Question concerning HD

[Goldenheart]

<span style="font-family:georgia; color:green;">Good morning everyone<img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif" />I have been really studying some of Bi's pics and am noticing she looks pretty hefty in the front chest area. Now, I have also heard that a dog with HD will be heavier in the chest area....is this true?

Anyway, I was just wondering what you all thought....and if you have noticed it as well in some of the pics I sent in. I do know this would sure explain how she goes at times from back leg problems, to a front leg problem for no reason.

Before you ask, I know X-rays will confirm. They are planned for when she has the patella surgery. But I am really questioning everything right now and may consider seeing a different vet on all this. I don't need x-rays at the moment to tell me something is wrong, I can see it.</span>

[samndig]

Dianna,
I was thinking that she looked a bit bigger than in previous pictures but I couldn't tell if it was just her coat.I'm sure that she gets a thick coat for those northern winters. Didn't you post that she had put on some the last time you took her to the vet?
I posted a new picture of Bodhi in the "friends" section and his fur on his chest makes him look big. How did Bianka look when she was wet at the beach? I was surprised at how thin Bodhi really is when we were out to the lake last weekend. He looks like a gangly teenager underneath all that fur.
Samantha

[Goldenheart]

<span style="font-family:georgia; color:green;">Yea, that is true Samndig. That fur does add to them and she does get a heavy winter coat do to our winters.

Yesterday after our long walk down to the river, then our drive out to the beach and playtime she came home w/ a front limp again...for no reason. She did not hurt herself. Today the limp seems to be gone, thankfully.

Here is my girl drenched from the beach yesterday, does that help any to see her chest area. It is so hard sometimes for me not to get angry with her breeder for doing this too her, and not being more careful.<img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/eyes.gif" />

<img border=0 src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3db02b3127cce882daa6182ab0000001610" /></span>

[ChicagoCanine]

Hello,
I don't think that all dogs with HD are that way- at least I haven't heard that. If their hips are bothering them, they will shift some of the weight off the hind legs, which means the front will likely become more muscular.
If Bianka has knee problems, that could also cause her to shift weight towards the front, with the same result. Is it luxating patella that she has? The symptoms of that are very similar to those of hip dysplasia, so it could just be the knees. My terrier was misdiagnosed by 3 different vets (at 2 clinics) as having luxating patellas before we finally got x-rays and found out his knees were fine and he had severe HD in one leg. Because he was a small dog and the symptoms are so similar, they thought it was his knees.

Lizzi


http://www.chicagocanine.com/dogtemp/POsad.jpg

[Goldenheart]

<span style="font-family:georgia; color:green;">Yes Lizzi, shifting of the weight to the front is what my book tells me. And no, it probally doesn't happen in all dogs but it just made me think is all.<img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/eyes.gif" />

I just can't help but wonder though about this problem sometimes, especially w/the front legs at times giving her problems. The vet did say it was a luxating patella, and he did pop it out and put it back in just to see. He also did some pulling back of that leg and said it was not HD because if it was HD he could not have done that.<img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/eyes.gif" /> I don't know what all that meant though. But for some reason he felt that the leg could not have been pulled back in that position w/HD. Oh, the leg hasn't popped out in months</span>

[CanadianGolden423]

She could very well have hip dysplasia and the vet would still be able to do that, particularly with mild HD. I'm sure you have her on a good weight loss regime, and I think you said you take her swimming. I bet she likes to retrieve in water. :) Once she has lost the weight, don't let her get back any winter fat. You may need to reduce her food in the winter, but having her this fat, as you know, is quite bad for her hips. They will develop arthritis much more quickly this way. Good luck with her! :)

Samra

[Trixiego]

Don't know you very well so... how old is she?

I do know my Boomer over time does get a little limpy here and there and it has shifted. The vet did attribute it more to a little arthritis as opposed to HD. Does she have limping moments or is it tripping too? If she is "tripping" over herself, I'd make sure you clarify that with the vet.

Weight definitely is a factor, no question but a little arthritis is certainly not HD and after Boomer went through his surgery and the vet then got to see EVERYTHING inside him, she did see a bit of spondyolosis (but he is almost 12) that was consistent with his problems with occasional limps and weakness in the hind quarter when trying to get up after laying down for awhile.

[lotagoldens]

Hello Goldenheart,
This particular picture really makes your beautiful Bianka look....um....heavy!!!! It may be the angle, her coat or any number of things but she really appears to be "larger" than previous photos. Excess weight is very hard on Goldens. Many breeders will not guarantee hips if the dog is allowed to become overweight as it is such a horrible stress on growing joints and bones. I have produced three puppies that were dysplastic, all three were allowed to carry excess (an understatement)weight. Weight sneaks up on dogs just as it does on people and NO ONE wants to be told their "baby" is fat but for the animal's sake it is important to develop a critical eye.
Lotagoldens
P.S. You may want to try Bianka on Senior food. I like the ingredient panels better that light foods (they are just a bunch of fiber)and many senior formulas have added glucosamine for healthy joints and cartilage. Our Ch. Timer has a tendency to gain weight quickly. He has been on a Senior formula since he retired from the show ring at age four. (He just turned eight on the 26th and looks great!)
P.S.S. From the offical Golden Retriever breed standard a Golden should be:...,deep through the chest. Chest between forelegs at least as wide as a man's closed hand including thumb, with well developed forechest. Brisket extends to elbow. So don't worry about Bianka's "big chest" It's a good thing!!!! :p

[Goldenheart]

<span style="font-family:georgia; color:green;"><img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/laugh.gif" /><img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/laugh.gif" /><img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/laugh.gif" />Lotagoldens, I tell Bianka she is fat quite often<img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/eyes.gif" />Funny thing is when I do, she just kinda looks at me and cocks her head.....looks so darn cute when she does that.

Boy, you aren't telling me nothing when you say it sneaks up on them.....wow, I swear overnight<img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/eyes.gif" />Hard part with her is getting it off for one, then keeping it off since she is one that has a back leg problem which in turn keeps her from being very active....so naturally the weight will always be a problem for her, as well as me trying to keep a handle on it.

I will tell Bianka you said her "Big Chest" was a good thing, ok.</span>