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Clicking/cracking bones/joints

TylerDurden

Well-Known Member
Update: We took Bane to a clinic that specializes in orthopedic surgery. They examined him during walks, did physical examinations, as well as x-rays of all of his joints. Based on the physical exam, the vet couldn't find anything unusual. Bane allowed him to manipulate all of his legs with no issue. Again, except for the clicking he hasn't shown any kind of lameness, inability to walk or anything like that, so I'm not surprised about the outcome of the physical exam. We did review the x-rays together with him, and he said that he cannot see anything out of the norm. Compared to x-rays that clearly indicate hip dysplasia, Bane's hips looked good to me, too (that's coming from someone who has not seen a whole lot of x-rays in his life). They are sending the images to a radiologist for further review, which seems to be a standard procedure. As soon as I receive the images, I can share them with everybody.
Apart from that, he wasn't concerned about the clicking as long as he doesn't show any signs of discomfort. He believes that giving the glucosamine supplement was a good idea regardless. Also, he mentioned that we should keep Bane at his current body condition, which will be beneficial (we are doing that anyway).
I'm kind of happy about the visit, but I'm definitely looking forward to some expert opinions on the x-rays (I should have copies by tomorrow). He was sedated for x-rays, and they conduct further physical tests during that time period.
As always, thank you all for your support!
 

marke

Well-Known Member
those are pretty good x-rays , i'd be happy if it were my dog …really clean sharp edges , hopefully that alleviates your fears …. he was sedated and not anesthetized ? i'd think the radiologist will mention subluxation ……. if you keep that dog strong , any laxity that may be there will be meaningless …….. barring an accident I believe that dog will never have a hip problem in his lifetime ………
 

TylerDurden

Well-Known Member
those are pretty good x-rays , i'd be happy if it were my dog …really clean sharp edges , hopefully that alleviates your fears …. he was sedated and not anesthetized ? i'd think the radiologist will mention subluxation ……. if you keep that dog strong , any laxity that may be there will be meaningless …….. barring an accident I believe that dog will never have a hip problem in his lifetime ………

Thanks for your opinion, marke. Yes, he was sedated. Here is what the radiologist wrote:

BDE9F8AD-E6EA-44A3-89DB-54FC74326B89.jpeg

They are basically recommending to disregard the clicking unless there will ever be signs of pain etc. They also stated that his growth plates aren‘t fully closes yet, so not sure if it is somehow growth related.
 

marke

Well-Known Member
here's one of mine , you can see the difference in congruence between the acetabulum and the femoral head , it is not much , but it is there ..……. the radiologist who read your x-rays will have known the depth of sedation your dog was under , I agree with him …….. I just see some subluxation , it is minor …. these kind , hip extended , x-rays done under sedation only do mask laxity to a point ……... i'm of the opinion if you see any , there is most likely a bit more than you see …….. having said that , passive laxity , which is more so exhibited in a fully anesthetized dog , is seen in a sedated dog also , the deeper the sedation the more fully it will be seen …….. passive laxity hasn't appeared to me to be especially meaningful in developing hip problems by itself …….. I've seen dogs with otherwise good hip conformation , deep acetabulum , and muscular rears , with pretty severe laxity , live full sound lives without ever exhibiting hip problems …….. dogs like the one in the bottom x-ray are the basis for my opinion on passive laxity not being definitively a problem in every case …… that is a fully adult dog with what has to be severe laxity , the x-ray is completely clear of any oa or signs of djd …...

hp.jpg

1-C7-F76-B0-A213-4-F8-E-9125-B2-CC638-F18-E3-jpeg.jpg


tub-1.jpg
 

TylerDurden

Well-Known Member
here's one of mine , you can see the difference in congruence between the acetabulum and the femoral head , it is not much , but it is there ..……. the radiologist who read your x-rays will have known the depth of sedation your dog was under , I agree with him …….. I just see some subluxation , it is minor …. these kind , hip extended , x-rays done under sedation only do mask laxity to a point ……... i'm of the opinion if you see any , there is most likely a bit more than you see …….. having said that , passive laxity , which is more so exhibited in a fully anesthetized dog , is seen in a sedated dog also , the deeper the sedation the more fully it will be seen …….. passive laxity hasn't appeared to me to be especially meaningful in developing hip problems by itself …….. I've seen dogs with otherwise good hip conformation , deep acetabulum , and muscular rears , with pretty severe laxity , live full sound lives without ever exhibiting hip problems …….. dogs like the one in the bottom x-ray are the basis for my opinion on passive laxity not being definitively a problem in every case …… that is a fully adult dog with what has to be severe laxity , the x-ray is completely clear of any oa or signs of djd …...

hp.jpg

1-C7-F76-B0-A213-4-F8-E-9125-B2-CC638-F18-E3-jpeg.jpg


tub-1.jpg

Great information! Thanks for sharing and explaining your images.
Out of curiousity, do you think that Bane would "pass" in terms of OFA scores? Again, we have no interest in breeding, and our contract doesn‘t allow for it, but I would be interested in knowing how he compares to his parents and the generations prior who were tested.
 

marke

Well-Known Member
if he were 24months in that x-ray without doubt he would pass , those are pretty good hips ……… if he didn't ofa good , he'd have to be awfully close to it ……. imo when it comes to breeding or health the passing grades are not important …..