| What is Canine Hip Dysplasia? | | | | How is Canine Hip Dysplasia Diagnosed? |
| Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) is a congenital disease | | | | Initial assessment involves taking a history of the |
| that mainly affects large breed dogs. The word | | | | dog, and examining obvious clinical signs. The only real |
| "dysplasia" means improper growth. Hip dysplasia can | | | | way to see if a dog is suffering from CHD is through |
| be described as a faulty or abnormal development of | | | | X Rays. If found early enough in pups, surgery can |
| the hip. In CHD, the hip becomes loose and wobbly, | | | | correct the problem. |
| eventually leading to a form of arthritis which is | | | | What Is the Treatment of Canine Hip Dysplasia? |
| commonly referred to Degenerative Joint Disease | | | | Treatment for CHD can be as mild as recommending |
| (DJD). The degree of lameness that occurs is usually | | | | rest, or as severe as surgery, depending on the |
| dependent upon the extent of arthritic changes in | | | | severity of the dysplasia, amount of DJD, the age of |
| the hip joint. So too do environmental conditions such | | | | the dog, the size of the dog, and many other |
| as amount of physical exercise, and weight gain | | | | factors, treatment will vary. |
| contribute to the disease, and bring out symptoms. | | | | Possible Conservative Treatment |
| What Are the Symptoms of Canine Hip Dysplasia? | | | | - Weight monitoring |
| The symptoms of CHD depend on the severity of | | | | - Moderate exercise |
| the dysplasia. Another factor is the whether or not | | | | - Pain relief medication |
| degenerative joint disease (DJD) is present. Dogs less | | | | - Joint and health supplements |
| than 1 year old have a tendency to have periods of | | | | Possible Surgical Treatment |
| acute bilateral (or unilateral) lameness in their rear legs. | | | | Currently there are three main surgical procedures |
| Older dogs with CHD exhibit rear limb lameness with | | | | used in for the treatment of CHD. |
| an obvious weight displacement to the forelimb (front | | | | Triple Pelvic Osteotomy (TPO) |
| paws). Furthermore, the signs of lameness become | | | | In this procedure, three separate bone cuts are |
| more obvious with exercise or after a minor trauma. | | | | made in order to free the acetabulum component |
| Again depending on the degree of joint destruction, | | | | (the socket or cup) of the hip joint from the rest of |
| visible signs vary. | | | | the pelvis. The acetabulum is then rotated to provide |
| Typical signs are | | | | better coverage. A bone plate is secured to maintain |
| - Generally less active. | | | | this new position and allow the bone cuts to mend. |
| - Problem with stairs. | | | | The procedure is for large breed dogs, no older than |
| - Less jumping | | | | 10 months of age. Candidates for this surgery must |
| - Trouble rising, or laying down. | | | | only have mild CHD and no arthritis present. |
| - When running will exhibit a A Bunny hopping @ gait | | | | Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO) |
| - Painful reaction to the extension of the rear legs. | | | | In this procedure, the head of the femur is removed. |
| - A faint popping sound coming from the hip. | | | | The residual portion of the femur forms a "false" |
| Are All Dogs at Risk Canine Hip dysplasia? | | | | joint with muscle, tendons and ligaments. Even |
| CHD can occur in any dog. However, large breed | | | | though the false joint is not as superior as the |
| dogs are at a higher risk. The Orthopedic Foundation | | | | original, most dogs experience a great reduction in |
| of Animals (OFA) believes that some of the breeds | | | | pain. This particular surgery is far more effect in |
| at highest risk are: | | | | smaller dogs, with most experiencing an almost |
| Bulldog | | | | normal function of the hip. |
| Pug | | | | Total hip replacement (THR) |
| Otterhund | | | | In this procedure the head and neck of the femur |
| Clumber Spaniel | | | | are both replaced with either stainless steel or |
| Neapolitan Mastiff | | | | titanium implants. This surgery is used on young dogs |
| St. Bernard | | | | who have fully matured developed physically. THR is |
| Boykin Spaniel | | | | also used in older dogs who weigh a minimum 40lbs. |
| Sussex Spaniel | | | | If done correctly, the procedure can be very |
| American Bulldog | | | | successful; however it is only done by a select few, |
| Newfoundland | | | | and is very expensive. |
| American Staffordshire Terrier | | | | Is There Any Way to Prevent Canine Dysplasia? |
| Bloodhound | | | | CHD is a combination of genetics and environmental |
| Bullmastiff | | | | factors. Responsible breeders are working on |
| Chesapeake Bay Retriever | | | | reducing the chances of CHD by breeding dogs that |
| Golden Retriever | | | | are less likely to produce pups that will have the |
| Gordon Setter | | | | disease, by better sceening methods. |
| Rottweiler | | | | Environmental factors do NOT cause CHD. Instead, |
| Chow Chow | | | | they bring out the symptoms in a dog that already |
| Old English Sheepdog | | | | has the disease. Responsible owners can help dogs |
| Kuvasz | | | | with CHD by addressing these environmental |
| Norweigan Elkhound | | | | variables. By closely monitoring a dog's diet, for |
| Giant Schnauzer | | | | example, owners can insure that a pup will not grow |
| German Shepherd | | | | too fast, or become over weight. Here is a list of |
| Bernese Mountain Dog | | | | variables that can be controlled in order to nurture a |
| English Setter | | | | dog with CHD. |
| Black and Tan Coonhound | | | | - Limit rough play, jumping, climbing stairs or slick |
| Shih Tzu | | | | floors. |
| Staffordshire Terrier | | | | - Monitor food intake. |
| Welsh Corgi | | | | - Calcium supplementation (may increase the bone |
| Beagle | | | | remodeling). |
| Briard | | | | - Forced running for any distance, especially on |
| Brittany | | | | tarmac, asphalt or other hard surfaces |
| Bouvier des flandres | | | | - Have your dog certified by The Orthopedic |
| Welsh Springer Spaniel | | | | Foundation for Animals (OFA) |
| Curly Coated Retriever | | | | Ths website only provides BASIC information about |
| Polish Lowland Sheepdog | | | | Canine Hip Dysplasia. your veterinarian is always your |
| Portugese Water Dog | | | | best source of health information. Consult your |
| English Springer Spaniel | | | | veterinarian for more information about CHD and its |
| Pudel Pointer | | | | prevention. |
| Irish Water Spaniel | | | | |