Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 9:37 pm Post subject: Living with dogs with HD and ED its not all doom and gloom
I wanted to share our story with you, as I know that we always read about the negatives of Elbow and Hip Dysplasia and don't get me wrong its an awful condition but it doesn't have to be the end of the world.
Firstly Maia, she is now 9 years old and her hips are so shot to pieces that when she walks she drags one of her feet, some people say she sashays when she walks we call her model wiggle. We went to the vet today as she has been having problems lately, yes her hips are horribly creeky and grindy and she lives on metacam, but she has a wonderfully active life.
She loves camping, she loves bimbling, taking in the sniffs and smells, rolling in smelly poo, swimming in the sea, putting other dogs in their place, she adores cuddles, massages and snuggling in front of the fire.
On occasion, she will put on a spurt and try and chase the wascally wabbits with Molly and yes she will often fall over and look at you as if to say 'who tripped me up'?
Jack, he has ED and arthritis in his feet, he has had problems since he was 3 yrs old, he is now 8yrs old and there 'aint no stopping him'.
He absolutely adores chasing balls, and lives for them, the world could go kaboom, but as long as a ball is in play he is there.
He loves to swim or should that be 'lives' to swim, he enjoys camping, laying around in the sun and most recently we have taken up 'proper' retrieving, which is great as it means we can do steady controlled retrieves.
Yes he is stiff often, and yes he struggles some mornings and lives on metacam, but he has the fullest life that any dog can hope to enjoy.
So often we read posts about the shock people feel when they hear their dogs have been diagnosed with HD and ED, it feels like the end of the world for some people, but it really isn't.
There is life after the diagnosis and dogs can have a wonderfully fulfilled life with this condition.
SO if you are told you dog has either of the above, yes you may have to make a few adjustments to the way you walk them or live with them but don't think negative, think positive, think to yourself 'I have one very special dog'
Last edited by Littlelab on Tue Oct 12, 2010 7:15 pm; edited 1 time in total
____________ Natalie x
LAB LINK RESCUE Co ordinator and Forum Administrator for my sins
Jack, Molly & Maia, watched over by Tara Banana from the Bridge
Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 9:43 pm Post subject: Re: Living with dogs with HD and ED its not all doom and glo
littlelab wrote:
I wanted to share our story with you, as I know that we always read about the negatives of Elbow and Hip Dysplasia and don't get me wrong its an awful condition but it doesn't have to be the end of the world.
Firstly Maia, she is now 9 years old and her hips are so shot to pieces that when she walks she drags one of her feet, some people say she sashays when she walks we call her model wiggle. We went to the vet today as she has been having problems lately, yes her hips are horribly creeky and grindy and she lives on metacam, but she has a wonderfully active life.
She loves camping, she loves bimbling, taking in the sniffs and smells, rolling in smelly poo, swimming in the sea, putting other dogs in their place, she adores cuddles, massages and snuggling in front of the fire.
On occasion, she will put on a spurt and try and chase the wascally wabbits with Molly and yes she will often fall over and look at you as if to say 'who tripped me up'?
Jack, he has ED and arthritis in his feet, he has had problems since he was 3 yrs old, he is now 8yrs old and there 'aint no stopping him'.
He absolutely adores chasing balls, and lives for them, the world could go kaboom, but as long as a ball is in play he is there.
He loves to swim or should that be 'lives' to swim, he enjoys camping, laying around in the sun and most recently we have taken up 'proper' retrieving, which is great as it means we can do steady controlled retrieves.
Yes he is stiff often, and yes he struggles some mornings and lives on metacam, but he has the fullest life that any dog can hope to enjoy.
So often we read posts about the shock people feel when they hear their dogs have been diagnosed with HD and ED, it feels like the end of the world for some people, but it really isn't.
There is life after the diagnosis and dogs can have a wonderfully fulfilled life with this condition.
SO if you are told you dog has either of the above, yes you may have to make a few adjustments to the way you walk them or live with them but don't think negative, think positive, think to yourself 'I have one very special dog'
It echoes my life with some older doggies, including two who are no longer here. Whatever happens, you just adjust how you live with them to take account of their difficulties.
Fantastic post Nat
Having meet Nat with Maia and Jack and going back nearly 5 years as well those dogs are an absolute Joy. Nothing has stopped them
Also looking at Wendy's Charlie (LF own bionic pup) seeing the first picture of him pulling himself up against a wall, a few tears were shed for that special boy
As Natalie has mentioned a few adjustments are needed but your Dog can still live a fantastic life
Of course we all wish for a "perfect" dog, one with no health problems, but even if they are not Perfect, it doesn't mean they can't enjoy life and we can't enjoy it with them.
Yes, when you first get that diagnosis you'll be angry, upset and looking for someone/something to blame. That's only natural. And yes you may have to alter your plans for that dog if you had something specific in mind. However the dog will be just as happy doing whatever you want to do, as long as you manage it's pain and stiffness well.
Like Jack, Mojo has Arthritis in her Elbows, thanks to ED and in her front feet. No one would ever believe it when they see her flying around though. She lives life to the full and I don't wrap her up in cotton wool, instead I manage her condition with supplements and Cartrophen jabs. Yes there are some days, weeks even, when she has a flare up or has well and truely over done it and then she is lame but on the whole, she is fit, active and enjoys her life.
Winston doesnt have the best hips (maybe HD) and the vets think it will start to effect him when hes a little old. So it always in the back of my mind! Hate the thought of him being in any pain!
I wouldnt change Winston for the world and I dont think anyone else knows.... hes just a bit slower than the other doggies on the green! But he still loves to try and catch them up! Even if there on the way back and he catchs them. HE still looks very happy!
Winston also enjoys his 'Sunday night treat' hot water botlle when its cold! and he over done it (but sometimes he just needs to let go and run around like a loon - after all he is a happy lab) But he still prefect to me! and now things his daily tablet of 'joint care' is his treat and doesnt let us forget it' Wish i felt the same about a tablet!!
Yes totally agree that there is life after an HD diagnosis
Zen is now 11.5 ( pic in my avatar and is still a happy soul despite really bad hips ( he was diagnosed at 13 mnths but has never really had much in the way of lameness, he still comes on hour walks although choosing to not hooly around so much but that could be his age now and that he is being sensible We take each day as it comes and enjoy every min with him
thanks for that post, it has put my my over worried mind at rest a bit.
casper my yellow lab is 9 now and is stiff when he gets up and when he has been resting, being the worrier I am i always think of the worst case scenario first, he stiill loves to chase a ball, play with his rope pull, go for his walks, i give hime supplements too, and have been so worried lately havent been able to eat.!!
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we call her model wiggle. We went to the vet today as she has been having problems lately, yes her hips are horribly creeky and grindy and she lives on metacam, but she has a wonderfully active life.
those dogs are an absolute Joy. Nothing has stopped them
and is still a happy soul despite really bad hips ( he was diagnosed at 13 mnths but has never really had much in the way of lameness, he still comes on hour walks although choosing to not hooly around so much 
but that could be his age now and that he is being sensible 
We take each day as it comes and enjoy every min with him 
