Hip dysplasia?

[MagsC]

I have an appointment with the vet later today for Max. He has started limping and not putting weight on one of his back legs.
I have read this is a symptom of hip dysplasia, which I have NO experience with? Is there anything else it could be?
He is almost three years old and hasnt had any problems before.

 

[easttxchick]

Maggie-what breed is Max? Sorry I know you have told me, but my head isn't working this morning.

 

[MagsC]

Max is half Chow and half Shiba Inu. This has me worried sick.

 

[easttxchick]

Well, you're doing the right thing taking him to the vet. I hope everything is OK for him.

 

[MagsC]

Me too.Sigh.

 

[hinkjc]

We had a dog suddenly start limping. Turned out she tore a ligament in her knee. Surgical repair and she was fine. Although very active dogs tend to tear them over and over.

 

[HEChicken]

Hip dysplasia is basically a deformity that the dog is born with, but usually they are older before they show any symptoms, because it takes awhile for the joint to be worn down to the point that it causes pain. However the onset of pain is usually more gradual, starting with the dog getting up a little stiffly but moving fine once warmed up, and slowly causing pain in more and more situations. A sudden onset such as you described is more likely to be an acute issue such as a sprained muscle/tendon. If the vet suspects hip dysplasia, an x-ray will confirm.

 

[MagsC]

Thank you, I appreciate the info.
Well, took him in and the vet seems to think he just pulled a muscle. Thank goodness!! I am supposed to try to keep him less active over the next couple of days.
How it happened was, when he gets excited about something he gets a case of what I call the "zoomies" and tears around like a maniac (outside, he is well behaved inside). What had him happy this time was I had the brush out. He LOVES to be brushed. I generally do a cursory one every day but when he is blowing his coat I take more time with it and brush him outside. He KNOWS.
So he was ripping around the back yard, the silly goon.