Ask the Veterinarian/hip pain

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Expert: - 2/19/2010


Question
Hello I have a great pyranees going to be 3 years old on March 27th. I just noticed he has a hard time getting up from a sitting position. I help him up then he has a hard time walking on his rear legs. He weighs 122lbs, could he have hip displaysia? I read and article on this website that It might be a gland blockage? He normally eats 4 cups of dry food a day (Nutro for large breed) but has not eaten much in the last 2 days. Maybe because he has a hard tine going to the food bowl? What should I do? He is current on all shots and the vet says he is at an "ideal" weight for his age. He was neutured when he was a few months old

Answer
Hi Pablo,
It might not be hip pain. It could be spinal pain, knee pain,sacral(back),all kinds of places can hurt and make him not want to get up. His kidneys might be bothering him, which would make it look like his back hurts.

A three year old dog can certainly have hip dysplasia, but I would get him in for a good exam and some xrays and find out what it really is. You don't want him going to long without eating.

I can think of no 'gland blockage' that would cause this.
Call the vet.  

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

Expertise

PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

Experience

I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

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Audubon,World Wildlife Federation, American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians.

Education/Credentials
Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

Awards and Honors
Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

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