Dutch Shepherd Forum

Radar will do a high-pitched squeal on occasions where he takes off after something.

I've always been concerned that this might be a pain response, though it could just be excitement.

I did mention it to my vet, and he didn't seem concerned leaning towards the excitement reason.

After seeing some x-rays posted here, it occurs to me that he might really have a problem that could get worse even though there's no outward evidence of a problem.

Radar's up for his annual check up next week, so I will broach the subject again with my vet, but I'd really like some opinions here as to whether I should push a little harder to check this out.

I am concerned about what it might take to get the x-rays of Radar. Although he is okay with me touching and maneuvering him, I wouldn't think he'd be much fun for someone else to attempt that. I don't want to sedate him if I can help it either.

Thanks in advance for the advice.

I'd get him checked. Sedated xrays are no big deal and in most cases, in order to get the dog into proper position for hip evaluation, sedation is necessarily. I just had my male done and it was $185 for xrays including sedation, and OFA submission for hips and elbows.

The vet should be able to do some physical manipulation of the hips/rear during the exam to look for any reactions and that might give you a clue. I knew that Odin had a problem pretty early on as he always seemed a bit sore, but I didn't take the plunge at bringing him in until I was about a month away from entering agility competitions and he was blowing me off at practice. It was also the same time we got Elli and I noticed he was extra sore after playing with her, but she was ready to go again immediately. In my case, we didn't find much from the hips, but the lateral view with the spine in it showed spinal problems.

like Stephanie is saying, if there were a problem, you would likely get at least slight hints of it in his behavior, movement, tenderness, sensitivity.
i would bet 100% that the squeal is excitement. you should hear Tracer every time the door opens or a chase begins! it briefly sounds like someone must be skinning him alive. but there is not a peep if 2 DS ram him from the side at full speed. it sounds like Radar's prey drive is very healthy.

I also agree with Stephanie about having the vet palpate him to see what they find. Sadie has Double HD. She would be really ouchy when getting up from a lying down position, or had a hard time with the stairs, and after a good hard play with Thalie she would be ouchy and go lay down. The sounds were an obvious ouch sounds. Sadie is very very vocal and her play squeals are different from her pain squeals.