Hip worries

[Kelly+Manja]

hi all
My breeder is making an appointment for manja at her vet (who also owns frenchies) for sometime next week to have his rear legs checked out. I have decided that there is definitely something unusual about his gait and I want to make sure that if there is a problem that its detected early.
I know I shouldnt have (because now Im totally freaking out) but I decided to do a bit of self diagnosing on the web and I read up on Hip dysplasia and now Im quite certain that it could be what manja has.
He isnt in any pain or discomfort and seems unconcerned, but the way he swings his legs when he walks mathces the description for hip dysplasia. (he is only 10 months) I then read up on the treatment for it and there were several options, all involving surgery, some more minor than other procedures. One of the operations - triple pelvic osteotomy costs $3000 per leg!!! I know i shouldnt panic before the vet has had a look at him but I just wanted to know if any one out there in bulldog world has had any experience with hip dysplasia or anything that seemed like it???

[Martina]

Kelly - I am sooooo sorry about Manja! Here's hoping that it's not as serious as it sounds ...

I don't know anything about hip displaysia in frenchies, but I'm adding my two cents since I recently freaked out about Lola's luxating patella. For us, it turned out not to be as serious as was first diagnosed (diagnosed Level III, "settled" at a Level I). Now she's forbidden (at least when I'm around and watching) from jumping on and off or up and down. When it first happened she didn't walk for almost three days. Then we got on some pain medicine and within 24hrs she was at least walking. It took a couple more days for her to feel normal.

All I can say is, keep your fingers crossed. Maybe it seems worse than it is. Maybe once the x-rays are taken you'll feel better because you'll be able to see what's going on. I'm glad that your vet seems good. Last but not least, you'll probably start with a simple solution and NOT major reconstructive surgery. When Lola was first diagnosed (at the emergency room at 11pm), I thought we were going to have to be rushing off to surgery. The ER doctor only gave me two surgery options. We went back to our regular vet with the x-rays after we'd been on that pain medication, and, when I was finally calmer, we had a really good talk about her knees that made me feel better.

Try not to freak yourself out worrying too much till you know for sure what's going on -- easier said than done!! :rolleyes: We're all thinking about you -- remember to breathe!! ;)
Martina

[Carolyn]

Hi there Kelly! I am certainly no expert but I chat on a couple of Frenchie sites for several years and have never heard of anyone who has had a Frenchie with hip dysplasia. I think this is a problem that is seen more with larger breeds. I don't know what Manja's problem is :( ...but hopefully it is nothing serious. Please let us know after your vet check! Carolyn

[Carolyn]

Kelly....how is Manja? I have been thinking about her and hope that all is well. Please give us an update.
Carolyn

[Kelly+Manja]

thanks so much for your concern caroln. Im really concerned too. Our appointment is for tues and i cant wait to get a qualified opinion.
I was terrified about two days ago when i took manja for a walk.... It was only for about 20 minutes but by the end of it his back legs looked kind of 'jellyish' (wobbly) and he crouched down suddenly as if he were going to the toilet but he wasnt and then he kind of just sat there as if he couldnt get up. I quickly scooped him up in my arms and carried him the rest of the way home but when we got home he was fine again. He was never in any pain at all and he looked kind of perplexed, as if he wasnt sure what what was going on either. He isnt hesitant to go out at all and still looks forward to getting out of the house. Anyway enough of me babbling on. no point talking about it till tuesday i guess. I'll let everyone in bulldog world know what happens. wish us luck that its nothing that cant be fixed

[Carolyn]

Kelly....my thoughts and prayers go out across the miles to Manja. :o I am also proud to say that I am 1/2 Australian and am happy to know a Frenchie from there. Where are you from? My family is from Melbourne. Kisses to Manja. I hope that the problem is with the knees and not the back. I will be waiting anxiously to hear from you. Carolyn

[Kelly+Manja]

hi everyone
well I went with manja to the vet today and the news is pretty bad. Probably the worst outcome possible.
Its hemivertibrae which is a malformation in the spine. Apparently screw-tailed breeds like frenchies, bostons and bulldogs are prone. One of the joints is shaped like a butterfly and is rubbing the joint next to it causing pressure, there is also curvature.
My breeder has been really fantastic and paid for all the xrays and has offered to help with covering the costs of any surgery if necessary. The vet has given me some drops to put in manjas food which is supposed to reduce the swelling in the spine. In a week Im taking manja to a bone specialist who Ive been reffered to to see if surgery can correct the problem. I really hope it can, and manja is hopefully young enough for the procedure to be beneficial. Im totally devestated as im sure you can all imagine. Any information or stories anyones heard of hemivertibrae being mended would be much appreciated.
talk to you all soon :(

[Carolyn]

Kelly...I am so sorry to hear this news. I have no personal experience with this problem but maybe someone will post who can share their experience with this problem. Your breeder sounds like a responsible person and I marvel that he/she is helping you out. Please keep us posted on Manja. Again..I wish the news could have been better. Kisses to Manja. Carolyn

[Borgan]

Hi Kelly,

Our best wishes to Manja and you - I'm sure he'll be fine!
Even though these guys can put on the saddest face in the
whole world, they're truly the bravest and most determined
breed of all.

Brooke and Luna.

[Martina]

Oh Kelly,

I'm just devastated to hear your news. My heart goes out to you and your buddy. Please keep us informed of his progress and situation. I hope that you are okay. I can't even imagine what you're going through ...

warm fuzzies from Martina, Lola and Gigi

[Olivier]

hi everyone
well I went with manja to the vet today and the news is pretty bad. Probably the worst outcome possible.
Its hemivertibrae which is a malformation in the spine. Apparently screw-tailed breeds like frenchies, bostons and bulldogs are prone. One of the joints is shaped like a butterfly and is rubbing the joint next to it causing pressure, there is also curvature. (
Well, after reading your post I believe this is what Athlon had. He had pressure on several joints and the vet called it a disk hernia on his spine.
Did your vet do a myelography? If it is the same problem, it helps to see well where the spine is damaged. The vet surgeon said it was common with French bulldogs, daschunds, pekingese.
On my boxer site you can read more about Athlon's trouble:
http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40912
Good luck

Olly