My dog has arthritis me thinks, he's not 2 yo yet

[Saddlebum]

Tomorrow am taking him in for x-rays but has been palpated and we think it's arthritis in his right hip joint.

He's part Jack Russel Terrier, weighs 32 lbs. and will be 2 yo May 15th. He jumps up a LOT. He's been so fun to watch him bounce around and I don't know what can be done for a dog this young. We normally walk 2+ miles daily down two tracks with my other dog. So, they run and play and he especially runs and jumps all over.

What can be done for a dog this young to eliminate his pain? bring him back to full health? prevent this from happening again?

He gets wholesome food + treats but not overly so. Definitely not over wt.

Thanks.

[Josette]

Could he have strained or pulled a muscle? Wondering if chiropractic adjustment evaluation is feasible/available? We have a large vet hospital nearby and that service is available for dogs. (Same Vet does horses too.)

[Saddlebum]

Sorry, wasn't thinking. I got him from a rescue at 6 months old and very subtly he showed signs right away. Most of the time early on, I doubted what I was seeing it was so subtle. Then after about 6 -8 months, I knew for sure, he was off just couldn't tell where. But I started watching for it and decided it was his right hind leg. This last month, I could tell for sure. Always when we were out walking.

Last week, he started actually limping and now, when he gets up he keeps his wt. off it but not all the time. My friend was over last night and we could easily see him favoring the right hind and he was keeping his paw pointing outward. Today, he's been favoring it 100% of the time. Still bouncing all around but that's his personality. I took him with to feed critters and he was running like no tomorrow but then favoring it at the slow down and stopping points.

I can now see he is keeping his wt. off it as much as possible. Heart broken, as this will really interfer with his personality me thinks. He LOVES LOVES LOVES to run and jump. Sometimes, when he's really excited, he wiggles his butt at the height of his jumps.

[Canyon]

Maybe this info will be helpful. I hope you and your vet can come up with an effective treatment plan!

Hip Dysplasia Treatment Options

[Saddlebum]

that's a very good article and thank you for finding it for me!

[Hoof'n it]

With arthritis it's more about management of the symptoms than anything else. You can't reverse it.

I have a really active staffy who had massive shoulder OCDs before she was 2 and had surgery as a 2 year old. Now at 4 years old, she definin has arthritis.

I feed her Orijen, which naturally has a high glucosamine level, a level which really rivals any joint based supplement. When she is really bad, she gets given Metacam.

The best plan is to figure out exact what is wrong, and then you can come up with a game plan.

[Saddlebum]

Thanks Hoof'n it, I will keep up with this. I did take my dog in for x-rays and everything was boringly normal. We x-rayed his back, hips and one knee and it looks great - very normal. We decided he, in his exuberance, has pulled a tendon or muscle or... who knows what but it's not joint or bone related.

I, because of the history with his being off since I've had him, just assumed the worst.

Thank You.

[Code3]

That's actually good news!! May he heal well in time and have a long, healthy life!

[Chisamba]

My dog responds well to pentosan

[Spiritpaws]

One of my young Aussies started showing this intermittent lameness. Exrays showed perfect stifle and hips. Took him to an orthopedic specialist and we did PRP, and he's never had a problem since.

[Saddlebum]

Spiritpaws, what is PRP?

Thanks Code3, I intend he heal well and have a very long and healthy life also! So Be It and So It Is! Amen.

[Wicky]

PRP = platelet rich plasma. It is derived from the dog's own blood, and injected into the area that has been damaged. The theory is that it brings along stem cells and growth factors that help repair damage. It is being used in people (their own blood, not a dog's!) and some people believe it really helps.

[Saddlebum]

thanks, I'll talk this over with my vet. friend and see if she's into doing this.

[Tarlo Farm]

And I know it's difficult, and the vet probably has suggested it, but "bed rest". No outside time off a leash, quiet time in the house, for six weeks.

[Saddlebum]

Thanks Tarlo, with a Jack Russell mix, that's nearly impossible because while inside, all that energy has to go somewhere. Even so, you are right, he's still off on his rt. hind and it's because he's not getting much needed healing time.

The last two days he's been kept quiet since the temp is so cold outside.