Our gorgeous 8mth old IRWS has been diagnosed with hip dysplasia in both hips :(

[emma bell]

After noticing a couple of weeks ago that Poppy was holding her right leg and having periods of lameness, we took her to the vets. The first vet we saw - our usual vet was on holiday - said to have her on Metacam for a week as she thought it was muscle strain. At the time, I said that I would prefer to have her x-rayed as her hips weren't symmetrical and I suspected she was suffering from CDH - I explained that my eldest daughter suffers from the same thing and the symptoms were similar. She rotated the hips, not to a great degree and thought I was been over cautious.

A week later and she was still the same so I booked an appointment to have her seen by my usual vet today. As soon as he rotated her left hip, you heard it 'clunking' in and out of joint. The other hip couldn't even be rotated to that extexnt because it was too painful for her. When I saw the x-rays, it was like looking at my daughter's hips!

He memtioned about building up the muscle with hydro but I said I want her to have a triple pelvic osteotomy, as this is the best way of making sure she has as normal a doggy life as the other dogs.

She's booked in for next Friday for the op but I don't know whether to get her referred to Noel Fitzpatrick - the 'bionic vet'. I did mention it to him and he says the orthpaedic specialist they have have a great success rate with this procedure. It's just I know from past experience with my daughter, you need to get it right first time!

Also, he recommended changing her diet to Hill j/d, as this greatly slows down the arthritic process but I really don't like that stuff. We feed her on the BARF diet and give her salmon oil and glucasomine. This diet would be a lifetime thing, not just until she's recovered.

Any advice on the vet referral/food would be greatly received.

[silvia]

hi emma, so sorry to hear this news.. I hope the operation will go well. I heard of several dogs who went through it even at a very young age, and the chances are very good, so hopefully Poppy will have a long happy life after all this worry for you guys.. big hug from us!!!

[Rhonda Fisher]

Awful news Emma. Positive thoughts for Poppy and her family.

[Sheree Parrish]

So sorry to hear this Emma, my thoughts are with you and hope that Poppy is pain free and happy in no time at all x

[Susan Stone]

Sorry to hear this, Emma, but it may mean light at the end of the tunnel! After the op Poppy should be without pain and you can slowly build up her strength again. I know the road is a long one but in my experience dogs live a normal life after they have had this op. Wishing you and Poppy all the very best.

[Sue Paterson]

Hope all goes well for Poppy... and Emma, you keep strong.

[Margaret Sierakowski]

Best wishes for the success of Poppy's hip replacement

[Barbara]

So sorry to read your news. Wishing Poppy and you all the very best!

[emma bell]

Poppy had her op yesterday and came home this morning!

Her vet is really pleased with the result and she's starting to weight bare already. Unfortunately she has to be crated for 3 weeks and can only come out of there on her lead and also using a belly strap, much to her disgust!

I'm so pleased she's home where she belongs. :)

[Susan Stone]

Here's wishing Poppy a speedy recovery! 3 weeks in the crate may seem long but she will probably sleep alot and it will be worth it in the end.

[Sherry Miller]

Emma I am wishing the best for Poppy....and that she does sleep a lot while she is healing for both of your sakes.

[McBIRDY - Jean DUHANT]

we are happy to read all is going well for your Poppy ! Wish her a very good recovery ! Give her many hugs from us !

[Catherine Carter]

Hope she recovers quickly.....3 weeks will soon be over for a pain free life! Lots of hugs from us too!