Hey everyone who is reading this,

First off I'm new to this forum(like I made an account 30min ago).

History:
Our puppy "Elsa" is a Siberian husky we got from a "breeder"(3gen incest blood line had worms and fleas, pretty much a puppy mill) anyways she is about 10 months old, was diagnosed with Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy (HOD) back in March. At first she was "down"( in pain, not moving ) for a week and then "up"( happy trying to walk) for a about two days then back "down" for a week. Well about 1 1/2 months ago to shifted to being "down" for 3-4 days and "up" for 3-4 days. But now she can't walk at all I believe from not using her legs as much, when she did walk if she fall she would howl bloody murder even if we support her by cupping her rib cage she will howl in pain. I'm SUPER attached to her and my girlfriend is to..... ever since I got out of the army I have been missing something, when i have bad dreams and just all out bad days she was there to lick my face and tears away, so with that like some have already suggested, putting her down is out of the question I will go before she does!!!!

We have this wheelchair for her to help with walking psychical therapy on the days when she is "up". The back legs work(weak but work) But her front wrist however they don't, they won't straighten out. The farthest they go is 90 degrees to the back. We don't know what to do, trying to straighten them out feels like they will break. Is there an exercise we can do( I haven't found one yet)
Or is there a splint or molding splint that will help straighten out the wrist??

We need help, not many people around here or that I know or veterinarians I have talked to, 1. Know the breed well 2. Have dealt with a dog that has Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy (HOD).

It is not something that is common in Huskies. I don't know much about it but I would look into giving golden paste (turmeric) and you may find some help from CBD oil. Seems like it is extreme growing pains (over simplification). Need to do what you can to manage inflammation and make sure she rests and has limited movement during an episode. You need to find a good vet. It sounds like she has more than HOD. Like there could be some malformation which could mean surgery. Her immune system is going to be in the dumps so a good diet is definitely a must.

Get her a doggy life jacket and swim with her. She won't be able to swim on her own without the jacket but it will be low impact on the bad joints and will build muscle everywhere instead of just what she can do in the wheelchair or when she walks however she usually walks.

I had never heard of this and so did some searching. I am so sorry your pup is afflicted with this disease. The only good news is that once she stops growing the disease should resolve as this is a disease of open growth plates. You are almost there.

The bad news is in severe cases you may be left with deformities that will need surgical correction. Severe cases, which from your description is what you are seeing, leaves the pup is vulnerable to a variety of infections including pneumonia. Dwarfism is often a sequelae in more severe cases. I am sorry I have to mention this, but in severe cases, euthanasia is one recommendation. However, you are almost at the end of the active disease course so you may find her getting better. From your description of her front wrists, you may be looking at some expensive reconstruction surgery - if its even available. I suggest you get a consult at a major veterinary school. I don't know where you live but here in New York state, Cornell would be the first choice. Usually you need a referral from your personal vet to be seen - at least at Cornell.

The swimming that Jenn suggests is one intervention that is highly recommended.

My heart goes out to you - this sounds like an awful disease.

Thank you both for the advice, I never thought to try swimming therapy. It's greatly appreciated. I guess we'll see how everything goes when this nightmare ends.

Good luck. We would love updates on your journey.

Oh I most definitely will,
As of now for Elsa she has a pressure sore that popped up doodle laying on her side, we thought we are flipping her a decent amount so this type thing wouldn't pop up but I guess that isn't true. We're actively treating it and it has scabbed up so it's in the healing process now.

I will add some photos later, I phone won't let me now

I'm with Amy (@Amymeme) I looked to see what this was and it tears me apart to think about the anguish you must be going through. I echo Jenn (@TwisterII) comment, since this is rare in Husky's letting us follow might hopefully (NOT!) help someone else down the line (the 'not' is because I pray that no one else has to go through this.)

Your dedication to your pup is outstanding! The best of luck to you ....

David, so sorry to hear this. You don't have to answer, but I am curious if you live in Michigan? There is a specialty breeder in Michigan, that has husky in the line, and several of the animals have this issue, some worse than others. Please stay in touch with the forum and how your pup is doing. This is horrible, and makes me so sad to know breeders still inbreed, with so many dna tests out there today it is done purely for money. I have seen terrible, terrible issues with dogs that are a result of such tight line breeding, HOD is one, epilepsy is another that is being discussed as a factor. This type of breeding, with advanced technology that we have today, needs to stop. This is breeding features of the 50's, 60's, and 70's, no responsible breeder needs to be breeding like this. We all know it's all about the money and not about the offspring and the effects of inbreeding has on the offspring. Just because a breeder has a lovely dog that can be bred, doesn't mean it should be bred, especially when more than likely this issue has occurred before. Good luck, she is a beautiful girl.

Renee, researchers have found little evidence of heritability for this condition. Except perhaps on one breed that my senior brain cannot name at the moment.

There does apper to be a genetic component since

Penn Vet Med wrote:

HOD affects primarily young, rapidly growing large and giant breed dogs and has been reported to affect the Great Dane, Irish Wolfhound, St. Bernard, Borzoi, boxer, Dalmatian, Irish setter, Weimaraner, German shorthaired pointer, Doberman pinscher, German shepherd, Labrador retriever, collie, greyhound and even the bassett hound and some terrier types.

-and-

vet Med UC Davis wrote:

Several breeds of dogs, including the Weimaraner the Irish Setter and the Great Dane, are at high risk for developing HOD. Therefore, an inherited component is highly probable.

But nowhere do I see a genetic link in Sibes.

Must have been the great danes - what I remember from reading the stuff was the etiology was really known and that except for one breed, they were unable to demonstrate with certainty any genetic component. Specifically, while some breeds seem to have a greater frequency, when they examined history, no link was really clear. Could be old information?

Nasty disease!

And...i've just bolloxed a 71 page print job

I stand corrected:

http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/ccah/areas-study/genetics/clin-studies-trials.cfm

Canine hypertrophic osteodystrophy
In an attempt to determine which genes cause canine hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD), our faculty are studying this developmental disease in Weimaraners and other susceptible breeds (rapidly growing, large dogs such as the Great Dane, Boxer, German shepherd, Labrador retriever and Irish setter) between eight weeks and eight months of age. Affected puppies suffer bone pain that results in lameness or complete refusal to stand or walk. This pain is often accompanied by fever, lethargy and anorexia. In Weimaraners, HOD is often severe and sick puppies may have several episodes until complete closure of the growth plates, which often requires hospitalization for intensive care.


No mention of Siberian Husky. Maybe want to contact this center?

when Leo when though his growing pain i used passive range of motion stretches on him for a wail an they seemed to help him and massages too.

Elsa was 5 months old when this HOD started, she was a funny loving puppy before the HOD, it stole her life her puppy-hood. She couldn't walk couldn't play couldn't be a puppy. Instead she barley move, and piss and shit on myself. I know it's not her fault but I blame the breeder for this. Even after the HOD there is no promise she would be %100 or anywhere here that and how long til an other complication pops up from this HOD like hip dysplasia . I'm sorry to inform y'all but we stopped her pain we couldn't see her go through that anymore, we have done a lot more then most people would have. But now she is running and playing, eating pine cones and chasing rabbits on the other side.

I want to thank all of you for the support and advice and input.... for everything.

RIP
Elsa
11/11/16-09/05/17
You have a spot in our heart, til we regroup

You know that's not what we wanted to hear and we know that's not what you wanted - but there reaches a point where neither we nor the pups can handle any more ...

Dave, I'm really sorry that you had to go through that ... you know that she'll be waiting at the foot of the bridge for you just as full of life as she once was.

RIP Elsa - so short a life ...

I am so sorry for your loss. It's hard to let them go and make the tough but often necessary call in these cases. You showed her great love in her final days.

I am so sorry you had to experience this and for the loss of your sweet pup. I believe you did the best you could and that you and pup were just dealt a bad hand.

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Sending hugs.