Hip Problems - Advice
Hey eveyone -
My 3 year old Corgi (4 in March) has hip problems. Our vet in Florida told us he had a round hip socket with a square joint and the cartilage is thin. He prescribed science diet joint & mobility food, and rimadyl as an anti-inflammatory. My husband and I were relocated to Australia, so my mom is caring for the dogs in NM. It's much colder there - so his hip started bothering him again. Off to the vet we went, this vet told me he had hip dysplasia. She stayed with same protocol along with a supplement to help replace the cartilage. My mom says there are days when it takes him a couple hours to get out of his crate.
My vet in FL recommended shots that help restore that cartilege - so I sent my mom information about them - the vet in NM said no - and instead prescribed a pain killer that is a controlled substance.
He's a young, active dog. He's put on weight because of the rimadyl - so that might be a problem.
Any advice - since he's so young and active would be much appreciated. Thank you.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Melissa and Franklin! on
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A few things, Rimadyl does not cause dogs to gain weight, so he needs to have his food decreased to get the weight off. Rimadyl has no effect on metabolism causing weight gain. Typically vets give Rimadyl and Tramadol which is very powerful pain control and anti-inflammatory. Was it tramadol she got? Since he is only 3 I would look more towards repairing the issue and not so much just focusing on treating symptoms.
If he is in that much pain, I would recommend he have surgery to repair his hips. There really is no proven way to replace the cartilage in any significant way and if he has a structural defect the new cartilage will just continue to breakdown and you will be back where you started. Guessing the vet recommended adequan injections which help inhibit the breakdown of cartilage and replace synnovial fluid but if there is not much cartilage to begin with and that is the problem then adequan probably won't help significantly.
Also, J/D (the science diet food) isn't really necessary. You could just feed him whatever food you want and supplement with something like Dasaquin or an advanced joint support formula with glucosamine/chondrotin and hyrulanic acid.
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Permalink Reply by Buddy & Ben Songer on
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The vet told us to expect a weight gain on the Rimadyl because it causes them to retain water - and sure enough he gained weight. He is being fed appropriately and does exercise quite a bit when we get him going.
Thanks for your advice - I don't know what the new pill is - the vet's office didn't label it - but I have a feeling it's stronger than Tramadol since (at least with people) it's not considered a controlled substance - so I'm thinking it might be the dog form of hydrocodone.
He's already on Dasaquin - so surgery may be his next option.
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hmmm that's interesting. I've had 3 dogs on rimadyl long term and just completed a veterinary pharmacology course and have never heard of it causing weight gain. You learn something new everyday I guess! If he were my dog I would certainly do the surgery because a lifetime of NSAIDS and narcotics doesn't sound like much fun not to mention possible damage to kidney and liver. Poor guy :-(
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Permalink Reply by Jane on
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At such a young age and with such severe I pain I would probably look into corrective surgery. :/ I can't imagine it would be good for his health to be on rimadyl and other heavy duty painkillers long term. I haven't heard of rimadyl causing weight gain but either way I'd get him as skinny as possible asap.
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Permalink Reply by Geri & Sidney on
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Sidney was three when he was diagnosed with hip dysplasia. Rather than a gradual decline, his leg suddenly popped out of his hip socket as he was following me down the hallway. He immediately cried out, wouldn't bear weight on the leg and was in such pain. We had no idea what was wrong. At the vet the next day they took xrays and we could see that his hip was displaced and he basically had no socket on his left hip.
We were told we had two options. We could put him on Rimadyl for the rest of his life and limit his activity. Or we could have him undergo FHO surgery. A femoral head ostectomy. They remove the head of the femur, and instead of a ball-and-socket joint, the scar tissue forms a "floating" joint.
Since Sidney was so young and loved taking hikes with us, we decided it was best for his quality of life to get the surgery. It was a scary decision for sure. We were referred to a veterinary surgical specialist in San Diego.
He had surgery and came home the next day. Two weeks in a pen in the living room, then we were able to start taking short walks. Poor thing could barely walk and didn't want to put his foot down, but every day he got stronger and started bearing weight. After a month we started hydrotherapy, twice a week for six weeks. I think this really helped him SO much. He hates the water but did so good with the swimming. Before long he was walking normally, and he could walk farther and farther before tiring.
It's been a year and a half since surgery. He walks without any trace of a limp and we're back to our four mile hikes, like he never had dysplasia. He has not needed the rimadyl since recovery. He gets Dasuquin chews three times a week for the arthritis that they say he'll have. But he's a trooper and if the arthritis bothers him, it doesn't show.
I am so glad we made the decision for surgery. If you want to read more about Sidney, go to my page and find out blogs. There are pics and videos too. Best of luck to you, I know how bad it feels to see your baby hurting.
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I had my mom fax me the vet statement from today. He's still on his rimadyl and tramadol. I thought for sure it wasn't tramadol since it's not a controlled substance - but I was certainly amazed that he's taking 50 mg - and I was 50 mg when I bruised my shin bone this summer. Wow.
The vet says he's also within weight guidelines - but taking off five pounds would help. I double checked, and on our flyer for the rimadyl - it says water weight gain - and get this - headaches. How do they know if a dog has a head ache? LOL
I appreciate everybody's contribution. It is really tough for me since we are now clear around the world - and "my boys" are at Camp Grammy's for two years. I have sent the vet an email about treating the condition and not the symptoms (thanks Melissa & Franklin).
My mom told me that within an hour after giving Buddy his tramadol - he was the same dog he was last year. He was running around the yard - jumping up and down, and standing up to Ben as well as my mom's King Charles. So, that was good to hear - but I'm now going to have to worry about having to send my dog to rehab (LOL). Hopefully, surgery can be an option for him.
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