Steve was the only puppy in a litter that did not find a home. My daughter Jennifer spotted her and took her, just as her owner was about to take her to the Humane Society.
She was a great puppy, probably a Labrador/Catahoula cross-breed, but as she matured she displayed soreness in her hips. It turned out that she had serious hip dysplasia. One veterinarian said she will never be normal and to consider euthanasia.
We saw another doctor who explained a surgical procedure (an orthopedic specialist would be required) but suggested first reducing her weight by five pounds and giving an anti-inflammatory pill whenever soreness was apparent. Then let's see how it goes.
Steve never required the surgery, and she lived just two months shy of 14 good years. The two of us hiked and backpacked in the mountains of the western United States and a few in Canada. Once in while she would stiffen up after too much activity and I would give her the medication. The next day she would be fine.
Lesson learned: Often just attaining and keeping normal body weight works wonders in reducing joint pain, and other problems as well. Conversely, lugging around extra weight puts stress on joints and leads to problems and pain. Dogs or people, its the same either way.
There can be other reasons for joint pain, of course. But so often it is from being overweight or beating yourself up with too much repetitive exercise of the wrong kind. Think of it this way: Even if it turns out that surgery is needed, normal bodyweight and proper exercise habits never hurt anyone. It always helps.
She was a great puppy, probably a Labrador/Catahoula cross-breed, but as she matured she displayed soreness in her hips. It turned out that she had serious hip dysplasia. One veterinarian said she will never be normal and to consider euthanasia. We saw another doctor who explained a surgical procedure (an orthopedic specialist would be required) but suggested first reducing her weight by five pounds and giving an anti-inflammatory pill whenever soreness was apparent. Then let's see how it goes. Steve never required the surgery, and she lived just two months shy of 14 good years. The two of us hiked and backpacked in the mountains of the western United States and a few in Canada. Once in while she would stiffen up after too much activity and I would give her the medication. The next day she would be fine. Lesson learned: Often just attaining and keeping normal body weight works wonders in reducing joint pain, and other problems as well. Conversely, lugging around extra weight puts stress on joints and leads to problems and pain. Dogs or people, its the same either way. There can be other reasons for joint pain, of course. But so often it is from being overweight or beating yourself up with too much repetitive exercise of the wrong kind. Think of it this way: Even if it turns out that surgery is needed, normal bodyweight and proper exercise habits never hurt anyone. It always helps.