Denim’s Story – “Can Dogs with Hip Dysplasia Compete in Agility?”
“Can Dogs with Hip Dysplasia Compete in Agility?”
From Denim’s mom, Lisa M :
Denim is a 3.5 year old male Border Collie. A pretty boy and very athletic. In January 2024 Denim was competing in a Barn Hunt competition and an agility instructor approached me and asked if he was out of a certain litter. I told them YES and the agility instructor told me she was training his (Denim) brother. I was asked if Denim had any issues because his brother is limping and was x-rayed and showed signs of Hip Dysplasia. They asked me to trot Denim and let them see if they could see any of the same signs (I was shocked). We did and he showed no sign. They told me it would be wise for me to have him X-rayed. I was not going to because I really did not want to know and in my mind he was fine and NO WAY he could have hip dysplasia.. My best friend talked me into it and so I got my Vet to x-ray him.
I was devastated to get the news YES he had it. I cried and cried thinking I have to put this beautiful, fun loving boy down, my heart was just breaking. I gathered my senses and I took him to my sports vet for consultation. She referred me to an orthopedic vet that is very familiar with sport animals. Denim was seen by the orthopedic vet. When she told me she would treat the dog in front of her not the X-rays, I was sold. He was NOT a candidate for him replacement (boy I was glad). His right hip is moderate and his left is mild. She told me if I keep him muscled up and lean and do physical therapy he could have a long sports life. The Ortho vet wanted me to put him on Adequan, Omega 3 and myos, so I did. So now I am off to get him a chiropractic adjustment and to get a referral for a physical therapist to help me condition Denim.
Today, he is competing in agility, barn hunt, frisbee and nose work and we are going to try dock diving this summer. I warm him up before any competition/training for about 10 minutes, and I have some exercises I do with him 2 – 3 times a week. Once it gets warm he will also be swimming 2-3 times per week. I build in strict rest days where he does not do anything, and I do his rehabilitation exercises on days without any sports activities. I have to manage his condition, but it is well worth it to me. I do maybe see some early signs and symptoms, as he tends to jump with his hind end tucked and doesn’t extend fully, and he does resist his right hind leg being fully stretched into extension, but we are slowly working on improving that.
Yes I can still cry over this but I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason and I was given this dog for a reason. We will get thru this together and I will give him the best life possible. He is a happy boy that I dearly love. 🙂
