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Old October 30th, 2013, 01:46 PM
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hazelrunpack hazelrunpack is offline
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We had a springer with severe hip dysplasia who eventually got a full hip replacement on both sides. So we have no experience with the FHO surgery, but plenty with the dysplasia part of it.

Priscilla responded well to glucosamine/chondroitin supplements and omega-3 oil (we used a fish oil capsule, punctured it with a pin and squirted it over her food). Both seemed to make her joints move more smoothly.

We also got her a waffle-foam bed--often, they're listed as orthopedic pet beds. She used it quite a lot, so it must have been comfortable for her joints. Keep in mind, though, that she was lots bigger than your little darling--Priscilla was big for a springer, weighing in at about 55-58 pounds. Not sure if small dogs would also benefit from a waffle-foam bed...

She'll need moderate, low-impact exercise. Motion actually does help to keep them flexible, just like in human arthritis patients. If she'll swim, and you have a place to take her nearby, that would be the ideal exercise for a dysplasia patient! If not, short walks, but lots of them are better than one or two longer walks. And if you can walk her on grass, that's much better than on pavement. Also, if there's a place she can run free on a grassy surface, that would be beneficial as long as she doesn't overdo.

How does your baby react to the other NSAIDs like carprophen or deramaxx? Are all of the anti-inflammatory meds out of the question?
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