Golden Retrievers and Hip Dysplasia

    My golden retirever, Jasper has hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is very common in golden retrievers and in most dogs. Jasper has the worst hip dysplasia that the vet has ever seen. Hip dysplasia is an abnormal formation of the hip socket that, in its more severe form, can eventually cause crippling lameness and painful arthritis of the joints. It is a polygenic trait, that is affected by environmental factors in the production of the final phenotype.

    We figured out that he had hip dysplasia on a weekend in September. I woke up and my mom was crying and I heard Jasper barking like crazy in the back yard. I asked my mom what was wrong and she told me that we might have to put Jasper down. When she told me that, I started crying too and got really scared for him.

    I went outside to see what was wrong with him and found out that he couldn't get up. I started coaxing him and begging him to get up but he wouldn't. After trying for a very long time, I called my dad to come home and see if he could do anything. When my dad got home it only took him two tries to get Jasper up and walking. After that my mom and dad took him to the vet and got him checked out. I think that had to be one of the most saddest days of my life so far.