Canine Hip Dysplasia - A Dog's Displaced Hip

 

Canine hip dysplasia is a condition in which the head of the femur does not fit snugly into the hip socket.  It is a orthopedic condition that can cause lameness and pain.  In this disease the "ball and socket" of the femur do not fit together tightly.  When the smooth muscle of the thighbone protrudes further and later it rubbing against the inside of the socket causes the lips of the femur to spread further apart thus forming loose structures that can then twist and move around as the femur moves.  When this occurs the bones are then ligament damage occurs and causes lameness and pain.

 

Canine hip dysplasia is found in all sizes and breeds of dogs.  It is not a breed specific trait although certain breeds are more likely to develop issues with a hip joint.  White breads and sulfur- deficient diets increase the chance of developing hip dysplasia.  Obese dogs are more at risk.  German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Great Danes, English Setters and Doberman Pinschers are the breeds that most commonly develop dysplasia.  Sizes of dogs that are at highest risk for hip dysplasia are large and giant breeds such as the Mastiff, Great Dane, German Shepherd, Saint Bernard, Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever.

 

A veterinarian did not agree to discuss the issue of hip dysplasia in detail with me.  He agreed that most vets are not in the best position to judge whether a dog is a dysplastic or not as they are not versed in diagnosis and therefore not able to distinguish between normal and abnormal situation.  He estimated that only forty percent of dysplastic dogs receive proper care and the rest may experience Problems.  He also agreed that younger dogs are more prone to hip dysplasia and that the condition is more easily corrected than the age-related arthritis.

 

When hip dysplasia is suspected a complete physical examination should be made to confirm whether or not it is confirmed as a dysplasia.  x-rays may be required to confirm whether or not a dysplasia is present.  If and when a qualified veterinarian confirms that hip dysplasia is a dysplasia, then there are several steps that may be performed to ease the dogs discomfort and improve their mobility. Compared to the younger dogs, the older dogs have items in their body cavities that can be removed.  Arthroscopy andsterotomy (where x-rays are taken of the pelvis) and femoral head osteotomy (fibular osteotomy) are procedures that can be performed to better osteoarthritis and relieve the pain that is felt by the hip joint.  What is more, these procedures have been found to be effective even in dogs that have been found to be genetically predisposed to hip dysplasia!

 

It is painful to put a dog that may have hip dysplasia back into pain; it is equally painful to watch a pet that may have hip dysplasia slowly worsen and become lame. When a dysplastic dog attempts to move it must overcome a lack of strength and pain. 

It is often a challenge for the owners to watch as the dog begins to get less and less active and eventually vulnerable to falling over when trying to stretch for a long period of time.  Vets often suggest that owners purchase an orthopedic dog bed that distributes the weight evenly on the surface of the bed rather than allowing the pet to hang its limbs over the sides of the bed.  While buying the bed, make sure that you purchase one that is manufactured from memory foam or one that has a separate heating component.

 

If the orthopedic bed is not working for your pet, then a total physical examination may be necessary.  Even the slight problems that your pet may possess may not show up at this time.  chest x-rays, a heart murmur test, an EKG, and other routine tests will be required to properly diagnose the condition.  When hip dysplasia is suspected, orthopedic procedures are usually not performed until the EKG and other tests have been performed.

 

 Seek out your veterinarian and have your pet examined.  Even the slight problems can be treated if diagnosed early enough.  In the case of mild dysplasia, an exercise program that is designed to strengthen the muscles around the hip can be helpful. This is beneficial even if the symptoms are slight. bench greatest pressure is set on the leg, and when used for a short period several times a day, it will provide some relief for the pet.

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