Possible hip displaysia?

If you have a choice of vets, change yours.

I've known since January 1969 that there is no reliable PHYSICAL test for HD (after producing pups, of which one was collapsing in pain at 3-4 months old, we were sent to the veterinary university where the profs were developing a scheme to identify HD. Our bit.ch passed all their physical tests - including dancing in the waltz position with one of the profs - with flying colours, but xrays proved her to have grade 4 hips).

Only xrays are reliable. In addition, only xrays will show whether the degree of dysplasia is suitable for mere medication, and which is the most promising operation if the degree is severe. Every vet should know all that, and so have xrayed first time.

Xrays are almost the CHEAPEST thing vets do, unless the pooch needs to be anaesthetised first (which it does for Certification, but not for a vet's own information about a hip or a possible fracture).

Palpation is suitable for identifying muscle bruises, for locating barley awns (aka "foxtails") that are working their way up inside a leg after penetrating between the toes, for a preliminary identification of panosteitis, for identifying which elbow has SEVERE elbow dysplasia.

I suspect a patella problem - a knee-cap that isn't staying in its groove. But e-mails do NOT supply the information needed for any valid diagnosis.

BTW: These bone disorders have nothing to do with the "display" spelling - their root is the "dys" found in "dysfunctional" and "dyslexia". (Obviously [marci knows best] DOESN'T actually know best...)

While waiting to see your vet, click http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/The_GSD_Source

then click its

Links

Diseases_&_Disorders

labels,

followed by looking in its sections relating to

Elbows

Hips

Knees

Panosteitis.

You may want to research further, using its Veterinary_Site_Search section.

A faint possibility is a parasitic disorder transmitted by ticks or mosquitoes.

There are ataxias and myotonias that have a slight resemblance to your too-brief description, but they are very unlikely.

Although that group is intended for GSD people, when it comes to diseases & disorders & parasites, etc, all breeds have the same possibilities.

• To ask about Beagles, join some of the YahooGroups dedicated to various aspects of living with them. Each group's Home page tells you which aspects they like to discuss, and how active they are. Unlike YA, they are set up so that you can have an ongoing discussion with follow-up questions for clarification. Most allow you to include photos in your messages.

Les P, owner of GSD_Friendly: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/GSD_Friendly

"In GSDs" as of 1967

The x-ray should show the results of hip problems. We have the same problem with our dog she can't get up well and limps on her back leg. She is only 3 and you would think that she is 10. I just got on 1800petmeds and read about Yucca Intensive extract. It looks very promising to help, you ought to check it out for yourself, I just ordered it and hoping it will work instead of just giving her pain meds that are not healthy over the long haul. It's worth a shot not to see them in such agony.

What you are describing is not a common symptom of hip displaysia. That doesn't mean it can't be, just a little less likely.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Canine-Hip-Dysplasia---S...