News from the vet on Bentley

[Guest Anonymous]

It's not good news. He has hip displaysia (sp?). It's not as bad as it could be but it's not good either. Right now my vet is recommending a good joint supplement and exercise. Not to mention keeping his weight at the right level. I had no idea that he's a little chunky. There is also a water therapy clinic about 50 miles from us that may be beneficial. My vet said that the typical hip surgery (sorry I don't remember the name) would really not help Bentley at all. The only surgical option is to have both hips completely replaced. That's $5000 total for both legs. I don't have that kind of money and I'm so upset. I can't stop crying. I know that it's most likely just going to get worse and I'm at a loss as to how to help him. My vet gave me samples of two good joint supplements to try, to see which one he'd take. I've figured out which one he'll eat. So I need to go buy a thing of it from the vet. My hubby says we'll find a way to fix him but I'm not sure how. My parents don't understand spending five grand on a dog and my kids certainly don't understand what's going on. If anyone has any personal experience with this particular disease (defect? not sure which) I would appreciate any information. I have never loved any animal as much as I love Bentley and it's killing me to know that I don't know how I'm going to manage to fix the problem. Sorry if this is rambling and long winded, I'm really upset and not thinking very coherently (sp?)

[Malamum]

:( I am so sorry, I can imagine how upset you are - I know I would be the same.

Although I don't personally have any experience with HD I know there are other members who do.

Off the top of my head I know that Starfox has recently gone through the hip replacement surgery with her dog Zebra and I think Dogpaddle has or knows someone who has a dog that is being treated by medication.

Whatever your decision on how to treat this, you know that we will all be here to offer as much moral support as possible.

Lots of hugs.......

[Guest Anonymous]

I'm so sorry to hear about your news *hugs*

Star fox just had this surgry done with Zebra a few months ago!! get in touch with her! :wink:

[gooeydog]

Vet schools and places where they train for specialized procedures will sometimes do surgeries for discounted rates, using the dogs as a demo to show students the procedure. It's worth checking into.

[StarFox]

:( I'm so so sorry. I know exactly how you feel. It's like the world is comming down around you. I think I cried for a good two weeks everytime I thought about it. But things do get better.

A few questions:
How old is Bentley? Did your vet only take x-rays or did he/she do a Palpation exam? What stage of HD does he have? Early/mild? Moderate/ Severe? You said that the vet said that the typical sergery wouldn't help, do you mean the TPO, Triple Pelvic Osteotmy?

I think starting on a joint suppliment right away is the best idea. Natural Glucosamine (sp??) is wonderful and zebra gets it all the time. The water therapy also sounds wonderful, it's a way to exersize bentley but also lower the stress on his hips. You must must must get bentley to loose the excess weight, an overweight dog w/ HD is very bad. But like K said, no more zoomies and jumping up and down. Short walkes are good but nothing too strenuous. And Gooey is absolutly right, check around your local vet schools and see what they offer, sometimes they will do the operations for the classes or doctors for a very good price.

*hugs* We are here for you and will help you with whatever descisions you need to make. And if you have any questions or just want to talk feel free to PM me.

[imported_Kat]

How difficult for you :-? Starfox gave some great firsthand experience advice there, but we are all here for you. Definitely moderate exercise to maintain Bentley's weight, and the glucosamine and chondroitin really is super duper stuff. I also just read on another doggy board that I am on that there is a new product out:

Glycoflex has a new product: Glycoflex III. It has 1000 mg. of MSM and 1000 mg. of glucosamine. That means you don't have to give as many pills for one thing, and the MSM will do more to help with the joint problems in older dogs.

[Guest Anonymous]

We're going to start on the joint supplement today. We're also going to start our daily exercise (walking) today. The amount of food he normally gets has been reduced and going to start watching how many treats he gets. I noticed some diet treats at my vets office and I may try them. He's not going to understand why he isn't getting treats anymore after he gets brushed. Plus the other dogs get them and it just seems so mean not to be able to give him something. The nearest vet school around here that I've been able to find is in Georgia. The drive isn't really the problem it's would they even do it. I don't think there was a vet doing a total hip replacement surgery where I live until recently. Bentley is 14 months old today. She took x-rays and also did palpatation when he was under. She said there was a surgery where they would remove part of the ball of the hip to keep it from rubbing againt the outside of the hip joint but it really isn't an option for him. From what she told and showed me his hips aren't good but they're not horrible. She showed me an x-ray of a dog with really bad hips, the ball was no longer in the socket at all and Bentley's hips are better than that. My vet gave me Synovi to try as a joint supplement. I'm just overwhelmed by all the info and don't know which way to turn. Bentley's just happy to be home. Thanks for all your support.

[Guest Anonymous]

I've never tried apples. But Bentley won't touch a carrot. Well that's not completely true. He'll put it in his mouth and then drop it on the floor. He'll do this for as long as you let him but he never actually eats it. It's kinda funny to watch him. He gives me the strangest look. Kinda like "what in the world is this thing you're trying to get me to eat?" I'll have to try the apples though. Thanks K!

[mouseatthebusstop]

I am very sorry (((((((hugs))))))

[xavierandrea]

Sending a big hug and kiss. Don't worry yourself. Bentley will be ok. Beleive me, Free has HD, we found out before she turned 1 yr and she acts normal. Just make sure plenty exercise and the supplements ok.

[drjeffrock]

Oh no, poor Bentley. Dexter and Kira send him big hugs and kisses (even though normally they dont like other dogs.) Here is a link to a friend of mine's Akita website. There are some good links on hip dysplasia. If you scroll down about halfway you will find the links. For some reason, the links are not working for me, but I am on an ancient computer at work. They did work from home though. Good luck and give Bentley a big hug from us!
http://www.homestead.com/kumikkoakitas/LinksPage.html

[imported_Cassie]

Hip dysplasia can be managed...I have been managing my Rottweilers HD for the past 2 years...she is doing WONDERFUL!!!!
I chose not to have the hip replacement surgery done....what I have my Rottweiler on is Glucosamine & Chondroitin I give 500 mg in the morning and night...for me Newf's I give them 2 500 mg morning and night. I also give my Rottweiler yucca root...this is a wonderful anti inflammatory! I can't begin to list the results I have gotten with this herb...you can get it from solid gold dog food...or you can go to your local health food store and pick it up (I buy all human grade supplements....I find the same supplements at the vets or specially made for dogs are really highly priced) I don't give the yucca root daily...I give it about 3-4 times a week...I don't like to over do it. I also give my Rottie MSM with Boswellia...and some times I add Alfalfa, or turmeric to her food...these are also good for arthritis relief...so is licorice. I also chose not to put my Rottie on any anti inflammatories from the vet like rimadyl or metacam....they can destroy the liver over long term use.
I also make sure my Rottie gets plenty of omega 3 fatty acids....I add sardines to her food 3-4 times a week...some times I add wild canned salmon (be careful that it is not farmed salmon) when I add the fish to her food I cut back on the amout of food I normally give her. I also add ground flax seeds to her food every once in awhile....flax seeds & flax oil are also very high in omega 3 fatty acids. I give her a variety in her diet and I do try to keep her weight down...which is very difficult :oops:
I try to maintain regular exercise for her.....this means that I try to keep the exercise the same throughout the week....there is nothing worse for a dog with HD than to take it for short walks during the work week then on the week end expect it can do a long hike. The water therapy is a wonderful way to help your dog exercise with out putting any strain on the hips...I take my Rottie swimming in the summer.
I have had a few dogs with HD...my last dog a Newf. had horrible hips (she cleared at the age of 2 years with the OFA-just because a dogs hips certify at 2 years does not mean the hips will not get bad later in life...large breeds put alot of strain on their hips ) my Newfoundland was given the Glucosamine & Chondroitin with MSM...I didn't know about yucca root at that time...she lived a very full and active 15 years...no hip surgery for her.
HD, can be managed...I don't even think about my Rotties hips any more...well, I still give her the supplements and take it easy on the exercise :wink: but, she is not in any pain and is a very happy, healthy active dog....I have no complaints....even my vets are amazed by her flexability in her hip area lately...with my last appointment; one of the new vets fresh out of vet school...kept looking at the file for my Rottie and then she manipulated her back legs...she was amazed at how well my Rottie is doing....she was thinking she had grabbed the wrong file! :lol: