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Permalink Reply by Beth on June 13, 2012 at 7:03pm

Was it an orthopedic vet or a regular vet?

While there are a couple corgis here who have hip dysplasia, there are a couple more who were told their corgis were dysplastic and found it was another problem.

The normal Corgi hip will appear dysplastic to many vets, due to the dwarf configuration of the dog.    If he also had fluid in the knee, it may be the knee that is the problem and not the hip at all.

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Permalink Reply by Cassie, Camden, and Oaklie on June 14, 2012 at 12:43am

This actually makes me feel better about my vet- he mentioned that the x-rays of Camden's hips may look funny but that this was normal for his breed. He never mentioned dysplasia, and now I know why.

As for Spikes, regardless of the cause, try to help him avoid heavy impact activity. If you have stairs, try using a ramp or carry him if it is a long way.

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Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on June 13, 2012 at 7:10pm

Hi Elaine, go to a PennHIP vet for a second opinion, regular vets are not well trained enough to diagnose Hip Dysplasia. In the mean time, keep spikes at a lower weight, hydrotherapy for exercise.

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Permalink Reply by Kaitlyn & Chase on June 13, 2012 at 11:22pm

I second their opinions. I would take him to a specialist and get a second opinion. I personally haven't gone through this with Chase but I have read that many vets have diagnosed HD in Corgis because of their frame. If it were Chase, which I hope it never is, I would take him to a specialist for a second opinion.
Even if you find out that it is not, I would just be extra careful. I don't allow Chase to jump from high places like the bed, the car or even some couches. When I pick him up I always make sure I support his back end. He gets exercise but he can't over do it and I will soon be adding some more vitamins to his diet as I make him homemade dog food meals.
I am an overprotective Corgi mom so some people may think I'm crazy but I am terrified of something happening to Chase.
Good Luck! I hope you little one feels better!

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Permalink Reply by Karen Dadisman on June 14, 2012 at 7:56am

I'd have an ortho vet check the fluid on the knee also. That might be the problem more than the hip. Keep or get his weight down, get the knee checked and follow those recommendations. My son had a lab with 2 terrible hips. They replaced one and she was great for 12 years. The dog can adapt to a bad hip and do just fine. Jazzy was active and happy. She got pain meds only as needed and that wasn't very often. As this point with your guy, I'd be more concerned with the knee.

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Permalink Reply by Elaine on June 14, 2012 at 4:38pm

Thanks everyone for the input. i think i am going to find a second opinion as for spikes he hasnt been aloud to leave the ground since we got home and got carried in and out of the car, though he was more energetic this morning than hes been in days. so im hoping its a sign of better health to come.

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Permalink Reply by Chris, Kadi & Brodie on June 14, 2012 at 5:14pm

I agree about getting a second opinion, but I will tell you what we did for our Newfie who had the worst hips I or my vet had ever seen. We're talking a 136 pound dog that had not only both hips non-existent, but one elbow bad as well. And he was diagnosed before he was 18 months old. We opted not to do surgery, we kept him very lean, and put him on glucosamine. We also let him exercise as much as he wanted, but didn't push him. We found that letting him swim helped build the muscles around the poor joints and gave him more support. He lived quite happily to be seven (life expectancy for a Newfie is 8-10) and did very well. So, if Spikes DOES have dysplasia, I would recommend considering a conservative plan instead of surgery. See how he responds. You can always opt for the surgery if he doesn't do well with meds.

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