Would you adopt a dog with known hip issues?

[Equanimity]

We have been looking at a few dogs from a rescue and there's one that looks like a total sweetie but he has hip issues. I'll post what the rescue said below but taking into account what they said would you adopt this dog?


He has been xrayed because I was concerned for his hips. He does not have dysplasia. **His hops are more than 50% in the socket. *He does have bad angulation of the whole back end. Probably a product of bad breeding and being raised in a kennel with poor exercise. *He doesn't let him slow him down. He hops around plays. *He keeps himself on the thin side I think because of it. *He has a large head and chest is starting to fill out and a smaller back end. **He doesn't look perfect but more than makes up for it in loyalty. *

 

[ruthcatrin]

how old is he?

 

[cinnamon roll]

I would say that if I could afford the vet bills that came along with the problems then yes I would do it.

 

[Equanimity]

He's a year and a half. I know we had a rescue with hip issues before and he needed surgery and it was 12k per hip and I know I could not afford that.

 

[M & M]

What are his chances of being adopted by somebody else, slim to none???? Even without surgery & I could give him the best life for as long as he could live comfortably, I would adopt him.... 1.5 is young still a pup.... Maybe supplements, aquatic exercise, the right food (RAW is my fav LOL) you could change things around for him...... My glass is always half full....

 

[ruthcatrin]

Technically I don't think there's a surgical correction for bad angulation (someone correct me if I'm wrong please!). However it does potentially mean larger vet bills to ensure tracking of his hips and that the rest of his joints aren't affected. Possibly pain medications later, definetly joint supplements now. Extra work to keep him physically fit without straining. It likely means that as he ages he'll have earlier hip/movement problems than he would otherwise, including problems going up and down stairs and getting and out of cars. If thats something you can deal with then I'd say go for it. But be honest with yourself too. For example: if you live in a 2nd (or higher!) floor apartment and he'd have to climb alot of stairs just to go home, you're probly a bad match for him.

 

[Equanimity]

We have plenty of room. We have a two story house, it's all tile downstairs so we would have to get rugs. I always give my dogs fish oils and grain free foods so I can do supplements and raw no problem. We do have a pool for low impact exercise. I may go meet him and see.

 

[Smokeycat]

One thing that might be a higher concern would be CCL injuries.

 

[Hector]

No, I would not adopt a dog if there were known hip problems. However, some rescues will cover the expenses if medical issues arise that would require surgery. I've seen it for an older pyrenees female.

 

[Hector]

Well let me edit, I would if I did not have to worry about the money aspect of things.

 

[cinnamon roll]

Even wo having the surgery the other concern is the amount of stress the rest of the body is gonna have to make up for with bad hips. Which again would be another vet expense. Honestly maybe you should call your vet and see what kind of other health problems, treatment, costs etc that you may incur with adopting him.

 

[M & M]

There are alternatives to surgery if things are caught soon enough...... Like with Midas & his front paws jutting out, there are wraps you put on them to realign them..... There are animal chiropractors... Massage therapy..... Not everything is a quick but sometimes, well most of times quick fix but doesn't last..... Not an expert but from my research & learning from the experts on here...... I will always go the natural yet more work for me route.......

 

[Iymala]

I may be in the minority but I would not adopt a dog with known structural issues, be it hips, elbows, shoulders, etc. The medical care needed to make said dog comfortable is astronomical. That is only part of the bills as well. Many other issues can crop up over the life of the dog that require medical attention. I would rather rescue a dog who is structurally stable and go from there especially if I was looking for a good family dog. Pain can cause some dogs to act very strangely and it is something that should be considered.

 

[Equanimity]

Good point, a child playing may accidentally land the wrong way on a painful spot and cause an unwanted reaction.

 

[Iymala]

And when I say structural I mean serious things like dysplasia, DJD, even DCM. Not conformational things like weak pasterns, lack of angulation or cow hocked...those aren't a big deal normally unless they are coupled with more serious issues.

 

[2nd Chance]

I would. I would use moderation management, and let it be known to pound, that this is what i am going to do.
Let the dog have a few years of fun n frolicks, then PTS when it cant make the deck stairs.

Sound harsh? Better than a life in a pound anyday. Quality, not quantity.
If however i had young kids, i would not take a dog, that's going to last 4yrs, and then they have to grieve the loss of. At least most dogs give you a decade thats healthy. Much better for kids.

 

[Iymala]

Good points! I think that is another avenue that is very reasonable and kind for the dog.

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

would the rescue be able to commit and help with his medical needs? if so I would!

 

[M & M]

I love you Big Head Lovers...... Love how these threads make ya think.....

 

[mastiffico]

i adopted a dog yesterday from a lady ..she was going to use him as a breader but the dog is diagnosed with hip dysplashia ..well from what i read it seems like it is alot like arthritis in the joints ..from what i know of that and she was feeding him regular large breed puppy food ..need i say corn and grains in the dog food shout arthritis and other ailments to me..and i believe where i read not to feed them large breed puppy food ...he was 1 in june ...he is a bull mastiff and he has a super sweet personality ..but to tell you the truth i think i might can help him ..i give all my dogs the raw diet ..and i know a little about nutrition ..so i think i might be able to make him a little better ..he still gets around good ..to me it doesnt matter if he has a problem ...when the time comes that he cant geat around good ...hopefully later than sooner ..i will just deal with it then ...but i hope hes happy while he can still run around