Are collies prone to hip problems?
Hip dysplasia is common in Border Collies. You may notice that he has lameness in his hind legs or has difficulty getting up from lying down. We’ll take X-rays of your dog’s joints to identify the disease as early as possible, and we can treat the arthritis—the sooner the better—to avoid discomfort and pain.
Why does Bruder the Border Collie keep limping?
And sometimes the cause of limping has nothing to do with the leg at all. Bruder is a two-year-old Collie cross. He is a gentle, good-natured dog who lives to run.
When to start weight loss program for Border Collie?
The more extra weight your dog carries, the more strain his or her joints suffer. If your dog is overweight or obese, now is the time to start a weight loss regimen. If your arthritic dog is already at a healthy weight, be sure to maintain it with a healthy diet and gentle exercise.
Is it bad to have a Border Collie in pain?
It’s excruciating to see your Border Collie in pain. When you take a pet into your home you promise to love and care for it the best you can for as long as you can, but arthritis and joint pain can strike at any time and leave you feeling helpless.
What kind of affection does a Border Collie show?
Border Collies come with big personalities and incredible love for their families. They tend to show their affection in many interesting and endearing ways. These dogs do the typical nuzzling with their noses, to show their love. But they also do rather strange things, such as chuffing when they want attention.
What to do about a limping Border Collie?
Quite often, when a limping dog arrives at a veterinary clinic, a problem goes away. Adrenaline surge can do that. That’s why it is always a good idea to film what’s going on in case the dog won’t show the veterinarian. It was not, however, the case with Bruder—his limp was quite obvious.
How does hip dysplasia affect a Border Collie?
Hip dysplasia in Border Collies causes afflicted dogs to walk or run with an altered gait, similar to a bunny-hop. They begin to resist any movement that requires full extension or flexion of the rear legs. They will experience stiffness and pain in their rear legs after exercising and on first rising in the morning.
Why does my Border Collie have a hard time walking?
Neurologic weakness occurs in some dogs as they age from a degeneration of the nerve-muscle connection. This can be caused by spinal issues such as pressure on the spinal cord or a breakdown of the nerve-muscle connection in the muscle of the back legs.
When to take a Border Collie to the vet?
It’s when you notice this type of behavior is becoming a pattern with your older dog that you will want to make a trip to the vet to discuss your options and what to do to ensure that your dog maintains a good relationship with your family. Old age seems to slow everyone down; not just your border collie.