Dysplasia in dogs: symptoms and treatment. Hip Dysplasia Test in Dogs Knee Dysplasia in Dogs

The diagnosis of hip dysplasia in dogs does not sound promising. The disease adversely affects the mobility of animals, causes pain and discomfort. The disease is especially susceptible to dogs with a large weight and large physique, which experience intense physical exertion.

Dysplasia in dogs - symptoms

If there is a genetic predisposition, the disease can overtake the animal at an early age. Cases when observed in six-month-old puppies are not uncommon. Improper fit of the head of the bone to the articular cavity can be suspected by the nature of the movements of the dog and its changed habits. Be sure to take your pet to the veterinarian if:

the dog began to limp and sway when walking;
incorrectly places its paws, when running it is repelled by both hind limbs;
makes frequent pauses for rest;
movements become constrained - it is difficult for the dog to move up the stairs, get up from the floor, follow commands;
the body gradually becomes asymmetrical - a massive chest and forelimbs clearly stand out against the background of a narrow pelvis and atrophied muscles of the hind legs;
there is swelling and swelling of the joint;
The dog has pain on touch.

Dysplasia in dogs - causes

Joint problems can be caused by many factors. Owners should be especially vigilant if the puppy's parents suffered from this disease. Joint dysplasia in dogs is not considered a congenital disease; the following can become a trigger for the development of pathology:

malnutrition with an excess of protein foods;
feeding with low-quality feed;
excessive ingestion of calcium and phosphorus;
exhausting loads;
obesity;
sedentary lifestyle;
past trauma to the limbs.

Diagnosis of dysplasia in dogs

Timely detection of the disease is the guarantor of a speedy recovery and the return of the pet to a full life. Therefore, at the first suspicion, it is necessary to undergo a full examination. The preliminary diagnosis is dysplasia of the hind limbs in dogs, a qualified specialist makes immediately after the examination. The veterinarian conducts a mobility test, feels the limbs - this information is enough for him to set the algorithm for further actions.

X-rays are additionally taken to determine the degree of hip dysplasia in dogs and prescribe treatment. The image provides complete information about the nature of the joint damage and helps determine the optimal therapy. In modern, well-equipped clinics, arthroscopy is performed for a complete diagnosis of dogs. This is an expensive but informative procedure that allows you to study the structure of cartilage tissue and the degree of its damage.

Testing for dysplasia in dogs

In order to prevent the disease, owners of dogs of large breeds try to get tested for dysplasia in advance. As practice shows, the first signs of the disease can appear at the age of 2-9 months. However, experts do not recommend jumping to conclusions, since disorders in puppies can be temporary, associated with intense and uneven growth.

Hip dysplasia in dogs may not be definitively diagnosed until 9-18 months of age (depending on height and breed). This does not apply to hereditary pathologies that are clearly visible when the puppy reaches 4 months. The test for dysplasia is a necessary official document for dogs applying for breeding. Although the absence of a disease in parents is not considered a guarantee that puppies will not be prone to developing pathology.

X-ray diagnosis of hip dysplasia in dogs

Hip dysplasia in dogs is diagnosed by X-ray and a hypermobility test. Both the first and second procedures are performed under general anesthesia. Therefore, before conducting the study, it is necessary to consult a cardiologist and an anesthesiologist. Full sedation of the dog ensures its correct position and, as a result, obtaining high-quality reliable images in all necessary projections. After all, even the most calm and obedient animal will strain the muscles and ligaments, which will prevent the correct placement of the articular surfaces.

Dysplasia in dogs - how to determine at home?

It is problematic at first to suspect an ailment by characteristic symptoms. Joint dysplasia in dogs is determined with the naked eye only in advanced stages, when the animal experiences severe discomfort and pain. This condition is accompanied by:

wrong position;
lameness or "rabbit" gait;
intolerance to physical activity;
aggressive behavior, more often when touched.

Degrees of dysplasia in dogs

By the way dysplasia manifests itself in dogs, one can judge the degree of development of the disease. According to the classification of the International Canine Federation, the disease has several stages of development:

BUT- absence of pathology;
AT- borderline condition, predisposition to the development of the disease is present;
FROM- mild degree - the dog is recommended for exclusion from breeding;
D– average degree;
E- severe dysplasia - accompanied by serious impairment of mobility.

Prevention of dysplasia in dogs

A radical measure to prevent the development of the disease in dogs - the exclusion from breeding individuals with this disease, gives its results. However, heredity is far from the only factor that can provoke the development of the disease. Even animals with excellent pedigree can be susceptible to the disease. Joint dysplasia in dogs often develops as a result of external factors. To prevent potential problems, hosts should remember that:

a puppy whose joints and muscle corset are not yet formed should not be subjected to strong physical exertion. Toddlers are contraindicated - jumping from a great height, gravity, running long distances;
the pet must walk and move, lack of activity is fraught with underdevelopment of the acetabulum;
you need to feed the animal in moderation, extra pounds are not an indicator of love, but the risk of developing many diseases, including hip dysplasia in dogs;
Adding supplements to your pet's diet should be done carefully. This is especially true for specialized feed.

Hip Dysplasia in Dogs - Treatment

It is possible to correct the development of dysplasia and provide the animal with a decent quality of life by conservative and surgical methods. Traditional therapy includes:

drug treatment using chondroprojectors, painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, nutritional supplements;
adherence to a special diet (for obesity);
physiotherapeutic procedures (magnetic, laser therapy, ozocerite, massages).

The answer to the question of how to treat dysplasia in dogs includes surgical methods. Depending on the individual characteristics of the four-legged patient, surgeons can perform:

myectomy of the pectineus muscle;
resection arthroplasty;
pelvic osteotomy;
complete joint replacement.

Dysplasia is an insidious disease that is passed down from generation to generation. There are versions that the cause of its development can be trauma, malnutrition or insufficient physical activity, but genetic predisposition undoubtedly plays a leading role. Passion for large breeds of dogs did a disservice: not wanting to lose profits, breeders were not very conscientious about culling, sterilizing animals with pathologies.

As a result, the situation can now be called catastrophic - joint dysplasia is detected more and more often not only in dogs after 1.5 years, but also in puppies up to 6 months.

Description of the disease

Dysplasia is a disease that causes deformation and destruction of the articular, and then the bone tissue of the musculoskeletal system. An improperly formed joint or damaged as a result of an injury, when the gap between the head and the acetabulum is too large, with constant friction, it literally “eats” the cartilaginous tissue, causing severe pain. Then the process also affects the bone, eventually depriving the dog of the opportunity to fully move, lead an active lifestyle.

It is interesting! Most often, this disease affects the hip joints. It is on them that the greatest load lies when running, jumping, when the pet is forced to push its weight as much as possible in order to complete the movement.

Somewhat less commonly, one or all of the elbow joints are affected, causing lameness in the front legs. The dog refuses to follow some commands, for example, "Give a paw", "Down" - when running up the stairs, does not allow you to touch the affected area. You can also notice the disease by inflammation at the place of the fold, the appearance of thickenings.

The “knees” are the least affected, but this does not make the problem less significant. Dysplasia on the hind legs often appears after a fall, blow, any knee injury, due to which the paw could turn up, dislocate. To correct the joint on your own, in order to avoid consequences, the amateur will not succeed, the help of specialists will be required. But this does not guarantee a complete recovery. Pain and lameness can reappear at any time.

Erased cartilage tissue should prevent contact and damage to the bone. Exfoliating, the bone is destroyed, the joints change, not only disfiguring the paws, but also restricting movement.

If the disease begins an attack on the puppy's still unformed, growing body, the pathologies will become noticeable quickly, they will affect not only the joints, but the entire musculoskeletal system. But usually violations are detected by the age of 1.5, when the dog gains muscle mass, becomes heavier, and, accordingly, the load on the paws increases.

Important! The earlier the disease is detected, the easier it is to save the animal, adjust the treatment regimens and prevent exacerbations. If there are “relatives” with dysplasia in the “history”, it is best to get certificates about the successful passage of the test for the disease by the puppy’s parents.

If genetic disorders are suspected, it is worth doing an x-ray examination of the joints, in which it is easy to detect dysplasia even at the initial stage.

Which dogs are at risk

Symptoms of dysplasia in a dog

At first, the puppy is not very willing to take part in the fun, without which he could not imagine life yesterday, he gets tired and goes to bed, showing that he wants to go home, during walks, begins to be afraid to go down stairs or climb them. From time to time he has a lameness, which can disappear after rest. Dog breeders with experience start sounding the alarm already at this stage, hurrying to the veterinarians.

If the pet has an almost constant lameness, he begins to waddle, as if staggering, when running, put his paws in an unusual way, trying to push off the ground with both hind legs, for example, you should rush to the specialists immediately. These symptoms can be noticed even by the one who first got a four-legged friend.

It is painful for the dog to move, run, it often lies down, stretching and twisting its paws. At this time, seals in the area of \u200b\u200bthe joints are already clearly visible, the pet does not allow them to be touched in order to inspect. In babies, with the early development of the disease, asymmetry, an unusual breed, becomes very noticeable. When the hip or knee joints are affected, the puppy transfers the load to the front paws, so that they look more massive, better developed.

Important! Having noticed some of these manifestations of an insidious disease, you need to show the animal to the veterinarian, undergo an examination with him. This will help determine what kind of steel is dysplasia, how and with what you can help the dog lead a normal life.

In this case, the muscles of the back of the body atrophy. Not only examining, but even stroking the dog, you can find seals in the joints. Soreness causes the dog to shy away from attempts to caress it, and can also cause aggression.

Diagnostic methods

Not only a good specialist in the treatment of animals, but also an experienced dog breeder, breeder of large breeds of dogs, it will not be difficult to diagnose dysplasia upon examination. Already the fact that the pet does not like it when his paw is squeezed a little in the fold should alert. In addition, the inflamed or compacted area, with an already overgrown tissue, is easily palpated.

When the paw is bent, a characteristic sound is heard: a click, a crunch, sometimes you can feel the friction of the head of the joint on the bone. These are the very first signs that may not mean a disease, but speak of its imminent onset, a predisposition to dysplasia.

The veterinarian will need to take an x-ray of the affected area to see how far the disease has progressed. To do this, dogs are almost always given an injection that will anesthetize and deprive them of the ability to move (anesthesia, anesthesia). After all, it is impossible to make a puppy or a teenage dog lie motionless when there are so many unfamiliar people and objects around, and the situation looks threatening.

The owner needs to be ready for this procedure in order to reassure the friend, to show that he is safe, and the one he trusts is not going to leave him alone. A leash, a muzzle are a must for visiting the clinic, some animals react very aggressively to the white coats of doctors after the very first vaccinations, so you should not forget about elementary security measures among all the worries.

A rather painful procedure that requires anesthesia, the dog is subjected to a procedure in order to see how damaged the tissues are from the inside. It is called arthroscopy: a miniature camera, an endoscope, is inserted through a puncture into the joint. So you can get a very objective picture of the defeat of dysplasia. Equipment for such a procedure is available only in large clinics, so it is not done everywhere.

The letter "A" in the diagnosis will mean complete well-being, that is, the tissues are not affected.

"B" in the verdict means a predisposition to pathological changes, and this means increased attention to the pet, constant examinations, adherence to the prescribed lifestyle and diet to stop the process.

Important! The cost of the service is high, but the results will not cause the slightest doubt.

If the veterinarian writes the letter "C" - dysplasia has already taken over, the joints are affected, but the process can be brought under control.

"D" - the disease progresses, it is necessary to treat the dog in order to alleviate its condition, restore the ability to move normally, and then constantly engage in prevention so that there is no relapse.

The letter "E" means severe damage to the articular tissue, we can only talk about supportive treatment.

The serious condition of the dog is most often caused either by poor health, or by the complete unwillingness of the owners to take care of the pet, which they are obliged to take care of. An unnoticed disease, refusal to help veterinarians, an incorrectly chosen diet, lack of proper care and conditions for normal growth and development contribute to a very rapid, aggressive course of a genetically determined disease.

Treatment of hip dysplasia in dogs

Many dog owners are afraid that there is no cure for dysplasia. They refuse a puppy that has a disease, sometimes simply throwing it out into the street and dooming it to vagrancy and quick death.

But even a pathology noticed at an early age can and should be treated. If lameness, soreness of the paws, frequent mood swings in the puppy and his not very active behavior are ignored, by 6 months he may simply be semi-paralyzed, any movement will cause him pain. And with increased weight gain (the animal remains large, actively grows, eats with appetite and cannot spend calories), it is threatened with death from obesity and related problems.

Both young and adult dogs are usually treated conservatively.. Therapy is carried out only by veterinarians, selecting medicines, physiotherapy, developing the necessary complexes of nutrition, training. Often a course of injections with drugs that relieve inflammation and pain (chondroprotectors) is required.

With any degree of dysplasia, physiotherapy and gentle training with a clearly regulated load show a good effect. It is impossible to allow the dog to completely stop moving, this will even more adversely affect health. Jogging next to the owner, small runs on flat terrain, ball games, swimming and swimming will help in the normal development of muscles, stop osteoarthritis.

Important! Veterinarians will definitely tell you what and how much supplements should be included in the diet. There are many vitamins that can have a positive effect on the condition of bone tissue.

In addition to conservative treatment, surgical treatment is also offered, however, an artificial joint is very expensive, not every dog owner can afford such an expensive operation. In addition, this method is applicable only in cases where the animal is already fully formed, this method is not suitable for young dogs.

Dysplasia is a chronic disease, no medicine, no operation can completely heal a pet. Therefore, everything possible should be done so that the disease does not begin to develop. If it is detected, it is worth following all the recommendations of doctors, achieving a long and stable remission.

Hip dysplasia is a genetic disorder that occurs when your dog's hip is misaligned. Such a disease can lead to arthritis because the misalignment of the hips causes the bones to rub against each other. Hip dysplasia is more common in large dog breeds, and usually occurs in older dogs, although some puppies and young dogs may also have the disease. There are general signs of the disease in all dogs, as well as specific changes in your older dog's lifestyle. If you are concerned that your puppy has hip dysplasia, go to step 1 for more information.

Steps

Presence of signs of joint dysplasia in older dogs

Watch your dog as he moves around and see if he jumps "like a rabbit". Dogs that have sore hips have shortened strides and tend to take their hind legs further forward under their belly. This can lead to "bunny hopping", which means your dog keeps his hind legs together and drags them like a rabbit when he walks. Watch the dog, the main signs are: he :

Hips as if articulated when the dog walks.
Links her hind legs together so that when she walks, her hind legs hop "like a rabbit".
Limps or has other abnormal movements.
General state.

See if your dog is having a hard time getting up or lying down. Hip dysplasia pain can worsen even more if your dog remains at rest. This is especially true in the morning after your dog has slept all night. In this regard, you may notice that your dog:
- Hesitating to lie down if she got up.
- Difficulty getting up when lying down.
- Seems tougher in the morning or when the weather is cold.
Monitor your dog's activity and see if it decreases. Reduced amount of physical activity is one of the most common signs of pain caused by hip dysplasia. All dogs become slower with age, but a decrease in activity should not occur until your dog is older. Unless your dog is sick or overweight, he should maintain roughly the same levels of activity as he would in his adult years. Look at:
- Lack of interest in running or doing other physical activities with you.
- Lies, but does not run in the yard.
- When he plays, he gets tired faster.
- Prefers to sit rather than stand and walk when on a leash.
Listen for the noise - the sound of a click when your dog moves. The term "creaking of the bones" can be applied to a dog with hip dysplasia. You may have noticed a clicking sound when your dog moves. These are her bones. Listen to this noise. when:
- Your dog should get up after lying down for a while.
- Walks.
- Movement.
Check if your dog is ready to climb up the stairs. You may notice that your dog is suddenly lifting more heavily, or is hesitant to climb stairs, although he had no difficulty with this before. This is because hip dysplasia causes heaviness in your dog's legs to climb stairs or walk down slopes, as his hind legs are stiff and he cannot control them as well as use them.
Check your dog for rashes caused by overgrooming. Inactive dogs that cannot move are afraid of getting bored. To pass the time, they tend to lick themselves more than usual. If you notice that your dog spends more time washing himself, get him checked for rashes or hair loss, as both of these things can be caused by over grooming. In particular, check:
- Your dog's thighs.
- Sides of your dog.
- Your dog's legs.
Look for pressure calluses and sores on your dog's body. Inactive dogs often develop pressure sores or calluses in areas on the body that have the most pressure and minimal padding. This problem becomes even worse if the dog is constantly lying on the hard surface. Check with your dog:
- Elbows.
- Hips.
- Shoulders.
Feel your dog's back legs to see if he has lost muscle mass. If your dog stops using his hind legs, it is likely that he has lost some of the muscle mass in his hind legs. This condition is called atrophy. Feel your dog's back legs for things like:
- The dog is able to feel its bones more easily.
- Feel less muscle.
- Sunken thighs.
See if your puppy or young dog is hesitant to jump on things. If your puppy has hip dysplasia, he will most likely avoid bouncing on soft sofas, knees, etc. This is because his hind legs are not as strong as his front legs and this can prevent him from applying enough force to his hind legs to help himself jump onto things.
- Pat the couch next to you. If your puppy wants to jump up but doesn't, or tries and then complains of pain, he may have hip dysplasia.
Watch the young dog to see if he has a wobbly, unsteady gait. As mentioned above, puppies and young dogs that have hip dysplasia have a harder time getting around than other dogs. This can cause your dog to develop an unsteady walk, which can be described as:
- Swinging.
- Weaving.
- Tipping violently.
See how your puppy is standing and whether he is putting more weight on his front legs. Puppies and young dogs with hip dysplasia tend to stand with their hind legs slightly forward so that their front legs can support more weight. This can result in the forearms being much more developed than their hind legs. When the puppy is standing:
- Check if his hind legs are pressed forward a little.
- Feel his forearms, they may be more muscular, compared to the hind legs, which may be more bony.

Preventing hip dysplasia from progressing

Take your dog to the vet for a checkup if you notice signs of hip dysplasia. Talk to your veterinarian right away and have your dog examined. There are ways to prevent hip dysplasia from getting worse, as well as nutritional supplements and medications to relieve your dog of the pain caused by hip dysplasia.
- Talk to your veterinarian about giving your dog supplements before giving her medication. Some natural supplements can help your dog regain bone strength. These supplements include omega-3s, antioxidants, and joint supplements.
- Your veterinarian may prescribe medication for your dog. Make sure you know when and how often your dog should take them.

Hip dysplasia in dogs is becoming more and more common. It is most susceptible to dogs of large breeds or with a large body weight, as this creates a load on the musculoskeletal system. Joints wear out with excessive physical activity. What is dysplasia, how does it manifest itself and how can you help your beloved four-legged friend?

What is dysplasia

Dysplasia in dogs is characterized by degenerative changes in the hip joints. That is, they are gradually destroyed, which causes severe pain to the animal. Any movement, even the smallest one, is a real torture for a four-legged family member.

It is possible to recognize that a dog will have dysplasia even at an early puppy age. This allows you to start treatment as early as possible, which will keep your dog physically active for a long time. So how can you tell if a puppy or adult dog is at risk for hip dysplasia?

Normally (in a healthy animal), the femoral head fits perfectly into the pelvic cavity, they are in close contact with each other. With dysplasia, the dog has a gap (empty space) between the head and the cavity. When moving, friction occurs, as a result, the articular surfaces are erased and destroyed.

Causes of Dysplasia in Dogs

Hip dysplasia in susceptible dogs will not be congenital, the pathology always develops after birth. But very often this disease can be diagnosed at an early age: the first suspicions of a veterinarian may arise at the age of six months, however, the growth of bone and cartilage tissue ends somewhere in a year and a half.

It is during this period that it is already possible to say for sure whether the dog has problems with the musculoskeletal system. But why does a dog develop hip dysplasia?

The main reason for the development of hip dysplasia is a genetic predisposition. At the genetic level, the baby is given a tendency to pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.

However, even if one parent has a confirmed diagnosis, this does not mean at all that the puppies will have problems with the musculoskeletal system.

But there are also predisposing factors that can provoke the development of pathology. If you take care of the puppy from a tiny age, then you can avoid problems with the hip joints.

Wrong feeding. Most of the sores are due to the wrong diet of animals. If the puppy is fed only meat or milk (only protein nutrition), or if they are given poor quality food, then problems with the paws cannot be avoided.
Excess calcium and phosphorus. Yes, these trace elements are necessary for a growing body, they strengthen bones and cartilage. However, if you overfeed them, then the bone tissue will “oversaturate”, the cartilage tissue will become too dense (elasticity will be lost). And instead of a shock-absorbing effect, when running and jumping, the animal harms its joints.
Rapid or very large weight gain. Extra kilos are just an additional load on the musculoskeletal and musculoskeletal systems. And if the dog is still running, trying to jump, then problems with the joints cannot be avoided.
Too much exercise and exercise. Especially in puppyhood or old age, when the bones and joints are vulnerable.
As a complete opposite of the previous paragraph - low activity. If the baby does not walk at all, he only goes out to do his business, then his joints will definitely develop incorrectly.
Injuries, including sprains or sprains. That is why it is so important to ensure that the baby does not run on slippery floors (but on the street on ice). Cover the floors (linoleum, parquet, laminate, tile) with carpets so that the pet does not “stretch out” on the floor when it runs around playing.

Breed Predisposition

Any dog can develop dysplasia, but there is a certain predisposition. Some breeds get sick more often than others. Namely, large, massive and tall dogs, because their load on the musculoskeletal system is much more serious than that of medium or small dogs.

Dogs that have a lot of physical activity (service, driving) also often suffer. What are these breeds? Great Danes, St. Bernards, Newfs, Shepherds, Rottweilers, Labradors and Golden Retrievers, Malamutes, Divers and other members of the barking family.

Symptoms

Recognizing the symptoms of dysplasia is not so difficult, but the diagnosis can only be confirmed after additional studies. The most effective is x-ray. The picture will show a gap between the articular surfaces of the bones or degeneration that has already begun. However, there are also visible clinical signs that the owner may notice without x-rays.

You can suspect something was wrong if the pet began to limp or stagger when walking (“brings” the pelvis).

Notice how the dog runs. If he pushes off with both hind legs, then this is a signal that something is wrong with the limbs. This is considered incorrect paw placement.
Think about if the animal began to rest often during a walk. Runs less, plays less, and more and more tries to lie down or sit. It is noticeable that physical activity is given to him with difficulty.
There was some stiffness in the movements. For example, going up and down the stairs), and sometimes getting up from the floor, became extremely difficult. Even lifting a paw for a dog becomes a challenge.
The dog lays down unusually, spreading the diseased paws in different directions. In addition, it is noticeable how the load from damaged limbs is transferred to healthy ones. Therefore, healthy paws become more massive (due to the fact that all the work is redistributed to them), but the sick, on the contrary, "lose weight", the muscles atrophy.
With hip dysplasia, the affected joints swell, swell, and become extremely painful when touched and palpated.

Treating a dog with dysplasia

Treatment of dysplasia in dogs should begin as early as possible. There are 2 main types of therapy: surgical and medical. And only the veterinarian should decide how to treat the patient. The degree of damage, and the age of the animal, and its weight are taken into account.

With conservative treatment, the veterinarian prescribes chondroprotectors (accelerating the restoration of cartilage tissue), antispasmodics (to reduce pain), anti-inflammatory, vitamins and nutritional supplements that accelerate tissue repair. It is imperative to review the diet, if necessary, put the dog on a diet so that he loses excess weight.

Physiotherapy helps relieve pain, relieves inflammation, and helps restore cartilage tissue faster. It is good to massage (only a professional should do this so as not to harm the dog). Both swimming and very careful slow running are good as physiotherapy. However, active running and any jumping should immediately be banned.

If therapy is powerless, or if the degree of damage is so severe that no medications and physiotherapy will help, then the veterinarian will recommend an operation. Only it is necessary to take an x-ray before it in order to assess the severity of the pathology.

Surgery will help correct the size of the articular surface so that the bones fit perfectly together.

There are 3 ways out of the situation: excision of the head and neck of the femur, osteotomy (already changing the articular fossa so that the bone “falls into it”) and endoprosthesis replacement (titanium prosthesis). In any of these cases, long-term rehabilitation is necessary, but after it the dog does not experience the slightest discomfort and happily runs and jumps.

Prevention

Prevention is easy.

Do not strain the baby, do not make him run and jump a lot. And also do not lock him at home, limiting his freedom. Secure the floor in the house so that the baby does not stretch out on the floor like a frog.
Watch your diet. Enrich with all the necessary vitamins and minerals, but remember that overfeeding protein foods and increased calcium and phosphorus supply can harm a growing body.
Don't chase the animal, don't make it jump a lot. And it's not just about puppies, but also about adult dogs.
Before adopting a puppy, make sure the dog (of both parents) has been tested for dysplasia and the result is negative. The breeder must have an official document in his hands, in which there must be a mark “A” (there are no pathological changes in the cartilage tissue). This, of course, is not a guarantee that the dog will not have dysplasia in the future, but still the risk of developing pathology is much lower.

Experienced breeders are well aware of the genetic disease hip dysplasia that affects some large dog breeds. The disease is diagnosed at an early age and, if not properly treated, can lead to complete immobilization of the animal.

Hip dysplasia is most common in large breed dogs.

Hip dysplasia was first isolated in dogs and described in the United States 60 years ago, although the disease has been diagnosed and treated in humans for a long time. Subsequently, Swedish veterinarians proved that the disease is caused by hereditary factors and most often occurs in large dogs. Although the size of the animal is not a determining factor in the development of the disease, since even small breeds, such as Chow Chows, also suffer from hip dysplasia (HJD).

Observations by veterinarians have shown that puppies are born with normally developed joints, which are then subject to disease under the influence of a hereditary predisposition. At the same time, in large breeds, the disease progresses at a high speed, as they rapidly gain body weight, which is a burden for fragile joints. The disease is especially dangerous for short-legged breeds.

Most often, hip dysplasia (HJD) affects German Shepherds., Newfoundlands, St. Bernards, Rottweilers, Great Danes, Boxers and. Greyhounds are free from the disease. In 89% of cases, dysplasia affects two hip joints at once, 3.3% are unilateral lesions of the left joint, and 7.7% of the right joint.

Hip dysplasia (DJD) is a defect in the development of the joint in the area of the glenoid cavity. At first, the disease was called subluxation of the articular head, since it increases the gap between the head of the bone and the articular cavity. The bone does not adhere tightly to the joint, resulting in friction and wear of the head. The joint begins to deform, flatten.

Currently, the concept of dysplasia sums up all deviations from the normal formation of the femoral joint in dogs.

The pronounced symptoms of the disease appear in 1-1.5 years, after the end of the intensive growth of the dog. But a genetic predisposition cannot become one hundred percent an impetus to the development of the disease. Doctors have found that the development of the disease is influenced by a combination of hereditary predisposition and the influence of environmental factors.

Important. It is desirable to exclude the presence of a predisposition to dysplasia already at the stage of acquiring a puppy. Before buying, you need to study the documents of the parents. However, it is worth remembering that even two puppies from the same litter, having a predisposition to the disease, having fallen into different living conditions, may have a different development of the disease.

There are reasons that provoke the disease and contribute to its development:

Nutritional imbalance. An excess amount of meat in the absence of vegetables, cereals and fruits in the diet quickly leads to pain in the joints.
An excess of phosphorus and calcium in the body. Their excess in food negatively affects the development of bone tissue.
Obesity. Excess weight leads to increased stress on the joints and their deformation increases.
Heavy physical activity.
Inactivity.
Limb injuries.

The most obvious sign of the disease can be lameness of the dog.

An attentive owner will immediately determine that something is wrong with his pet. A change in gait and a violation of the appearance of the dog indicates the development of pathology.

The following signs may indicate defects:

Limping, swaying while walking.
Incorrect setting of the paws when running (repulsion from the surface with two legs at once).
Stiffness of movements.
Wrong posture when lying - hind legs turned in different directions.
body asymmetry. The dog transfers the bulk of the body to the front of the body, while the pelvis becomes narrow, as the muscles of the hind legs atrophy.
Swelling of the joints.
Pain when touching the paws.

Any of these signs should be a reason to contact the veterinarian. Timely assistance to the dog will help slow down or completely stop the development of the disease. Dysplasia, detected at an early age, when the bones are still developing, is cured much faster.

Distinct clinical manifestations of DTS occur at different ages of dogs and depend on the individual characteristics of the dog. In mild cases, the disease manifests itself only in some weakness of the hind limbs of the animal, which does not affect its working condition. Lameness begins to progress as physical activity increases. The dog refuses to perform some commands, quickly gets tired.

Initially, an X-ray examination is performed.

Dysplasia is diagnosed by a veterinarian after a thorough examination of the dog and an X-ray examination. The doctor probes the dog's joints, evaluates their mobility, listens for the presence of squeaks or friction during flexion and extension of the paws. In most cases, an experienced specialist can make a primary diagnosis already on the basis of these signs.

The dog is scheduled for an X-ray examination. A picture can be taken only after the introduction of anesthesia, since it is impossible to ensure the immobility of the animal without this. An x-ray will allow the doctor to examine the location of the glenoid cavity and femoral neck, to determine the presence of deformities.

To obtain high-quality images, you must follow the following rules:

Small dogs are examined only after 1 year, large - after 1.5 years.
Each animal is filmed twice.
The picture is taken in the supine position, with legs extended parallel.

Arthroscopy is an examination aimed at an objective assessment of the condition of the joint and the recognition of dysplasia. The procedure is endoscopic. By inserting a miniature camera into the joint area through a small puncture, the doctor can examine the structure of the cartilage. This examination is expensive and is not carried out in all clinics.

After the examination, the doctor determines the category of dysplasia:

A - a joint without severe pathology.
B - predisposition to disease.
C - the initial stage of the disease.
D - medium dysplasia.
E - severe form of dysplasia.

After the examination, the doctor determines the category.

For the treatment of dysplasia, depending on the state of the articular tissue and the individual state of the animal's body, conservative and surgical treatment is used.

conservative methods

The pathology of the hip joint is amenable to drug treatment in the early stages of development. This technique is aimed at restoring cartilage tissue, relieving swelling and pain.

Treatment of hip dysplasia in dogs is amenable to medical treatment in the early stages.

Conservative treatment is based on the use of:

Chondoprotectors - drugs aimed at restoring cartilage and articular tissues (Adequan, Glucosamine, Artra, Teraflex, Khionat, Chondrolon, Mukosat, Pentosan). The drugs are prescribed in the form of intravenous droppers, intramuscular injections, injections into the joint. Medicines are prescribed in combination or separately.
Antispasmodics that relieve pain cider - No-shpa, Baralgin, Analgin.
Anti-inflammatory drugs - Nimesulide, Rimadil.
Mineral complexes based on chondroitins and glucosamine - Omega-3, Omega-6 complexes.
Along with medicines, physiotherapy procedures are prescribed for the dog.

The most effective are:

Paraffin therapy.
Ozokerite.
magnetic therapy.
laser therapy.
Massage.

Operational technique

Conservative treatment may not always give the proper result in the treatment of hip dysplasia (DJ). When the disease has reached the last stages, surgical intervention is necessary. The duration and complexity of the operation depends on the condition of the joint. Sometimes it is enough just to remove a small cartilage growth inside the joint.

Pictured hip arthroplasty in dogs

If the joint is severely deformed, the following types of operations are used:

Excision of the neck and head of the femur. The operation is quite traumatic, and the recovery period after it can be long. After excision, the joint is fully restored, and the animal can move freely without the use of any prostheses.
osteotomy- dissection of the bone and adjustment of the location of the articular fossa. The joint is in the correct position. The operation is possible with an unaggravated form of the disease.
Myoectomy- excision of the pectineal muscle during the growth period of the puppy. Practice shows that this technique does not give a complete cure, but it can significantly reduce lameness and restore the motor function of the joint. The indication for this type of surgical intervention is the ineffectiveness of conservative treatment with drugs. Myectomy gives the greatest effect at the age of the dog from 6 to 12 months.
Resection arthroplasty– resection of the joint to reduce pain. This operation reduces the contact of the head of the joint with the glenoid cavity. After the operation, when moving, the friction of the head against the cavity stops, the dog ceases to experience pain. This type of surgical intervention is used for small breeds of dogs, weighing up to 20 kilograms. Resection arthroplasty is performed at any age of the animal.
Endoprosthetics. It is used at the last stage of dysplasia. The dog's joint is replaced with an artificial one made of titanium alloy. Prosthetics is used if other methods of surgical intervention have failed or do not make sense. After completing the rehabilitation course, the dog continues to move without pain and lead a normal life. Muscle atrophy is a contraindication for arthroplasty, therefore, if there are indications for the installation of a prosthesis, it should be performed as soon as possible. From an economic and functional point of view, the installation of a prosthesis is recommended for dogs weighing more than 30 kilograms.

Prevention of dysplasia

The guarantee of the absence of hip dysplasia (HJD) in dogs is selective genetic prophylaxis. To obtain healthy offspring, it is necessary to mate healthy parents. Cynologists and breeders should be especially interested in solving problems to maintain the health of the breeds being bred.

However, parents can be carriers of the disease at the genetic level, so it is not always possible to exclude the possibility of its manifestation in offspring.

Feed your pet correctly, and do not overload it with physical activity.

Owners of dogs of breeds predisposed to hip dysplasia (HJD) should especially carefully monitor the normalization of the animal's diet in order to prevent obesity. Excess weight in a dog is an increased load on the joints, therefore, a provoking factor in the development of dysplasia.

Attention. Reducing the calorie intake by reducing the amount of meat consumed and replacing it with carbohydrates is the wrong way. Such an approach will lead to the emergence of new health problems for the pet. The dog's diet should be calculated in such a way that it receives all the substances, vitamins and minerals necessary for growth and development.

The development of hip dysplasia (HJD) is influenced by the organization of physical activity. Harmful to the musculoskeletal system, insufficient and excessive physical activity. You can not give an increased load during the growth of the puppy. Harmful at any age continuous races for too long distances.

If dysplasia has already begun to develop, you should immediately limit physical activity, reduce the time of exercise and play with the animal. A sign of excessive stress on the body is the lameness of the dog after a walk. Experts recommend walking dogs with dysplasia on the lawn, excluding movement on asphalt. Swimming is useful for a dog, since in water the load on the joints is reduced, while the rest of the muscle groups receive the necessary load.

Cold and humidity are contraindicated for sick dogs, leading to an exacerbation of problems with the joints. Dogs with dysplasia should be kept in a warm, dry environment, otherwise they will suffer from aching joints and night pains.

Hip dysplasia in dogs, laid down at the genetic level, affects the animal sooner or later, despite the preventive measures taken. The owner's task is to help a sick animal and reduce pain in order to maintain the pet's motor activity.