HIP DYSPLASIA
Hip Dysplasia
is a major problem in the large breeds of dogs. (It is also an occasional problem in cats!) It is the result of birth defects and growing deformities of the pelvis and hip joints. It is inherited. The “ball and socket” of the hip joint fit poorly causing abnormal movement of the involved legs. The rubbing of the ball across the joint socket leads to arthritis and pain.Signs vary considerably. The dog may show no signs, even though severe hip lesions are present, or it can be totally crippled and disabled by the condition. Signs usually are not detected in the newborn puppy, but often appear during the period of rapid growth before one year of age.
DIAGNOSIS is by x-ray examination. Sedation is usually necessary to restrain the dog for proper film exposure. A dog CANNOT be confirmed “free” of dysplasia until two years of age, due to the changes that may occur in the pelvis during any stage of the growth process. Unfortunately, there is NO way to predict how the symptoms will develop in each individual or how severe the signs will be.
Since the disease is hereditary, affected dogs should NOT be used for breeding.
We recommend x-rays of BOTH male and female dogs used for breeding. A certification program is available through the OFA - Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. In this program your veterinarian takes x-rays of your dog and sends them to a certification agency which then certifies the hips as excellent, good, fair or poor. Dogs with hips judged to be fair or poor should not be bred and should be spayed or neutered so they cannot pass the disease to their offspring. Through the OFA certification process the incidence of hip dysplasia has been reduced by as much as 44% in some breeds Dogs should be at least 2 years of age for x-rays to be accurate. Be sure if you are buying a puppy that is going to be a large breed or is of a breed prone to this disease that you make sure both parent dogs were certified by the OFA! OFA also certifies and keeps genetic registries for elbow dysplasia (an inherited bone problem affecting the elbows) and thyroid deficiency.
Hip x-rays are also a good idea for pet dogs, to determine early in the dog’s life what the risks are for arthritis as your pet ages. For susceptible breeds, an x-ray taken at the time the pet is spayed or neutered is a good idea. If hip dysplasia is noted, early intervention can greatly improve the pet’s life and reduce arthritis later on. You don’t need to send the x-rays to a specialist for this, your own veterinarian can tell you if your pet’s hips are good or bad.
TREATMENT for hip dysplasia varies with the severity of the disease. It may consist of some or all of the following:
Medications for pain and stiffness.
Surgical modification of the hip and pelvis to create a more tight-fitting joint.
Surgical removal of the hip joint allowing a “false” joint to form.
Cutting a muscle that goes across the hip joint, relieving pain.
Artificial Hip Implantation.
Maintenance of proper weight, diet, and exercise. The pet must not be allowed to
become overweight.
Medications and nutritional supplements to increase the joint fluid that lubricates the joint surfaces.
THERE IS NO CURE FOR HIP DYSPLASIA!!
