How to Cure Dog Hip Dysplasia
Dog hip
dysplasia is a disease that very often causes lameness. It
is in fact a hereditary pathology that leads to a degenerative process
of the joint of the pelvis for which the head of the femur no longer
fits perfectly to the cavity intended to receive it - the acetabulum -
and leads the joint of the animal to lose stability. Dysplasia can
be mono
or bilateral, i.e. it can affect one or both legs of the dog.
The
two joint heads rub against each other, causing cartilage wear and
pain; over time, the dog may also develop deforming osteoarthritis. This
pathology tends to occur between 4 and 12 months, but the symptoms can appear
later, around two years of life. It has a progressive trend
that tends to get worse over the years.
What is dog hip Dysplasia?
Dysplasia
occurs when a dog's hip joints do not develop properly and allow the pelvis to
partially dislocate. For a dog, this condition can lead to various types
of consequences: from pain, more or less acute, to
extreme difficulty in moving. What causes dog hip dysplasia? It is mostly a genetic
condition, although environmental and dietary factors contribute to the
problem. Large and giant breeds of dogs such as German shepherd, Great Dane, Saint Bernard, Golden Retriever
and Labrador tend to be more predisposed, but can also occur in
subjects of other sizes and breeds.
Being a hereditary pathology dysplastic dogs have a very high
probability of transmitting it to their offspring for this reason, to reduce
its incidence, the breed clubs have imposed limits for mating: only dogs with a
suitable degree of dysplasia can be reproduced. To worsen the condition,
some environmental factors can also contribute, such as excessive and incorrect
physical activity and an unbalanced and / or too caloric diet which leads to an
overweight. These factors can aggravate but not cause
disease if the subject is not predisposed.
Symptoms and diagnosis of dog hip dysplasia
Initially,
an intermittentlameness can be seen which improves with movement but
tends to get worse over time. With the aggravation of the pathology
between the symptoms of dog hip dysplasia we find painful joints,
with consequent reluctance to movement and difficulty climbing stairs, getting
up and sitting properly, and weakness of one or both legs. Muscle atrophy
may be noted. Typical is the "rabbit" gait, with the dog jumping
on the hind limbs.
You should pay attention to these signs and go to the
veterinarian who will carry out manual tests on the hips and legs and will
perform some radiographs, in case you suspect the presence of the
pathology. In subjects at risk, however, a preventive orthopedic examination and
a radiographic
examination to be carried out already at 4-6 months of life ,
in order to be able to intervene, in predisposed puppies, in a very delicate
and fundamental life phase because we are witnessing rapid growth and the
joints are subject to continuous changes.
What to do if the dog has hip dysplasia?
Nutrition
is essential: always
privileged ranging feed that use high quality raw materials, without chemical
additives and with a low percentage of fat that should be administered in
adequate amounts to maintain the proper weight of the dog. The optimal physical activity of
the dog with hip dysplasia involves slow and constant
exercise. It is important to avoid frantic runs, jumps and
stairs.
The ideal would be physical activity in the water, to better
stimulate muscle development without weighing on the joints, or long walks on a
leash. In severe cases where osteoarthritis is already present and the symptoms
evident, it will be necessary to combine drug therapy based on
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or corticosteroids. Both these
groups of drugs, however, have serious side effects that prevent their
long-term use and are mainly used in the most acute phases. Although it is
difficult to cure dog hip dysplasia, the combination
of a healthy diet, joint supplements, anti-inflammatory drugs, maintaining a
normal weight and the right type of exercise can be very useful and
effective. The treatment of the disease has the aim of reducing pain, with
the maintenance of joint function, and slowing down the progression of
degeneration.
Finally, if the condition is very serious, surgery can be performed.
In fact, there are various types of interventions, up to the complete
replacement of the joint with a joint prosthesis in subjects with high-grade
dysplasia. Furthermore, to make dogs experience
the pathology as serenely as possible, the Dogs Health brand offers
orthopedic products, easily applicable even by those who are not experts, which
allow you to carry out the natural movements of everyday life, supporting your
instincts and helping you recover without trauma.
About the Author:
on DogsHealth . Hip Dysplasia in Dogs Winston's Products are the #1 source for immediate, long-term relief for dogs suffering from diseases like hip dysplasia and arthritis.
CONTACT US:
Address:
| 1735 W. Rosecrans Ave. Gardena CA 90249 |
Phone:
| (888) 901-5557 (U.S. Only) (703) 579-4506 (Outside U.S.) |
Email:
dogshealth0@gmail.com
Comments
Post a Comment