Canine hip dysplasia is a painful condition that can be heartbreaking to watch, and for pets it can significantly reduce their quality of life. But, while caring for a sick pet can leave owners feeling helpless, there are specific steps parents can take to help their pet.
With this in mind, owners should be familiar with conditions such as hip dysplasia. A general understanding means preventative measures can be put in place, allowing signs of hip dysplasia to be recognized more quickly to facilitate early intervention.
With this knowledge, owners can ensure that every stage of life, from puppyhood to adulthood, can be enjoyed and savored.
Understanding Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a skeletal condition that affects the hip joints in dogs.
A dog’s hip joint is a kneecap. The ball will move smoothly inside the socket in a healthy canine hip. However, hip dysplasia impairs this function in two ways. The first way is characterized by the fact that the ball joint and the socket do not fit together. The second way is incorrect development of the joint.
Both problems result in, rather than smooth, constant slipping, the seal is rubbing and grinding. Over time, the hip joint deteriorates to the point where the dog loses joint function. The deterioration may present as degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis before progressing to hip dysplasia.
Common causes of hip dysplasia
A common cause of this condition is genetics. Although hip dysplasia can affect any dog, large purebred and mixed breeds are at risk of developing hip dysplasia due to their rapid growth. Indeed, rapid growth does not allow the joints to develop properly.
With that in mind, the breeds most likely to suffer from this disease are:
- Great Danes
- Saint Bernard
- Labradors
- Collectors
- german shepherds
Your dog’s heritage will also play a role in the development of hip dysplasia. Primarily an inherited condition, the chances of a puppy developing hip dysplasia if their parent(s) have it are more than double.
It should also be noted that nutrition and exercise play a role in the development or prevention of hip dysplasia. Take the example of overeating. This can often lead to obesity. As such, the added stress on the joints can cause hip dysplasia or make it worse if the condition is underlying.
Preventive techniques
Reading and witnessing hip dysplasia firsthand can be harrowing. Fortunately, there are steps owners can take to help prevent a beloved dog from suffering this fate. First, however, it should be noted that for most owners, their pets become like family. This means that you share the good times and the bad, just like with your loved ones. One of those tough times is watching your dog deal with hip dysplasia.
This painful condition can be heartbreaking to watch, and for pets, it can significantly reduce their quality of life. But, while caring for a sick animal can leave owners feeling helpless, there are specific steps humans can take to help their pet. A general understanding of the condition and its signs means preventative measures can be established early in the dog’s development. It also means that symptoms can be recognized quickly to facilitate early intervention.
With this knowledge, owners can determine the right level of care for their beloved pets. Ensuring that the health of the animal’s joints is at the center of all stages of life, from puppy to adulthood.
There are special nutritional requirements for large breed puppies. Feeding your pup foods that help prevent excessive growth gives joints and muscles time to develop properly.
Exercise is also crucial. Keeping the animal at a healthy weight allows the dog to grow and function without adding stress and strain to the joints. However, not all exercises are beneficial. As such, stick to low impact activities that don’t strain the body. Running and jumping will put too much pressure on the dog’s hips.
Symptoms to watch out for
Since many cases of hip dysplasia are not preventable, knowing the symptoms to be aware of is essential. Early intervention has many benefits. First, you can reduce the time your dog spends in pain and promote good joint health from an early age. Second, you can put them on the path to treatment faster, rather than letting them make the problem worse.
It is common for symptoms of hip dysplasia to be evident around 4 months of age. In other cases, older dogs may develop hip dysplasia as well as arthritis in certain joints as they age.
It is also important to note that the symptoms can be mild or prolific depending on the severity of the disease. The associated joint inflammation or looseness and the duration of the disease will also have an impact on the severity of the symptoms.
Symptoms of hip dysplasia include:
- Limping
- Stiffness
- Wobbly gait
- Inability to climb stairs
- Limited range of motion
- Lower activity levels
- Loss of thigh muscle mass
- Excessive panting (indicates pain)
- Weakness and pain in the hind legs
- Reluctance to rise from a seated position
- Cracking and popping noises from joints
Making a diagnosis
If your dog shows signs of hip dysplasia, it is important to have him evaluated by a veterinarian. With the average cost of treating a dog around $499, this visit can be expensive. However, this is the only way to put your dog on the road to recovery and keep him active.
The first step will revolve around the veterinarian performing a physical exam. Manipulation of the hind legs will assess joint looseness, level of grinding, and range of motion.
From there, the vet can order blood tests. Through this process, the vet will determine if there is any inflammation around the joint which will be apparent in the complete blood count. However, the vet will need to perform an x-ray or x-ray for a definitive diagnosis.
The path of treatment
When it comes to treating hip dysplasia, there are many different treatment options to consider. However, the treatment options available will differ depending on the severity of your dog’s condition.
For those on the less severe scale, hip dysplasia can be treated with weight loss, exercise restriction, physical therapy combined with joint supplements, anti-inflammatory medications, and muscle modifiers. joint fluid.
Surgery may need to be considered for dogs with more severe cases of hip dysplasia. There are three surgical options used to treat this condition. The first is a double or triple pelvic ostectomy. This is normally surgery for dogs under ten months old.
Number two is a femoral head ostectomy which is used on young and adult dogs. Number three is the most severe option – a total hip replacement. After surgery, dogs are advised to wear braces or use a dog wheelchair to help provide additional support and stability during exercise.
In conclusion
There is nothing worse for an owner than seeing their dog suffer. Since dogs are known for their stoic nature, the sight of a limp or excessive panting due to pain can be quite difficult to observe.
In order to provide the best care for your dog, it is important to be informed. A mindful approach to preventing and treating hip dysplasia can help ensure that your dog has all the tools needed to live a comfortable and happy life.
