Canine hip dysplasia......breed er response!

I bred a few litters of cocker spaniel puppies, using a stud dog from the breeder that I bought my bitch from. When I sold a puppy to someone and had a calL from them to say it had an undescended testicle [something that had caused the death of the dog they were replacing] I phoned up the breeder, only to be told that it was common in that particular line [even gave me the name of the dog it had come down from]. I was horrified. All genetic problems need to be highlighted and acted upon for the good of the breed. I'm really sorry to hear about your poor dog, squaredog, but this needs to be made public. Even whippets, which have very few genetic problems have started to have a few things go wrong and all the breeders I know are doing everything they can to stop this happening. Surely her stud dogs have been hip scored? And, if they haven't been she could always do it to clear herself?

So sorry to read about Hattie , hope she will be ok.
Our beloved Labrador is now over 11yrs and we discovered he had hip dysplasia at 4 yrs when he became very stiff. Nevertheless he is full of beans, walks twice a day, shorter nowadays and with glucosamine daily and twice monthly hydrotherapy ( he loves swimming in a hot pool!) he has managed well. Only this month has he needed anti inflammatory pills and I know how he feels!!

Just read your message Tegan . My dog's parents had good hip scores but our Vet says it doesn't always follow that all puppies will be ok as we found out 4 yrs later!

Tegan, I did buy from a litter that was 'hip scored', so as she said, it's possibly a 'throwback'........

I didn't phone her to complain so much, but to advise out of courtesy and warning before she found out through 'other sources'.

Maggie you do give me hope for Hatties future. I bought her at the end of my own cancer treatment, and I can't have her ailing on me now, can I?

What an awkward situation to be in, squaredog. The breeder does sound pretty reputable. Am I right in thinking that larger breeds of dogs tend to have more of a problem with joints etc? We have a flattie that lives up the road from me and the owners have mentioned joint problems that he has, but he still seems to be out walking all the time and looks very bouncy and happy. Hydrotherapy sounds a good idea. My dog's called Hattie as well [good name that !] Don't do 'worst case scenario, squaredog [says I who's the worst person in the world for doing that].

sqaredog you've been very fair giving the breeder a heads-up, but your dog's health is your priority, not her breeding business. A responsible breeder will be open about hip dysplasia and explain how they are going to respond to this bad news. If you have additional expense above your insurance cover, does her own insurance provide for such eventualities, as she says her dogs are hip scored? I woud imagine not, given your dog's age. I hope she does the decent thing, and agrees to share this news in cooperation with you. She'll want to ensure as much as possible to avoid any further such occurrences, or her business will suffer. Trying to conceal the news will only compound the seriousness of it.

Sorry to hear this poor Hannah When I bought my first cocker spaniel 15yearsago I did not know anything about health tests I lost Jenny at eleven and the only health issue was entropiia Eye problem When I got Penny my new little girl,her parents had all health tests clear and had more knowledge this time I think the breeder should be pleased you told her and now all parents have to be hip score so that responsible breeders do not breed with poor hip score dogs Hope your little one keeps pain free and as its been said hydrotherapy has some good results with joint problems

Sorry to hear about Hattie,Squaredog.My German Shepherd Dexter was diagnosed with hip dysplasia despite his parents having good hip scores.He was 5 months old and the vet said his X-rays were amongst the worst she had seen.I was devastated as she told me to prepare myself for future problems and limited mobility.However,she prescribed Synoqin ,a sprinkle capsule,once a day in his food.He is now almost 8 years old and watching him play in the garden you would never know he has a problem.He is a big old fashioned straight backed German Shepherd and I have ensured he has maintained a healthy weight and regulated his exercise.He sleeps on a raised sofa bed and thinks nothing of jumping on and off said bed and plays catch ball and football daily.I thank my vet for prescribing appropriate medication in Dexters case and look forward to many more games of catch ball.

Scooter thank you for your encouraging message.

I guess it's like all 'bad' news when we receive it.........it has to 'go through the system' Well that's how I see it.

And talk it through, think it through, until it becomes more diluted and less of a weight.

We've just had our first half hour walk of the day. Something she's going to have to adjust to. But I'm sure she's got many years of happy life ahead.

It's made me think about going back to obedience work with her. Something she absolutely loved, but I became bored with. More 'stuff' to occupy her mind instead of her body. If she thinks she's in for an easy life, she can think again. Ha!

Thanks again, ladies. I've only just joined you all here on GN, but I'm loving it.

I was looking to post something about my dogs being better than any therapy when I am feeling like I am in a black hole, when I saw this.
I have field line Labradors. My first bought ignorant of the importance of health checks, a wedding anniversary present from my husband. Jet sadly now gone. We wanted a friend for him so did homework this time and found a pup from a reputable but kennel breeder for field trial buyers. I prefer the trial over show 'look'. Knowing what I know now I should have walked away. She was as mad as a box of frogs, sixteen weeks old and so excitable. I think the fact she was so active in her kennel was the cause of damage to come. Poor girl has trouble getting out and about. I won't put her through replacements and excision arthropod sties are not appropriate as she is too heavy.
My next lab was a home bred dog, with parents with higher hip scores and not a moment of trouble on the arthritis front. Not sure if it was the hip scores buying younger or our slowly slowly attitude to her exercise and restricting some of her puppy activities.

In the Labrador breed there is a lot of hip dysplasia. I think much of it is down to the owners not being aware of how to protect their pups hips from an early age. To avoid stairs and jumping on and off furniture. Running over tiled floors etc.

Any dog who acquires an inherited problem should have a breeder who will take an interest in what their offspring develop. However with almost all orthopaedic conditions, there is an element of environment that will determine how much of a problem this will be or with be a factor in it occurring in an otherwise unaffected dog.
I spend punds and pounds on glucosamine and magnetic collars and anti inflammatories. Preferring the newer age ones over the older ones which commonly cause yet more problems.

Hope your dogs are still with you

Sorry to hear about your dog Square. Large dogs are more commonly affected by hip dis, and it seems other posters have dogs with the problem, despite good scores on their parents. I share your concern about the breeders response. As she's already mentioned the amount of exercise your dog has, it sounds as though she may argue the dog had too much exercise when young. I gave my young labradoodle lots of exercise and have worried about hip problems. She's 5 now, and fit as a butchers pup so I hope she'll be ok. She's 5th generation doodle, so and the labs in her background were working stock, I don't know if the show types are more prone to hip problems.
I think you are absolutely right to find mental exercise to supplement what seems inevitably to be less off lead dashes. Fingers crossed for her. Some vets recommend glucosamine and chondriatin (same as we get for osteo arthritis)
Good luck with your breeder. I think it's unfair if she can block you discussing this on the breed site. It makes me wonder if you aren't the first owner to call her about this type of problem. Hope I'm being unfair to her, and not adding to your difficulties in discussing this with her.

I meant to add my Lab with hip problems breeder offered to take her back, but I couldn't in case she was put to sleep. She will be 11 on May 1 and still has life in her so glad I didn't, it doesn't stop me feeling guilty....

We tried hydro, but daft thing didn't like the deep warm water, much prefers cold ditches and dykes to roll in! Possibly the environment of our bathroom being less intimidating laying in our warm bath when she gets back!

I have just re read seen that she didn't want to have the X-rays sent off, should she be allowed to dictate this. A score may be diagnostic for prognosis.
When I was doing my 'homework' I only looked at parents not siblings so I am not sure what the breeder would have to worry about. i would send them off for 'me' as my dogs were as my vet suggested a score would be helpful, even though anyone could tell how bad they were sat beside normal ones....having an orthopaedic nursing qualificationhelped me on the day they were done. what was sickening was she had perfect elbow scores!
its so sad when breeders are not supportive.

Being a bit dim, mental exercises? we play a game of find it, but my brain has gone blank as to anything else, some tips would be appreciated...please

Hide and find is good, kongs or balls they roll to get the bits of kibble to fall out. That means having their food takes half an hour, and they have to work for it. (having said that, my doodle can demolish a frozen kong in 15 minutes, but she is just a bit obsessed with food). Games are good, I wish I put more effort into them. I'm sure if google you'll find lots. I've tried a hankie (with a knot in the middle) in my back pocket, throw it for the dog "fetch it fetch it" as the dog puts it in your hand, you achoo into the hankie, noisily. My dogs love it. The basic obedience stuff, walking to heel, then down your dog with an instruction to stay - walk off and call the dog, build up to out of sight stays. The old leave it command, then take it and the dog gets a tasty bit of sausage to pick up and snaffle. There are loads I'm sure. A friend taught her dog to commando crawl. My dad's friends' jack russell would slink off to his bed when told "shorts on, Raf, Middle East" His owner was a former RAF pilot, 2nd WW and evidently being send to the MEast was the worst that could happen. I know not why> but RAF knew he was in big trouble if he was told "shorts on Raf,….."
No wonder non dog people see dog people as just a bit bonkers.

My whippet got her teeth stuck in a Kong and I've ben scared to use one since.

Thank you Iam 64
My brain thinking too hard, sensible when you tell me!! Willow loves catch nothing wrong with her eyesight and will fetch 'her babies' which is basically anything she can pick up and carry in. She loves her garlic tablets and I can make a scent trail for her....

With reference to my earlier comments, my lovely old Lab is almost 12 and has done so well with Hydrotherapy, anti inflammatories etc, but a month ago started collapsing in his back legs, slow to stand up, then dragging himself forward until he could walk. We were distressed , as he was no doubt , but being a Lab, stoical and uncomplaining!
Now on Tramadol twice day and the fear two weeks ago when we thought , this must be it... But he rallied and is better able to walk slowly, eats as ever! But back legs very weak and wasted .

We agonise now about him as he is due to go into kennels in early July & Sept. Could they and he cope, will it be too stressful ( he would be with our 6 yr old Arab dog) . I would appreciate any thoughts from fellow dog owners.....
Thanks

I am so sorry to hear about all those health problems and hip d.

But I am afraid this is what happens when dogs are bred for all the wrong reasons. I would never have a pure breed dog or cat personally. Our collie cross lived in great health to 19, our Beauceron cross is about 15, and doing well, and Slinky the teckel mix is also about 15 (no idea about exact age due to being rescues). All our mongrel cats have lived to 18 or 19 too.

Must say I really blame the Kennel Club and the breeding for looks rather than health

A good news story - our golden retriever (from reputable breeder, good hip scores in parents) was diagnosed with hip dysplasia at 5 months. I thought it was the end of the world, and him. By 8 months, even with following all the advice and with physiotherapy, his left hip had dislocated and was already showing arthritic changes. He was a happy bouncing puppy but vet said would be crippled by arthritis within a couple of years.

We followed vet's advice and at 10 months he had a hip replacement operation. Within a week he was moving properly, no more limping, and now after 12 weeks he is a fit and energetic dog looking forward to many years of active life.

Without insurance we would have struggled with the cost, but if anyone has a dog with dysplasia and hip replacement is an option - go for it. Just like for people it removes all the pain.

We did inform the breeder at the beginning, but she was just very defensive. We decided to just accept that it was one of those things. And anyway our boy won't be having any offspring of his own!

Hello, I just found out my pup has hip dysplasia. She is about 3 years and 7 months. I am hoping that medication will work with her and I really feel encouraged by your comments about this sicknesses. I won’t be doing surgery since it’s very expensive. I told the breeder and we also have a FB page with all the pups. This was a first and only time breeding for him.None of the pups have signs of it yet. Breeders was sweet and concerned about the diagnostic. I shared it through FB and he was ok with it. Is he responsible for helping out with treatment or surgery? He never mentioned it, he calls me to be updated and I know he cares for my dog, but never mention about helping with the expenses. Will it be his responsibility? He gave us a two year guarantee which is all past due now. I will really appreciate your comments. Thanks! I don’t need you to be on my side, I just want to know what will be fair for me. Thanks again.

My puppy is still 8 months old, & from the moment i got her (yes) after the pandemic. I could not understand why she kept Tugging at her tail, going around in a circle & always sitting down whenever we went out for a walk. Unsatisfied i took her to the vets but they sent her to the specialist. The result was Hip.D. I said but her mum & dad were health checked but was told that it can skip a generation? i subsequently emailed the breeder but have got no response from her. I even purchased her dog food that they make. I am so upset for my dog; it is not about the money but the common-decency, care & hope for her other puppies, sire/bitch. But no feedback has emerged, nothing to say she was sorry, (but then that would be admitting liability), just zilch. And yet when it came to my money, she was so nice, rather accommodating & even said she would be the perfect dog for my heathy needs. I am not laying blame. Nor do I want to give my puppy back or receive any money. I just wanted to know if she knew anyone that could help my puppy as the specialist are busy for the next few months. The OPERATION will cost around 9,000 for both hips. My poor puppy she will have a life of pain or an operation that may not work. And her breeder just does not care. I know she may be on holiday but i also know that its a business as her children take over as they like her are all professional people, in the legal field.