Hip Dysplasia In Dogs |

Hip dysplasia is a genetic disease that primarily affects large, purebred breeds of dogs such as Pointers.

Pointers make excellent hunting dogs, but around the house they are well-behaved, protective, alert and extremely loyal animals.

A well-trained Pointer will have the best attributes of both a sporting dog and a household companion. They are very intelligent and easily trainable. If you have small children in your family, the Pointer is a good choice for a pet because they are gentle dogs who love playing with children.

The Pointer has a lot of natural energy and needs plenty of room to run around; but also needs daily walks. If you’re a jogger or runner, your Pointer will love the exercise and probably still be going strong when you’re tired out.

The Pointer first appeared as a separate breed in the mid-17th century after breeders crossed Foxhounds, Greyhounds, Setters and Bloodhounds. The resulting mix was the first true “pointer” – a hunting dog that would stop immediately when it spotted game and point its muzzle in the direction of the game.

Pointers have lean, muscular, athletic frames covered in sleek, shiny coats that come in several colors: liver, black, yellow, or orange. Their coats are either solid colored or have white patches. Their heads have long muzzles and jaw-length ears. They have round, watchful eyes in varying shades of brown. Their long necks slope down to narrow shoulders, strong backs and thick tails.

Pointers can live as long as 14 years. Common health issues include skin allergies, epilepsy, and hip dysplasia.

Hip dysplasia is a genetic disease that primarily affects large and giant breeds of dogs but can also affect medium-sized breeds and occasionally small breeds. It is primarily a disease of purebreds, although it can also occur in mixed breeds.

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.

X-ray of a normal hip joint:

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.

X-ray of an abnormal hip joint:

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.

Obesity can increase the severity of the disease in dogs that are genetically susceptible and the extra weight will intensify the degeneration of a dog’s joints and hips. Dogs who are genetically prone to hip dysplasia and also are overweight, are at a much higher risk of developing hip dysplasia and eventually osteoarthritis.

Exercise can be another risk factor. Dogs genetically susceptible to hip dysplasia may have an increased incidence of the disease if they are over-exercised at a young age. Moderate exercise like running and swimming is best for exercising young dogs.

Because hip dysplasia is primarily an inherited condition, there are no products that can prevent its development. Through proper diet, exercise, and a daily regimen of Winston’s Joint System, you can slow, and sometimes halt, the progression of these degenerative joint diseases while providing your dog with relief from its pain. Winston’s provides many of the raw materials essential for the synthesis of the joint-lubricating synovial fluid as well as the repair of articular cartilage and connective tissue.

There are different assumptions on how to prevent the progression of hip dysplasia in Pointers. Poor nutrition, inadequate or improper exercise, and increased body weight may all contribute to the severity of osteoarthritis after the hip dysplasia has developed. By watching the calories your puppy or young dog consumes and preventing obesity in your dog, allowing only non-stressful types of exercise, and a daily regimen of Winston’s Joint System, are the best things you can do for your dog.

Find Out More About Hip Dysplasia

Giant Schnauzers were bred for tasks such as herding and cattle driving. The breed was created by crossing Standard Schnauzers with bigger dogs like Great Danes. This interbreeding with Great Danes who were susceptible to hip problems was responsible for introducing hip dysplasia in Giant Schnauzers.

Giant Schnauzers are bigger and braver than Standard and Miniature Schnauzers, but just as energetic and playful. They are clever and trainable pets but require a lot of attention and supervision with strict obedience exercises.

Giant Schnauzers are very attentive companions, preferring to stay very close to their owners, which can be a bit unnerving to some people when a dog this large seems intent on watching their every move.

Giant Schnauzers are superb watchdogs with their commanding presence and intense loyalty to their family. They easily distinguish between who is a friend and who is an enemy. They will bark ferociously when they sense a threat to the household, but otherwise are not known to be excessive or frequent barkers.

Giant Schnauzers need a lot of outdoor exercise, going on vigorous daily walks or long jogs to help them maintain good physical and mental health. They always need to be walked on a leash because they have strong hunting instincts, and any small creatures—whether birds or cats—easily excite them.

While the Miniature Schnauzer and Standard Schnauzer were originally bred to chase and kill rats, the Giant Schnauzer was meant for bigger tasks such as herding, and even – believe it or not –for barroom bouncing. The breed was created by crossing Standard Schnauzers with much bigger dogs like Great Danes and they do extremely well handling a wide range of tasks, including cattle driving and police work.

Giant Schnauzers are basically larger, stronger versions of the Standard Schnauzer and have large, square-built frames covered in dense, wiry coats. Their long heads sport bushy moustaches, beards and eyebrows, with deeply set eyes and V-shaped ears that point up and forward. Their colorings are solid black or salt and pepper.

A healthy Giant Schnauzer can live as long as 15 years. Common health issues include eye problems, bone disease, and hip dysplasia.

Hip dysplasia is a genetic disease that primarily affects large and giant breeds of dogs but can also affect medium-sized breeds and occasionally small breeds. It is primarily a disease of purebreds, although it can also occur in mixed breeds.

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.

This is an example of a normal hip joint:

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.
This is an example of an abnormal hip joint:

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.

Obesity can increase the severity of the disease in dogs that are genetically susceptible and the extra weight will intensify the degeneration of a dog’s joints and hips. Dogs who are genetically prone to hip dysplasia and also are overweight, are at a much higher risk of developing hip dysplasia and eventually osteoarthritis.

Exercise can be another risk factor. Dogs genetically susceptible to hip dysplasia may have an increased incidence of the disease if they are over-exercised at a young age. Moderate exercise like running and swimming is best for exercising young dogs.

Because hip dysplasia is primarily an inherited condition, there are no products that can prevent its development. Through proper diet, exercise, and a daily regimen of Winston’s Joint System, you can slow, and sometimes halt, the progression of these degenerative joint diseases while providing your dog with relief from its pain. Winston’s provides many of the raw materials essential for the synthesis of the joint-lubricating synovial fluid as well as the repair of articular cartilage and connective tissue.

You might also want to consider providing your dog with an orthopedic bed like the Canine Cooler Bed which distributes the dog’s weight evenly and reduces pressure on its joints. The Canine Cooler Bed uses revolutionary SoothSoft Technology to give your dog the very best in comfort, and the fluid-enhanced design offers a dry, cooling effect with superior cushioning and support. It’s perfect for dogs with hip dysplasia or arthritis.

There are different assumptions on how to prevent the progression of hip dysplasia in Giant Schnauzers. Poor nutrition, inadequate or improper exercise, and increased body weight may all contribute to the severity of osteoarthritis after the hip dysplasia has developed. By watching the calories your puppy or young dog consumes and preventing obesity in your dog, allowing only non-stressful types of exercise, and a daily regimen of Winston’s Joint System, are the best things you can do for your dog.

Improve Your Dogs Health & Learn How To Help Hip Dysplasia

Before choosing the right dog breed when you’re ready for a new canine friend, you should know a little bit about each breed that you’re considering for adoption.

Many people choose the breed of dog they wish to adopt based on their experiences with one or more dogs or puppies from their childhood. They may have fond memories of a dog they or a friend owned when they were young.

Another way some people choose their new pet is to visit a pet store or animal shelter and walk along the cages, looking for a dog that seems to be just the right match.

The third way of choosing the right dog breed is to consider all the situations that might arise during your dog’s lifetime. This is probably the most sensible approach to finding the dog that’s just right for you,. Before you make a final decision on which dog to adopt, ask yourself the following important questions, and be honest with your answers because those answers will determine which breed of dog is right for you.

How much time do you have to devote to raising a dog? If you choose to adopt a puppy it will require a lot of attention during all its waking hours. If left alone and there is no one around, it may become nervous and leave a mess for you to clean up. It may also chew or scratch something valuable . If you choose a long-haired dog be prepared for daily brushing or your dog’s coat will be a tangled mess in a very short period of time. You’ll also need to bathe your dog and clean its teeth and ears once a week. Every dog, no matter its age or breed, requires some one-on-one attention every day.

Dogs of all sizes need to have room to move around without running into obstacles or getting underfoot with every movement. To remain healthy they need room to run, either in your yard, in a park, or at the beach. Many smaller-sized breeds can comfortably live within the confines of an apartment with no problem. They can get the exercise they require by living and moving around a one bedroom apartment — but they still need to be walked at least once or twice in an evening to handle their bodily functions.

If you have small children you’ll need to choose a dog breed known for its friendliness and tolerance of children who sometimes do strange things to their pets. A dog needs a laid back temperament that allows it to tolerate being squeezed, held tightly, or otherwise mishandled. Golden Retrievers and Labradors are ideal for this type of situation. Some of the smaller breeds are too delicate to be handled roughly as some children are likely to do. Some breeds don’t appreciate getting picked up and carried all over the house, or being hugged a lot. The wrong choice in a dog when you have children in the family, could result in serious injury to an aggressive toddler. Dogs weighing under seven pounds are generally not suitable for children, while most dogs weighing ten pounds or more are usually appropriate for all ages.

Some healthcare expenses will be necessary simply because of the breed of the dog. Large breeds have an inbred predisposition to develop hip dysplasia and arthritis just because of their size. Other degenerative problems affect the shoulders, elbows and hocks. Dogs suffering with hip dysplasia, arthritis, bursitis, or osteochondrosis (OCD), can experience immediate and long-term relief without drugs when given a daily regimen of Winston’s Joint System.

Winston’s Joint System is a combination of three, totally-natural whole food supplements developed by a Naturopathic Doctor for his own dog. There are no side-effects because it’s all just good whole food. There are no dosage problems because the dog’s body will use only what it needs. Winston’s Joint System provides many of the raw materials essential for the synthesis of the joint-lubricating synovial fluid as well as the repair of articular cartilage and connective tissue. It also includes a natural anti-inflammatory compound to relieve the pain of arthritis.

Another important thing to consider is your budget, or your ability to feed and care for a dog. Your expenses start accruing as soon as you select a dog. You’ll have to pay the pet store, breeder, or animal shelter to adopt the dog; your dog will require shots, the specific ones will depend upon the city or county where you reside. Don’t forget grooming needs – brushes, shampoos, medications, etc.

And don’t underestimate the cost of food. You will be the only source of your dog’s meals. He or she cannot hop on over to McDonald’s or the local pizza parlor whenever hunger strikes. The larger the dog, the more food it will consume. And as your dog ages you’ll realize medical examinations and medications become more expensive. These lifetime medical expenses are not trivial, and if you do not plan on them, you can be caught off guard with some pretty large bills from the vet.

An important thing to consider if you choose a puppy is whether you’ll be staying home a lot or whether you frequently travel. If you have to travel, are you able to take your new puppy along with you? Traveling with puppies is a lot like traveling with small children. The trip is not so much about you as it is about them! It doesn’t matter how big your dog is – all sizes of dogs require frequent stops, and short walks are necessary if you’re traveling by car. Trains and buses no longer allow even small dogs to travel on board. Before you choose to travel with your dog by air and have it placed in the cargo hold, check the airlines track record for delivering pets alive and well to their owners once they have arrived at their destination. Check out Petfinder.com for the most pet-friendly airlines in the U.S.

On average, smaller dogs mature faster and live longer than larger ones; bigger dogs mature later and generally have shorter spans of adulthood. Here is a general breakdown of the stages of a dog’s life:

* Puppyhood ends between six and 18 months of age.
* Adolescence starts between six and 18 months of age.
* Adulthood starts between 12 months and three years of age.
* Senior years begin between six and 10 years of age.

Dogs are as individual as people and there’s no hard-and-fast rule for how a dog will age and how long it will live. If you need a pet that will live a long time or one who is not susceptible to major debilitating diseases, it’s important that you choose the right dog breed.

Just as in humans, taking care of a senior dog means being aware of and recognizing potential health problems before they occur. Do you have problems with your senior dog and sometimes feel overwhelmed by your pet’s neediness? Older dogs have greater needs and they require more care than younger, more active dogs.

Some signs to look for that may indicate your dog is not feeling well or may need medical attention include the following:

Excessive Water Consumption
When a dog begins to drink excessive amounts of water, it’s usually an indication that something is wrong. Excessive water consumption can be an indicator of diabetes, adrenal hormone imbalance (Cushing’s disease), urinary tract infection, uterine infection, or side effects from medications.

Your dog should drink about one cup of water for every five pounds of body weight per day. Your dog may drink more water during very hot days, but by being aware of the amount of water your dog drinks on normal days, you’ll know if it’s consuming abnormally large amounts of waters on a continuous basis, which may be a symptom of a serious problem.

Lumps on Your Dog
While petting or stroking your dog, be conscious of any irregularities in or under the skin. If you feel a lump or cyst, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Lumps can be malignant, but the only way to know for sure will be for your vet to perform a biopsy or an aspiration of cells with a needle.

Breathing Problems
Coughing, wheezing or breathing problems could indicate that there is a cardiovascular or lung problem with a geriatric dog. Laryngeal Paralysis also causes breathing problems and definitely requires an exam by your vet at the first sign of hoarseness or very rapid breathing not caused by heat exhaustion or heavy exercise.

Lazy or Lethargic Older Dogs
All dogs experience a decrease in energy levels as they become older and older dogs tire more easily and take more naps than younger, more active dogs. But if you find your dog is sleeping excessively, has trouble getting up from a nap, or has restricted mobility, it may be suffering from an acute form of arthritis common among older dogs. Arthritis is painful but there are medications and alternative treatments available that can bring relief to your dog for these types of conditions. The best supplement I have found for my own dog who has arthritis is Winston’s Joint System, an all-natural formula developed by a Naturopathic Doctor to heal his own beloved dog.

Changes in Vision
As your dog gets older, it’s normal for it to develop a hazy, bluish appearance in its eyes. This usually doesn’t affect the dog’s eyesight, but if it develops a hazy, white filmy substance over its eyes, it could be the onset of cataracts that can eventually lead to blindness.

An older dog will go through a number of changes as it progressively ages and may be more vulnerable to diseases specific to older dogs. Most dogs are considered senior dogs when they reach the age of 7 or 8 years, although some giant breeds are considered senior dogs as early as the age of 5 due to their shorter life span.

Some of the most common aging symptoms include slower movement and reduced activity, gray hair (especially around the muzzle), joint pain, a decrease in appetite, and sometimes depression.

Diseases in Older Dogs
Some old-age diseases in dogs call for special care. The most common old age diseases affecting dogs are cancer, arthritis and hip dysplasia.

Cancer is a malignant tumor that starts in one area of the body and then spreads to other areas through the blood. Malignant tumors can be removed, but they may reoccur. If the cancer is advanced, radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy may be necessary to save the dog’s life.

Arthritis and hip dysplasia are not curable diseases. Your dog may suffer from varying degrees of joint pain and the diseases may also prevent your dog from performing its normal activities. At the first sign of arthritis or hip dysplasia, I recommend you begin treating your pet with a daily regimen of Winston’s Joint System.

Winston’s Joint System is a combination of three, totally-natural whole food supplements developed by a Naturopathic Doctor for his own dog. There are no drugs with their serious side-effects, and no dosage problems because the dog’s body uses only what it needs. Within the first 30 days of treatment, dogs on Winston’s Joint System show noticeable and often remarkable improvement.

Diets For Older Dogs
Taking care of a senior dog usually includes changing its diet to accommodate any health condition. Wet food is recommended for senior dogs, as it’s easier to digest and may reduce the risk of developing liver and kidney disease. As your dog becomes older, it becomes less active and you will need to cut down on the amount of calories to prevent obesity.

Some of the diseases that affect aging dogs may be preventable. Daily teeth brushing as well as a regular exercise program can maintain your dog’s health and lead to a longer life. Be sure your senior dog has routine check-ups at least once per year, even if it appears to be in great physical shape. Early detection of diseases, followed by proper treatment, can add years to a dog’s life.

I empathize with you if you”re having problems taking care of a senior dog; so do I. But one thing I will do for my loving companion is treat him as I would wish to be treated when I get that old. The love you receive in exchange might just add years to YOUR life too!

Hip dysplasia is a genetic disease that primarily affects large and giant breeds of dogs like Collies.

Collies are friendly, loving and highly intelligent. They make gentle and loyal friends to the entire family, even to other pets in a household. Even though they are devoted to their family, they can act very wary of strangers, making them appear to be standoffish or aloof.

Collies love to play and thrive on your attention, but they are low-maintenance, non-destructive, non-demanding dogs.

When it comes to guarding their family, collies are not as docile and heroic as Lassie was. If they sense a threat they will protect their family and household, but they prefer to be friendly companions. They love regular exercise, but don’t need a vigorous amount of exercise like some larger breed dogs.

Lassie was always rescuing Timmy, but you need to be aware that collies are not natural born rescuers and can’t be relied upon to baby-sit your children or run back to your house to alert you when someone is hurt.

Collies need daily brushing and regular grooming to keep their coats from getting too frizzy. They are very sensitive to heat, and their noses easily sunburn.

A healthy Collie can live as long as 16 years. They originated in Scotland and northern England, and for generations they were used for herding cows and sheep. After Queen Victoria embraced the breed, Collies became popular pets across Europe.

Collies have light, graceful frames and long, bushy coats. Their heads are lean and wedge-shaped with flat tops and thin faces. Their ears are usually pointed and their noses stick straight out. They have trim, muscular bodies and broad chests. Typical colors for Collies are sable, sable merle, blue merle, tricolor, and white with markings of the other colors.

Unfortunately, Collies are very susceptible to developing hip dysplasia and arthritis.

Hip dysplasia is a genetic disease that primarily affects large and giant breeds of dogs like Collies but can also affect medium-sized breeds and occasionally small breeds. It is primarily a disease of purebreds, although it can also occur in mixed breeds.

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.

This is a normal hip joint:

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.

This is a hip joint showing the results of hip dysplasia:

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.

Obesity can increase the severity of the disease in dogs that are genetically susceptible and the extra weight will intensify the degeneration of a dog’s joints and hips. Dogs who are genetically prone to hip dysplasia and also are overweight, are at a much higher risk of developing hip dysplasia and eventually osteoarthritis.

Exercise can be another risk factor. Dogs genetically susceptible to hip dysplasia may have an increased incidence of the disease if they are over-exercised at a young age. Moderate exercise like running and swimming is best for exercising young dogs.

Because hip dysplasia is primarily an inherited condition, there are no products that can prevent its development. Through proper diet, exercise, and a daily regimen of Winston’s Joint System, you can slow, and sometimes halt, the progression of these degenerative joint diseases while providing your dog with relief from its pain. Winston’s provides many of the raw materials essential for the synthesis of the joint-lubricating synovial fluid as well as the repair of articular cartilage and connective tissue.

You might also want to consider providing your dog with an orthopedic bed like the Canine Cooler Bed which distributes the dog’s weight evenly and reduces pressure on its joints. The Canine Cooler Bed uses revolutionary SoothSoft Technology to give your dog the very best in comfort, and the fluid-enhanced design offers a dry, cooling effect with superior cushioning and support. It’s perfect for dogs with hip dysplasia or arthritis.

There are different assumptions on how to prevent the progression of hip dysplasia in Collies. Poor nutrition, inadequate or improper exercise, and increased body weight may all contribute to the severity of osteoarthritis after the hip dysplasia has developed. By watching the calories your puppy or young dog consumes and preventing obesity in your dog, allowing only non-stressful types of exercise, and a daily regimen of Winston’s Joint System, are the best things you can do for your pet Collie.