H E A L T H
Hip Dysplasia
Genetics: Researchers agree that hip dysplasia is a genetic disease. If a parent has hip dysplasia, then the animal's offspring are at greater risk for developing hip dysplasia. If there are no carriers of hip dysplasia in a dog's lineage, then it is highly unlikely he will not contract the disease. If there are genetic carriers, then he may contract the disease. We can greatly reduce the incidence of hip dysplasia through selective breeding. We can also increase the incidence through selectively breeding. We cannot, however, completely reproduce the disease through selective breeding. In other words, if you breed two dysplastic dogs, the offspring are much more likely to develop the disease but the offspring will not all have the same level of symptoms or even necessarily show any symptoms. The offspring from these dogs will, however, be carriers and the disease will most likely show up in their offspring in later generations. This is why it can be challenging to eradicate the disease from a breed or specific breeding line
.Nutrition: It appears that the amount of calories a dog consumes and when in the dog's life those calories are consumed have the biggest impact on whether or not a dog genetically prone to hip dysplasia will develop the disease.Experimentally, it has been shown that obesity can increase the severity of the disease in genetically susceptible animals. It stands to reason that carrying around extra weight will exacerbate the degeneration of the joints in a dog; including the hip. Dogs that may have been born genetically prone to hip dysplasia and are overweight are therefore at a much higher risk of developing hip dysplasia and eventually osteoarthritis.Another factor that may increase the incidence of hip dysplasia is rapid growth in puppies during the ages from three to ten months. Experimentally, the incidence has been increased in genetically susceptible dogs when they are given free choice food. In one study, Labrador Retriever puppies fed free choice for three years had a much higher incidence of hip dysplasia than their littermates who were fed the same diet but in an amount that was 25% less than that fed to the free-choice group.Feeding a diet that has too much or too little calcium or other minerals can also have a detrimental effect on the development of the hip joint. However, with today's complete and balanced dog foods this has become a rare occurrence. The practice of feeding home-made dog foods is popular with some dog owners. These diets must be carefully monitored for proper nutritional balance; not only for calcium and the other essential minerals but for all nutrients
.Exercise: Exercise may be another risk factor. It appears that dogs that are genetically susceptible to the disease may have an increased incidence of disease if they over-exercised at a young age. But at the same time, we know that dogs with large and prominent leg muscle mass are less likely to contract the disease than dogs with small muscle mass. So, exercising and maintaining good muscle mass may actually decrease the incidence of the disease. Moderate exercise that strengthens the gluteal muscles, such as running and swimming, is probably a good idea. Whereas, activities that apply a lot of force to the joint are contraindicated. An example would be jumping activities such as playing Frisbee.
Prevention of Hip Dysplasia in Dogs
Hip dysplasia, when caused by genetic factors, is almost impossible to control. However, the condition can be possibly prevented if your dog is not exposed to certain risks. Dogs owners whose pets are prone to hip dyplasia, either because they come from a breed that suffers from it or if they are at a stage where the disease is most likely to develop, should take note of the following preventive measures so as to reduce the instances of developing the disease:
1. Keep your dog within normal weight at all times.
Like humans, dogs have their own ideal body weight. You can figure out the ideal weight of your dog by asking the vet. After some physicals, the vet will tell you the average weight that your pet has to maintain to keep it healthy.
Keep in mind that obesity is one of the risk factors of canine hip dysplasia.You want to stay clear of your dog being overweight, because it has lots of other health complications.
2. Give your pet proper exercise.
A lot of men and women tend to ignore exercise. Your dog, on the other hand, requires it in order to stay healthy. Proper exercise allows your pet to build its muscles. It also limits the joint’s irregular wear and tear. Simple exercises can help a lot. Walking and jogging during the mornings can drastically reduce your dog’s risk of acquiring hip dysplasia.
3. Give your dog a good massage.
There’s such thing as physical therapy on dogs. If you want your pet to stay healthy, you have to take it to a vet and let the experts show you how a good massage on your dog’s hip and legs can be done. This is ideal for dogs that are very prone to developing the disease. It can also be performed if your dog is suffering from pain due to hip dysplasia. However, it can be a little tricky to do, especially if your dog is feeling very uncomfortable due to the disease. Build trust and make your dog feel that what you’re doing is actually to help improve its condition.
4. Provide your dog with a comfortable place for sleeping.
Hip dysplasia is at its worst during the colder weather, and if your dog has to withstand a hard structure for its sleeping area. Give your dog comfortable bedding. A two-inch foam will do your pet good, especially if it is almost immobile due to the disease. Keep your dog's kennel warm by putting fresh sheets inside it at all times. Try to make your pet sleep near the fire place during the winter season. Or, you can simply put the temperature up so as to minimize pains and swelling in your dog.
5. Give your dog oral supplements.
There are certain supplements that are developed for dogs with hip dysplasia these days. Chondroitin and Glucosamine are just two of the ingredients that can truly help. Try to talk to an herbalist or a holistic veterinarian to help you in choosing the right supplement for your pet suffering from this disease. text.
Dogs that are prone to hip dysplasia will eventually form hip problems. Nearly 100 breeds of dogs are prone to hip dysplasia, with bulldogs and pugs at the top of a 2008 report by The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.