Common Disease Name:- Hip arthritis
- Medical Term for Disease:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Species Affected by Disease:
- Dogs
- Age Animal Usually Affected:
- Hip dysplasia begins in the young dog. Symptoms may develop after 4 months of age in some dogs. Other dogs show symptoms at an older age when degenerative joint disease develops.
- Commonly Affected Breeds:
- Large breed dogs, including Saint Bernard’s, German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Rottweilers. Smaller breed dogs may be affected but are less likely to shows signs. Hip dysplasia is one of the most common skeletal diseases encountered in dogs.
- Sex Usually Affected:
- Both
- Disease Symptoms:
- Early clinical signs are related to joint looseness in the hips and later signs are related to hip joint degeneration. Often seen is reduced activity, difficulty rising, reluctance to run or jump or climb stairs, intermittent or persistent hind limb lameness which is often worse after exercise, "bunny hopping" or a swaying gait, and standing with the hind limbs close together at the hocks. Physical exam findings include pain, laxity or looseness, cracking or popping noise in the hip joint, and a decreased range of motion in the hip joints. Other findings are thigh muscles that are smaller than normal and increased size of shoulder muscles.
- Method(s) of Diagnosis:
- Radiographs are commonly used for diagnosis of hip dysplasia. Sedation or general anesthesia may be required for accurate positioning. Radiographic signs in early disease include improper structure of hip joint called subluxation of the hip joint with the femoral head fitting poorly in the socket (acetabulum) The shape of the acetabulum and femoral head are normal initially, however as the disease progresses, the acetabulum becomes shallow and the femoral head begins to flatten. Then radiographic evidence of degenerative joint disease eventually develops, including flattening of the femoral head, shallow acetabulum, and bony growths around the rim of the acetabulum, and other radiographic changes.
- Disease Causes:
- Hip dysplasia is caused by a genetic predisposition for hip laxity or looseness in the hip joint.
- Treatment:
- "Treatment options for dogs with hip dysplasia are conservative medical therapy and surgery. Medication to treat symptoms of arthritis. Only cure is surgical to replace hips. Exercise should be limited to the individual tolerance of the patient.
• Swimming is recommended to help maintain joint flexibility and maintain muscles while minimizing
weight bearing on the joint. weight control is important to reduce the load on the painful joint and keep dog from gaining weight when it doesn't want to exercise because of pain.
Surgical options: 1) Triple pelvic osteotomy 2) Total hip replacement 3) Excision arthroplasty- surgical removal of the femoral head and neck and is used to eliminate joint pain. Results of this surgery are better in smaller, lighter dogs (<40 lbs.), and those with good hip muscles. After this surgery, a slightly abnormal gait and muscle atrophy may occur, particularly in large dogs. This type of surgery is often used as last resort when the pain of osteoarthritis is uncontrollable and the expense of hip replacement is prohibitive." - Prognosis:
- The condition is genetic. It is caused by the bone conformation of the hips where the hip joints do not fit together correctly. There is no cure, other than to treat the arthritis that eventually develops or to replace the hip joints, which is very expensive.
- Complications:
- Chronic lameness, arthritis, chronic pain, muscle loss in hind legs, inability to rise, climb stairs or exercise. Often total loss of use of the rear legs is seen in large dogs.
- Prevention:
- Do not buy a large breed puppy without checking the hip status of its parents & grandparents, as the disease often skips a generation. There are organizations that certify dogs free of hip dysplasia. This does not 100% guarantee your puppy however. Do not overly feed your large breed puppy, trying to make him grow more quickly. His bones and muscles need time to develop normally. If you are an avid runner, do not over-exercise your young dog. This causes excessive strain on growing bones and developing joints and cartilage.
- Medicines Used for Treatment of Disease:
- Analgesics and anti-inflammation medications to minimize joint pain, stiffness and muscle atrophy caused by limited usage. Joint supplements to help cartilage regenerate and decrease inflammation.
- Helpful Products:
- Proper puppy food, leash for exercise, joint diets and joint supplements for dogs showing symptoms, swimming aides such as life vest, toys to encourage exercise, soft sleeping beds for dogs with pain, slings to help dogs rise, ramps for the car.
