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Canine Hip Dysplasia"Canine hip dysplasia affects millions of dogs every year. It is an inherited condition that occurs as early as 5 months of age and progressively worsens over time. Treatment includes medication and/or surgery." Canine hip dysplasia is an abnormal formation of the hip joint. The hip joint is a “ball and socket” joint. The end of the femur (the thigh bone) ends in a “ball” and should fit snugly into the “socket” of the pelvic bone. In dogs with hip dysplasia, the bones fit together loosely. When the hip forms abnormally, the cartilage that holds the joint together wears prematurely. This leads to the onset of a form of arthritis called degenerative joint disease (DJD) or osteoarthritis. Hip dysplasia is a developmental disease. This means that it isn't present when your dog is born, but develops later in life. Hip dysplasia is often, but not always, genetic. Some breeds are more susceptible than others, including: * German Shepherds If you have a dog who is particularly susceptible to hip dysplasia, it is recommended that you have the dog checked for the condition before breeding him or her. The condition can begin as early as age 5 months. See our guide to dog hip problems if you believe your dog is suffering from something other than hip dysplasia such as osteoarthritis in the hips. Canine Hip Dysplasia SymptomsSome dogs have no symptoms of canine hip dysplasia even though they have the condition. Most dogs with the condition do not display symptoms until they are full grown. Symptoms often appear like symptoms of arthritis. Both rear legs may appear to be painful. Your dog may limp. He or she may be reluctant to jump up on furniture. He may be less playful and unable to go for long walks.Dog Hip Dysplasia DiagnosisCanine hip dysplasia is diagnosed by x-ray. Dogs need to be anesthetized for the x-rays, because the muscles must be relaxed and the hips must be positioned just so.There are two ways the x-rays may be evaluated. Some vets are certified by the University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program (PennHIP) to evaluate x-rays for hip dysplasia. Other vets send x-rays to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) for evaluation. Clinical signs include: * Abnormal Gait or walk Dog Hip Dysplasia TreatmentCanine hip dysplasia can be treated in a number of ways, depending on the severity of the condition.In severe cases, dog hip replacement surgery (THR) may be required. There are several different surgical procedures that can be done, including partial hip replacement, replacement of only one hip or total hip replacement. In less severe cases, medication can be used to reduce the inflammation and pain caused by the condition. These are the same medications typically used to treat arthritis in dogs, and include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as carprofen, deracoxib, etodolac, ketoprofen, and meloxicam; and corticosteroids such as cortisone and prednisone. There are several simple things you can do at home to help relieve pain caused by hip dysplasia. If your dog is overweight, the condition will be more painful. Talk to your vet about how much your dog should weigh and how much he should be eating. Make sure your pet is on a healthy diet. Daily exercise is also important for your dog. Low-impact exercise, such as walking and swimming, is best. Exercise such as chasing a Frisbee and catching it is hard on your dog’s joints. Finally, you can make your dog’s daily activities a little easier. If there are stairs leading to the outside of your house, consider building or buying a ramp so that your dog can get outside more easily. If you have a large dog, you can raise his food and water dishes so he doesn’t have to bend over to eat and drink. These little things can make a big difference. There is also interest in natural remedies such as glucosamine and other supplements and minerals that may help restore cartilage. Remedies such as PetAlive Muscle & Joint Support are worth discussing with your veterinarian. SourcesCanine Hip Dysplasia and Degenerative Joint DiseaseDunn, T.J. DVM Pet Education PennHip From Canine Hip Dysplasia to Dog Health Guide Home
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