HD - Not as bad as you might have thought.

[DogPaddle]

As many of you know Tyr was disagnosed with 4rth grade HD (pretty much as bad as it gets) at 9 months or so. What we learned from our wonderful vet really might help owners of dogs with HD or people considering adopting dogs with HD.

Many dogs with HD symptoms prior to 1yr of age find that the symptoms are greatly reduced after 18 months.
Even in 4rth grade HD cases, symptoms can be controlled with simple uncoated aspirin.
Glucosamine and Chondroitan, less then 10ml/per day will eliminate many symptoms in many dogs.
A simple surgery, costing around $500 Canadian, will eliminate most symptoms in many dogs. This surgery involves removing some muscle from the inside of the dogs thigh which takes pressure of the joint.
In old age (say 8-11 for breeds such as German Shepherds) symptoms may worsen to the point where euthanization may need to be considered. This is still a good life span with a good quality of life. The average shortening of life span for the above reasons would be approximately 15%.
Many dogs with HD can lead reasonably active, certainly comfortable lives with very little cost or extra effort from their famalies.

I have bursitis in my hips and shoulders, I treat my bursistis with aspirin. I developed bursitis at 10. If you were to ask me if my life was worth living I would easily tell you yes. If you where to ask me if I would mind living only 85% of a normal human life span in a touch of pain now and then or if I would like to be put down now - I would certainly opt for as much time as I could get. I don't see how my dog is any different.

[imported_Cassie]

I currently live with a Rottweiler which was diagnosed with HD at 2 years of age...she was so bad some mornings she could not get up out of bed...but, with supplements such as Glucosamine and Chondroitan, MSM, Vitamin C and massage she is doing great..I have been able to avoid the surgery with her...I also give her Yucca for the pain (which she hasnt shown any signs of pain in the last year) I have never given her aspirin...so as you say DogPaddle it can be controlled.
They now can correct HD with very young pups by doing an ultrasound they can tell if the pup will develop HD (the way the hip sockets are forming) they are fusing the femur into the hip socket so that it will grow properly. It has to be done at a very young age (starting at 8 weeks) and this is a new procedure, I doubt any Vets are actually doing this procedure.

[lizzie]

wow the subject of HD, just thought that I might add, in the town that I live in we have a chyropractor, if that is the way that you spell it, who just loves dogs, he is always rescuing them and helping them in anyway that he can, anyway he told me that a coulpe of years ago he came accross a dog that had HD and was actually able to cure him by rubbing certain areas of his body, the dog remarkably recovred with no more signs of ever having HD, I am prety sure that it was a fully grown dog that He worked on. I thought that it was extremely nice of him to do this for a stray dog

[DogPaddle]

Also good to know, thanks.

I'm sure there are loads of other alternative medicine options too.