Hip Dysplasia: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

I have a friend who recently came to me with an ailing 9-year-old yellow Labrador retriever, hip dysplasia. I tried to convince him for years from making the switch to the BARF diet, but he was convinced that Purina is a better choice for his dog.

Now that his dog is 30 pounds overweight and can not stand on its own four feet more, my friend is now looking to me. A "miracle diet" to his poor dog is to reverse the condition Unfortunately, the chance of reversing this state after the joint has been damaged so badly marginal at best.


It has been reported that nearly 25% of dogs visiting veterinary practices are diagnosed with musculoskeletal disorders. While both large and small dogs can develop hip dysplasia, it is much more common in large and giant breeds.

Breeds, which include the highest incidence of this disease Demonstrate:• Great Danes• Labrador Retriever• Newfoundland• RottweilersCanine hip dysplasia is the most frequently encountered orthopedic disease in veterinary medicine. This condition is polygenic trait roomates means that more than one gene controls the inheritance of this condition. As such predisposition for these diseases in certain breeds of dogs is worrisome at best.Instead, when buying a large breed puppies, you have to diligently that puppies to raise in such a way as to be able to reduce musculoskeletal disorders.

What are the causes of hip dysplasia? Between 3 to 9 months old - primarily in large breed dogs, the onset of hip dysplasia is usually associated with periods of rapid growth. Therefore, it is best to understand what causes this accelerated growth rate.

Feeding a dog can charge a very low calorie diet with carbohydrates and synthetic fertilizers exacerbate a predisposition to hip dysplasia, because the rapid weight gain places increased stress on the hips. Excessive weight gain during this time makes a higher frequency and more severe degenerative changes in large breed dogs. The extra weight greatly multiplies the large breed of dog genetic potential for hip dysplasia.

Dogs allowed, as much as they want, whenever they (also known as free-feeding) want to eat are also grow much faster than dogs that are fed limited amounts of food. This escalated growth rate during puppyhood the body can develop unpredictable and make your puppy more prone to hip dysplasia.

In addition, supplementation of certain important nutrients could reverse the calcium / phosphorus balance in the body, roomates also plays a role in skeletal formation process. This speci Refers to calcium.

Many professional breeders encourage new puppy owners routinely supplement their pet's diet with calcium during the entire first year of life for a prophylactic measure. While it can also mean this can actually create skeletal problems in your pet and produce deficiencies in other nutrients. In this case there is the danger of calcium supplementation do not outweigh the benefits.

Another factor that influences the condition mounted exercise. During the period of rapid growth, should in young dogs jumping up and down (as above jumps to catch a ball) and discouraged from standing on its hind legs. Also run on the sidewalk should be eliminated.

Symptoms of hip dysplasia The hip joint is a "ball and socket" joint. The ball head of the femur and the acetabulum socket of the pelvis. In a dysplastic joint, the head of the femur fits loosely into a poorly developed, shallow pan. In severe cases, the head of the femur is complete is made in the joint and arthritic changes. Joint instability and wear, such muscular development behind the rate of bone growth.

The age of onset of hip dysplasia is 4-12 months old. The affected puppy will show pain in the hip, walk with a limp or a staggering gait, and have difficulty getting up in the hindquarters. When placed on her back, the puppy will show pain and discomfort when the rear legs extended in a frog-like position.

Diagnosis and TreatmentA correct diagnosis can only be achieved with an x-ray of the hip and pelvis. A major problem in the implementation of a radiograph is that the dog is required, may be under heavy sedation to, roomates carries its own set of risks. If you do opt to carry out the test, x-ray, your veterinarian degree of severity of your pet's hip dysplasia, roomates ranges from mild to severe. The diagnosis is dependent on the placement of the femur head in the acetabulum. Once the condition is severe, it can not be undone. Lameness is unpredictable and may be present or not noticed.

There are some procedures that provide some relief for the pain to your pet. These include acupuncture, veterinary chiropractic skeletal adjustments, massage, hydrotherapy, and, if necessary, painkillers.

Acupuncture and AcupressureMany pet owners have acupuncture touted as a great help to relieve chronic pain from hip dysplasia. This ancient form of Chinese is to try no negative side effects and it is a good treatment method, a certain comfort your pet and improve their mobility.Acupressure is similar to acupuncture, except that instead of needles, the practitioners hands, elbows and knees are used to light pressure on the same meridian points used in acupuncture to maintain. Acupressure is easier for those who want to perform at-home treatments for their sick animal. There are a variety of how-to books and videos out there to help you get started. Exactly do you consult with your veterinarian before you try to start this treatment.

ChiropracticIf the hips are in poor condition, the rest of the body the damaged joint is to overcompensate often relieve. After a while, this unbalanced distribution of weight can cause your pet's spine out of alignment. Therefore regular visits to the chiropractor is to help a good idea for your pet to correct this and prevent further issues are on the road.

MassageA Licensed Massage Therapist can help your pet's stiff and aching limbs and reduce symptoms of hip dysplasia. Many people swear by massage therapy for those suffering from arthritis and muscle strain to help.

HydrotherapyIf your pet hips are damaged, is one of the most important things to control your dog's body weight. Obesity on your pet extra stress on your hips and causing increased pain. Often this causes your pet to more sedentary roomates only bursts with the condition. Hydrotherapy offers your pet a low impact form of exercise and helps to reduce mobility and weight loss as well as to promote the stiffness in the muscles and joints.

Prevention is the keyScientific studies have shown that diet plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of this disease. Studies have shown that about 60% of all environmental factors for hip dysplasia in nature - to be one of these factors, what we feed pets. The nutritional impact of this fact is the reason why our clients seek the help of raw meat.

Feeding a balanced, biologically namas steady diet that supports growth and reduces obesity factors is crucial for the prevention of hip dysplasia

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