Walkin" Wheels Wheelchair for Dogs

Dogs get sore backs about as easily as people do. The problem is that when a dog can no longer walk it is considered a catastrophe. Sometimes the dog is even put to sleep. With a dog wheelchair, the fact that a dog can’t use his back legs becomes no more than an inconvenience.

A wheelchair can enable your dog to run and play again, get the exercise he (or she) needs, and live a happy, healthy life. The Walkin’ Wheels wheelchair is designed to help animals with hip and leg problems including degenerative myelopathy (DM), hip dysplasia, arthritis, paralysis, slipped disc, soreness, spinal and neurological problems, surgical recovery, and more.

A Walkin’ Wheels dog wheelchair from HandicappedPets.com can be shipped next day, requires only approximate measurements (the cart wizard does all the work), folds flat, comes fully assembled, and is adjusted, without tools, to fit your dog, or any other dog. In some cases, such as for animals under 20 lbs or over 100 lbs, some customization may be required.

Hip Dysplasia in Dogs

The more I think of this subject the more amazed I become. Here we veterinarians have about 24 institutes of higher learning all with teachers teaching genetics that offer degrees in Veterinary Medicine. Also there are college level professors of some of the greatest human institutions of learning who apparently lived with genetics and many of whom must have had a dog of their own with Hip Dysplasia and no one I have heard of suggested that a problem that started with a reported dominate trait in a German Shepard dog spread as through the wind to all breeds of dogs. Unbelievable. I, too am in that designation of ridiculous ignorance.
Archeologists claim there were dogs in Mexico born without hair 6,000 years ago. Some interested parties went to Mexico and combing the villages found 10 hairless specimens and the result was a new bred. That’s how a genetic trait spreads and not like some bacterial or virus disease. I want to shout it for all to hear and to cry over. I think of the sadness of veterinarians who had to euthanize so many thousands of cases of dogs in such pain that living with it was asking too much.
I recall one dog brought in for euthanasia and I asked if I might perform surgery as an experiment at my expense. The owners were willing. I went to work as a carpenter with hammer and wood chisel and removed the heads of the two femurs from both hind legs. I recall helping that huge St Bernard to his feet as he recovered from the anesthesia and that dog walked better with his back legs after that brutal surgery than before surgery. He lived out a normal life and when his end came the owners permitted me to perform a post mortum. That dog had two opposing flattened bony areas covered with cartilage with what appeared to me to be joint fluid.
It was as I have said elsewhere one breed that seemed not to be susceptible to Hip Dysplasia until years after all other dogs had had it reported and that was the Greyhound. The reason to me was that the breeders were for years only interested in breeding fast dogs and believed to do that the pregnant bitches had to be run while pregnant for the puppies to be fast. The exercise of running while pregnant flushed the toxic substances from their systems without affecting their puppies as the other breeds failed to do.
I believe we in my profession should be ashamed and immediately identify the substance(s) responsible. When that answer is found we will be ahead of the human medical people who may be permitting non-exercising pregnant humans to be bearing babies who will be born to suffer one or more of the problems without answers such as Autism.
In the veterinary field there are breeding programs to eliminate the problem which in actuality are programs to produce individuals resistant to the causative agent.

Displazija kuka | Klinika za kirurgiju, ortopediju i oftalmologiju, Veterinarski fakultet Zagreb

www.vef.hr|| webmail|| Linkovi

Tražilica

28.09.2013, 23:05

Trenutno gledate: Displazija kuka

Displazija kuka

Displazija kukova predstavlja abnormalan razvoj zgloba kuka, najčešće obostrano. Javlja se u različitim stupnjevima nestabilnosti, promjena okolnih mekih tkiva, malformacijama glave bedrene kosti i zglobne čašice te degenerativnim promjenama. Liječenje može biti konzervativno ili operacijsko.

Konzervativno liječenje je rezervirano za pse s blagim promjenama, bez znakova bolnosti, koji tek povremeno imaju poteškoća u kretanju. Za uspjeh takvog liječenja presudni su ograničenje aktivnosti i smanjenje tjelesne mase psa, uz primjenu analgetika i protuupalnih lijekova te fizikalna terapija.

Metoda operacijskog liječenja određuje se ovisno o namjeni (stupnju aktivnosti) psa, a na raspolaganju su:

1. Ostektomija glave i vrata bedrene kosti (FHO),

2. Trostruka osteotomija zdjelice i

3. Tehnika umjetnog kuka.

Ostektomija glave i vrata bedrene kosti (FHO)

Ortopedija

• Puknuće prednjeg križnog ligamenta


• Osteosinteza pločom


• Intramedularni čavli


• Vanjski fiksatori


• Displazija kuka


• IščaÅ¡enje kuka


• IščaÅ¡enje patele


• IščaÅ¡enje lakta


• OCD lakta


• Izolirani processus anconeus


• Fragmentirani koronoidni izdanak


• OCD ramena


• Upala tetive bicepsa



Powered by WordPress and 3Dpanorame | Admin | Sva prava pridržana. Klinika za kirurgiju, ortopediju i oftalmologiju. 2010.

Hip Dysplasia - Is Your Dog Predisposed?

Hip Dysplasia is frequently a painful crippling genetic developmental orthopedic disease. The sloppy breeding of two dysplastic parents is mainly the cause for the disease to be so rampant. Most often found in larger breeds, smaller breed dogs are also susceptible of receiving the defective genes.

What is Hip Dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia occurs in the “ball and socket” joint of the dog. When the “ball” does not fit tight in the “socket,” it causes friction, inflammation, cartilage damage, and pain. It can and does often lead to arthritis so crippling, surgery or euthanasia are the only options.

There are two types of hip dysplasia: acute and chronic. Acute (early) is usually observed in young dogs, noted by severe pain in the hips and lameness. In the acute stage, symptoms can last from a few weeks to months.

Chronic (late) commonly appears in older dogs. However, it can appear in dogs less than a year old. The dog appears in pain, has less range of motion of their hips, plus, arthritis has usually set in, and is progressing.

What Signs Should I Watch For?

Lameness or limping after exercise or walks, waddling/swaying gait, difficulty standing up, stiffness especially on cold, damp days, moodiness, unenthusiastic to move, protective of hip area, and decreased range of motion around hips are a few signs to watch for.

How is Hip Dysplasia Diagnosed?

Your veterinarian can diagnose it through a physical examination, PennHIP x-ray, CT scans, and/or ultrasound.

The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends the hip-extended ventro-dorsal view x-ray. With that, your veterinarian can get a frontal view of the hip joints and pelvis. This procedure is most widely used by veterinarians as the view also allows for an judgment of if there is arthritis and the amount of present.

How Will My Dog Be Treated for Hip Dysplasia?

Depending on the degree of damage, there are a number of options. They include: weight loss, change of diet, physical therapy, limited exercise, anti-inflammatory medications, pain medication and surgery.

In severe cases, where the animal is severely crippled beyond hope, euthanasia is at times recommended.

How Do I Prevent My Dog From Hip Dysplasia?

Before purchasing a dog, make sure the breeder is reputable! Ask for a copy of all documentation that the parents are PennHIP x-rayed and OFA certified.

Feed large breed puppies, food customized to their needs. Feeding high protein, over supplemented food, can invite problems later on.

Do not over feed your dog.

Do not let them jump in and out of your vehicle, especially SUVs and trucks. Provide a ramp.

Limit excessive weight bearing exercise. Swimming is a great way to exercise any dog, especially at risk breeds.

Do not allow at risk breeds to jump on and off furniture, decks, porches, etc.

Do not allow at risk breeds to jump for balls, toys or Frisbees.

Have your puppy x-rayed when they are around six months old.

Breeds Genetically Predisposed to Hip Dysplasia include but are not limited to:

Afghan Hound
Airdale
Akita
Alaskan Malamute
American Eskimo Dog
American Staffordshire Terrier
Australian Cattle Dog
Australian Shepherd
Beagle
Bearded Collie
Belgian Malinois
Belgian Sheepdog
Belgian Tervuren
Bernese Mountain Dog
Black and Tan Coonhound
Bloodhound
Border Collie
Bouvier des Flandres
Briard
Bullmastiff
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Chinook
Clumberland Spaniel
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Curley Coated Retriever
Chow Chow
Doberman Pincher
Dalmatian
English Setter
English Springer Spaniel
English Shepherd
Finish Spitz
Flat Coated Retriever
Field Spaniel
German Shorthaired Pointer
German Wirehaired Pointer
Golden Retriever
Gordon Setter
Giant Schnauzer
Great Dane
Great Pyrenees
German Shepherd
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Irish Setter
Irish Water Spaniel
Irish Wolfhound
Keeshond
Komondor
Labrador Retriever
Mastiff
Newfoundland
Norwegian Elkhound
Norwegian Buhund
Norwegian Elkhound
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Old English Mastiff
Old English Sheepdog
Otterhound
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Pointer
Portuguese Water Dog
Puli
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Rottweiler
Saint Bernard
Samoyed
Shiba Inu
Siberian Husky
Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
Standard Poodle
Standard Schnauzer
Tibetian Terrier
Vizsla
Weimaraner
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

Bottom line: Hip Dysplasia is a painful, debilitating, disease. Do your homework, educate yourself on what to look for, take necessary precautions, use common sense but, most importantly; enjoy your dog!

Hip Dysplasia

Posted by admin on Jan 27, 2012 in Health | 0 comments

Introduction
“Ranger has been running funny and has had trouble getting to his feet after a nap,” Sally told Dr. Jones when she brought the two-year-old family pet for his annual checkup. She described Ranger’s bunny-hopping gait and reluctance to climb stairs; after a thorough physical exam, Dr. Jones suggested hip x-rays for the big dog.
The x-rays confirmed the suspicions: Ranger had mild hip dysplasia, a malformation of the hip joints that causes arthritis. Dr. Jones outlined the options: surgery, drug therapy, an exercise regime, nutritional therapy, chiropractic treatment, or acupuncture. Surgery was not indicated in Ranger’s case, Dr. Jones said, but the other therapies could be used in combination to reduce the pain and inflammation and keep the dog comfortable.

The diagnosis
“Your dog has hip dysplasia.” A dreaded diagnosis that confirms an owner’s worst fears, these words conjure up feelings of guilt (why did I buy my puppy from a pet store?) or betrayal (I thought mixed breed dogs were healthier than purebreds, or I thought Bosco’s breeder certified her stock against genetic diseases). But neither response is productive or appropriate. The job now is to develop a treatment program for your dog.
The facts about canine hip dysplasia appear simple. Hip dysplasia is a polygenetic disease, one that is caused by several genes, with an environmental influence. Thus some dogs that are predisposed to the disease by their genes will not develop it if the environmental factors are missing from their lives.
The hip joint is a ball and socket arrangement in which the femoral head (the ball) of the thigh bone (the femur) fits into the acetabulum (the socket) of the pelvic structure. The assembly is held in place by ligaments and muscles. Malformation of either the femoral head or the acetabulum, laxity in the ligaments, and poor muscle condition all contribute to the pain and ultimate arthritis of the disease.
But the disease is not as simple as this description implies. A dog can be dysplastic in one or both hips, can have a shallow socket and a normal ball, a malformed ball and normal socket, a shallow socket and malformed ball, a misaligned joint, loose ligaments, or a combination of these structural problems complicated by environmental factors such as rate of growth, level of nutrition, and exercise. Fast-growing puppies of large breeds are more at risk, even if both parents had excellent hips, because their bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments may grow at different rates. Other factors include abnormal forces during weight-bearing that can stretch and tear the joint capsule, fracture the acetabular rim, or otherwise deform the joint.

Treatment
Surgery is a viable option for dogs with severe dysplasia. In these severe cases, veterinary surgeons can replace the hip with an artificial joint. However, most dogs require relief from pain and a moderate diet and exercise program to reduce the effects of the disease. John Cargill and Susan Thorpe-Vargas wrote a multiple-part series on hip dysplasia in Dog World in 1995 that covered the disease from diagnosis to surgical intervention. Although geared to breeders, the series had some useful information for the pet owner who discovers that his dog has hip problems. MedVet Review, a newsletter published by MedVet in Columbus, Ohio, also has some tips for management of the dysplastic dog.
Many dysplastic dogs are overweight, so a reducing diet is in order if the dog’s weight is causing undue pressure on his hips. Enforced rest is the simplest therapy for short-term relief, according to MedVet, and swimming is the best exercise because it can strengthen the muscles around the hips without causing pain from weight-bearing. MedVet recommends 15-20 minutes of swimming two-to-five times per week for relief.
Like humans with an injury, dogs with hip dysplasia may compensate for the loss of rear end motion and the pain involved in weight-bearing exercise by shifting balance, a disturbance that can cause spinal problems. Range-of-motion stretching exercises can help prevent muscle atrophy and keep the joints flexible. Chiropractic treatment may help relieve the stress of the disease on the spine. Owners of dysplastic dogs can learn to do stretching exercises from their veterinarian or a chiropractor.
Drug therapies are helpful to deal with pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, naproxen, adequan, and cosequin have been proven effective in many cases. A dose of aspirin or other drug is often helpful before a bout of exercise. However, since aspirin is not tolerated by some dogs and can cause internal bleeding, and determining proper doses of naproxen can be difficult, doses should be prescribed by a veterinarian who has examined the dog, not by the dog owner. Some dogs respond well to phenylbutazone, but this drug can suppress bone marrow formation.
Corticosteroids should not be used to treat arthritis because they have adverse effects on cartilage and other unacceptable side effects.
Although no scientific studies have been done on the effects of acupuncture on hip dysplasia, anecdotal evidence attests to the potential for its successful use to relieve pain and promote natural healing, according to Cargill and Thorpe-Vargas in the October 1995 Dog World.
There are cases in which surgery is necessary. If the dog does not respond to the chosen therapies and continues to be in pain, a veterinarian may recommend one of the following surgeries:
• Triple pelvic osteotomy, a procedure to stabilize the joint and prevent degenerative changes that accompany weight-bearing stress on an abnormal hip;
• Femoral head excision to prevent bone-on-bone friction; or
• Total hip replacement.
The decision on type of surgery is based on the age of the dog, the progress of the disease, and the general health of the animal.
Sally and Dr. Jones decided to use a combination of therapies for Ranger. She could take him swimming a couple of times a week, learn to do the range-of-motion exercises, try a course of adequan treatment, keep him from climbing stairs and jumping (no more agility class or open obedience), and have him examined by a chiropractor. Dr. Jones would examine him again in six months and prescribe changes in the protocol if necessary.
Like most dogs with mild hip dysplasia, Ranger has good days and bad days. Sally has learned to accept his limitations and to relax about the diagnosis – while often painful and sometimes debilitating, mild-to-moderate hip dysplasia in the young dog can be successfully treated without resorting to surgery.
Norma Bennett Woolf

How Hip Dysplasia In Dogs Is Diagnosed

Young, large breed dogs such as Labrador retrievers, St. Bernards and Great Danes are prone to develop a condition called Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD). So are some of the smaller breeds such as beagles, bloodhounds, Brittany spaniel’s and bloodhounds.

CHD is a very serious disease that can cause the dog to suffer a great deal of pain and even become lame. While most dog experts will admit that it cannot exactly be determined what causes canine hip dysplasia, they will tell you that genetics plays a big part. If your dog’s parents suffered from canine hip dysplasia, it is likely your dog will develop it. However, there are other factors. For example, older dogs can develop this condition due to osteoarthritis. It can also be caused by overfeeding the dog high-protein and high calorie foods, and by prolonged inactivity or obesity.

The symptoms of CHD include a difficulty or stiffness when the dog gets up or climbs uphill, You may also notice it using only its front legs when it attempts to rise, that it has a waddling rear limb gait or is reluctant to jump, climb stairs or exercise. If your dog has hip dysplasia, it may also have a very short stride due to pain in its rear legs.

Diagnosing Hip Dysplasia In Dogs

After your veterinarian watches the dog walk and performs a general physical examination, he or she will do an orthopedic evaluation to determine how the dog can best be treated. One of the things your vet will do is flex and extend the dog’s hip joint. If your dog does have CHD, it will probably tolerate the hip flexion but abduction will cause the dog to experience pain. After your vet performs the physical examination and orthopedic evaluation, he or she will use and x-ray to confirm the diagnosis and evaluate the severity of the disease. For the X-ray, the dog will probably be laid on its back with its legs extended.

X-rays are used to confirm the diagnosis of hip dysplasia because its symptoms can also be those of other conditions that resemble hip dysplasia in dogs. This includes lumbar-sacral spinal problems, a ruptured cranial cruciate ligament, osteochondrosis, panosteitis, degenerative myelopathy and hypertrophic osteodystrophy.

If The Diagnosis Is Confirmed

If the x-rays confirm that your dog does have CHD, the treatment will depend on several factors, not the least of which is finances. This is because surgery may be an option but will be expensive. In fact, if the problem is really severe, the recommended surgery might be a total hip replacement.

If you catch the hip dysplasia early on, the recommended treatment will probably be anti-inflammatory or analgesic drugs to help with the dog’s pain combined with changes to its exercise and eating. The drugs are usually given for only a short time to help the dog stay active while you are making changes to its lifestyle. These changes usually include weight control and good exercise management. In other words, you will need to restrict the dog’s exercise and keep its weight at a recommended level.

What is Hip Dysplasia?

The Dysplastic Hip Joint

Hip Dysplasia is a terrible genetic disease because of the various degrees of arthritis (also called degenerative joint disease, arthrosis, osteoarthrosis) it can eventually produce, leading to pain and debilitation.

The very first step in the development of arthritis is articular cartilage (the type of cartilage lining the joint) damage due to the inherited bad biomechanics of an abnormally developed hip joint. Traumatic articular fracture through the joint surface is another way cartilage is damaged. With cartilage damage, lots of degradative enzymes are released into the joint. These enzymes degrade and decrease the synthesis of important constituent molecules that form hyaline cartilage called proteoglycans. This causes the cartilage to lose its thickness and elasticity, which are important in absorbing mechanical loads placed across the joint during movement. Eventually, more debris and enzymes spill into the joint fluid and destroy molecules called glycosaminoglycan and hyaluronate which are important precursors that form the cartilage proteoglycans. The joint’s lubrication and ability to block inflammatory cells are lost and the debris-tainted joint fluid loses its ability to properly nourish the cartilage through impairment of nutrient-waste exchange across the joint cartilage cells. The damage then spreads to the synovial membrane lining the joint capsule and more degradative enzymes and inflammatory cells stream into the joint. Full thickness loss of cartilage allows the synovial fluid to contact nerve endings in the subchondral bone, resulting in pain. In an attempt to stabilize the joint to decrease the pain, the animal’s body produces new bone at the edges of the joint surface, joint capsule, ligament and muscle attachments (bone spurs). The joint capsule also eventually thickens and the joint’s range of motion decreases.

No one can predict when or even if a dysplastic dog will start showing clinical signs of lameness due to pain. There are multiple environmental factors such as caloric intake, level of exercise, and weather that can affect the severity of clinical signs and phenotypic expression (radiographic changes). There is no rhyme or reason to the severity of radiographic changes correlated with the clinical findings. There are a number of dysplastic dogs with severe arthritis that run, jump, and play as if nothing is wrong and some dogs with barely any arthritic radiographic changes that are severely lame.

Orthopedic Foundation for Animals

http://www.offa.org/hd_info.html

Share on Facebook

Treatment of Hip Dysplasia in Dogs

Canine hip dysplasia in dogs is a very common degenerative disease, having said that it does not always affect all dogs. However there can also be many misconceptions regarding this disease, some that are known and some that are not.

A young dog who has an abnormal development of the hip joint will suffer eventually from hip dysplasia, this does not necessarily mean that it will be bilateral, affect both the left and right side. It happens because of the laxity of the muscles, connective tissue and ligaments that would normally support the joint.

The majority of dysplastic dogs are born with normal hips, although in some due to genetic and other factors, the tissues surrounding the joint can develop abnormally as the puppy starts to grow. The changes that this causes are that the bones actually move instead of being held in place.

This will cause the joint capsule and ligament between the two bones to stretch; this adds further instability to the joint. Once this happens the surface of the two bones will lose contact with each other. The separation of these two bones within the joint is known as subluxation, the results of these problems, are what are associated with this disease.

A lot of dogs who suffer from this disease are primarily the large and giant breeds, although it can be found in medium sized breeds and very rarely in the smaller breeds. The breeds who have a higher incidence of hip dysplasia are, Golden Retrievers, Labrador, German shepherd, Saint Bernards, Great Danes and Rottweilers.

Treatment for hip dysplasia can vary between several surgical procedures, although this also depends on the age and severity of joint degeneration. A lot also depends on the dog’s age and health before any surgery.

Triple Pelvic Osteotomy; (TPO) is normally a procedure that is used for young dogs under 10 months of age, these will have had radiographs which shows severe hip laxity, at this young age they will not have developed damage to the joints. This is major surgery and expensive but is very successful.

A total replacement of the hip is often advised for a dog that has degenerative joint disease due to chronic hip dysplasia. This type of surgery involves removing the existing joint and replacing it with prosthesis. The dog must be skeletally mature and weighing at least 20 pounds, there is no maximum size limit, if both hips have to be replaced then usually a three month rest period is advised between the surgeries.

Medically hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis has been improved over the years with the introduction of new supplements and drugs. Hip dysplasia is primarily an inherited disease therefore no products on the market can prevent the development. If you start by giving your dog a proper diet, exercise, supplements and pain relief, this may help to decrease the progression of the joint disease.

Weight management and exercise for your dog from an early age can help to prevent many diseases, although sometimes as mentioned hip dysplasia can be genetic. Those of you who are thinking of acquiring a puppy can always ask the breeder about hip dysplasia of the chosen breed.

Nothing found for Canine-hip-dysplasia Caninehip-dysplasia--symptoms-and-diagnosis-of-hip-dysplasia-in-dogs

Dog Health - How To Prevent Hip Dysplasia

Hip Dysplasia is a hereditary condition found mostly in large and giant breed dogs. Some breeds are more prone to the disease than others. It is important when choosing pets you be aware of the prevalence of hip dysplasia within the breed.

Hip dysplasia happens when the muscles and tendons around the hip joint fail to hold the ball of the femoral head securely in the hip socket. As these two bones lose contact, over time, the bone structure will change and erode away.

Unfortunately, there is no real way to prevent this from happening other than to be aware of the dog breeder’s practices. A dog born to parents with certified good hips will have less likelihood of developing the disease, whereas a dog born with even one parent with fair to poor hips are much more likely to develop the disease. Only through selective breeding practices can the disease be eliminated within a breed.

There are measures you can take to help slow the degeneration of the hip joint.

1. Keep the dog well exercised. Making sure the hip muscles and tendons remain strong will help to keep the hips in place.


2. Diet and nutrition are very important to dog breeds who tend to develop this disease. Make sure your pet does not get overweight. Carrying extra weight will put more strain on already fragile hip joints.


3. Ask your vet about supplements. Things like glucosamine, Omega 3 fatty acids and avocados may be of help for the osteoarthritis associated with hip dysplasia.

Above anything else, to decrease the chances of having a pet with hip dysplasia, thoroughly investigate the practices of the breeder you plan to purchase your dog from. Be certain your dog comes from parents with certified good hips. Ask lots of questions of the breeder before purchasing to find out the number of  incidences of the disease in their breeding history.

Technorati Tags: dog information, hip dysplasia, how to prevent hip dysplasia, how to treat hip dysplasia

Detecting Hip Dysplasia Early Can Be Critical For Dog Breeders

Dr. Larry Gerson

Veterinarians hate to give pet owners bad news. People today have a greater emotional attachment to their pets than in the past, and dogs and cats have moved from the farm and the backyard to being house pets. Not only do our four-legged companions sleep in the bedroom, many sleep in our beds.

Even with decades of experience, I still find it hard to tell owners of a problem, especially when their pets are young and the news is unexpected. When the owner is also a friend, it makes the job even more difficult.

I had to tell an old friend just last week that his young German shepherd had severe orthopedic changes associated with hip dysplasia. We often take radiographic films on large-breed dogs at the time they are spayed or neutered. The films we took on my friend’s dog revealed significant joint changes.

Hip dysplasia is a malformation of the hip joint, which is similar to a ball and socket. In hip dysplasia, the socket becomes shallow and the ball does not fit properly, which eventually leads to the development of arthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease.

This is a genetic disease that breeders should try to breed out of their line. Eliminating the disease entirely is impossible as even dogs with perfect hips can produce a puppy with hip dysplasia. Breeders should follow their puppies and track both the breeding and non-breeding offspring to see if hip dysplasia shows up in their line.

When purchasing a puppy in breeds where hip dysplasia is common, a new owner should ask if any warranty for genetic problems is provided by the breeder. Some breeders will give a refund or replacement of a severely affected dog. Sometimes a breeder will require a dog to be returned. Returning a dog is usually not an option for an owner who has already developed a strong emotional attachment.

The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals will certify the radiographs of hips and elbows of a breeding dog. The OFA standardizes the process and helps to ensure breeding stock is less likely to pass on this devastating problem to the next generation. Dogs can get OFA-certified after two years of age. Radiographs are sent to the foundation and a certificate is given with a grade from excellent to poor. OFA certificates of both parents with a good or excellent rating is necessary so that the puppies will be less likely to suffer this problem.

The University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School developed a program called Penn Hip that can identify joint abnormalities in very young dogs as early as 16 weeks of age. Early detection of lax joints will help a breeder decide which dogs should be kept in a breeding program. The Penn Hip program helps breeders identify early on which puppies will make the best potential breeding stock and improve the genetics for the next generation.

Complicated surgical procedures can benefit young dogs if hip dysplasia is detected early, but early surgery is possible in only a few cases and is quite expensive. Older dogs will sometimes benefit from a total hip replacement. This procedure, similar to the hip replacement that humans can undergo, is done only at veterinary schools or fully-equipped specialty hospitals.

Young dogs with hip dysplasia appear to bunny hop or swivel their hips. Older dogs might start to show lameness after exercise. Some affected dogs have a hard time getting up, and others have difficulty on stairs.

Some dogs with hip dysplasia do well with weight control and pain medication as they get older. As mentioned in a previous Pet Points article, pain drugs should be given only with precautions. Human drugs can be dangerous when given to animals. Also, side effects can include irritation to both the stomach and intestine or liver and kidney damage. Blood testing is required prior to starting medication and monitoring is necessary when using pain medication.

Other medications like glucosamine can also help and are safe and effective. The radiographs and clinical signs do not always correlate well, and each case has to be treated individually with careful veterinary supervision.

Young large-breed dogs should not have excessive exercise until their bones develop. Exercise should be confined to leash walking. We also strongly suggest that large-breed dogs do not get too heavy during their first year. In addition to the hips, we also worry about excessive stress on the elbows of young dogs.

Dr. Larry Gerson is a veterinarian and founder of the Point Breeze Veterinary Clinic in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Gerson is a Past President of the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association.

About these ads

Dog Hip Dysplasia Treatments - Triple Pelvic Osteotomy (TPO)

When we start looking at the different dog hip dysplasia treatments, they are generally divided into treatments for immature dogs and treatments for adult dogs. The difference is because immature dogs have usually not developed arthritic changes and cartilage damage when we are considering surgical treatment whereas adult dogs tend to already have moderate to severe arthritis and cartilage damage present within the hip joints.

Triple pelvic osteotomy, or TPO as it is commonly called, is a surgical treatment used in immature dogs to give them a more normal hip and prevent arthritis from developing within the hip joint. The idea behind the surgery is to rotate the acetabular portion (pelvic side) of the hip joint outwards to give better coverage of the head of the femur. This is accomplished by making three cuts in the pelvis, hence triple pelvic osteotomy, then rotating the acetabulum outwards and securing it in the new position with a bone plate while it heals in this new position. In the end, this procedure stops the subluxation of the hip joint do to the laxity of the structures holding the hip joint together.

The best candidates for triple pelvic osteotomy are young dogs, usually under 1 year of age and ideally closer to 6-8 months, that have no signs of arthritis on radiographs. These dogs make the best candidates because they usually have minimal damage to the articular cartilage within the joint, which will give them the best outcome long term with the procedure. These dogs should also have a good solid “clunk” or pop when their hip is checked for an Ortalani sign, or the ability for their hip to subluxate. Determining if a dog is a good candidate is usually done with a combination of palpation of the hip and radiographs.

Complications associated with triple pelvic osteotomy include infection, implant failure, loss of some range of motion of the hip, narrowing of the pelvic canal, sciatic nerve injury, and if both hips are done at once, possible urethral entrapment. Recovery from triple pelvic osteotomy, in most cases, takes approximately three months. Restrictions during the first three months are no off-leash activity like running, no stairs, no slick floors, and no playing with other pets. Prognosis with the triple pelvic osteotomy procedure depends largely on selecting the appropriate candidates but with the right dogs, they should have good to excellent long-term function. Studies do show that the majority of dogs will radiographically progress with arthritis over time but the majority of dogs are never clinical for this arthritis.

Robert Vonau is a board certified veterinary surgeon with a mobile practice in Denver, CO. If you would like to learn more about triple pelvic osteotomy or other topics in veterinary surgery please visit my website at http://www.petsurgerytopics.com.

Hip Dysplasia Signs, Causes, and Treatments

One of the services we offer at Western Carolina Veterinary Surgery is help for Hip Dysplasia. We would like to highlight a great reference for hip dysplasia found on the American College of Veterinary Surgery website.

CANINE HIP DYSPLASIA Overview Canine Hip Dysplasia is a condition which begins in immature dogs with instability or a loose fit of the hip joint. The hip joint laxity is responsible for early clinical signs and joint changes. The abnormal motion of the hip stretches the fibrous joint capsule and ligament connecting the head of the femur to the pelvis, producing pain and lameness. The acetabulum (the hip socket) is easily deformed by continual movement of the femoral head. Causes Causes of hip dysplasia are considered to be multifactorial; including both hereditary and environmental factors. Rapid weight gain and growth through excessive nutritional intake may encourage the development of hip dysplasia. Mild repeated trauma causing synovial (joint lining) inflammation may also be important. Incidence and Prevalence The incidence of hip dysplasia is greatest in large breed dogs. Two populations of animals show clinical signs of lameness: (1) patients 5 to 10 months of age, and (2) patients with chronic degenerative joint disease. Signs and Symptoms The clinical signs of hip dysplasia are lameness, reluctance to rise or jump, shifting the weight to the forelimbs, loss of muscle mass on the rear limbs, and pain when the hips are manipulated. Dogs may show clinical signs at any stage of development of the disease, although many dogs with hip dysplasia do not show overt clinical signs. Some dogs are painful at 6 to 8 months of age but recover as they mature. As the osteoarthritis progresses with age, some dogs may show clinical signs similar to people with arthritis such as lameness after unaccustomed exercise, lameness after prolonged confinement, and worse problems if they are overweight. Risk Factors Risk factors for CHD include breed (genetic), rapid growth and nutrient excesses. When to Seek Veterinary Advice Some veterinarians recommend radiographing the hips at 6 months of age to help identify dogs with hip dysplasia early enough to perform a triple pelvic osteotomy. For many dogs, the owners seek veterinary surgery advice when the dog has been consistently lame, and has not responded to medical therapy. Many of the surgical treatments for hip dysplasia are performed by surgical specialists. Treatment Options Treatment depends on the dog’s age and degree of discomfort, physical and radiographic findings, and owner’s expectations and finances. Conservative and surgical options are available for juvenile and mature animals with hip pain secondary to hip dysplasia. Most immature animals are best treated with conservative or medical management. Although early surgical intervention with juvenile pubic symphysiodesis or triple pelvic osteotomy may increase the prognosis for long-term acceptable clinical function, approximately 75% of young patients treated conservatively return to acceptable clinical function with maturity. The remaining 25 % require further medical or surgical management at some point in life. In puppies less than 20 weeks of age, juvenile pubic symphysiodesis (JPS), a technique for stopping the growth of the pubis (part of the pelvis) may be performed to alter the growth of the pelvis and increase the degree of coverage of the acetabulum over the femoral head. Most puppies of this age do not show clinical signs of hip dysplasia, so diagnosis depends upon use of a screening technique for documenting hip laxity, such as Penn Hip, to determine which animals may be candidates for the procedure. Although specific criteria for application of JPS have not been developed, puppies under 20 weeks of age that have palpable and radiographic evidence of laxity on a hip distracted view can be considered for the procedure. Immature dogs (less than one year) with loose fitting hips, but no arthritic changes can be treated with a pelvic osteotomy (also sometimes called a triple pelvic osteotomy). This procedure involves cutting the pelvic bone in three places and rotating it to stabilize the hip joint and in many cases slow the progression of osteoarthritis.

More information and photos on Canine Hip Dysplasia may be found on the ACVS website.
Click here to view the report.

Hip Dysplasia in Dogs - Signs, Symptoms and Solutions

Unfortunately, hip dysplasia in dogs is a very common problem, especially among large breeds. But don’t let that stop you from enjoying the companionship of a Golden Retriever or any other big buddy out of fear for what the future might hold. Here’s what you need to know.

What is Hip Dysplasia?

The word “dysplasia” literally means abnormal development. It happens when looseness in a dog’s hip joint keeps the ball at the top of the thighbone from fitting snugly into the socket in the hip. It may be in only one hip, or both of them.

The constant friction caused by this misfit eventually damages the joint. This damage tends to get worse with time, and the dog often develops arthritis, as well. Old age just isn’t much fun for a dog suffering from this joint problem.

Signs and Symptoms of Hip Dysplasia in Dogs

How did this happen, anyway? If a dog is going to be afflicted with this problem, he’s usually born with it–though it may not develop for several years. It can show up sooner if a large breed dog grows too rapidly as a puppy, or if he does a lot of jumping and running on slick floors or concrete at an early age.

Here are some symptoms to watch for:

• Having difficulty standing up after sitting or lying down








• Having difficulty walking, jumping, or going up and down stairs








• Preferring to sit with both legs together on one side of his body








• Letting you know it hurts when you touch his rear legs and hips








• Doing the “bunny hop” when he runs, by keeping both rear legs together

An x-ray is the only sure way to diagnose canine hip dysplasia. The best age for a definite diagnosis is between 12 and 18 months. Some affected dogs don’t show any symptoms at all for several years. (They’re the “tough guys,” I guess.)

Solutions for Canine Hip Dysplasia

So can anything be done for these poor pooches? Well, that depends on how bad the problem is. If your dog has a mild case, you can keep him relatively comfortable with weight control, moderate exercise, and pain relievers (from your vet) when he needs them.

In more severe cases, the best treatment for hip dysplasia is surgery to repair some of the damage and lessen the pain. In fact, the hips can even be replaced with Teflon hips, though that’s a more costly route to go, as you can imagine.

Here are a few ways to help your dysplastic dog be more comfortable:

• Work with your vet to monitor your puppy’s growth








• Keep your adult dog at a healthy weight








• Help your dog get a moderate amount of exercise, either from gentle walks or easy swimming sessions








• Dish out the pain relievers when you can see your dog is hurting

Work with your vet to make sure your canine companion is as comfortable as possible, no matter how mild or severe his symptoms might be. Hip dysplasia in dogs doesn’t need to destroy your pooch’s quality of life.

Pain Of Dysplasia In Dogs Relieved With Gold Treatment, Study Shows

Many animals and people experience chronic joint pain. In dogs, a common source of joint pain is hip dysplasia, a developmental defect of the hip joint. Implantation of gold into the soft tissues around the hip joints of dogs with dysplasia can relieve pain and lessen stiffness for several years.

Joint pain in animals and man may be due to injury, wear or deformity. Hip dysplasia of dogs is a congenital defect that makes itself known during the growth phase, leading to varying degrees of pain and loss of function as the dogs age. Dog owners will as a rule notice that their dogs are reluctant to jump, that they lag behind on longer walks, or that they are stiff and sore when standing after resting. Some dogs also become lame after longer walks.

Early in the 1970′s, an American veterinary surgeon and acupuncturist described a form of pain relief in dogs that involved implanting small grains of pure gold into acupuncture points round painful joints in dogs. The theory behind the treatment was that the gold grains implanted into the acupuncture points would provide chronic stimulation of the points.

The method has been used both on dogs and people in the USA and Europe, although no scientific documentation of the pain-relieving affect of gold-implants existed. Gry Tove Jæger has in her doctorate investigated whether grains of metallic gold implanted around painful joints could reduce pain and improve function in patients, using dogs as a model.

Family dogs with pain and loss of function due to hip dysplasia were chosen as experimental animals. The dogs were divided randomly into two groups, one of which received gold transplants, while the other acted as control. Neither the owner nor the veterinarian assessing the affect of the gold treatment knew which group an individual dog belonged to. This is called double-blind experimentation. The study was designed to provide an answer to whether gold implantation had an effect or not, and any possible acupuncture effect was not considered.

After six months the effect of the treatment was considered. Statistically-significant differences were shown to exist between the two groups. The dogs with implanted gold had less pain and loss of function compared to those that had not received gold. As was expected, the dogs in the control group also improved, but the effect was greater in those that had received gold.

The dogs were followed for a further year and a half. After two years, 80% of the dogs still showed a positive effect of treatment. The hip dysplasia had not improved, and many dogs showed in fact an increased degree of calcification round the affected hip joints, but they lived better after the gold treatment. An inflammatory response was shown to have developed around the grains of gold, which may possibly explain in part the pain-relieving effect.

Implantation of gold is an effective treatment for chronic degenerative joint disease and the method has few serious side-effects. This study could not uncover if part of the effect was due to acupuncture, to the gold lying in the soft tissue, or to a combination of the two.

Cand. med. vet. Gry Jæger defended her Ph. D. thesis, entitled “The effect of gold bead implantation in a dog model with chronic joint arthritis – a method of pain control”, at the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, on May 29, 2009.

With Gold Treatment, Study Shows. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 3, 2010, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2009/06/090626084633.htm

Devastated: Knightley has severe hip dysplasia

11 months 2 weeks

During a vet visit for a stomach problem that has been intermittent over the last week or so, the vet decided that Knightley needed an x-ray to check out his gut. I asked if she could have a look at his hips while she was at it. I had been a little worried about his hips – he has developed a real ‘waggle’ to his walk, and no longer likes lying in certain positions. Anyway, his gut issues are still possibly not good, but the devastating news is he has severe hip dysplasia – to the point he won’t be able to be my mobility assistance dog.

The vet phoned me with the results after Knightley had been at their hospital for a couple of hours…. she asked if I wanted the abdominal or hip results first…. and in my ignorance, I just assumed the hip results would be ok. After all I have done all I can to prevent hip dysplasia, from finding great lines, to slow growth feeding and not letting Knightley jump or run too much. So I asked for the abdominal results first, which were so-so, and they wanted to do an ultrasound for further information. Then she said “and here are the hip results…. I’m really sorry to say, but they were terrible”. I just couldn’t say anything at first, I was completely stunned. I managed to choke out enough words to ask if she was joking…. but she said that the left hip was worse than the right, but both were bad and that he already had the beginnings of arthritis. I was extremely upset when I got off the phone, so very very upset. I contacted hubby and my parents, and then the vet phoned back to say the ultrasound was fine, although they are still worried about him (there is a big gas bubble in his intestine which may be caused by a blockage of some sort).

So we picked him up this afternoon, and saw the various x-rays. His hip x-rays are pretty shocking, the ball of his left hip is barely in the socket. I was appalled. The vet said his hips are the worst hips she had ever seen and the fact that he hasn’t been showing symptoms until recently (but really not much at all) is because I have been doing all the right things – no running up and down stairs, no jumping, fish oil, slow growth etc. So at least he has had a pain free puppyhood.

The important point though is that Knightley can no longer be considered a viable prospect for a mobility assistance dog. Of course I am completely and absolutely crushed and devastated. I haven’t really taken it in yet. I don’t know whether to just stop doing all task training with him, or what. I think that he can still help me at home? I just don’t know. Do I immediately stop all public training?? The vet thinks we may have a couple of years of reasonable function left, but he is the worst she has seen, so really, who knows how it may go.

Hubby and I have talked just a little about what we are going to do. Knightley has a permanent home with us, no matter whether he can work or not. But ideally we are going to look for another puppy if we can.

I am beyond upset. Knightley is home now, and is completely exhausted. We are not sure if we are going to the coast at the moment, it depends how Knightley is tomorrow morning and if he eats tonight. Frankly I think we should be cramming as many awesome things as possible into Knightley’s young life while he still has good mobility. I’m also going to start him on a joint supplement, and he will be getting regular special injections to improve the quality and fluid in his joints.

Anyway, that is my bloody awful news. I am still in shock.

Heterochromia and Hip Dysplasia

Heterochromia

There are three dogs at the shelter that have one blue eye and one dark eye, which is called complete heterochromia. It’s very rare for us to even get one dog that has that it and now we have three! So of course I had to write about it and get some more info on what it really is. Heterochromia is the result of either lack or excess of the pigment melanin in the animal’s hair and skin. It’s believed to be inherited and carried in the genes in the animal’s family line.

The eye that is blue is the one where there is little to no melanin while the darker eye has a higher concentration of melanin. There is also partial and/or sectoral heterochromia, where part of one iris of an eye has two different colors (more uncommon). Heterochromia is seen in dogs, cats, horses, and other animals (such as cattle and ferrets). It is more common in some breeds than in others, such as Siberian Huskies, Australian Shepherds, Collies, and Dalmations. Same goes for cats! Turkish Vans and Japanese Bobtails are more prone to it and in horses, those with a pinto coloring are also. The pigment melanin is also connected to hair color, so many animals with the split eye color tend to have a lighter coat coloring. Some can have leucism, which is a condition of reduced skin pigmentation (not albinism) and not just of melanin.

Also, those with the merle coat gene are more likely to have sectoral heterochromia versus the complete condition. Those dogs who are homozygous for the merle gene, or have two copies for the gene, have a higher chance of being born deaf. Siberian huskies on the other hand do NOT have the merle gene, so they will most likely not be born deaf.

Now after all that spiel on eye color, the dog I was able to get a picture of came in about a week ago and he’s a male Golden Retriever named Dusty. He’s unique to me because of his coat color AND the complete heterochromia that gives him the really cool eye colors. Also, he is neither husky nor does he have the merle gene…which leads me to believe that he has leucism! I’m almost positive he has leucism that could be a result from the split eye colors he has. His coat is not white but it is nearly white (so he’s not albino) – but he definitely does not have the “golden” color of a normal retriever. The other two dogs that have the heterochromia are shepherd mixes and one has the merle gene, so they’re the more common breeds you see with the split eye colors.

Unfortunately for Dusty, he tested positive for heartworms, which means he will be treated in Isolation for a period of at LEAST 1 to 3 months at the shelter. The good news is that he will be put up for adoption eventually and I KNOW for a fact that he will be adopted very very quickly. I mean look at what a handsome looking dog he is! Plus he is a very sweet and mellow dog, so I’m sure he’d fit right in to a nice family. Here’s some pictures of Dusty:

Hip Dysplasia

I wanted to quickly write about this! We had a dog named Sugar, a young German Shepherd/Lab mix, who came in about a week and a half ago. I saw her come in and the young lady who was bringing her in said to us that she wasn’t “leash trained” and didn’t like to walk on it. It’s not that uncommon to see dogs who don’t like to walk on leashes simply because they’ve never been trained! So I had to carry poor Sugar (might I add she weighed at least 50 pounds) into her kennel because she had planted herself firmly on the ground and it didn’t look like she was planning on going anywhere.

I had wrote a note on her cage letting the volunteers and staff know that she needed to be walked on a harness until she was properly leash trained. What was weird was that we noticed she didn’t even want to move IN her kennel at all! We put her on a vet check and it turns out the poor girl had hip dysplasia! No wonder she didn’t feel like moving, she was in so much pain that she had trouble getting up and didn’t seem to have any energy (especially for a young dog). All these symptoms are common in dogs that have hip dysplasia and some dogs are more prone to it than others. Large breeds such as Labs, German Shepherds, and Golden Retrievers are more likely to get it.

Hip dysplasia is studied heavily in veterinary science and is the main cause of arthritis of the hips in dogs. It is an abnormal formation in the hip socket that occurs when the femur bone doesn’t fit correctly into the pelvic socket (in simple terms). You can alleviate some of the pain by giving them pain medication and taking steps to make them more comfortable…such as weight loss and light exercise. But for the most part, surgery is highly recommended – either reshaping the joint to make the movement easier or doing a complete hip replacement. Both are costly and unfortunately many can’t afford the surgery…which is where we come in. Owners drop them off at the shelter and some can’t fess up and tell us the REAL reason why they can’t (or won’t) take care of them anymore. Sugar was sent to a rescue who is going to try and help her and give her the treatment she needs to get better. So hopefully she will be able to live a more comfortable life after being treated

Hip Dysplasia In Dogs | Ruff Ideas

by Nicola Parry, DVM

Hip Dysplasia (HD) is a common, canine orthopedic condition that involves an abnormally formed hip joint. The hip joint is a “ball and socket” type joint, and in healthy animals the ball and socket should fit snugly against each other. In HD, however, the head of the femur (the ball) fits poorly in the acetabulum (the socket). This allows excessive movement to occur in the joint, resulting in inflammation, damage, and subsequent pain.

Although it can affect any dog breed, HD certainly occurs with a much higher frequency in larger breed dogs. Its exact cause is complex – it arises as a result of multiple factors, both hereditary and environmental. Contributing environmental influences are varied, but development of HD can be encouraged by factors such as repeated episodes of joint trauma, or rapid weight gain and growth rate due to excessive food intake.

5 Common Signs Of Hip Dysplasia

• Lameness


• Stiffness


• Swaying hind limb gait


• Reluctance to jump or climb stairs


• Difficulty rising after lying down

5 Ways To Manage Hip Dysplasia

• 
  Weight Management
  

Your dog should be at an optimum weight to avoid excessive stress on the hip joint. If necessary, your veterinarian can help with a weight loss regime, as well as ensuring that your dog’s overall nutrition is properly balanced.

• Exercise

Exercise is necessary, but should not be overdone. Lower impact forms, such as walking or swimming, are best. Running, however, should be avoided.

• Pain Relief

Your veterinarian will help to effectively manage your dog’s pain by prescribing anti-inflammatory medication. However, you may want to try some all natural solutions before you start your dog on pharmaceuticals.

• 
  Arrest of Joint Damage
  

Various products, such as nutraceuticals, are available to help break the cycle of damaging changes in the hip joint, and thus slow disease progression. Collagen supplementation has also been shown to reduce pain and lameness in arthritic dogs, improving their overall activity. Joint Resolution is a non-pharmaceutical product that can help improve your dog’s mobility and flexibility. Its natural ingredients can be effective in reducing soreness and stiffness. One of its components is BioCell Collagen II which helps to rebuild new cartilage in damaged joints, and helps to reduce further joint damage.

• Surgery

Specialized surgical procedures can help in severe cases. Various techniques are used, ranging from rearranging the pelvic bones or femoral head for more efficient joint function, to hip replacement.

If you should suspect that your dog has HD, have him checked immediately – an earlier diagnosis allows for more effective management of the condition. And although you can’t exactly prevent your dog from developing HD, or even cure it if it arises, there are certainly important ways in which you can contribute to effectively manage this complex condition. In this way you can help to keep him pain-free, and slow the progression of the disease and its associated osteoarthritis. Another important fact to remember is to avoid breeding your dog – given the genetic component of this disease, spaying or neutering of affected dogs can at least prevent the disease being passed on.

Nicola Parry is a veterinarian at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She is ACVP board-certified and her career has taken her along various paths, including general practice and academia. She enjoys teaching veterinary pathology, as well as writing for the veterinary, medical and scientific worlds. She currently lives in Massachusetts with her oddball cat, Tiddles

How to Treat Hip Dysplasia in Dogs

Learn about the treatments available for dogs suffering from Hip Dysplasia. Dr. Anthony Cambridge, who is board certified …

in veterinary surgery, talks about what Hip Dysplasia is and treatments available.

How to know and Treat Beagle hip problems!

Ever since you brought home your cute little beagle, has he become your absolute favorite? And just as you care for your own health, your beagle health is also of utmost importance… And one important concern is Beagle Hip Problems. So find out how to detect and then treat Beagle hip problem now…

How do you know if a dog has hip dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia is a genetic disease affecting Beagles. To understand hip dysplasia and the resulting arthritis, you need a basic understanding of how the dog’s hip joint is affected. The hip joint is comprised of a ball and socket that forms the attachment of the hind leg to the body. The ball portion is the head of the femur and the socket is located on the pelvis. In a normal hip joint the ball rotates freely within the socket. The bones are shaped to perfectly match each other with the socket surrounding the ball. To strengthen the joint, the two bones are held together by a strong ligament. The joint capsule, a strong band of connective tissue, circles the two bones to provide added stability.

Hip dysplasia is linked to abnormal joint structure and a laxity of the muscles, connective tissue, and ligaments that would normally support the dog’s hip joints. As the disease progresses, the articular surfaces of the two bones lose contact with each other. This separation of the two bones within the joint causes a drastic change in the size and shape of the articular surfaces.

Most dogs who eventually develop hip dysplasia are born with normal hips, but due to their genetic make-up the soft tissues surrounding the joint develop abnormally. This leads to the symptoms associated with hip dysplasia. The disease may affect both hips, or only the right or left hip.

The symptoms of hip dysplasia cause afflicted dogs to walk or run with an altered gait, similar to a bunny-hop. They begin to resist any movement that requires full extension or flexion of the rear legs. They will experience stiffness and pain in their rear legs after exercising and on first rising in the morning. Climbing stairs becomes difficult if not impossible. Some dogs will limp and are less willing to participate in normal daily activities, including walks they formerly enjoyed.

It appears that the amount of calories a dog consumes, especially during its fast-growth period from three to ten months, has the biggest impact on whether or not a dog genetically prone to hip dysplasia will develop the disease

Ref: http://www.dogshealth.com/blog/1837/hip-dysplasia-in-beagles/

What is the treatment for hip dysplasia?

The best way that you can fight hip dysplasia is to work on preventing it.  First of all make sure that your pet is exercised regularly and maintains a healthy weight; obesity in your dog will only exacerbate the problem further.

Secondly, it is widely believed that a regular Vitamin C supplement will help to prevent or at least slow down the progression of hip dysplasia in your dog.  It is important to start your puppy on vitamin C as early as possible and even before it has been weaned when you can.  Hip dysplasia will begin to develop immediately and can be literally crippling to your pet even before they have reached one year of age.

Use vitamin C with sodium ascorbate or another form of buffered vitamin C, as plain ascorbic acid may cause an upset stomach.

Use the following daily dosage guide when supplementing with vitamin C.

For un-weaned puppies (Use the vitamin C pediatric drops or tablets that you would use for humans)

Small – Medium breeds

For the first ten days use 50mg, and then from ten days until weaning use 100mg.

Large – Giant breeds

For the first ten days use 75mg, and then from ten days until weaning use 150mg

Ref: http://www.earthclinic.com/Pets/hip_dysplasia.html

Beagles are the ultimate joy, and now that you know about Beagle Hip Problems you are all set to be the equally caring owner! Now you are all set to deal with any eventual Beagle hip problem!

Hip Dysplasia

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a hereditary condition in dogs.  Affects females and males with equal frequency.  Can be controlled (to some extent) by environmental factors including diet.

The reported incidence of hip dysplasia is 1.7% with a much larger increase of occurrence in large and giant breeds.

More commonly seen in the
Chesapeake Bay Retriever, English Setter, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Samoyed, and Saint Bernard Breeds.

There is an increased incidence of hip dysplasia in dogs spayed or castrated prior to 5 months of age.

References:

Kustritz, Margaret, “Determining the Optimal Age for Gonedectomy of Dogs and Cats.”  JAVMA, Vol 231, No. 11, December 1, 2007.  Pp. 1665-1675.

A study found an increased incidence of hip dysplasia among dogs neutered at an early age, and the authors speculated that this increased incidence may have resulted from altered hip joint conformation secondary to increased bone length.

References:

Duerr, Felix, Colleen Duncan, Roman Savicky, “Risk Factors for Excessive Tibial Plateau Angle in Large-Breed Dogs with Cranial Cruciate Ligament Disease.”  JAVMA, Vol, 231, No. 11, December 1, 2007. Pp. 1688-1691.

About these ads

Hip Dysplasia

Hip Dysplasia

January 25, 2013 in Dog Breeding, Uncategorized

I’ve noticed that there are all sorts of caveats and disclaimers that “reputable” breeders insert into their contracts regarding hip dysplasia guarantees which include:

• Thou shalt not allow puppy to run up stairs.


• Thou shalt not allow puppy to run down stairs.


• Thou shalt not allow puppy to go jogging with you.


• Thou shalt not allow puppy to jump on furniture.


• Thou shalt not allow puppy to jump off furniture.


• Thou shalt not allow puppy to jump.


• Thou shalt not allow puppy to engage in high-impact activities.


• Ad nauseum.

And I’ve been researching the various hip examinations to predict the development of hip dysplasia (ie PennHip versus OFA). I’ve come to the conclusion that OFA is basically worthless, and PennHip is downright expensive and does nothing to determine whether or not a dog’s or bitch’s pups will develop the disease…it only shows whether the individual animal on the xray has a likelihood of developing it. So, it’s good for weeding out the particularly bad breeding candidates before you breed them, but that’s about it.

What’s the point of doing expensive x-rays that can’t guarantee much? Let’s say the hips look great, but the dog never does any high impact activity, which is what Boxers enjoy doing. How do you ever know if the only reason the hips look good is because they’ve never been put to the test by real life activity? And let’s say the hips look not-so-great? And yet the dog has no outward symptoms despite engaging in tons of physical activity? And what if the x-rays don’t look great because the dog has engaged in tons of high-impact activity that has done damage? I think this over-dependence on x-rays, especially with OFA, has actually done people and dogs a disservice.

And so I broke all those rules with my bitch, and now I am also disregarding them with her female pup who was born in June. By God, if she is predisposed to developing early hip dysplasia, I’m not going to do anything to prevent it from happening. My bitch, who will be 5 years old in May, has been running non-stop since a pup. Running hard. Wrestling with other dogs, getting chased (and kicked) by horses, accompanying horses on long, rocky, steep, two-hour-long trail rides, jumping 5-feet-high fences, and generally making a grand nuisance of herself. Other than when she breaks the occasional toenail, she has never limped and so far she has never had trouble jumping, climbing stairs, or bouncing around. She has massive, muscular thighs and a very wide stance when viewing her from the rear.

Check out these photos of Boxers with hip dysplasia:

This one is Bruno, an obviously neutered and overweight 3-year-old Boxer male. I wonder at what age he was neutered. Studies suggest that early neuter/spay can increase the risk of hip dysplasia development, although the disease may not be as severe. Bruno has hip dysplasia in his left hip, a repaired left ACL tear , and arthritis in his left hip, knee, and in his back. Can we blame this on bad breeding? Maybe. However, since the issues seem concentrated on one side, they were probably caused by an injury and then exacerbated by his weight. I bet money that his problems are mostly caused by being fat, and probably one of the biggest reasons he is fat is because he has no testicles.

Look at that, no thigh muscles:

And here we’ve got a Cane Corso pup with the tell-tale narrow stance and slender thighs:

Based on the animal’s young age, I think we could blame the hip problems on genetics.

Every dog I’ve seen with hip problems (and I’ve seen quite a few), has had slim thighs, a narrow stance, and many times is overweight or was at some point.

THIS is what I think we should look for in a Boxer–slim waist, thunder thighs and a wide stance:

You want a Boxer that can run, jump, and box with the best of them. If you see a dog or bitch with a “good” OFA or PennHip, and yet it’s got lovehandles, a narrow stance, and thin thighs, to be safe don’t breed it. X-rays are a snapshot in time and can’t substitute for the here and now.

Otis at Salt Point

He’s a swimmer!! We’ve finally gotten a chance to take him to the lake, and he’s loving it. The retriever in him is shining through. We just throw a stick out there and off he goes. He runs until he can’t touch anymore and then he doggy paddles. It’s super cute. He drinks as much water as he can, too. Which is also hilarious.

Otis definitely enjoys bounding through the water without a care in the world. I’m so happy to see it!! He’s really progressing so well…his fur on his haunches is still short, but that will come back over time. He’s almost finished with his Lyme antibiotics. Hopefully that will take care of all of his ailments and he’ll live an uneventful life from here on out. *fingers crossed*

I don’t know if anyone will ever read this blog, but if you do, I hope you get an idea as to what to expect throughout the “hip dysplasia” process. Ultimately, we’re happy we put him through it, and three months later, he’s like a brand new dog. And he’s still not 100% strength yet! I’m also glad that we chose to have the surgery in the winter. Because it’s a lot easier to keep a puppy from acting crazy when it’s all wintery out than when it’s gorgeous and the critters are outside. 

Well, off to play in the yard before it gets dark. Those big brown eyes are staring up at me…I think he’s had enough rest.

Ciao!

Dog Wellness - Prevention of Canine Hip Dysplsia

Canine hip dysplasia is a medical condition  commonly found in dogs, particularly large body mass breeds. Doctor Karen Becker states “It is is a polygenetic multi-factorial disease, which means there is a genetic component, more than one gene is involved, and it is caused by a number of factors, some of which have yet to be identified.” Dog wellness brings to your attention the very important factors on  how to prevent this disease from developing in your dog. 

CHD is when the ball and socket hip joint is malformed, causing separation of the two bones of the joint. The socket is not formed properly to fit the ball completely in place.  This less-than-perfect fit causes the bones to separate, resulting in abnormal joint structure along with weak muscles, ligaments and connective tissue that support the joints.  The result is chafing and grinding joints.

The dog’s body will try to compensate for the poor joint fit by producing a hard bony material around the in and around – attempting to stabilize the problem.  Unfortunately this alteration has the opposite effect by creating an even worse fit of the joint. 

Eventually the wear on the joint from the chafing and grinding results in degenerative joint disease (DJD), which is a painful, debilitating disease that will take your dog down fast.

CHD develops between five and twelve months of age for the severe form of the disease; later for the chronic form.


CHD Testing

Without the gene a dog will not acquire CHD, however if he does have the gene he is likely to develop it but he is also likely not to develop it – so dog wellness preventative measures is highly necessary in order to give your dog a fighting chance of not developing the disease.

With certain breeds of dogs, like the German Shepard, puppies are often tested at a young age in order to rule out any hip problems.  The family history of the puppy is also taken into consideration. However, even if prior generations show no signs of CHD, their puppies are still at risk. Even if a dog shows high OFA and PennHIP scores, they can still carry the genes of the disease.  Currently, there is no test that can identify if the dog is a gene carrier.

The hip is the biggest joint in your dog’s body and bares the majority of his weight during any kind of movement. That’s why hip dysplasia can be such a painful, debilitating disease, especially as it is predominantly seen in large breed dogs with heavy body mass.

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Canine Hip Dysplasia

A dog with CHD may have one or a combination of the following symptoms:

- Abnormal gait
– Bunny-hopping when running
– Thigh muscle atrophy (loss of muscle mass)
– Pain
– Low exercise tolerance
– Reluctance to climb stairs
– Audible “click” when walking
– Increased width between points of the hips

Diagnosis is typically made either because a dog is showing symptoms, or as the result of a standard hip exam prior to breeding a purebred dog.

The vet will perform a complete physical exam and take x-rays. Joint problems are easily seen on x-rays of dogs exhibiting symptoms. The vet may also be able to feel looseness in your dog’s hip joint, and note pain when a rear leg is extended or flexed.

Traditional Treatment of Hip Dysplasia

If hip laxity (looseness) is caught very early prior to any joint damage occurring, there are surgical procedures that can correct the joint malformation.

If your dog has already suffered degenerative joint disease from chronic hip dysplasia, surgical options are either a total hip replacement or a procedure in which the head of the femur is removed and a ‘fake’ hip joint replaces it. This option is less costly than a full hip replacement, but is most successful in dogs weighing less than 40 pounds.

The cost of a surgery such as this is extremely costly and usually not affordable to most dog owners, so the best bet is to ensure dog owners put dog wellness strategies into place and look at preventative measures for CHD. Particularly if you have a large breed dog.


Pain Management for CHD

Pain management involves the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), buffered aspirin and corticosteroids to alleviate inflammation and pain. The side effects of these drugs can include organ problems and gastric ulcers.

Complementary Therapies

In the event a dog is on pain medication for CHD it is highly recommended that the dog owner works with a holistic vet in order to find alternative treatements and pain mangement. This helps protect the dog’s owner from Big Pharma pro vets that will use your dogs unfortunate situation to make more money  by recommending medications the dog doesn’t really need, and basically from ripping off pet owners.  Utilizing alternative measures will also help protect your dog from the side effects caused by NSAIDs\ and other pain medications, that we know are toxic. 

Doctor Karen Becker says in her opinion, the most important aspect of managing this debilitating disease is building and maintaining excellent muscle, tendon and ligament health through physical therapy, an anti-inflammatory diet and oral chondroprotective/supportive supplements.

Complementary therapies include:

-Chiropractic treatments. Chiropractic therapy can help your pet avoid the compensating injuries that often result from CHD.

-Massage. Regular massages can alleviate inflammation and prevent further damage through compensation.

-Stretching and other forms of physical therapy will increase the condition and mobility of her joints, tendons and ligaments, helping to preserve her range of motion.

-Low-level laser therapy can facilitate long lasting pain relief by stimulating the release of your dog’s own pain killing endorphins.

-Acupuncture can be tremendously beneficial in relieving the pain and inflammation of degenerative joint disease.

-Aquatic therapy, also known as hydrotherapy, uses an underwater treadmill or heated pool to take pressure off your dog’s injured or painful joints. Water therapy can also improve your dog’s cardiovascular health, muscle strength and range of motion critical for supporting dysplastic dogs.

-Adding certain supplements to your pet’s naturally anti-inflammatory diet can provide the raw materials for cartilage repair and maintenance, among them:

1.  Glucosamine sulfate with MSM, Eggshell Membrane, Perna Mussel
2.  Homeopathic remedies, including Rhus Tox
3.  Ubiquinol and other antioxidants
4.  Super green foods (Spirulina and Asthaxanin)
5.  Natural anti-inflammatory formulas (herbs, proteolytic enzymes and nutraceuticals)
6.  Adequan injections, which can stimulate joint fluid very rapidly in pets with arthritis

Dog Wellness Strategies for Prevention of Canine Hip Dysplasia

1.  Selective breeding. More hip testing and more careful breeding can go a long way toward limiting the inheritance of CHD.

2.  If you’re planning to get a purebred large-breed puppy, find breeders who PennHIP certify their dogs. OFA certification is still the established standard, but PennHIP is a much better indication of hip health. If greater numbers of potential dog owners demand PennHIP certification, more breeders will understand the importance of this test for their animals.

Unfortunately, PennHIP testing is more expensive and not as widely done as OFA, but it is highly preferable to the OFA method. The procedure can be done on dogs as young as 16 weeks. PennHIP uses a network of trained veterinarians and anesthesia is required rather than an option.

3.  Slow weight gain in large-breed puppies. When a puppy gains size and weight too quickly, the cartilage in his body often can’t keep up with the growth of his frame, and cartilage deficits result. When imbalances of this type develop in a growing dog, they can contribute to hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis.

4.High calorie diets, which are typically also high in carbohydrates, can cause too-rapid growth, especially in larger breed dogs. In fact, research indicates the amount of calories a dog consumes, especially from the age of three to ten months, can have a significant impact on whether a pup genetically prone to hip dysplasia will develop the condition.

Despite what you might hear from other owners of large breed dogs or even from your vet, it is not protein in the diet that is linked to hip dysplasia, but calcium-phosphorus ratios and high caloric content. A portion-controlled, balanced, species-appropriate diet will provide your dog, no matter his age, with the right nutrition in the right amounts.

5.  Obesity can increase the severity of dysplasia. Extra weight can accelerate the degeneration of joints. Dogs born with genes that make them prone to hip dysplasia, if allowed to grow overweight, will be at much higher risk of developing the disease, and subsequently, arthritis as well.

6.  Appropriate exercise. There is evidence over-exercising large breed dogs at a young age may be a risk factor for dysplasia. Activities that require your dog to jump and land can apply a great deal of force to his joints.

However, moderate exercise such as running and especially swimming, will help your dog maintain good muscle mass, which has been shown to decrease the incidence and severity of the CHD. Your dog should get at least 20 minutes of sustained, heart-thumping exercise three times a week. However, the more moderate exercise he gets the better.  Large breed dogs should be exercised daily for a full impact. 

A reminder of how important strong dog wellness practices can be for dog owners and their dog is to remember that prevention can save money, pain, and a dog’s life.  The introduction of a raw natural diet and utilizing natural pet health care whenever possible is a recommendation that should not go ignored.  Pay close attention to the breed, size and needs of the dog you have and put dog wellness practices into place as a part of being a smart and caring dog owner.