Joint Problem?

gilmour

Hey there. I'm a novice dog owner and have a question, over the past couple of months, I have noticed my golden retriever's hips making cracking sounds when she gets up from lying down etc. If I place my hand on her back end where her tail starts, it seems as though her bones are grinding.

I was told that this was a common problem by an acquaintance and could lead to serious problems in her later years. She's only about a year old and this really worries me. I haven't had a chance to ask my vet as I haven't had her in for an appointment for a few months and I was just wondering if anyone could recommend a supplement or anything else that may help this problem. Thanks!!

animalcraker

You should definetly take her to your vet to find out what it is and to disscuss your options. Goldens are prone to hip displacia, which I would suspect that's what it is due to her young age, It could also be arthritis.

Depending on what it is your vet will most likey recomend glucosamine & chondroitin or deramax. If it is HD they may even recomend surgery to correct the problem. Either way your pet is most likey going to have to be on joint or pain meds for the rest of her life.

Good luck with her and please keep us updated. Unfortunately HD is more common than it should be and arthritis is quite common in older dogs, I can almost gaurentee you that their are other members here that have first hand experience with both problems.

briteday

When you purchase a golden most breeders will give you a certificate of hip health on the parents as well as a 3-4 generation pedigree with any health problems noted in the ancestors. If you did not get a hip guarantee and don't know anything about the breeder, then you're on your own.

My brother's golden, purchased at a pet store, had to have surgery on both hips. They split it up into two surgeries, did one around 1yo and the other at 2yo. Cutie has recovered remarkably well and is not on any medications at all. She was of course, on medications after surgery and until she completed the physical therapy and signed off. This surgery is not cheap ($1200-3000/hip...depending on where you live, look for a vet school at nearby universities as they will often do it much cheaper to give students experience, they are all supervised with a teaching vet in the room) but it must be done. I think if your dog is only 1yo and having these symptoms it is most likely HD.

Your vet will take x-rays and know immediately if HD is the problem.

Shalva

also keep in mind that even with a clear pedigree things do happen..... I would want to see some xrays of those hips and you might consider doing a penn hip to see what the actual hip joints look like.....

gilmour

Thanks for all the help, I pray it's not hip displacia (sp?), as my fiance and I are just starting out, trying to scrimp and save every dime to buy a house, but if it came down to it, our Milla is far more important. I will make an appointment with the vet in the near future and keep you all posted, thanks again.