Hips making a "creaking" noise

[Guest maya's mom]

Within the last week or so, my husband and I have noticed a "creaking" noise coming from Maya's hips when she moves. It's not there all the time, but you can definitley hear it a lot of the time. It is similar in sound to the noise a creaky, clicky knee might make on a human. She is not and has not ever limped, or acted like she was bothered. We walk daily which she is game to do, and we play outside, frisbee, running, etc., which she always wants to do, and shows no signs of a problem when doing that. She is almost 10 months old. Is this something I should be immediately worried about? Like to the point of a vet visit and/or xrays? I am wondering if it is a growing phase...........She is 33 pounds, and has been that weight for at least two months now. Any opinions would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

I've added a picture so you can see her shape. She isn't overweight, etc........Also, for about two months now, I have been giving her a daily treat....Zuke's Hip Action with Glucosamine & Chondroitin. Have been giving her these since before I started hearing the noise. Just thought they were a good idea. As far as food, she is on California Natural.

[PSmitty]

I'm sure someone more knowledgable than me will come along, but I think if it were me, if she's not showing any signs of pain or limping, I'd wait a while. She's still young, and I thought that it was recommended to do hip x-rays after they've finished growing. If you're still concerned later, then you could get some done.

 

Also, if you don't get many replies here, try reposting in the "health" section.

 

BTW, for what it's worth, to me she looks in great shape, sounds like she's a good weight, she's on a good food and gets plenty of exercise. In other words, you're doing it all right.

[Alaska]

Something for you to read: Clicking/Popping Sounds in the Knee?

 

I have no idea if the information in the link above is accurate or not.

[Olivia]

I would go ahead and have a vet feel her knees and hips and get a quick hip film. No, she isn't finished growing but if she has early, severe hip problems there is a surgery that can be done to correct it and that surgery can only be done at a certain time in the dog's life. I forget the oldest it can be done but it is before a year of age, I think. A TPO is what it is called. I would give anything to go back to Carlie at 6 months of age and xray her so we would have seen her hips and be able to have done the surgery. I now take a hip film of my young dogs at around 6 months to make sure that if there are problems I can nip it in the bud.

 

She may not be showing pain but these dogs, especially when young, would rather run through fire than admit they are in pain and can't keep going. They have amazing tolerance for pain so I would not use that as a reason not to see a vet. I have a dog that we joke would still be running agility with one leg half ripped off he loves the game so much.

 

Olivia

[Guest maya's mom]

We went ahead and made a vet appt for Monday. The vet will give Maya an orthopedic exam. An interesting thing developed today however. My husband and I were drying Maya off after playing outside, and when we were near her left leg, we could hear it "cracking" as we were moving it. And, it doesn't seem to be her hips. It was lower down on the leg. I would say it was her "knee" joints. We were able to plant the leg, and move it a few different ways, and it cracked every time in the same place. So, I am not sure if it's good news, bad news, or the same type of news, if the problem seems to be her knee. She didn't care at all that we were manipulating her leg, and still does not act like anything at all is bothering her. Guess I will see what the vet says on Monday.........Thanks for the replies.