[lucygoosy]

We have just recently found out that our 10 month old puppy has hip dysplasia and I'm trying to do anything I can to try to afford the surgery, it is not looking to good but I'm not willing to give up on her. Has anyone out there ever heard of a hip dysplasia fund or support group with some advice for me

 

[CowBella]

Go to Yahoo Groups, and look for a group by searching for "hip dysplasia" The first one that came up for me was for dog owners that are dealing with orthopedic problems.

 

[Puregrover]

nupro supplements glucosamine and chondroitin no less than 1000mg a day eckard wal mart 12.99 120 caplets

 

[Chico.Heidi]

I was in the same spot that you are in right now about a year ago so I know what you are going through. Yes there is hope for your pup! My dog Chico, was diagnosed with hip dysplasia around the same age and I was told that he wouldn't be a candidate for surgery because he allready had a bit of arthritis. My vet just gave me a bottle of Rimadyl and told me to consider a total hip replacement when Chico could no longer walk. This was obviously very discouraging so I changed over to a new vet. He told us to ditch the pain meds and get Chico using glucosamine/chondritin, Esther-c (min. of 4000mgs), and fish oil. A year later and Chico doesn't even limp. We walk 4 miles a day and he is in great shape. There have been several studies showing that vitamin C greatly improves joint conditions. It wasn't until I added that to the glucosamine that we really saw a huge improvement. Not all brands of glucosamine work the same for every dog so you may need to try a couple before you find one that helps. We try do do some uphill walking everyday in our routine. This has really forced Chico to use his hind legs and tighten the muscles back there. Don't give up, if properly taken care of, your boy can live a long healthy life. The one thing that the bullies have going for them is the great muscle mass. Other breeds tend to fall apart whereas the bullies can rely on their muscles to hold the joint tighter. Check out this site for a ton of great info on hip dysplasia. I go on it all the time for info on supplements and diet. Also, feel free to PM me if you need any help. http://www.dogaware.com/arthritis.html

-Amber

 

[Puregrover]

I was in the same spot that you are in right now about a year ago so I know what you are going through. Yes there is hope for your pup! My dog Chico, was diagnosed with hip dysplasia around the same age and I was told that he wouldn't be a candidate for surgery because he allready had a bit of arthritis. My vet just gave me a bottle of Rimadyl and told me to consider a total hip replacement when Chico could no longer walk. This was obviously very discouraging so I changed over to a new vet. He told us to ditch the pain meds and get Chico using glucosamine/chondritin, Esther-c (min. of 4000mgs), and fish oil. A year later and Chico doesn't even limp. We walk 4 miles a day and he is in great shape. There have been several studies showing that vitamin C greatly improves joint conditions. It wasn't until I added that to the glucosamine that we really saw a huge improvement. Not all brands of glucosamine work the same for every dog so you may need to try a couple before you find one that helps. We try do do some uphill walking everyday in our routine. This has really forced Chico to use his hind legs and tighten the muscles back there. Don't give up, if properly taken care of, your boy can live a long healthy life. The one thing that the bullies have going for them is the great muscle mass. Other breeds tend to fall apart whereas the bullies can rely on their muscles to hold the joint tighter. Check out this site for a ton of great info on hip dysplasia. I go on it all the time for info on supplements and diet. Also, feel free to PM me if you need any help. http://www.dogaware.com/arthritis.html

-Amber

be carefull not to over do it with rimadyl it has serioud side afects livver prob and kidney failure

 

[Chico.Heidi]

I was in the same spot that you are in right now about a year ago so I know what you are going through. Yes there is hope for your pup! My dog Chico, was diagnosed with hip dysplasia around the same age and I was told that he wouldn't be a candidate for surgery because he allready had a bit of arthritis. My vet just gave me a bottle of Rimadyl and told me to consider a total hip replacement when Chico could no longer walk. This was obviously very discouraging so I changed over to a new vet. He told us to ditch the pain meds and get Chico using glucosamine/chondritin, Esther-c (min. of 4000mgs), and fish oil. A year later and Chico doesn't even limp. We walk 4 miles a day and he is in great shape. There have been several studies showing that vitamin C greatly improves joint conditions. It wasn't until I added that to the glucosamine that we really saw a huge improvement. Not all brands of glucosamine work the same for every dog so you may need to try a couple before you find one that helps. We try do do some uphill walking everyday in our routine. This has really forced Chico to use his hind legs and tighten the muscles back there. Don't give up, if properly taken care of, your boy can live a long healthy life. The one thing that the bullies have going for them is the great muscle mass. Other breeds tend to fall apart whereas the bullies can rely on their muscles to hold the joint tighter. Check out this site for a ton of great info on hip dysplasia. I go on it all the time for info on supplements and diet. Also, feel free to PM me if you need any help. http://www.dogaware.com/arthritis.html

-Amber

be carefull not to over do it with rimadyl it has serioud side afects livver prob and kidney failure

Maybe I didn't word that clearly but I switched vets and the Rimadyl went into the trash. I would never use something like that on such a young dog. No way!

 

[Tinkerbell]

http://www.carecredit.com/index.htm

There are a few other ones too that can help with vet expenses - I just can't think of them off the top of my head. I'll dig around later tonight and see what else I can find/remember

 

[Puregrover]

RIMADLY is ok but only if needed i have a female who tore her ligamint in her knee and i used it im not saying dont ever use it bit if you are just be carefull and use it in moderation dont over do it i used it for a month with no problems but i wouldnt use for a dogs entire life

 

[4NGI3]

We have just recently found out that our 10 month old puppy has hip dysplasia and I'm trying to do anything I can to try to afford the surgery, it is not looking to good but I'm not willing to give up on her. Has anyone out there ever heard of a hip dysplasia fund or support group with some advice for me

Hi there, i feel for you i too was in the same situation about a year ago too. here's my post http://www.bulldogbreeds.com/discuss/viewtopic.php?t=6684&highlight=

I know exactly what you're going thru, as soon as the vet told us, we both wanted to cry right there. When i got home i frantically searched the net for everything and anything to do with hip displasia and learn everything i can so i can be better prepared to help nelson live a long healthy life with HD. altho it is sad to know that there are so many ppl out there with pups with hd, (and who like us, cannot afford the surgery or have pet insurance), and its always so sad to hear someone else come up on the forum to say that their pup has hd, take comfort in knowing that there are other ppl going thru the same thing and therefore can provide support to eachother.

we take Nelson swimming and its been great to build up his muscles. building up his muscles will help with putting less stress on his joints. altho we had a few hiccups to start with because nelson was NOT a swimmer http://www.bulldogbreeds.com/discuss/viewtopic.php?t=7121&highlight=


i'm passing on the following information to you that Amber (Chico.Heidi) passed onto to me when i found out about nelson's hd, i found all this info invaluable and check out the yahoogroups that you can sign up to to get some support from other people with dogs with hd.

Hip Dysplasia supplements and links
Hey, I wanted to send you some links for some groups that I've recently joined for dogs that have hip problems. I'm sure you are completely devistated right now, I know I am. It will be very important for you to get him on some supplements. These supplements act as anti-inflamatories and will help with the pain. Also some of them will actually help rebuild cartilage.

1. Glucosamine/ Chondroiton/ MSM
there are several brands out there that work wonderfully. YOu can use human grade vitamins if he is not picky. My dogs are extremely picky so I had to get some beef flavored ones. Glycoflex III is highly recomended by lots of people with dogs that have hip dysplasia. http://www.1800petmeds.com/pdetail.asp?SK=10654

I just bought some of this stuff because I've heard really good stuff about this brand. Unfortionatly, I paid full price but just found it on here for a great price. That bottle should last a while. For a 100lb. dog they would need 3tsp. a day. I have no idea how many teaspoons are in an ounce but I think that's a good deal. Also it has vitamin C allready in it so you would only have to give a little more on top of that.

2. Esther-C is very important. Give 2000mgs. a day. You can start lower and build up. Esther-c is much easier on the stomach than vitamin c derived from citrus.

3. Omega 3, and Omega 6. I was just giving fish oil but I guess that only has omega-3 in it. This is great for a dog's coat but the omega 6 has very important benefits for the immune system and it is also an ant-inflamitory. I use Missing Link because it it allready mixed to the right ratio and they add other really good vitamins in with it. It comes in a powder form that you sprinkle on the food and the dogs really like the taste. This site has it the cheapest. http://www.dog.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=221130+108&Cat= Don't get it with the Glucosamine because it is more expensive and there is not enough glucosamine in it for a dog with hip problems. This brand is really good too. I just found some on sale at a store near me. It may be easier to get near you. http://www.dog.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=350391&Cat=

Those are the only supplements that I use. They are pricey but so is surgery. I figure if it could postpone the degeneration a bit, we may have a better shot at a long life. Here are some links to the yahoo groups that I joined. They seem to have good info as well as a really good support system of people. It helps to see which surgeries people have done and how they recovered.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/orthodogs/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CanineHD/

these two groups are more for all around health but they do talk about supplements and stuff
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DogHealth/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Dog_Nutrition/

Plaease let me know if I can be of any more help. Also if you could please share any info with me after you talk to your surgeon I would appreciate it. I am also new to this and any advice would help. I'm going to get a second opinion for Chico because my vet basically told me to make sure he doesn't run and jump. He didn't give very much advice about anything after that. It was pretty discouraging. Good luck with Nelson, I'm so sorry that you are going through this experience.
-Amber

 

[chapds]

Has it already been diagnosed in writing by your Vet ?? If not, you could always get insurance now. Petcare is the only one that covers hip displacia. Sorry if i'm coming off like that shady insurance scam guy, but it is an option.

Thanx
Chap

 

[BullyLover]

"nupro supplements glucosamine and chondroitin no less than 1000mg a day eckard wal mart 12.99 120 caplets"

Would it be advised to give your puppy/dog these suppliments even if they don't have hip dysplasia to prevent it? Or is it just for dogs with it?

 

[LoveMy3ABs]

"nupro supplements glucosamine and chondroitin no less than 1000mg a day eckard wal mart 12.99 120 caplets"

Would it be advised to give your puppy/dog these suppliments even if they don't have hip dysplasia to prevent it? Or is it just for dogs with it?

The Glucosamine w/Chondroiten is a good option to help their joints. I don't know about them helping prevent hip dysplasia, but its helpful in preventing arthritis and other bone/joint problems.

 

[BullyLover]

Thanks, I'll have to look into that. (I know that this is random. But could you tell me how to make my pictures smaller so that they're under 24k or point me in the direction of a thread that will help me. I've looked everywhere.) Thanks.

 

[Chico.Heidi]

Wow, my spelling was horrible! :lol: After talking to some more people, I actually started giving a lot more Esther-C. I give Chico 4000mgs a day but you can give more. Since it is water soluble, the body with flush out anything that isn't used.

Chap, I have petcare insurance and they refused to cover Chico's hip condition. I had taken Chico in about 6 mos. before I got the insurance because I thought Chico had hurt his leg and because I was told he was "fine" the insurance company decided that it was really hip dysplasia. They will find any little reason to get out of coverring a dog. It's crazy. I told them that he had just twisted his leg and they said I was lying and that he had been showing signs of hip dysplasia since he was a pup!


I give all the same supplements to Heidi as well, just in lower doses. According to my vet, it can absolutley help prevent problems with arthritis.

 

[ehackler]

My wife and I are going through the same thing

My wife and I are going through the same thing with our 6 month old American Bulldog. We have had many vets tell us that he has inopperable hip displaysia and we are just heart broken. Honestly though, seeing posts like this gives us hope about the little guy. Our breeder said we can bring him back for a new pup or we can keep him and get a pup at a later date which is what we have chosen to do. I couldn't bring myself to give him up as he still has so much life left in him and we want him to be with us in the end. I tried the Ester-C and it seems to work Mirracles. He went from being very laid back and stoic to being his normal puppy self after 2 days on the Ester-C. We also give him 1500MG of Glucosamine and 500MG of Chondroiton. Our Vitamins also contain MSM. Thank you all for the hope and this site has been a godsend!

 

[Chico.Heidi]

Re: My wife and I are going through the same thing

Our breeder said we can bring him back for a new pup or we can keep him and get a pup at a later date which is what we have chosen to do. I couldn't bring myself to give him up as he still has so much life left in him and we want him to be with us in the end.
***We were given the same choice but I couldn't imagine giving Chico away and I don't really have the time or need for another dog. I've got my hands full!

I tried the Ester-C and it seems to work Mirracles. He went from being very laid back and stoic to being his normal puppy self after 2 days on the Ester-C. We also give him 1500MG of Glucosamine and 500MG of Chondroiton. Our Vitamins also contain MSM.
***The Esther-C is what really seems to help Chico as well. I ran out of it and within a couple of days, he was limping again.

Thank you all for the hope and this site has been a godsend!
***Don't give up! I kind of stopped going on those yahoo groups because it was just too depressing to hear about all these dogs that were going through these rough surgeries. I would much rather try the supplements first. My vet has a patient that is a golden retreiver that was diagnosed before he was 1 yrs. old. He is now 13 and jogs 3 miles a day. He never had surgery. He just stays lean and follows a good diet with the supplements. He's Chico's role model!:wink: :lol: