain. Getting up alittle faster, aand walking more for no reason.
 
I was looking at the Gluco-Flex, but didn't know which one to get Stage 1, 2 or 3.  And I was also looking at Synovi-G3 chewable tablets.
 
Yes now knowing what the vet has told me, his picture above with his name screams CHD. [8|] Thanks for all your help!!

ORIGINAL: nfowler

One more and then I'm leaving the post for a bit! You can do all of these things while you save money for surgery. That's what I'm doing with Ellie. I'm considering a THR on her (very expensive, I know) because she is so young. We'll see, though, what my second opinion comes out. It's hard when you see surgeons, though, because surgery is the best solution and the gold standard is THR for these kinds of dogs. But, though you're upset and Rupert is hurting, if you can manage that without surgery, then save for surgery in the meantime.

It's not an emergency--you'll be fine!  

 
Yea Rup's vet said he wouldn't be able to get his replacement till he was 18-24 months. Which is quite awhile. [:'(] Then he said the other surgery, I don't recall it's name, but is basically cutting off the ball on the bone that goes in the joint so the two bones don't rub together. But he said thats LAST option if the hip replacement is out of the question. Which on our income and two children it is. [] So hopefully these supplements and his medicine will help for now.
 
Thanks again for your help!!

Our lab (RIP) had severe hip dysplasia.  We didn't know until she was 7 or 8 and by then it was too late to do any surgery.  I do know that joint suppliments helped her.  I ended up using a liquid form since research indicated that the liquid was more readily absorbed by the body.  I ended up using (and currently use for the boyz as a preventitive measure) a product by liquid health. 
 
Here's a link:
[linkhttp://www.liquidhealthinc.com/prodInterior.php?prodID=12]http://www.liquidhealthinc.com/prodInterior.php?prodID=12[/link]
 
I get it at a local feed store. 
 
 
I've also known several dogs who have had great luck with surgery. 
 
Good luck in whatever you decide.
 

Can you save money and get it when you can in the future?  The humane society may help you wth a low cost and a payment plan that works for you... maybe check out the one in your area ad tll them what your situation is.

I bumped my boy up to Glyco III. He's practically worn his ball out of the joint now anyway. I'm serious! I'll see if I can attach an X-ray here. And he had the "FHO" surgery (the one your vet didn't recommend) and it wasn't done quite right but I have to say that it helped Murphy quite a bit. He's got lots of hip issues, of course, but he walks and jumps and plays like everyone else. I'm in the middle of writing to a superb surgeon here and looking forward to his feedback.
 
I know about the expenses, and I have 2 dogs! Wish I had figured out HD beforehand--but in all truthfulness, I love them both. In my city, it's about 5500-6000 for a THR and I think that is WAY expensive. I hope that this second surgeon is a bit less costly. We'll see.
 
Even larger dogs can do OK with FHO. I know it's not gold standard, but let's face it--any surgery is for "salvage" only. What matters with FHO is that the dog should have strong legs and should also be an active one. Laying around (after FHO) means atrophied muscles which means "the surgery didn't go well." It's not so bad.
 
I'll save you all my exhausted blathering. I appreciate the liquid input, too, agilebasenji. Was your Lab severe? Mild? Some dogs do OK without surgery of any kind, too. It's all really so open to interpretation.
 
BTW--both of my dogs are topped out at 45lbs, so it makes the options even more open to interpretation! At least to me!
 
 

HI Rups Mom...
I've got to go to work and just saw this but I'll be back later to respond as well. I'm so sorry to hear about your diagnosis, I know how hard it is, we just went through it.
The supplements I use are Glyco Flex III (you should as well if you get that brand), Vit C to tolerance daily, Knox Nutra Joint (for about 6 months), Deep Sea Salmon Oil & Vit E, and homeopathic remedy in his water bowl that REALLY helps called Natural Pet Pharmaceuticals Joint, muscle, Arthritis forumla (safe for all animals who drink out of the bowl).

Ok, I'm off... but I'll be back later.

Wow, nfowler, you hear so much about CHD and then you see it on a film - it's ather shocking. 

We've had two dogs with CHD, both medium sized BCs.  I dn't know whether anyone mentioned the importance of keeping your dog as active as his comfort levels will allow -it is vitally important to build the connective tissue and muscle structure around the affected joint.  Healthy, strong connective structures will take some of the load off his joints.

Swimming is the best exercise if you can manage it.

This is one disease where supplements have been shown to be extremely effective.  Your number one enemy since he is so young, is not wear and tear, as you might think, but inflammation.  So check out a game plan that will battle and prevent inflammation in all its sources, including in the diet.  Many friends have had great luck with a completely grain free diet - I know it's helped Doug the Doug until recently when we moved here and his work load basically quadrupled.  Doug the Dog was diagnosed at 28 months, but he was probably symptomatic as early as six months - it's just harder to see in BCs, except that they don't perform up to standard, which is how we got him.

Good luck!

Hi Rups mom... I'm back with a few more thoughts
I also use a herbal supplement horsetail... this is not a long term supplement and should only be used with the help of a holistic or knowledgeable regular vet because it is counterindicated in dogs with heart or kidney issues.

Also... make sure you keep your dog lean, leaner than normal, this will really help.

As for the Metacam IMHO I would try the supplement route first and use the metacam as little as possible. My vet had suggested using it only on days taht we knew we were going on long hikes. Even though it is the safest of the NSAID's it can still be have side effects in some dogs. Be familiar with the signs of knowing if your dog is having an adverse reaction. Especially since your dog is so young, there is a chance that as he ages he will actually have a little less pain when he stops growing and then it will get worse as he ages. The key here is keeping solid muscle, lean body and finding the supplements that work. Also, give them a few months before you rule out their efficacy, many of the effects literally take 3 months to show( for things like Knox Nutra Joint).

Also... since he is so young, it might be worth consulting ASAP with an orthopedic surgeon at a teaching hospital. There is a surgical option called TPO that is done to younger dogs that do not have too much damage to their hip joints yet. It is actually breaking and changing the position of the joint so that it no longer pops in and out. It is cheaper than a total replacement (though certainly still expensive, which is why I suggested a teaching hospital) and it saves the joint which is GREAT! That is the surgery that my dog Oliver had this year. The reason I say ASAP, is because literally every week that goes by there is more damage occuring and less of a chance for that surgery. I understand money is an issue... you might consider consulting with an orthopedic surgeon and if that surgery is indeed an option, maybe getting one hip done instead of two so at least he has one good hip. Most likely your regualr vet will not be able to look at the x-rays to tell you if TPO is or is not an option, an orthopedic surgeon could.

That's enough for now... please know that we're thinking about you... having just gone through the diagnosis and two srugeries in the past few months makes it fresh for me. I know it's difficult to see them in pain like that. Good luck, i hope I have helped and can help moe in the future.

Karen and Oliver

Thank You.[] I was doing some research on the web, and came across a vet who said to check all your vet schools, sometimes they are doing studies and need dogs for surgeries. And it is at little or no cost to the owner. Which I did. And we have a really good college semi near by (Virginia Tech).
 
He's very lean. I actually was concerned about it. But the vet said, that it actually is the perfect weight for him, and to keep him like this as he grows.
 
I do have a quick question though. I know I need to continue his exercise. I was told small walks each day and swimming. I live at the beach and happen to live bay side (no waves), is this a bad idea...or is a pool much better? He's a puppy and never been swimming so I don't know how he'll take it. And since he just got the xray yesterday he is rather sore from all the pulling on his hips. When should I start the walking again? In acouple days? And what do I look for while he's walking to know enough is enough, before he is in pain and sore for the rest of the day bc I pushed him to far?
 
Thanks again everyone for your help!