I got bad news.

Lilly was given Rimadyl with 100mg tablets (chewable) prescribed at 1/2 of a tablet, twice a day.  Reading some of the posts, some people only give when needed.  Should I limit the prescribed amount to only give when she's limping?.. Because she doesn't limp all the time.
 
My hope that this cured itself was because the vet also said that the bones (on the left side) in her knee and leg were still developing because they were lighter in color than those bones in her right side.  I didn't know once those bones were fully developed would the hip develop properly (hoping that this was just a developing stage, but guess not, huh).  He said that the limping could have been growing pains on the left side and that the HD was found by coincidence when doing the xrays.
 
For food or treats, is there a brand that you could recommend?  Is there a problem with her having cheese and/or peanut butter in her cong toy? 
 
You're all helpful and RupsMom hopefully we can help eachother through!  You sound like myself; I love my dog but have to watch my expenses too because I'm a single mom with two kids.  I don't want to jepordise Lilly's health because of monetary reasons; so any and all suggestions are helpful.  Thanks a lot for your reply. 

Our vet put Rupert on Metacam for a month. Since it's an anti-inflammitory, he said one month to help reduce any of that. After that Rupert will be getting a blood test to see how his liver is reacting to the medicine. Then he might only be on it when I know he'll have a rough day (going to the beach, hiking, playing hard), or give it to him if I can tell his uncomfortable. This will basically be one day at a time thing.
 
I am married with two children, so money is also an issue with me. I know there are much better foods out there, but I have Rupert on Premium Edge Lamb and Rice for large breeds. I can get it at a Petstore called Carealots for $27 (35lb bag). And the supplements don't cost to much []. I've also had people tell me go to Walmart and buy the human Glu/chondrotin because you can get it cheaper. Ruperts Vet also told me that the Omega Fatty Acids are good. I haven't had a chance to go out and get it yet.
 
Oh and one last thing. I'm not sure if this is correct, just throwing it out there. Rupert's vet said something like "His HD will act up and seem bad right now because he's growing, so some days will be worse than others. But once he's done growing he'll pretty much seem normal again. But when other dogs would just be developing HD in their older years. Rupert will go downhill fast bc of it. "
 
Rupert goes for his follow up on the Aug 2nd. So I'm sure I'll more info then! 

TPO surgery can only be done on dogs less than one year old.  It virtually eliminates the dysplasia.  It is pretty expensive.  Our orthopedic vet said that even doing one hip (if you don't have the $$ to do both) would greatly improve the quality of the dog's life (as dogs generally can use 3 legs to get around).

Can dogs be born with HD?  You mentioned a symptom being the way your dog sits...   Even as a baby, Lilly sat leaning on one side with her feet out from under her.  We always said how cute it was; never thinking anything was wrong with her setting position.  I'm still boggled by the news of her HD.  
 
Do you think that because she has HD on the left side, that she'll be prone to have it on the right side too?
 
 
 

I'm guessing they can be born with it. Considering Rupert has "severe" HD and he was dignosed barely being 5 months old. As I get to know alittle more about HD I've come to realize that the little corky things we thought were cute that Rupert did, were actually signs of HD. Like: he walked up stairs weird, he would never jump over a babygate, always climbed them (even though he's a big puppy and could of very easily jumped over), when on long walks his back legs would start to "drift" to one side. He never sat weird until AFTER he was neutered. The vet said he'll be sore for acouple weeks because of the neutering and xrays (both of which caused pulling on his hips). So I've been wondering if he'll go back to sitting "normal", or if he'll always sit with his legs very close together (girly as I call it). Also when he lays down, his legs are always to one side. On bad days, he's very slow to get up from laying or sitting and walks with his legs close together (almost in a straight line)

Indy was diagnosed with HD around 6 months old.  You can tell he has it by the way he sits.  He sits almost like a person...very straight back...legs stretched far forward.  When he sits squarely on his haunches, his butt cannot touch the ground.  Unlike Jasmine, he cannot sit on uncarpeted floors; his legs will slide apart until he does the splits. Also when he lies down, his legs stretch all the way forward, almost touching his elbows.
Jasmine has a lazy sit, but it looks natural.   Indy's sit looks ??  just wrong, uncomfortable.
 
 
 
 

AWWW! [] How does he get up from lying like that!! In my avatar and signature you can see how Rupert lays and sits.

Here's one more...

Gotta love our HD dogs. I swear I can spot them a mile away now.
 
Yes, BJW--they are "born" with it and it does sound like Lily has it. I'd give her pain meds when she seems to need them, not all the time. Man, you have a heavy dosage, too .You could 1/4th a tablet if need be.
 
Chronic and severe are not the same things--but severe brings on chronic (in a way). Does that make sense? Chronic means it'll just get worse or will, in the very best scenario, be what it is now. Either way, she'll be sore here and there.
 
There are an awful lot of us here, so don't hesitate in writing us. I mean it. We can answer lots of questions.

yet another HD dog owner checkin' in again

Glenda... you are talking about Knox Nutra Joint, a really cheap supplement i get at Walmart (as per Callie's advice) it seems to help but Oliver is on so much stuff that I can't tell which are the thins that are not working.

BJW - yup absolutely dogs are born with this as a genetic defect... Oliver was never a normal puppy, he didn't jump, hated stairs, and cried on walks even at a few months old. We opted for surgery but had complications so he's on all the supplements just like an HD dog without the surgery. anyone is free to email me to talk surgery or supplements or just to b*tch about the emotional rollercoaster!!

PS - to those who know our story, Oliver has been jumping up on me! Ever since his hip stopped popping in and out a month ago he has begun to act like a "real dog"

you are talking about Knox Nutra Joint, a really cheap supplement i get at Walmart (as per Callie's advice)

ORIGINAL: outdoorschik

I looked this up on the internet. And I just saw you said you can get it at Walmart. Which Knox Nutra Joint do you use? The pill form one with MSM. Or the powder one? How do you give it to your dog and how much? Thanks!! []

I use the powder one... they make two forms, one original (which I use) and one with added glucosamine. Since I already supplement, I chose the plain one. I mix the scoop of powder with 8oz water, mix thoroughly and then pour it over his food. Oliver takes anything with joy, I can add his vitamin pills which are nonchewable right to his dish and he takes them too. the powder really has no flavor, so if this causes your dog to not take the food you could try mixing a little wet food in with the water to give it flavor before you pour it over the dish.

Ok well this might sound like a stupid question. Rupert right now is just on some Glus/Chondroition/MSM dog supplement, cheap stuff at the petstore. I got that while I figure out what better stuff I want him to be on. Now here's the question. I like what I was reading about the Knox Nutra Joint pill. It has what he's already taking, better amounts though. Now it says a human takes THREE per day. So what would I give him (37lb dog), and how would I get him to eat a regular pill? If it's non chewable and I just put it in his dish and he eats it...is that ok?
 
Also, what does anyone think about Joint Max TS chewables. I think those sound pretty good too, but no one has mentioned those yet.
 
Thanks again!!

I know everyone says to make sure your dog is on a good diet with HD and I thought that I read that you should avoid wheat; I was at the store last night and the first ingrediant on everything (even treats) was wheat.  Could anyone give more detail on what to look for and give some suggestions on brands of food.  Also, do you suggest the elevated dog dishes; I read it helps with this condition.
 
Just sharing... We just learned of our dog (Lilly) having HD on her left side 2 days ago and when explaining her condition to my kids, they questioned what we can do to help her.  I read another post, someone questioning if they should adopt a dog that has HD.  Funny, because even though we love our dog; just learning of her HD, we now love her even more.  HD shouldn't be a reason to love them less but a reason to love them more.   I told my kids that there are no mistakes in life; Lilly was brought into our lives for a reason and that she was meant to be part of our family, now it is up to us to give her the best life that we can.  
 
I asked before and not sure if anyone knows but since she has HD on her left side, should I expect that she'll get it eventually on her right side too?
 
Thanks everyone for all your information and thanks RupsMom for creating this post because it has helped me tp ease my mind and has educated me on HD too. 

I've never had an HD dog, but I have given dogs pills before. I just take a butter knife and swirl a little peanut butter or cream cheese on it and it gets gobbled right up. Max prefers cream cheese to PB. []

Joyce