8 week old, went to vet for first visit and grading was noticed in both hips as well as a click in the left one. I heard it the 2nd time she did it as she wanted to be sure. Breeder's vet had exam 2 days prior and did not notice this and now the breeder is willing to take the dog back. Both parents also have clear history of HD with records to show for it. Look in the vet's eyes though was super serious and somber. Family is in complete distress with this decision and of course don't want to loose our new friend. I'm super concerned with the potential costs and pain ahead which I know would easily surpass any temporary sorry. Thoughts?
Oh what an awful dilemma for you , I am sorry . Unfortunately , both parents have excellent hip/elbow scores is not a guarantee , it does lessen the risk but is not a risk free zone . Poor joint conformation can be a costly affair , to say nothing of possible restrictions in movement and pain . I don't think anyone can really tell you which is the best path to take , as both are potential heart breakers , but I wish you well with whichever path you decide to take x
Oh dear how awful. I'm a little surprised that it was noticed as a concern by one vet but not the other. The only real way of confirming a diagnosis though is through x-ray of the pup. Do you know the hip scores of grandparents, great grandparents as that would offer a little more insight into the potential health, or otherwise, of a pups hips/elbows as parental scores simply don't provide enough information. I have a 3yr old girl with elbow dysplasis which first started surfacing at 5 months of age. If I'd known I probably wouldn't have kept her but I would not change a single thing about my girl. We enjoy life and have fun and I manage her condition and medications without the benefit of pet insurance (long story) but if you have any doubts about coping or finance you are best to walk away
Unsure of exact results from grandparents and beyond but do have a 3 gen document showing lineage from breeder who from what is explain only breeds based on good OFA scoring and will never breed untested dogs. I guess we are wondering if this could be something else besides HD? Pups play hard and could he have been injured? Just seems like this is a red flag to most we talk to and don't want to accept it but trying to be logical about this.
I would definitely ask for an x-ray and a second opinion. And talk again to your breeder. I have to say, if it does turn out that your young puppy has severe hip dysplasia, if it were me I would be asking him or her to take the puppy back, or at the very least to help you with the costs and treatment. I am very sorry you are being faced with this, it's a horrible dilemma, and a very, very difficult decision.
Xray was mentioned by the vet but she mentioned that it can show nothing and be inconclusive if nothing is found and better to do at 4 months old to also be able to score how bad the issue is. Breeder has been providing options and suggesting we take him back. Breeder has been very understanding and empathetic with the situation, wanting us to be happy in the end. We are going for a 3rd opinion today by another vet.
I think this is a very good idea , the third opinion . At least the breeder is showing a good level of responsibility here , it must be upsetting for them too . I wish you much luck, please let us know .
An awful dilemma for you. I have been lucky with my girl who was diagnosed with HD around 9-10 months old. No surgery. Just pills initially, now stopped, just a bit of hydrotherapy and TLC. The cost both monetary and emotional with surgery is huge. Although I wouldn't be without Lilly, and think if it were someone else who got her and not us, whether she would still be here my gut feeling is give her back and do a swap (if possible) before you come really attached. That sounds a bit cruel and mercenary though. We can relate a little, in having turned down a beautiful (slightly older) dog with a known heart murmur. A tough decision. What MIGHT be worth discussing with your vet, is whether this can be managed to reduce impact. If you think about human babies who have slipping hips because of shallow sockets, they immobilise them until the sockets are more developed - double nappies or a pavlick harness - which suggests it can improve. Clearly you can't do the same with a puppy, but would very careful management, avoidance best as possible using steps, of jumping, PLUS strengthening exercises and hydrotherapy, help to reduce the risk of impactful HD? I don't know, just putting it out there. Hard, time-consuming and potentially expensive option too. Hope you manage to reach a liveable conclusion.
I agree with your option, getting a 2nd opinion @NHLab, only because you have had 2 vets 2 days apart giving a different diagnosis. To be that sure at 8 weeks old surely the clinical evidence at exam must've been overwhelming, just my thoughts to add to the mix. Nice to hear you have such a supportive breeder in this case.
I hope your visit to the 3rd vet today has helped you come to some decisions. It's good that the breeder is being supportive. He/she has obviously bred the pups responsibly, but even that is no guarantee. Do let us know how things are.
Thanks everyone. 3rd vet found the same click and concern in the left hip and a little in the right. He also stated that they were not bi-laterally similar with regard to range of joint movement. So one joint feels different than the other side. He also noticed that the pup felt discomfort when performing the same test on the left as the right. Both performed what looked like the Ortolani test. As they are going to limit their reports based on their findings and limited observation, there is no claim of HD but rather that there is an abnormal condition in the left hip including a click and some grading. Grading noticed on both sides. Also, no vet is going to make claims of issue free life nor that they will have issues based on what they see from these tests. At 4 months, he can get xrays and would have a better idea of how bad the issue is and track its progress / degradation. He is a rough playing dog and still wonder if this joint laxity is related to this and / or maybe an accident? If an accident, will the injury go away? When we asked the vet, he was hesitant to line up with that although he said it was possible but also that there would likely be more trauma / pain noticed. I think we have decided to return him though. Such a tough decision and I feel selfish for prioritizing our best interests over that of this specific pet. Going to be a blue Christmas for us this year.
It’s really tough and I really feel for you. I think you’ve made the right call though. It sounds like the breeder is excellent and I’m sure this pup will be looked after. I don’t think it’s a case of putting your interests ahead of the pup’s. The pup’s interests will still be taken care of.
I'm really sorry. What an awful decision to have to make. Your breeder sounds responsible, and that will be the best place for this puppy going forward. I really feel for you though.
OK, decision went the other way last night when it got really personal. I walked into the room to start getting his stuff ready for the trip back. He then gave me a sort of confusing guilty look seeking to know why he is being asked to leave the pack. Then he walked over and laid down on my feet and looked up at me with sad but loving eyes. I knew at that moment I could not question what the future would be like without him. I committed to giving him a good life and sticking with the plan. He is family now and we are moving forward with him in our pack!
Oh goodness. I can't possibly say what the right decision should be, all I'll add is that we've got a dog with both HD and ED, diagnosed at a really early age, and we often think it was just meant to be. Of course we'd have loved a completely healthy dog without joint issues, able to walk for 3 or 4 hours at a time, but actually we've got a really special, loving boy who we are able to care for, providing all the expense and treatment he needs, who is quite lazy like us, and loves a lie in. Not the dog we expected, but maybe the dog we were destined to have. He does pretty well all things considered and will be turning 4 in January. I hope you boy becomes a fantastic family member, whatever happens with his hips, maybe they'll be completely fine.
Oh, I wasn't expecting that! But I applaud you for your loving response to your pup. Now that he's staying with you, please tell us his name, and post a photo? We can afford to get emotionally attached now!
Oh bless you, this bought tears to my eyes. Fingers and paws crossed for the best possible outcome xx
Kudos to you , for having made this brave decision ! It all sounds so easy on paper , take him back, but the best laid plans of mice and men , as they say !! What a fantastic owner you are going to be x
This is very heartwarming. I hope things turn out to be better than forecast - and you’ll certainly have a very happy Christmas.
