Weight pull for less-than-perfect hips?

[Cindy Eyler]

My young Mastiff-mix (now about 17 months old) was x-rayed and found to have "mild" hip dysplasia when I had her spayed last year at about six months of age. We won't know for sure how bad it's going to get until we x-ray both hips after she's two years old. She's on a joint supplement, and all the outward signs of problems have disappeared.

If the final stage of the hip dysplasia is still mild, I'm wondering if pulling light-ish weights might be good for her. I'm thinking that it would build up the musculature that supports the hip. What I have in mind is building up to pulling a tire (without the wheel) or something equivalent.

Anyone have experience with this? Am I nuts for even considering this?

[Amie]

I wouldn't do it without okay from a pro. I'd talk to a sports vet and see if they can recommend some exercises, but without that professional guidance, I'd look for ways for her to build strength (which may help with her hips down the road) that don't involve additional weight.

Either way, a sports vet is the one to talk to, I think. Better safe than sorry!

[Cindy Eyler]

What you say makes sense, Amie. Much as I like my vets, I don't think they have a lot of expertise in veterinary sports medicine. Any suggestions on a specialty practice to contact? I'll have a full set of x-rays done in the spring -- hips, elbows, etc. Or maybe the specialist would want to take those him/herself?

Also, I'm thinking of introducing Jujube to weight pull. Just for us to do on our own. Would also like to have him screened.

[Erin Sullivan]

Cindy, I would have the specialist take the xrays. Because if the regular vet takes them and doesn't do them quite right, then they'll just have to retake them anyway, and it'll cost you more money.

Tucker has moderately dysplatic hips, and the vet's recommendation was not to limit activity but to not engage in things that would intentionally put undue stress on the joints--repetitive jumping, daily jogging, etc.

I'm not sure how light weight pull would fall in terms of deciding whether its beneficial impacts (muscle builiding) would outweigh any drawbacks (joint stress).

[Cindy Eyler]

Thanks, Erin.

So, does anyone know of a veterinary sports medicine specialist anywhere in the area? AA County would be okay. Just don't send me to PG.