[WolfEsence]

:confused: My dog Max ended up showing shallow hip sockets and being diagnosed with Hip Dysplasia yesterday. I was not with my husband so I didn't get to discuss it with the vet, and I have a list of questions. I do plan to get in this weekend to discuss it with her but was wondering what sort of experiences others have had with pets having this condition. Is it difficult to work with? Does the animal show a lot of issues from it? Any recommendation of things that help/have made big differences in the pets lives? She had recommended a special joint support prescription dog food - is this better then the large breed food with joint suppliments in it? Are people joint suppliments acceptable or dog type better? Any recommended websites to at least read before getting to the vet that mayh help me come up with questions?

As I said yesterday, we found him at 4 months old, a rottie/shepherd mix the vet felt, will be 2 around Halloween and weighs in at 107 yesterday. He is not fat but he is not real slim, is muscular. (vet had problems getting one x-ray due to how dense his muscles are even)

[labman]

There are tons of websites out there, but it is hard for the average dog owner to sort out the reliable from the kooks with an agenda. I don't feel near as comfortable commenting on medical things as some other areas. I like to go to American Veterinary Medical Association for my medical info. I have also found good information and links at Woodhaven Labradors Articles They are balanced enough that some of their links lead you to web sites with widely differing opinions. I wouldn't be quick to accept what some web site somebody, perhaps knowing no more than you, finds. It is easier to find info than evaluate it. I have seen links posted here to some real stinkers by those not knowing any better. I don't even trust the ASPCA.

If a dog is showing symptoms of hip dysphasia at 2 years old, it is a severe case. I didn't think about I yesterday, but the changing from leg to leg may from the dog shifting its weight from one leg to the other. My vet thought 4 month old Aster' favoring her right front leg could be due to shifting weight away from bad hips. We poured the steroidal antinflammatories in her and the limp was gone by a year old. She passed her X-rays and was trained and served as a dog guide until she was 10. She retired 4 years ago, then largely because her partners emotional distress was too much for her. She returned to us. She again is favoring that leg now because of arthritis in the paw. My vet has her on Previcox.

I am not sure what to say on some of your other questions. I often suggest doing what the vet says. I keep wondering why ours doesn't have Aster on glucoseamine. Her mother was on it. Aster is up to walking a couple of miles and a swim some days.