Shadow has always had weak legs, he's 9 months old and up until about a day ago he was doing "ok" as he can be. I have had previous vet visits that have not shown any pain from manipulation or anything out of the ordinary. Yesterday I took a quick jog down the end of the street with him and his rear end dropped out and he dragged his legs in like a low power sort of way and then continued. Now rather than orthopedic I am thinking this may be a neurological condition with his lower spine/hips.
I just made an appointment for tomorrow morning, I fear however this may be something quite serious and I also dread the thought of having to go into debt (IE having to pay off a large bill for x-months). I'm just a college student trying to save to move to a new school next year but the possibility of a 1000+ vet bill sets me back a few months. I hate asking for monetary assistance from the family but I do want to see him at least have somewhat of a normal life.
The situation really sucks given that he is my first full responsibility dog.

Your thoughts?

At what age did you start jogging with him on the street? That's not at all good for pups and can lead to orthopedic problems and ACL tears.
Has your vet done xrays of his hips and patella?

He was never able to go any distance except for a few hundred feet down the road thats all he could ever do. I've only ever walked him

Seems like early onset of some bad crap. Hips and knees feel fine, likely spine related. Vet gave me an NSAID and will get back to me after some research in a week.

Are you asking us for medical advice?

Josh I do not want to appear mean or rude, but you have put up the same thread for at least 3 months, you just word things differently. I have read every one of them, Jen especially, as well as Samantha and others have almost begged you to bite the bullet take on the debt and get his hips and legs x-rayed by a knowledgeable vet. This dog is only getting older and frankly he looks like he hurts when walking. Stop trying to guess whats wrong with him and take everyones advice. Like Jen said "Are you asking us for medical advice?" from what I have read everyone has given you advice. For what it's worth if it's not HD, then to me he severely injured something and looks like it healed wrong, he will walk awkwardly and have a miserable life if not corrected. Trust me when I say this, I would eat ramen noodles for the rest of my life to make sure my girl had the proper treatment of an injury or genetic issue, and the minute I saw an issue she would be getting the proper medical care. Please don't wait forever to fix him, the longer you wait the costlier it will become.

I do not want you to take offense to my post. I watched your videos and it made me sad. I understand being a broke college student, been there done that, but you have to find a way to take care of this.

Renee

Went to the vet today that's what happened. They are going to get back to me after they check their options, there will be another visit. They gave me the Carprofen (NSAID) for the next two weeks to see how he responds. It's getting taken care of one way or the other, had to make sure I can make the payments first if it came to it. And no I'm not asking for medical advice, just putting out a possibility. I get it, I waited but I didn't have much of a choice at the time, now I can afford to make payments if there is a surgery needed down the road.

Did the vet suggest an X-ray?

Josh, I'm with Jen, I don't understand why your vet will not x-ray. Are they knowledgeable of huskies? Afflictions that pertain to them? Mine don't and when I go for a problem I arm myself with the knowledge and at times demand things that have to be done, of course nothing as serious as your problem.

Also I lived in Port Richey for 16 years, it's about an hour drive south of you. I know there are a plethora of vets in Florida some great, some ok and some down right shouldn't be vets. Meredith suggested a vet to you and if you want to travel I can as well. Have you been going to this vet on a regular basis? Maybe you need to search for a different vet or at least a second opinion, because you need x-rays.

He's a handsome boy, and so young. Please find an alternate vet.

"funny" thing is this is this is the alternative vet, my usual vet for the basic stuff (shots etc.) was straight up with me about not having much experience with orthopedic issues. I went to this vet for this issue because they are the most experienced in the county for orthopedics, they told me they didn't want to blindly take a bunch of x-rays without looking into possible problems first. They are getting back to me next week if they don't suggest x-rays ill have them do it, It's obvious now given recent events that it is his lower back given the sensitivity sometimes and both legs dropping out if he runs, and his back nails have always been filed low.

What type of tests did they do then? I would be asking a lot of questions, ask them to explain themselves. Huskies are wonderful at hiding things, he may be used to being manipulated that just a physical may not be enough, did they draw blood. I would ask what they did, explain to you what else it could be without taking x-rays.

Just an example of how huskies hide sickness. My girl had a so/so appetite, been that way it seems forever, everything else was good for so long, really thought it was just her being a husky. NOPE!! She had a 3 inch tape worm on her butt, aha, that's it. My vet supposedly did poop checks, hmmmm, not so sure about that. They said oh bring in a sample. Well by that time I did my research and sometimes it won't show up in poop sample after a piece comes off. I demanded the medication that I felt was right, they didn't, but gave it to me anyways. Happy appetite 3 days latter. You have to be knowledgeable about all possibilities, you have to ask questions, why are you doing this, are you going to do that, what do you think about this. Bug the crap out of them. I know this is more serious and costlier than my situation. You have to become a parent, your pup will not be able to tell you and he'll fake it for you. Ask questions, you'll get results.

No actual "tests" besides the feeling around. She recognized it was a special case and told me that she would look into it. She took video of him standing and walking around. I should hear back from them within the week. More than what they have done before so I will see what they have to say, he's almost a year old so it will be good to have some x-rays done as well.

I've read your posts, I've watched the videos, and they make my stomach hurt.

Your dog either has a classic case of hip dysplasia, or is severely crippled due to an injury that healed wrong. One surgery will likely not cut it. He will likely need several to even have a chance of a pain-free life. This is a dog that will need long-term care to be comfortable.

You likely have 2 treatment options: a triple pelvic osteotomy or a total hip replacement. Seeing the videos, I would bet the your pup's joints have deteriorated where a hip replacement is the only option, which can cost around $5,000.

Seriously think if you can do this. You're in college, and haven't been able to afford x-rays to this point (I get it, I really do, life is expensive). Are you willing to take on serious debt? Just last week you posted that you couldn't afford tests and a $1000. You are likely facing costs 5 and 6 times that.

You can't keep delaying. You need to insist upon x-rays. Seeing your dog walk, the first thing a good vet would have done is get x-rays- as I said, there's really only two possibilities for what's wrong.

If you can't commit to several thousand dollars and lots of intensive care, please do what's best for the dog. There are husky rescues who could take him and get him the care he needs, and place him with a home who can give him all he needs-he is in for a tough life.

You can't wait. Every day you wait will worsen the condition until he's in complete pain and unable to walk. I don't know how else to say it. Without rapid care, your dog will be completely crippled.

I really don't mean to be harsh or mean. Life is expensive, and incredibly hard. But your dog deserves proper care.

Honestly, I would find a different vet.... one that will 'blindly do a bunch of xrays before looking at other causes'. Xrays is the most efficient way (by time and cost) to rule out many issues, including hip dysplasia. A vet that suggests otherwise is wasting time and money.

AnyaLuv and Eresh are right. X-rays need to be done. That is the only way to know what is wrong. It could even be something neurological, especially with the extreme calm, and back leg weakness. It could be HD, spinal, or even brain. Another Shadow on this forum has a brain malformation that first manifested as extreme calmness, and then eventually seizure, and rear leg weakness. How did she find out? She went to the vet, and had many studies done. It was ridiculously expensive, but when we take on pets we have to take FULL responsibility for them. I understand that finances limit the amount we can do for them, but you have to do the right thing and at the very least get X-rays done, and make a decision from there. Shadow can't speak up for himself, he can't tell you he's in pain, although watching him walk it's obvious he is uncomfortable.

It honestly makes a lot of us very sad and angry to see that you have been posting about this for so many months, and having the same issues, asking for help, and then just doing nothing. Shadow is in pain and you need to do something about it. Everyone is trying to be polite and helpful, but the bottom line is that you are flat out refusing to do the one and only thing that could potentially help Shadow. We have been begging you since your original post months ago to do the right thing by your dog and get the darn X-rays done.

I hope I'm not coming across as harsh or rude, but your dog is in pain, has been for months, and needs proper care. Do the right thing for him. Don't wait a couple weeks, call the vet tomorrow and demand X-rays. He can't speak for himself, you have to speak for him.

I understand guys. There will likely be some difficult decisions in the coming weeks. I'll post if there are any decent results.

Vet sent me an email, going in for xrays on Saturday.

Good! So glad to hear the vet is doing the x-rays! Good luck with everything and please let us know what happens. I'm sorry I was pushy in my earlier post.

Eh its long overdue but my previous job was barely enough to cover my monthly needs without asking for help. Everything will hopefully be taken care of now.

I just found this info - thought it might be helpful to you. (I was looking at the page Renee posted about spinning husky fur...)

http://sos-srf.org/HelpForPersonalDogs.html

Got his x-rays today and they look good. From his spine to his tail everything is in place and undamaged. The hips and knees are good and so does his lower back. She said she will forward the x-rays to the orthopedic vet and a neurological vet to see if they notice anything straight away. The hunt continues. He has been on carprofen for a week now and seems to have more energy, he's still weak in the rear but he has been more active. So for now, we'll have to see where this next leg goes.

Also he eats normally but his midsection is super skinny.

Poor guy. I hope you figure things out soon so you can get treatment as soon as possible.

Josh, do you have any other pics of shadow? would love to see more, He's probably a little skinny because it's summertime, and the stress that's occurring. I'm glad to hear you are making some progress. Please keeps us posted, and more pics please,   

MiyasMomma wrote:

Josh, do you have any other pics of shadow? would love to see more, He's probably a little skinny because it's summertime, and the stress that's occurring. I'm glad to hear you are making some progress. Please keeps us posted, and more pics please,   

There you go, oldest to most recent. Starting with day 1.

https://imgur.com/a/56REq#0

He is very handsome, love the ring by his nose. I can see from your pics he's a happy guy. I do however notice his left leg, looking at him, so his right hind leg, sits angled, now it could be how he is sitting/standing, however it appears to be slightly off. Did the x-rays go to his ankles and paws? Just curious, I do recall you mentioning his ankle before.
Thanks for sharing, again he is adorable.