I found the sore spot (Bugsy) Update

 I'm glad Bugsy finally let you know where he was hurting. In your search for a vet that does good hip x-ray's, maybe find a dog show that is close to you and go speak with the exhibitors/breeders to find out who does good x-ray's. Positioning is key in getting accurate results, so finding someone who can do them right will mean all the difference. I know that here in Texas, there is one vet/clinic that is recommended over and over for good ofa x-ray's. Hopefully you'll find someone just as well recommended where you are.

And swimming is the best thing on exercise for a hd (or suspected hd) dog. Hope he feels better and doesn't drive you too nuts!

Amy

PS. There is a 5 day cluster in Raleigh, NC starting Sept. 3rd through the 7th at the  State Fairgrounds Complex
Jim Graham Building, 1025 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh, NC. This link is to the show information, with the premium list and judging program found on the left hand menu. Hope it helps!

I am so ignorant about shows, do I just go and make small talk and then ask about local xray recommendations?

I know Lani said something about they might have some quick checks available, anything you can offer this rescue mutt owner is very appreciated

Do you think that spot in the groin is hip related?

You would never know that he doesn't feel well, he was an absolute lunatic this morning!

Karen, in that location it may just be a muscle/soft tissue injury that's going to take time & rest to heal.  I would definitely have his hips x-rayed, but they may not be the issue at all.

At shows, I've found it easy to go watch a breed that you like or are interested in.  It's much easier to talk to people who you share a common interest in.  If you are going to talk with the handlers try to catch them after their classes are done as opposed to catching them between classes when they are in a rush.  You can commonly find breeders & owners sitting ringside watching their dogs.  Small talk is great.  I am always curious to know which dog belongs to which person.  I would just tell them your situation, & ask if they have recommendations of someone who shoots OFA quality x-rays.  Most show people are more than happy to help you out as long as you aren't in the way. 

 I'm glad you know a bit more about where he's sore!  But, I have to admit that is one odd spot to be sore.

 Is it the skin, like when you touch it, or only when you are touching it more pressure that it hurts?  I'd think it could be internal organ related if it is more pressure.  It could also be flank sensitivity, which some dogs have a problem with.  Is it sore on both sides?

 Feel down his leg to his stifle, it could be a "Oh, I know it's gonna hurt in a second.... " kind of a thing, cause you touch that before you get to the stifle (hind knee) and I find the stifle a more likely ouchie spot. Which is why I said when you get xrays do hip and knees.

 I'd probably go to the lab ring and make small talk and then bring up the concern over getting xrays... usually they will say "MY VET IS GREAT FOR XRAYS!" ... :)

 But on the show grounds, you can check the premium list to see about vets/OFA's on site.  I took a quick look, didn't see any, but I'd bet at a show of that size (a 5 day cluster) you'd have someone there.

 I made my statement on hips based on the spot you circled and your other thread. It could be hip or something as simple as a muscle strain. I know I pulled a muscle over my right hip last week and it has made me gimpy even though the pain isn't in the hip joint itself.

Depending on how far Raleigh is from you, maybe plan on going a couple of days. I'd get a show catalog - and hopefully it is for the whole cluster and not one for each day - but if it is an individual catalog for each day - Friday and Saturday (and Sunday) will have your biggest entry. Browse though the breeds known for hip problems and look for breeders/exhibitors that have addresses close to you. Then plan on being ring side and try to match armband numbers up to the people you want to talk to and approach them after their done showing. Most exhibitors are helpful and will try to point you in the direction of someone that could help if they can't. It's hard to approach strangers, but with all the gorgeous dogs - it won't be hard to go say hi to some of them! :)

And if you go several days, it gives you time to google their kennel name and breed to see if they have a web site that talks about if they test. Or, you can go to the ofa web site and look the different kennel names up to see if they are listed. Some breeders will test for but not send in for the ofa certificate - so you can't always find them through the ofa site. It cost more money to submit the results to ofa, so not everyone goes all the way through with it.

There might even be fellow idog members that might be showing at Raleigh since it is a big cluster. You might even email Jamie and see if she's going to be there. I'll keep digging through my huge stash of links to see if I can find any info on vets in your area. If you can give me an idea of location and how far your willing to drive for the x-ray's, I'll do my best to help!

 Okay, I did a little more searching and found the Durham Kennel Club's website. They are hosting several days of the cluster, and if you contacted them with your question about a good vet for hip x-ray's they should be able to help.

Then I found the Labrador Retriever Club of the Piedmont that has a list of breeders with their websites. They should definitely be able to point you in the direction of a vet.

This lady's site popped up. She does all the health testing it looks like and she's in Statesville, NC. She works with a guide school.

And more information than I can follow on Canine Hip and Elbow Dysplasia. Looks to be a good source of information on CHD.

I'll keep digging. :)

 you are all AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will more closely look at all the links and info later, on my way out.........

Lani I went up and down his leg on both sides and it is not his leg, then I went in the groin area and that is where the 'sore spot' is, I do need to put some pressure on to get a response.  He just had a full blood panel and all was fine. He had such a definite limp the other day, it would appear to be musculo-skeletal.   I'm going to keep resting him (pray for me) and if it remains, back to the vet.  He is not a dog who 'shows' pain or cares about it but when I 'found' the spot earlier today he whipped around and was clearly unhappy about me touching it. It is only one side.

He is not hesitant to do anything and is not limping even in the slightest now.

OK need to fly - to repeat 

 you are all AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Karen, I'm thinking it's a soft tissue issue also.   X rays would still be good and I'm hoping they don't show anything major going on. More rest for Bugsy, more insanity for you. 

Karen -- if you feel under the groin can you feel a tendon stretched **TIGHT** like piano wire? 

When he walks does he limp or just walk funny? 

Where you circled is about exactly where a dog can get sciatica.  And yeah -- dogs can get sciatica.  Foxy had it. 

I used to use White Flower Oil on him (peppermint or wintergreen essential oils work great as well).  I can send you some easy (I always have extra) if you want to try it. 

I'm not saying go to a vet -- you NEED to go.  But sciatica is a whole different thing. 

One day we were down at Give Kids the World and I had Foxy on leash and some woman was behind me and came up to me and said "You know, I don't mean to be rude but I couldn't help noticing -- you and your dog walk exactly the same way."

I just burst out laughing.  I said "Well, both of us have sciatica -- that's probably why!!"

Sciatcia is a pinched nerve (caught in the pelvic cradle).  So it can change where the nerve causes problems EASY.  So it can make diagnosing such a problem a real ... "pain in the butt" (which is one of the many places it can hurt).

But it's certainly worth a mention to whomever you go to.  I have a friend who lives up near Durham who has a couple of vets she really likes.  I can give you her email if that's at all close to you.

 I TOTALLY feel your pain. Logan was completely off work for 2 weeks and then light walks for a total of 6 weeks. OMG -- I never thought i'd welcome a heat wave, but it kept him (well all of us) miserable enough to not beg for walks (more or less).

 Logan's was some sort of soft tissue injury, we were never sure what was wrong.  My vet put him on 3000mg of MSM 1200 glucosamine and 1500 chondroitin.  I don't think that would hurt Bugs even if it turns out to be something else.  The Glu/Chon pills I get at costco and come in that size. The MSM I buy at a feed store, and mix with yogurt.

 Good luck with the time off, but if it helps.... I saw a HUGE, marked improvement in Logan. It does work!! :) Hang in there!

 Thanks Lani - I will up his glu/chon/msm and see how we go.

He was limping again last night after lying on the floor while we watched TV but was absolutely fine this morning and howling for all to hear that he had been left home when I went for a bike ride 

Xanax for me please

BEVOLASVEGAS

Karen, in that location it may just be a muscle/soft tissue injury that's going to take time & rest to heal.  I would definitely have his hips x-rayed, but they may not be the issue at all.

  I agree with Amanda. Jessie had an injury in the same area; she didn't limp but she whined when I was brushing her. I had my vet check and it was a strained muscle; probably from climbing up a steep creek bank the day before. I really hope it's not his hips.

He seems better but is not nearly 100%. I took him to a lake yesterday just to get out and do some sniffing, we had a SHORT walk on the trail and I could see he wasn't using his leg 'normally' so after a drink from a stream we went home. It was sad because he was so very happy to be out on a trail.

It seemed odd that he was super tired afterwards. Today however he has been his silly, zooming self no indication of an issue

Poor Bugs. :(

Since he has been cooped up for a while, the excitement of getting to go somewhere & do something may have zapped some of his energy.