Too young to be cracking
My boy will be 3 in Dec and he's already cracking when he gets up...which is slowly. He's on Glucosamine and Chondroitant. We mostly have hard wood floors or tile so he's got a bed we put down. And he also is usually on the couch or in my bed. Not sure what else I can do...I didn't expect the cracking this young.  |
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| Hi.
You may want to consider having his hips x-rayed. I'm guessing that's the end the cracking's coming from? If the vet finds something, he or she may have some suggestions. The glucosamine etc you're already giving him (good idea!) and keeping his weight in check and keeping him well-muscled are probably a good start though. Kristine |
| Yes that is the end...like right @ the bend. He may stand to lose a pound or 2 but we're working on the exercise but I know it's not a weight issue. He's right around where he should be.
I didn't even think about that bc of all the other things he has going on. It's like you do all this stuff to prevent it, but you miss the big thing. |
| No, no. Not saying you missed anything. Just that if you suspect a dog may be developing an orthopedic issue you try to keep them a little leaner and a little fitter within their tolerance level than the average hairball, that's all.
Hopefully it's nothing too serious. Kristine |
| I'm a Chiropractor, so my knowledge comes from humans but from talking to my vet its pretty much the same for dogs.
The cracking generally means one of 3 things. 1. the joint is misformed ie hip dysplasia and the cracking comes from the lack of a proper fit in the joint, so to speak. 2. there is cartilage damage in the joint. Can be traumatic injury, wear and tear due to the above, wear and tear of old age. 3. the ligaments that hold the joint together are somewhat overly long and/or stretchy and let the joint move around a little too much which can lead to cartilage wear. Glucosamine etc helps with the damage to the cartilage. Keeping a dog lean takes some of the stress off the cartilage and reduces some of the stretch on the ligaments if they're not supporting the joint well. Keeping the dog well muscled takes some of the stress off the joints and reduces the stretch on ligaments. It is definitely worth talking to your vet. Some conditions are better off treated young. Others you manage as Kristine recommended throughout the dog's life. Good luck. |
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