6 Month - Hip Dysplasia? Video w/ Walking

We adopted Kiera from the local SPCA when she was 4 months old. She is now 6 months old. We have always noticed that she walked with her hips swaying side to side. It is much more prominent when she is excited, and it looks really cute when she does it out of excitement, but we are worried it might be a sign of hip dysplasia.

I don't think she has ever taken stairs before we adopted her, because she was really uncertain about them the first few times. She now has no problem going up or down the stairs, but she bunny hops while going up.

She also occasionally does the sloppy sit, but usually she sits normally.

We already have her scheduled to see the vet this Friday. I'm wondering if 6 months is too early to detect anything, and maybe we should wait until she is a bit older to do x-rays, but we will see what the vet recommends. I wanted to see if you all had any opinions based on this video of her walking.

 

Hello and welcome to the forum.

I'm certainly not qualified (or experienced) enough to say, so won't comment on the video, sorry - your vet is the person to ask, so it's great you have an appointment.

But, to put your mind at rest a bit, many Labradors have slightly squiffy gaits and often their back ends will swerve a little to one side as they run. The sloppy sit is no indication whatsoever of good or bad hips so, again, don't worry about that. Your puppy will be having growth spurts and, just like human children, they can sometimes get a bit ungainly throughout this process. So, try not to worry.

My puppy is also six months and was at the vet today for a health check before travel. He felt her hips very thoroughly for signs of problems, so they definitely can detect abnormalities at this age. If there's anything untoward, he'll be able to see or feel it and she'll be X-rayed to see what's what.

Do let us know how you get on.

 

I'm sorry, I have no idea. At least your seeking the vets advice though

I just wanted to say that she is incredibly sweet looking

 

Thanks for your quick response! That does make me feel a bit better knowing most of her signs aren't uncommon. I'll definitely give an update once we get her checked out.

 

Thank you! Everyone that has met her has fallen in love, unsurprisingly.

 

Hi, just in terms of her age, 6 months won't be too early if you are worried and need x rays, my dog's HD was diagnosed without doubt at exactly this age, fingers crossed for you that it isn't

 

Hoping all goes well for you at the vets and you get good news. Some dogs have a special type of walking that isn't HD, just the way they are put together, some breeds in particular. Rotties have a definite Rottie waddle and here in Spain I've learned that Spanish mastiffs also have a very characteristic way of walking, even with perfectly healthy hips. So maybe Kiera has got a little of a "funny walk" breed in her.

 

I saw some of your old responses about your dog having HD and that he is three now. If you don't mind me asking, have you had to do anything special to care for his HD besides taking extra precaution in activities that would worsen the condition?

Thanks! We hope it's just a funny walk too. We call it her "sexy walk" so hopefully it's just a cute little quirk she has and doesn't have anything to do with her hips.

 

Hmm, apart from the acupuncture, laser therapy, hydrotherapy, cartropohen, omega 3, joint supplements, rheumocam, satiety food, permanent diet and regular vet checks happy to elaborate further on these....

But seriously, restricted exercise is the biggie. Monty is probably at his fittest right now, and has the best stamina he's ever had, but ten out of ten 3 yr old labs would outrun him on speed and distance. We know what the limit of his ability is, and I'm loathe to push it much more.

It's a bit sad sometimes as we got a dog to go out on longs walks and days out, and I read of other dogs' exploits on the forum and think, gosh, I wish we could do that with monts. OH walked part of Hadrian's Wall last year and would have loved to take him, but was never ever an option.

Also, I hardly ever get him retieving toys. He has 2 group dog walks each week which I accept are going to involve some racing around with other dogs, I would never deprive him of that as he loves it.

However our solo walks are mostly bimbles, I let him stop and sniff very frequently, and though i do have him check in a few times we very rarely play with toys, just because the sudden stops and turns are one of the worst possible things for his ED.

On a positive note we've just had a great holiday in Cornwall with him with lots of beach time, which I know can be very bad for joints, and fortunately he's absolutely fine. (Touch wood of course)

 

My Lilly has just turned 7 and was diagnosed with severe bilateral hip dysplasia at just under a year.
She had a bit of a limp after frolicking in snow.
Bunny hops a bit, but so do other non affected dogs.

Our vet thought it was a knee issue. Expert orthopods only diagnosed it after xrays under GA.
Just trying to put the case for not jumping to conclusions one way or the other just by gait analysis.
Its hard for the experts, as lay people we have scant chance of getting it right!

I must admit I thought it looked like a rottie-type walk too, like Emily said, coupled with gangly, leggy uneven growth of a teenager's back end!

Welcome to the forum Kiera and Co.
jac

 

Quite a list! Fingers crossed that we won't have to worry about any of this. We currently have her playing with a couple of small adult dogs and puppies that are her size every evening. I wouldn't want to take that away from her.

You're right. Its so hard to not jump to conclusions. My thoughts keep going back and forth as to whether or not she has HD when watching videos of other puppies, but we won't know for sure until we get it checked out. I had her go up the stairs slowly the last two days and noticed that she is capable of walking up the stairs normally. Maybe she just bunny hops when she's rushing..?

What types of treatments have you been doing for Lilly since the diagnosis?

 

She took anti inflammatory tablets for a few years. We stopped them and just use of she seems sore now or if she is going to be doing more than normal.
Regular exercise. Good diet. Omega 3 supplements. That's the mainstay of our approach.
Not gone down the surgery route so far as ortho thought she was well adapted already at diagnosis.
We also do regular hydrotheray. A fun approach. Go fortnightly roughly. Helps to keep back end stronger. It was amazing how her muscles declined around her hips when we had to stop for almost a year.

Really best not to jump to conclusions. And if there is ANY doubt from your own vet then a specialist is a must in my opinion.
Hope all goes well.

 

So many Labs walk like that! My 11 year old has even more of a sway and I always thought his hips could be a problem. However, at Christmas he was ill so his spine and hips were x-rayed and his hips were perfect.

 

My almost six year old Lab often bunny hops , his hips are spot on , he also has the sloppy sit , which is no indicator of HD . Our dogs vary so much in the way that they walk, run, play etc . usually with no cause for concern at all, and yes, my lad also sways when he lopes along , but not when running .

 

Cooper has that "sexy" walk.....swaying.....very cute! And he sometimes sits funny but he is A-OK hip-wise so dont worry about it until the vet sees Kiera.....A friend used to advise me"Don't open the umbrella until it rains"!!! I am sure Kiera is fine....please keep us posted.

 

Thanks for all of your responses!

So the vet says he sees no sign of HD. He didn't suggest getting any x-rays done yet, because she isn't showing any signs, her hips feel fine, and she has never been in any type of pain or discomfort. He said that all dogs have a unique walk, especially her breed, and he wouldn't worry too much about it.

I suppose we will just keep an eye on her as time goes on to see if we notice any discomfort or changes. But for now I guess we are in the clear!

 

That's great news! Now, relax

 

As first time puppy owners, that it MUCH easier said than done!

 

Hehehe, true

It's just because you love your pup and want everything to be good for her, and there's nothing at all wrong with that!!

 

I'm really pleased for you both. You can stop worrying and enjoy the last few puppy months
And tell Kiera to keep on wiggling!!