Part of the Pet Lover’s Guide series, this handbook covers the most common joint disease in dogs — osteoarthritis — its causes, and its surgical and medical treatment in a non-technical, informative, and useful manner.
Part I explains what osteoarthritis is, its signs, causes, and an examination of common findings by radiograph and other imaging techniques, joint fluid analysis, and arthroscopy. Part II covers treatment options, including nutrition and weight … More >>
Treatment for canine arthritis begins with prevention, as keeping a dog at a healthy weight and providing appropriate exercise is important for long-term health. Find supplements to give an arthritic pet dog with helpful information from a practicing veterinarian in this free video on pet care. Expert: James Talbott
The Center Rush dog acupressure point is easy to find but can be difficult to work on nervous animals. Learn more about triggering the Center Rush acupressure point in dogs with wristarthritis from a veterinary technician in this free dog care video. Expert: Dawn Smith Bio: Dawn Smith has been a traditional Chinese herbal medicine practitioner for six years and a registered veterinary technician over 20 years. Filmmaker: Christian Munoz-Donoso
One of the most common ailments affecting pets as they age is arthritis. Arthritis is a degenerative condition of the joints where tissue and cartilage in the joint breaks down or becomes damaged, causing swelling and discomfort. When this occurs, your pet’s quality of life often becomes compromised, with pain causing limitations on playful activities and distress even during daily routines.
Unfortunately, arthritis is a very common problem in purebred dogs. Due to selective breeding, some dogs end up developing severe arthritic conditions that often require major surgery to alleviate the pain.
Spotting Early Signs
One of the most common examples of this type of disease is Hip Dysplasia, which occurs in the joint socket where the leg meets the hip.
People often thought in the olden days that their dogs just became lazy as they advanced in age, little realizing that for the best friend of man, it was not laziness but painful joints that prevented them from much activity.
Today, the most common reason owners of older pets seek veterinary attention is not laziness but lameness. And a minor examination reveals arthritis, more specifically osteoarthritis affecting the canine friend.
Although the real cause of arthritis is not known, it may be a good idea to study the symptoms and then take appropriate steps. Of the two most common forms of arthritis, i.e. the Rheumatoid arthritis and the Osteoarthritis, the former disease condition is extremely rare while the latter tends to affect pets mostly.
The growing popularity of larger breeds of dogs has brought with it a threat of a crippling disease of the hip joints known as hip dysplasia.
This disease was first described in the United States back in the 1930s. Research has produced abundant information on hip dysplasia, but many questions still remain unanswered. It is one of the most popular topics discussed among owners, breeders, and veterinarians.
Hip dysplasia is uncommon in small dogs (toys and miniatures), as well as Greyhounds, but it has been found in almost every breed. The disease is an improper development of the hip joint (properly called the coxofemoral joint) which leads to looseness of the joint, partial dislocation (subluxation), and finally, arthritis.
One of the most difficult tasks facing a veterinarian is how to manage hip dysplasia. There are several modes of therapy available, but only the most commonly accepted techniques will be discussed.
1. Maintenance: This is non-surgical management and consists of rest and restricted exercise, pain relievers, and anti-inflammatory drugs. Its best use is in mild cases or in dogs who are poor surgical risks.
2. Hip Join Reconstruction: This is extensive bone surgery with the ultimate goal of returning the hip joint to a normal anatomical relation. It is quite difficult to perform and often must be referred to an orthopedic surgeon. Surgery to correct hip dysplasia works best in young dogs before arthritis of the joint has become a problem. The techniques include pelvic osteotomy, acetabuloplasty, and varus osteotomy.
Hip Dysplasia Surgery Options: Ask What Your Veterinarian Can Do
We usually associate bone and joint problems with older dogs, but puppies also have their own skeletal issues. By far the most well known joint problem – hip dysplasia – is most commonly seen in larger dogs, but can occur in any breed.
Those commonly affected include Labrador and golden retrievers, Newfoundlands, great Pyrenees, great Danes, Doberman Pinschers, and of course, German Shepherds.
Hip dysplasia results in looseness of the hip joints. While some dogs do not show symptoms, those with severely loose hips show signs of lameness, usually in one hip, though both can be affected.
Puppy Bone Health: 2 Major Hip Problems Every Puppy Owner Should Look For
Hip dysplasia is typically the first concern of bone problems in growing puppies but there are two other bone issues that your pup may have to deal with. They are called Osteochondritis (OCD) and Patellar Luxation.
Osteochondritis (OCD)
This is a common joint problem in growing puppies of larger breeds. It typically affects the same breeds that are prone to hip dysplasia. OCD is primarily a disease of growing cartilage. It develops due to reduced blood supply to a localized area of cartilage. The cartilage fails to mineralize (become bone) and the piece of cartilage that separates from the surrounding bone, causing pain and lameness.
Hip & Elbow Dysplasia, Keep Your Dog’s Condition From Getting Worse
It is quite common for puppies to have genetically acquired hip dysplasia and/or elbow dysplasia. Unfortunately, these are the results of improper breeding, and with the huge amount of puppies being born each year from people that are not dog breeding professionals, you may come across a puppy with these conditions often.
Elbow and hip dysplasia are essentially the same thing, except where the problem occurs, one being in the hip joint and the other being in the elbow joint. In normal dog growth, the femur head is supposed to grow into the joint socket and then be able to rotate freely around as a puppy moves. Dysplasia occurs when the femoral head grows outward and when the bone thickens, there is a gap left in the front. This gap unfortunately causes slight falls in motion, which induces high levels of discomfort and makes a dog’s walking and running unstable.
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