HIP DYSPLASIA
Hip dysplasia is one of the most common skeletal diseases seen in dogs. Gender does not seem to be a factor, but some breeds are more likely to have the genetic predisposition for hip dysplasia than other breeds. A puppy born to parents with hip dysplasia is twice as likely to develop the condition. However, it has been proven that puppies born to parents with good hips can also develop hip dysplasia, and in the same litter you can have puppies with good hips, and puppies with bad hips. It is also possible for the condition to skip generations and a puppy with affected parents will not always develop hip dysplasia, but they may carry the gene and pass it on to later generations. Diet and exercise can also be factors in the development of hip dysplasia as Hip Dysplasia is 75% environmental and only 25% genetic.
So, when you get your 8 week old puppies, please keep these images above in mind. Their bones do not even touch yet. They plod around so cutely with big floppy paws and wobbly movement because their joints are entirely made up of muscle, tendons, ligaments with skin covering. Nothing is fitting tightly together or has a true socket yet. When you run them excessively or don't restrict their exercise to stop them from overdoing it during this period you don't give them a chance to grow properly. Every big jump or excited bouncing run causes impacts between the bones. In reasonable amounts this is not problematic and is the normal wear and tear that every animal will engage in. When you're letting your puppy jump up and down off the lounge or bed, take them for long walks/hikes, you are damaging that forming joint. When you let the puppy scramble on tile with no traction you are damaging the joint. You only get the chance to grow them once. A well built body is something that comes from excellent breeding and a great upbringing. Once grown you will have the rest of their life to spend playing and engaging in higher impact exercise. So keep it calm while they're still little baby puppies and give the gift that can only be given once. Common Breeds At-Risk for Hip DysplasiaGerman Shepherds, Rottweilers, Great Danes, Saint Bernards, Neopolitan Mastiffs, Otterhounds, Bloodhounds, Newfoundlands, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Norwegian Elkhounds, Chows, Old English Sheepdogs, Pugs,
French Bulldogs, and Basset Hounds
A high-calorie diet during puppyhood can cause rapid weight gain and place stress on the hip joints. Because of this, puppies should be fed a quality diet that is appropriate for their age and size. Improper exercise during the period when bones develop can also exasperate a predisposition. Puppies and young dogs should be discouraged from jumping and landing on their hind legs, and they also shouldn’t run on the pavement, as these actions cause a pounding effect on the hip joints.
Hip dysplasia often begins while a dog is still young and physically immature. Early onset usually develops after four months of age. There are also cases of later onset, where hip dysplasia develops later due to osteoarthritis, a form of joint inflammation (arthritis) that is characterized by chronic deterioration, or degeneration of the joint cartilage. Various environmental factors can influence the development of hip dysplasia in dogs, particularly during the period from birth to three months. These are the findings of Randi I. Krontveit from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science. She says during the puppy stage, preventive measures can therefore be recommended with a view to giving dogs disposed to the condition a better quality of life. A study has found that puppies continually walking over slippery surfaces have a much higher risk of developing hip dysplasia over puppies that walk on surfaces with a good substantial grip. Wooden floors can be covered with rugs/mats in the areas where dogs walk to avoid dogs slipping. A raw diet has also been proved to be beneficial, even if only fed 50% of the main puppies diet and you can read more on this study HERE. Symptoms depend on the degree of joint looseness, the degree of joint inflammation, and the duration of the disease.
Influences on the development and progression of hip dysplasia are concurrent with both genetic and environmental factors:
Your vet will perform a complete physical exam on your dog, including a blood chemical profile, a complete blood count, an electrolyte panel and a urinalysis. Inflammation due to joint disease may be noted in the complete blood count. As part of surveying the physical symptoms and fluid work-ups, your veterinarian will also need a thorough history of your dog's health, onset of symptoms, and any possible incidents or injuries that may have contributed to your dog's symptoms. Any information you have on your dog's parentage will be helpful as well, as there may be a genetic link. X-rays are crucial for visualizing the signs of hip dysplasia. Some of the possible findings may be degenerative disease of the spinal cord, lumbar vertebral instability, bilateral stifle disease and other bone diseases. Treatment of hip dysplasia can be conservative or surgical. The objectives of conservative therapy are to relieve pain and maintain limb function, as well as to continue the dog in as normal a level of activity as possible. Conservative therapy consists of weight control, moderate exercise, and analgesics (pain relief medication). The most important element will always be the maintenance of muscular support. Muscle is built by walking, jogging, and swimming. Acrobatics (playing frisbee, jumping, etc.) should be avoided as they place unnecessary pressure on the joint. Another medical approach to the treatment of degenerative arthritis secondary to hip dysplasia involves the use of products called polysulfated glycosaminoglycans or PSGAGs. PSGAGs are naturally occurring components of the joint cartilage and increase joint fluid production. When should a patient receive conservative management as opposed to specific surgical treatment? The answer depends on the age of the dog, the intended use of the dog, the degree of arthritis, the severity of the lameness, and the financial capability of the owner. Approximately 50-60% of the patients may respond to conservative therapy over a long period of time. The remaining 40-50% will require surgical treatment. Unfortunately, there is no way to predict into which category a dog will fall. Three surgical procedures are currently used in the treatment of hip dysplasia. In young patients with minimal evidence of arthritis, a stabilizing reconstruction of the hip joint is recommended. This involves reconstructing the joint congruency and stopping the subluxation and laxity that lead to severe arthritis. This technique is called a triple pelvic osteotomy. It has been established as a reliable mode of treatment in cases which meet the case selection criteria. Once the patient (usually adult) has radiographic evidence of degenerative arthritis, it is no longer a candidate for a triple pelvic osteotomy. Over time, many of these dogs will become less responsive to analgesic medications and surgical therapy should be considered. There are two procedures available. 1. Removal of the femoral head and neck (excision arthroplasty, femoral head ostectomy, FHO). Femoral head excision works well for dogs under thirty pounds and those with unilateral dysplasia. It is less satisfactory for dogs over fifty pounds, particularly when performed bilaterally. This is a salvage procedure for those owners who cannot afford the cost of a total hip replacement but need an alternative to constant medication and debilitating pain. Introduced in 1976, the total hip replacement has become the only treatment available that provides normal hip joint function once advanced arthritis is present. With this technique, the femoral head and neck are replaced with a cobalt chrome or titanium component and the acetabulum is replaced with a plastic cup prosthesis. A five year followup study of 221 total hip replacements revealed an overall success rate of 91%. Total hip replacement can be done on both hips although many dogs (80-90%) do very well with one side replaced.
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