Horse Barn Forum

This is a disease that many large breeds can get, not just Dane's (German Shepherds, Chesapeake's, Boxers, Weimaraners, and the list goes on). I just didn't realize how rare this is. Everyone I talk to has never heard of it.

She seems a little better this morning. Actually followed me around this morning and ate a little bit of food on her own. I hope this is a good sign.

Hang in there Pat.
Hopefully her pain will not get worse.

Today was her first day without metacam.

Bailey has lost 4 lbs over the last week. She shows a little interest in her food but only eats about 6 or 7 pieces then stops. So I've still been feeding her with a syringe. The vet had said to boil some chicken and rice and see if she will eat that so I will try that tomorrow.

She is acting very strange tonight, just doesn't seem to know what she wants. Usually she just lays around and won't move or get up until it is time to go outside. Tonight she keeps following me around and coming up to me at my desk. I brought her bed over beside my desk and she finally laid down but only for a few minutes. Then she was up in a sitting position. Then down again. She has finally stayed down now for 15 mins or so. I haven't seen her act this way since all this started. When I pet her she snuggles her head right up to my belly.

This is Bailey tonight. She looks so depressed, and acts it too. Another symptom of Hod.





What this disease has done to her front legs


The vet had said that they should straighten up eventually when she grows out of this but there is some cases where pups pull through HOD but their legs don't fix themselves and they end up crippled.

Poor girl...how very sad. I have no advice to pass on - never heard of this disease before, but I've never had a large breed dog.

Prayers from the Faces she gets through this quickly with as little suffering as possible...

Thank you everyone.

Bailey is better today! I hope it is long lived and not just a short reprieve. She is walking around more on her own, fever seems to be gone, isn't limping as badly, not wanting to just lay down and do nothing, and she ate a good portion of her supper tonight (her kibbles, not the pureed food)!

I wonder if the metacam is giving her an ulcer, that would make her not want to eat. Can your vet give her an appetite stimulant if an ulcer is not suspected?

No appetite is another symptom of HOD. She also lost a couple baby teeth although that shouldn't bother her with eating. She still seems not as bad today but didn't want to eat. She had some of the pureed food but only about 1/2 of that. I bought some chicken today that I'm going to boil for her today as the vet recommended. Speaking of Bailey, she just came over to say hi....gotta go for now.

Poor little girl! Hope she improves.

Sending positive healing thoughts for Bailey!

Thank you!
Bailey has continued to improve. She still has a ways to go but she is getting there, without the steroids too which is great news! I hope she keeps improving. She is eating better (still not as much as she should be though), walking around more and is even in play mode tonight. She is starting to act more like Bailey again. I truly do hope that she is on the road to recovery.

Some photos from tonight

Playing with her ball


Playing with me


Posing for the camera





Her and Ruby


Ruby playing peek a boo





Having a drink