Diagnosing Hip Dysplasia In Dogs
At your dogs regular checkup, your veterinarian will perform a physical exam. Sometimes this exam is enough for your veterinarian to suspect hip dysplasia. In other cases, its up to owners to let veterinarians know that when dogs are experiencing discomfort.
One of the first things that your veterinarian may do is manipulate your dogs hind legs to test the looseness of the joint and to check for any grinding, pain, or reduced range of motion. Your dogs physical exam may include blood work because inflammation due to joint disease can be indicated in the complete blood count. Your veterinarian will also need a history of your dogs health and symptoms, any possible incidents or injuries that may have contributed to these symptoms, and any information you have about your dogs parentage.
The definitive diagnosis usually comes with a radiograph or X-ray. Your veterinarian will take radiographs of your dogs hips to determine the degree and severity of the hip dysplasia, which will help determine the best course of treatment for your dog.
Neutering And Joint Disease
A series of studies performed by researchers at the University of California proposed a link between neutering and joint disease. The table below shows their published Golden Retriever data.
A statistical correlation exists between neutering and joint disease. Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia develop between 2 and 8 months of age, so neutering after 8 months canât affect their development. In this study, dogs who didnât have hip or elbow x-rays were classified as unaffected. This means itâs impossible to establish the true incidence of hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia in each group. Consequently, this data does not prove that neutering causes joint disease. Tap hereto learn more about neutering risk.
How Can Hip Dysplasia In Dogs Be Prevented
One way to slow down the progression of the side effects of hip dysplasia is to keep your pet at a healthy weight, especially when hes young, Kirkwood says. You can also have your dog screened for the condition at a young age using hip x-rays. These radiographs can help you determine how likely it is your dog will have problems in the future and whether you want to consider early surgical intervention.
According to Kirkwood, hip dysplasia typically doesnt affect a dogs life expectancy, but it can. If a dog becomes so painful that no longer wants to get up and walk around, she explains, it can be very difficult to maintain a good quality of lifeespecially since most dogs who suffer from the condition are large breeds.
If you have a large breed dog of any age, dont hesitate to ask your veterinary team about the risks and signs of hip dysplasia. A veterinarian who knows your pet and can examine him in person is in the best position to offer information and advice.
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Golden Retriever Hip Dysplasia Prevention Tips
Your golden retriever is your family, and no one wants to see someone they love in pain. naturally, youre probably looking for some golden retriever hip dysplasia prevention tips.
While there is nothing you can truly do to 100% prevent hip dysplasia in golden retrievers, you can help prevent the painful symptoms from reducing your goldens quality of life.
Here is a list of some hip dysplasia prevention tips, so you can be proactive in protecting your goldens joint health
Intensity Of Welfare Impact
Though some dogs may be mildly affected, for many Golden retrievers with hip dysplasia, the impact of the condition is a major and life changing. These animals suffer pain that is severe and debilitating, leading them to be in pain even with small everyday movements such as standing up. Their quality of life is severely affected so that they are unable to enjoy normal canine behaviours such as walking and running. It is not uncommon for dogs to be euthanased due to the pain and disability of arthritis associated with hip dysplasia.
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Surgery Options For Hip Dysplasia In Dogs
There are several surgical treatment options for hip dysplasia. Before recommending the right type of surgery, the veterinarian will evaluate many factors, including the dogâs age, breed, the severity of symptoms, and the osteoarthritis advancement within the affected hip joint.
Triple Pelvic Osteotomy
Triple pelvic osteotomy is a specific surgery involving several cuts of the pelvic bone and rotation of the pelvic acetabulum over the head of the femur. Then, a bone plate is used to stabilize the newly formed structure.
TPLO cannot be performed in patients whose x-rays show signs of arthritic changes. Therefore, the surgery is routinely performed in pups less than 12 months of age.
Femoral Head Ostectomy
Femoral head ostectomy .” rel=”nofollow”> FHO) is a surgery involving removing the head and neck of the femur, thus forming a new false joint. The goal of the procedure is the restore painless mobility.
FHO is recommended for smaller dog breeds . After the surgery, the dog must be physically active because ensuring strong muscle mass is vital for stabilizing the false joint.
Total Hip Replacement
Total hip replacement is a surgery in which both the pelvic acetabulum and femoral ball are removed and replaced with synthetic prostheses. The prostheses and the procedure are quite expensive.
What Is Elbow Dysplasia
The elbow joint in Golden Retrievers is made up of three bones:
- Radius
- Ulna
- Humerus
Elbow dysplasia occurs when these three bones do not fit together perfectly due to growth abnormalities. This, in turn, causes pain, lameness, arthritis, and loss of function. The condition only worsens with time due to the degeneration of the joint. This means that your dog will feel more pain and discomfort as it grows and matures.
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How Is Hip Dysplasia Treated
Conservative/Medical Management
Conservative / medical management may be a viable and effective treatment option for some dogs with mild hip dysplasia. This option is usually attempted a when the diagnosis of mild hip dysplasia and/or osteoarthritis is first made. A detailed discussion of medical management / pain control is extensive.
Frustration and disappointment usually set in when chronic, advanced, severe, or bilateral hip dysplasia is present. Pain management is NOT the treatment of choice for dogs or cats with chronic, advanced, moderate, severe or bilateral hip dysplasia and/or osteoarthritis.
Costs accumulate rapidly with long term use of pain and inflammation management products and services that merely temporarily mask severe symptoms. Prolonged symptomatic relief may just delay the inevitable while the arthritis continues to get worse the dog continues to suffer, and it could potentially preclude a successful solution that was feasible earlier in life.
Over time, these costs often far exceed the cost of readily available permanent and successful surgical treatment. – Total Hip Replacement.
Dogs do not have to experience pain over a long period of time when successful treatments are available. This dog had painful hips for many years and the “cost” was quality of life as well as monetary. NSAIDs = Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs.
Breeds Prone To Canine Hip Dysplasia
Due to the wide range of data and no conclusive evidence, its difficult for researchers to determine which breeds are more prone to hip dysplasia. However, a study released in February 2021 by Wisdom Panel DNA found a common thread.
They took DNA samples from more than 1,600 dogs and found a common genetic variant among ten breeds. They hope to use this information to further understand the complex genetic causes of hip dysplasia to diagnose and treat the debilitating disease more accurately.1
However, some experts say large and giant breeds are more susceptible than smaller pups due to the stress their heavier weight puts on the hip joint.
For example, the Morris Animal Foundation lists the large and giant-breed dogs that most commonly experience hip dysplasia:
If youre unsure what breed or mix of dog breeds you have, consider using a dog DNA test to find out. This information could help you identify if your dogs breed is prone to hip dysplasia. Discuss the test results with your vet.
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Double Or Triple Pelvic Osteotomy
Most commonly performed in dogs under 10 months old, these hip surgeries involve cutting the pelvic bone in specific locations then rotating the segments in order to achieve improved functioning of the ball and socket joint. As with all surgeries, the cost of this treatment varies but for most dogs it will be in the range of $3,000 for both hips.
After surgery, your pup will require several weeks to recover before they’ll be able to enjoy regular leash walks again, and physical rehabilitation will likely be recommended in order for full mobility to return . Most dogs recover from DPO/TPO surgery within four to six weeks.
What Causes Hip Dysplasia
This is one of the most-asked questions about the disease.
There are various factors that contribute to the development of hip dysplasia in dogs which usually starts from genetics. As I mentioned above, hip dysplasia is common in certain large breeds.
However, not all large dog breeds get it.
This is because environmental factors are just as important. These include:
- Excessive growth
- Exercise
- The dogs nutrition
Large breed puppies have special nutrition needs so this why they need a large breed puppy foods which are specially curated to their needs. These foods ensure that your dog doesnt grow excessivelywhich is what leads to skeletal disorders like elbow and hip dysplasia.
So, it is a good idea to slow down the growth of these breeds as it gives time to their joints so they can develop without having strain on them and cause issues down the line.
However, hip dysplasia can also be seen in smaller dog breeds.
Improper nutrition and excessive or too little exercise can also lead your dog to have hip dysplasia. Obesity, too can cause the condition.
Talking to your vet about the ideal diet for your dog is the best option to help prevent the disease.
Heres a list of common causes.
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Hip Dysplasia Drug Treatments
Numerous drugs are available to control the signs of osteoarthritis secondary to canine Hip Dysplasia. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers can be used during bouts of lameness. These drugs inhibit prostaglandin release which decreases the inflammatory process and therefore, less pain is produced. These medications can also be given an hour or so before known periods of exercise to decrease inflammation. Side effects may be seen in some dogs which include vomiting, diarrhea, and lack of appetite. Various alternative drug therapies known as disease-modifying osteoarthritis agents can be used. According to the manufacturers, these drugs work by providing the raw materials to enhance the synthesis of glycosaminoglycan and hyaluronate that cannot be adequately produced in the diseased arthritic joint. These are the molecules that form proteoglycan, which is an important constituent of the hyaline cartilage that lines the joint. These drugs may also enhance the synthesis of other macromolecules by cartilage cells that inhibit degradative enzymes produced within the arthritic joint. Controlled studies have been reported about the positive effects on people for osteoarthritis. No controlled studies, to date, have been reported on the clinical response when treating arthritis in dogs but clinically most dogs seem to respond.
Surgical Treatment Options For A Dog With Hip Dysplasia
Surgery may be presented by your veterinarian as the optimal course of action for hip dysplasia. For example, surgery is typically recommended for young dogs without evidence of arthritis. The most commonly performed procedures are juvenile pelvic symphysiodesis , triple pelvic ostectomy , total hip replacement , or femoral head/neck ostectomy . You can find excellent and concise information about each surgical procedure on the American College of Veterinary Surgeons website.
But surgical treatment can be costly with significant recovery periods, and Im well aware that surgery is simply not an option for everyone. As first-line treatment, veterinarians typically talk with clients about medicine for hip dysplasia in dogs.
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How Is Canine Hip Dysplasia Diagnosed
The vet will examine your dog for any signs of gait abnormalities or signs such as pain on hip examination. Your vet will usually recommend X-rays to look for signs of structural changes to the joint although these will not be visible in all cases. Your pet may be referred to an orthopaedic specialist for additional investigations.
What About Alternative Medicine Treatments
Acupuncture, class 4 laser, stem cell treatments, and traditional Chinese medicine have all been used to treat hip dysplasia with varying results. To date, rigorous scientific studies on these alternative therapies have been sparse, although some are very encouraging in small studies. Speak with your veterinarian about their experiences and recommendations for complementary medical procedures to help your dog.
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What Are My Dog’s Hip Dysplasia Surgery Options
When it comes to the surgical treatment of hip dysplasia in dogs, there are 3 main surgical options available:
Femoral Head Ostectomy
FHO can benefit both young and mature dogs. This type of surgery entails removing the femoral head of the hip joint, allowing the body to create a false joint, which decreases the discomfort related to hip dysplasia. Dog’s undergoing FHO are unlikely to see the return of normal hip function however, it can be an effective method of managing pain.
Your pup’s size and age, as well as the severity of your dog’s hip dysplasia, will all affect the price of FHO surgery. You can expect to pay from $1,200 to $2,500 or more, including pre-surgical bloodwork, procedure, anesthesia, post-surgical care, and medications.
After the surgery, your dog could be required to remain in the hospital for anywhere between several hours and several days, depending on their health, and other factors. Your veterinary surgeon will provide you with specific instructions for caring for your dog after FHO surgery, but you will need to prevent your dog from doing any strenuous physical activity for at least 30 days. In most cases, you can expect your pup to completely recover about six weeks following the operation. Once fully recovered they can resume regular physical activity.
Double or triple pelvic osteotomy
Total Hip Replacement
Clinical And Pathological Effects
Hip dysplasia is a disease of the hip joints. Dysplasia means abnormal development. Both hips are usually affected . It is a complex disease that results from a combination of genes that predispose a dog to developing hip dysplasia interacting with environmental factors that lead to its full development and expression . It is characterized by hip joint instability which, if compounded by environmental factors, then results in secondary osteoarthritis and the clinical signs of hip dysplasia which include pain, lameness and disability .
Hip dysplasia is described as a biomechanical disease. The hips appear normal at birth. However, in affected individuals, the hips develop abnormally due, at first, to joint instability . This means that the developing femoral head and acetabulum are not held constantly, closely together, and can move into abnormal positions relative to one another. This puts abnormal stresses and strains on the joint. Riser states this is due to the soft tissues, such as ligaments and muscle, not being strong enough to maintain congruity between the articular surfaces of the femoral head and the acetabulum ie the constant contact between the surfaces of the bones is not maintained.
Joint laxity can lead on to joint subluxation that in turn causes flattening of the acetabular cup and femoral head . The pathological changes seen due to the joint instability are progressive inflammation and degeneration of the tissues that together form the joint.
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How To Diagnose Elbow Dysplasia In Golden Retrievers
Once you notice these symptoms, you should make an appointment with your veterinarian. Your vet will then perform a diagnosis with a combination of clinical examination and x-ray scan. If there is a need for a more advanced diagnostic procedure, your vet will also need CT scans, MRI scans, or arthroscopy.
Golden Retriever With Arthritis Overview
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the definition of arthritis is inflammation of joints. Arthritis can be caused by many different things and conditions, such as infection , immune-mediated disease, trauma, and problems with the metabolism. The most common form of arthritis in dogs, however, is due to degenerative changes in joints which is caused by developmental problems, age or overuse.
While all dogs regardless of age or breed can be affected by arthritis, certain factors increase a dogs risk factor. Poor conformation, for example, can make a dog much more likely to develop arthritis. Large breeds, such as Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, and German shepherds are more prone to arthritis, and obese dogs are more likely to develop it than dogs that are fit. Also, older dogs are prone to arthritis because of the years of wear and tear on their joints.
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Treatment Begins With Getting Your Dog Help For Hip Dysplasia
Finally, you know your dog better than anyone. If your dog with hip dysplasia is painful , talk with your veterinarian about options. Pain is the number one inhibitor to quality of life for my canine patients, and perhaps for your dog too. Improving a dogs physical and mental well-being through pain management brings my clients and patients relief and brings me great joy as a veterinarian.
Of this Im confident: when it comes to treating the pain in dogs associated with hip dysplasia, multimodal therapy is best. In other words, some combination of the 11 tips on this list will yield the greatest success. Dogs may respond differently to different products and therapies, expressing a type of individual variation, much like humans.