| Hip dysplasia is a very common condition in most | | | | and is used by reputable breeders to ensure that the |
| breeds of dogs. Often larger dogs are more prone to | | | | lines that they are crossing have little chance of |
| hip dysplasia but it can also occur even in the small | | | | carrying this genetic condition. |
| and toy breeds. Hip dysplasia is a degenerative | | | | Treatment |
| condition that usually affects dogs as they age, | | | | Hip dysplasia in dogs is usually first noticed by |
| although some breeds can start showing the | | | | stiffness and pain with walking. This will often result in |
| symptoms of hip dysplasia at young ages as well. | | | | dogs having trouble sitting or standing as the joint is |
| The hip of the dog works the same as the hip joint | | | | flexed and extended. Many owners think that their |
| in a human. It is a ball and socket joint with the | | | | pet has arthritis when this occurs. A vet can verify |
| socket attached to the pelvis and the ball part of the | | | | hip dysplasia with a physical exam, which will |
| joint attached to the femur or thigh bone. Normally | | | | manipulate the joint. The vet can tell be the tension |
| the ball and socket fit together properly and there is | | | | or lack thereof in the muscle and connective tissue |
| movement in all directions. There is a ligament and | | | | around the hip. An X-ray can also be used to verify |
| other protective tissues that hold the ball and socket | | | | the condition. |
| together and keep the joint strong and healthy. | | | | There are several ways to treat hip dysplasia and |
| Dogs that develop hip dysplasia have an abnormal | | | | usually the treatment method will depend on the age |
| growth of the soft tissues around the joint and | | | | of the dog and the cost of the procedure. All the |
| within the ball and socket mechanism of the hip. This | | | | methods that involve surgery are very costly and |
| starts when the dogs are very young. The result is | | | | may not completely cure the problem, depending on |
| that the bones of the hip joint are not in close | | | | the amount of damage that has been done to the |
| contact with each other; rather they are separated | | | | bones. Usually younger dogs are more effectively |
| by the layer of abnormal tissue that has developed in | | | | treated with the surgical procedures. Total hip |
| the joint. The constant outward pressure of the joint | | | | replacements as well as altering of the pelvic bones |
| by this tissue then further leads to a stretching of | | | | and even removal of part of the joint or connective |
| the ligament that holds the joint together. The result | | | | tissue are all options. |
| is a separation of the joint known as a subluxation. | | | | Non-surgical methods include anti-inflammatory, |
| Hip dysplasia is a hereditary condition that means that | | | | arthritis medications as well as controlled diet and |
| it can only be passed down through breeding. With | | | | non-strenuous exercise. Since it is a hereditary |
| conscientious breeders having their dogs tested for | | | | condition there is no medication that can control the |
| hip dysplasia before breeding the condition can be | | | | disease but the damage to the joint and the pain |
| controlled. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals | | | | that the dog may be experiencing can be effectively |
| (OFA) has collected data on various breeds and lines | | | | managed for many years. |
| since 1966. This database is the largest in the world | | | | |