Hip Dysplasia Symptom

Hip Dysplasia Symptom

5 Things You Should Know About Canine Hip Displaysia

by Jennifer Horning

What is Canine Hip Dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia is a painful disease that causes a dogs hips to become weak and arthritic. Large breed dogs are the most susceptible, but the disease can occur in smaller dogs and even cats. Like humans, a dogs hip is considered to be a "ball and socket" joint. The thigh bone (femur) consists of the head (or "ball"), neck (part of the bone connecting the head to the long shaft), and the long shaft. The acetabulum forms the socket part of the joint, and it is in this socket that the head of the femur rests. Canine Hip Dysplasia occurs when the ligaments holding the head of the femur in the socket become weakened, creating a loose and unstable joint. If the head is not held firmly in place, there will be excessive wear on the bone and cartilage of the hip joint itself. The weakened ligaments may also become swollen, frayed, or torn, causing excruciating pain to the pet.

What Causes Hip Dysplasia?

It is believe that hip dysplasia is usually a genetic trait, inherited from one or both parents, however it can occur in a dog whose parents do not have hip dysplasia.

Does My Dog Have Hip Dysplasia?

Here are some telltale signs of hip dysplasia:

• Difficulty getting up
• Reluctance to walk, jump, or climb stairs
• Painful reaction when back legs are touched
• Whining, panting, or an overall change in behavior
• Lameness after exercise
• Avoiding hip extension by hunching back when standing

How is Hip Dysplasia Diagnosed?

The only way to accurately diagnose hip dysplasia is through radiographs. The symptoms listed above may be seen in dogs with normal hips, and affected dogs may have none of those symptoms at all.

What is the Treatment for Hip Dysplasia?

There are many treatments fro hip dysplasia, and one must be careful which to choose. Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed, and while making the pet more comfortable, do nothing to help the disease itself. In fact, some drugs may actually slow cartilage repair and accelerate cartilage destruction. Surgery may be recommended in severe cases, but this is often a very expensive procedure that may reduce the pets pain for some time, but never restores the original function of the joint. There is an alternative to the conventional treatments listed above. Recent studies and clinical trials have revealed that nutritional therapies can help ease the pain and stop the degenerative process of hip dysplasia. Talk to a veterinary nutritionist to discover more options when dealing with this painful disease.

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Hip Dysplasia Causes and Treatments
Your Questions on Canine Hip Dysplasia - Answered

Your Questions On Canine Hip Dysplasia - Answered.
CHD is a heritable disease. It is passed on by the parents to the offspring. The only effective measure therefore to eradicate the disease is to prevent dogs with hip dysplasia from breeding.

hip dysplasia
Hip Dysplasia is an abnormal formation of the hip joint in which the ball at the top of the thighbone (femoral head) is not stable in the socket (acetabulum). Also, the ligaments of the hip joint may be loose and stretched. The degree of instability or looseness varies. A baby born with DDH may have the ball of his or her hip loosely in the socket, the looseness may worsen as the child grows and becomes more active, or the ball may be completely dislocated at birth.

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