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Puppy Bunny Hopping


daryl

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Hi everyone, im new to the site. I have a 5 month old male husky called Koby. I have noticed the last couple of weeks when i take him out, and he starts running; that his back legs don't separate, i believe it is referred to as bunny hopping.

 

I just wondered if anybody else has experienced this with there dog? and if so, should i be concerned he has problems with his hips.

 

 

Kind Regards

 

 

Daryl

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He's handsome. :) And welcome to the forums. 

I don't mean to scare you, but that sounds like hip dysplasia. He should go to the vet, ASAP.


Please read the part in this thread, here, about it. 
 

f it turns out he does have HD, it should be reported to his breeder right away, as its usually genetic.

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thanks for the replys, I took him to the vet today and she told me it is a sign of hip displacement, but it may not be anything to worry about at this stage, and I should wait till he is around 18 month and bring him back for an assessment.

Im hoping its just him learning to run properly!! he doesn't seem to have any pain after exercise and he has no problems with mobility as far as I can see. fingers crossed.
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uh oh, if it IS a sign of hip displacement, I honestly don't see how it's "nothing to worry about". It WILL worsen and when it does it's really hard to see :( one year from today you might already be too late. IMO a second opinion from a second vet is in order.... 

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I would also seek a second opinion. Dysplasia is a terrible this for a young dog to come down with. And it can result in VERY expensive surgeries to replace the joints. I would start looking for a pet therapy center with hydrotherapy. Water can help keep his weight off the joint. 

Make sure you call his breeder asap!

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thanks for the replys, I took him to the vet today and she told me it is a sign of hip displacement, but it may not be anything to worry about at this stage, and I should wait till he is around 18 month and bring him back for an assessment.

Im hoping its just him learning to run properly!! he doesn't seem to have any pain after exercise and he has no problems with mobility as far as I can see. fingers crossed.

I hope things work out. STAY POSITIVE!!

 

I know how you feel and what your going through. My Siberian[Capo] has Juvenile/hereditary cataracts. It is a waiting game which is good but drives me nuts at times. The reason being is that the cataracts are "Stabilised" and are not fully developing,which is good! The not knowing can drive a person nuts! I have faith that Capo is going to be like his friend[a fellow Siberian] who is 7 years old and the cataracts are still stable. That only happens in 1 out of 10 cases.

 

If your interested check my topic/thread out on here  "Juvenile'Hereditary Cataracts?"

 

I am embarrassed to admit I never took the time to learn "Copy and paste""!! lol!!!

 

:hello:

 
p.s. I would listen to others who suggest getting a second opinion. DON'T WAIT!
 
I hope the UK has a slew of qualified VETS for this disease. In the States and the Phila. area there are so many great specialists with in 10 miles of my house. HowEver, it is VERY expensive.
 
Do you have pet insurance?? I have PET plan which originated in the UK.
 
VERY IMPORTANT!!!
 
If KOBY has YET to be officially diagnosed with Hip Dysplasia, GET THE PET INURANCE IMMEDIATELY AND HE WILL BE COVERED AND IT WON'T BE CONSIDERED PRE EXISTING LIKE CAPO'S CATARACTS! I missed out by 5 hours!!! If Capo needs an operation one day it would be $5000 for both eyes!!!
 
If your able to get the Pet ins. MAKE SURE YOU WAIT FOR THE REQUIRED TIME TO BE COVERED FOR GENETIC DISEASES! Otherwise you will NOT be covered and be in the same boat I am in!
 
I pay $38/month. It is worth it! I have the best plan which covers 80% of all costs for emergencies, genetic diseases and operations, ect.
 
Bless you and Koby!
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I like looking for answers to things like this ... don't always like the answers, though.

 

 

This is a GSD (in Germany, no less) and if you watch him as he's running, you'll see several places where he 'bunny hops' for several steps as he's changing gate.

 

The top contenders seem to be:

  • it's normal in a puppy - up through 6 months; afterwards it cause for concern.
  • an indication of hip dysplasia, as others have noted.
  • luxating patella (don't ask me, I just read :) ) but that would occur most often in a small (shi-tsu size).

I'd agree it's time to have a specialist take a look.  If it's an indication of dysplasia, you need to know now so that care and treatment can delay it's full onset.

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I like looking for answers to things like this ... don't always like the answers, though.

 

 

This is a GSD (in Germany, no less) and if you watch him as he's running, you'll see several places where he 'bunny hops' for several steps as he's changing gate.

 

The top contenders seem to be:

  • it's normal in a puppy - up through 6 months; afterwards it cause for concern.
  • an indication of hip dysplasia, as others have noted.
  • luxating patella (don't ask me, I just read :) ) but that would occur most often in a small (shi-tsu size).

I'd agree it's time to have a specialist take a look.  If it's an indication of dysplasia, you need to know now so that care and treatment can delay it's full onset.

Great video and info.

 

I grew up with GSD. They are also beautiful dogs, who unfortunately are very prone to Hip Dysplasia.

 

Ironically, My Vet, Dr. Marchetti specializes in the treatment, study and hopefully one day the eradication of Hip Dysplasia in ALL Dogs.

 

I hope "Koby" falls in the Puppy who does this until 6 months!

 

Ciao,,,Roberto

 

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Ice used to be very awkward on his feet when he was a pup and appeared to bunny hop at times (and be generally very clumsy). As he got older and his coordination skills developed I noticed it disappeared. having spoken to my vets about it, i remember that they are very reluctant to do much testing until 18 months to 2 years.

Fingers crossed its not hip dysplasia

Not sure exactly but I think a luxating patella is a posh word for floating kneecap.

Edited by emma1979
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post-10899-0-37542100-1379791901_thumb.j

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes I had him insured from birth, as I have experience of this with a previous dog, which ended up costing me a small fortune!!

 

I think im going to monitor him for a couple of months, and if I see no improvement ill take him for x-rays.

 

Thanks for all the great advice.

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attachicon.gifIMG_0417.JPG

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes I had him insured from birth, as I have experience of this with a previous dog, which ended up costing me a small fortune!!

 

I think im going to monitor him for a couple of months, and if I see no improvement ill take him for x-rays.

 

Thanks for all the great advice.

Glad to see that you have insurance from birth! Smart Man!

 

Ciao,,Roberto

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