Hip Dysplasia: A Major Problem in Dogs

1. Title:Hip Dysplasia: A Major Problem in Dogs Body: Hip dysplasia - A condition that shall instantly change a dog’s quality of life. It is also a very painful sight for their owners to watch. Canine Hip Dysplasia is a common skeletal condition. It can affect large or giant breed dogs, and can also occur in small breeds as well. The hip joint functions as a ball and socket. In dogs with hip dysplasia, as the joints fail to develop properly, it increases rubbing and grinding of the joints and so they don’t function smoothly. This results in deterioration over time and an eventual loss of function of the joint itself. Let us dig little dipper to find the causes of this joint condition known as Hip Dysplasia. Causes of Hip Dysplasia Hip dysplasia can be caused by a number of factors including Genetics Some breeds are more prone to hip dysplasia and are born with it. It can’t easily be removed from affected breeds or a particular lineage and so it is considered as a fairly complex disorder that has a number of genes involved. Environmental Factors The causes of hip dysplasia in dogs can range from factors like obesity, rapid weight gain, lack of exercise and nutrition, repetitive strain, pelvic injuries as well as poor back leg development. Medical Conditions Often, the late onset of the disease is due to osteoarthritis. If osteoarthritis is left untreated then the condition can progress to hip dysplasia. Treating Hip Dysplasia In Dogs Your veterinarian may recommend a non-surgical approach if your dog’s hip dysplasia is not severe or if your dog can’t have a surgery due to medical or financial reasons. Depending on the severity of your dog’s case, the vet can suggest the following remedies:

2. Weight reduction Exercise restriction especially on hard surfaces Physical therapy Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) Joint fluid modifiers If your dog requires surgery, there are more options. There are quite a few different types of surgical strategies, but the most common ones that the veterinarians use to treat hip dysplasia in dogs are Double or Triple Pelvic Osteotomy (DPO/TPO) Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO) Total Hip Replacement (THR) Everyday Tips To Help Dogs With Hip Dysplasia Feed your dog pet food formulated for weight control Consider gentle exercise like swimming Decrease your dog’s jumping by using pet steps and ramps Provide a soft supportive orthopedic dog bed Elevate your dog’s food and water bowls Use a supportive harness when walking your dog Dogs with hip dysplasia can also lead long and happy lives, especially with joint care treatment. If you think that your dog has hip dysplasia or if your dog has recently been diagnosed with hip dysplasia, talk to your veterinarian about the treatment options and other changes that you can make to your dog’s lifestyle in order to keep your dog comfortable well into old age.