My young dog's joints are cracking. Is it a sign of hip problems?

I would definitely recommend taking him to your veterinarian for an exam. An abnormal gait and 'popping' could be a sign of hip dysplasia causing subluxation of the hip joint. Luxating patellas, or kneecaps that pop in and out of the joint would be another possibility. You have a few more options for treatment if these joint problems are caught early, so I'd recommend making an appointment soon.

If there is no pain or limping then I would not worry. If he ever favors that leg, then I would get it checked. Arthritis is a possibility or a luxating patella based on the breed. Glucosamines and omega 3 fatty acids help a great deal but there are other medications your vet can add if needed.

I would recommend having Mimi evaluated by your veterinarian. Often the clicking noise we hear in the hips of puppies can be laxity or abnormal movement in their hip joints due to hip dysplasia. You vet should be able to do an exam and take some x-rays to decide if that is what is going on with Mimi. There are some treatment options that are available only in puppies, so you will want to get a diagnosis as soon as possible to make sure that you have as many treatment options as possible. I have included a handout below with more information for you. https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1916 Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.

It is likely a good idea to have the hip examined and X-rayed by your veterinarian to check for dysplasia or other potential deformities in the joint. Depending on the severity of the issue, your vet may also recommend starting Twinkle on a joint supplement early to help keep the joint healthy and slow down or prevent damage to it or other measures to help keep the joint stabilized and healthy.

This can be common in older dogs that are experiencing arthritis. It is important with a senior dog to choose medications and supplements that are safe for him. It would be best to have your veterinarian get involved by examining Hershey, confirm that he has osteoarthritis and then prescribe appropriate and safe medications and joint supplements. These will not cure him but may alleviate discomfort. The popping sound will likely remain.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Roscoe. These could be signs of hip dysplasia. The first thing to do is have him seen by a vet for x-rays. This will confirm if he has hip dysplasia. If he does, the vet can discuss treatment options for him such as pain medication and joint supplements. I'd take him into the vet this weekend or Monday. I hope this helps!

Poor guy. It sounds like he has some joint and possible hip problems. I would definitely recommend getting DJ examined by your vet and consider having x-rays done of his limbs to get more information on what is happening internally. Pets this young can have an array of problems including patellar luxation, muscular disease (i.e. Myasthenia gravis) or degenerative joint disease. We should be able to narrow things down after some viable diagnostic testing. I hope that DJ's debilitating condition improves soon! Best of luck moving forward. Take care. : )