Hind limb dysplasia in dogs. Dysplasia in dogs: causes, symptoms and treatment

Mostly large dogs suffer from dysplasia, and the disease consists of the destruction of joints. The illness is serious, but it is not a death sentence.

With proper care from the owner and medical care, the dog will live a normal life. How does dysplasia manifest in dogs and how to cure it?

With dysplasia in a puppy, the formation of the joint structure is disrupted: the acetabulum, in which the head of the bone is fixed, gradually becomes flat. This leads to the bone does not hold tightly in the joint, the effect of constant dislocation occurs, the animal lames, it is in pain.

Dysplasia in dogs: what is it? This is a disease that results in the destruction of the animal's hip joints. St. Bernards, retrievers and others are susceptible to this disease.

Stages and causes of the disease

Veterinarians distinguish 4 stages of the disease:

1st degree (mild form) – the acetabulum is flattened, but the bone “sits” firmly in it;
2nd degree (medium form) – the flattening is already noticeable, irregularities appear on the head of the bone, the articulation weakens, but is still considered strong;
3.4 degrees (severe form) – the acetabulum is flat, the head of the bone is also flattened and destroyed, the joint is in a state of dislocation.

Attention! Most often, dysplasia affects the hip area, but this does not mean that other joints are safe. Any one of them could get hurt.

The disease can be congenital or acquired. Causes of dysplasia in dogs:

genetic factor- if one of the parents has at least a mild form of dysplasia or a tendency to it;
increased physical activity when the puppy’s skeleton is forming (and this lasts up to 2 years in large dogs);
insufficient physical activity, when both muscles and joints cannot form correctly;
poor nutrition – excess calcium and phosphorus, low-quality dry food, growth stimulants or excess meat in the puppy’s diet;
excess weight, which leads to excessive stress on the joints, that during the period of skeletal development increases the risk of disease;
joint injuries.

The consequences of the disease are sad: lameness, body asymmetry, with multiple epiphyseal dysplasia in puppies, growth stops, joints swell. If the elbows are affected, there is lameness on the front legs, the pet will not go down the stairs.

Signs, symptoms, diagnosis

It is difficult to notice signs of the disease at an early stage without an x-ray, which means the owner will need to pay special attention to the puppy. What should cause concern? Symptoms of dysplasia in dogs:

When walking, the pet sways, limps slightly, and is stiff after sleep.
When running for walks, he pushes off the ground with both hind legs and rests often. He doesn’t immediately run towards his owner, but walks carefully, as if warming up.
He limps, starting to run, but then it goes away. Limps after physical activity. Moreover, this sign may appear or disappear.
When the puppy lies down, the paws are unnaturally turned out.
Refuses to go up stairs, won't give paw on command, or whines when he does.
The joints are swollen, edematous, painful. If you feel it, the puppy will whine.
Asymmetry of the body that occurs because the pet transfers weight from diseased paws to healthy ones.

Important! After the dog turns one year old, it will be more difficult to cope with the disease.

If you detect at least one sign, you need to consult a doctor immediately! In the hospital, the veterinarian will, first of all, examine the puppy: palpate the paws, try to straighten the joint one way or another, listen to see if there are any clicks or squeaks, or maybe friction when bending the limbs.

This is a preliminary part of the diagnosis. After this, the doctor will order an x-ray. It is performed on dogs under anesthesia; there is no need to be afraid. They do this because animals resist strongly when excited.

In the image, the veterinarian will be able to clearly examine the condition of the joint, acetabulum, and the tightness of the bone. This is enough to make an accurate diagnosis of the presence or absence of dysplasia.

Condition of the pet's joint after x-ray Doctors describe it this way:

A (no pathologies);
B (there is a predisposition to the disease);
C (mild form);
D (medium shape);
E (severe form).

Attention! It is certainly impossible to determine dysplasia without an x-ray! There is a high risk of making a mistake, and in this case a healthy animal will suffer from treatment.

There is another way to diagnose the disease - arthroscopy. The joint cavity is punctured and a small camera is inserted inside, through which the veterinarian examines the structure of the dog’s cartilage tissue. The procedure is informative, however, it is performed only in very well-equipped clinics. There are few of them.

Treatment of dysplasia

Dysplasia in a dog, how to treat? Depending on the degree of damage to the joint, the doctor prescribes either surgical or drug treatment. The first is used for severe forms of the disease, the second does not so much treat as mitigate the consequences of dysplasia.

Surgical intervention

Before the operation, the dog will definitely have an x-ray taken again. Surgical treatment of dysplasia in dogs can be as follows:

cutting off the pectineus muscle inside the joint, which reduces the load and minimizes pain during movement;
removal of the head of the bone and subsequent fastening of the limb to a special ligament;
dissection of both the bone itself and the articular cavity, then unfolding so that the bone is in closer contact with the joint;
removal of a wedge-shaped piece of bone for better fit into the articular cavity, while fixing the bone with a special plate;
joint replacement, when the patient is completely removed and replaced with a prosthesis.

Important! Operations are performed only on young dogs whose weight does not exceed 15 kg.

Drug therapy

Treatment for hip dysplasia in dogs is by taking special medications and performing procedures in the clinic.

Medicines prescribed:

droppers and injections that help restore joints and cartilage;
antispasmodics to relieve pain from movement;
anti-inflammatory;
dietary supplements that strengthen bones.

We must remember that you will have to monitor the animal’s weight, follow a special diet, and pay special attention to physical activity - A dog cannot run, but it can swim.

Prevention

The pet requires close attention during the entire growth period; in large breeds it lasts from a year to 2.5 years. At this time, you should not overdo it with stress, but you should not allow an overly passive lifestyle.

It is necessary to take seriously that the food is of high quality and balanced in terms of vitamins and minerals.

There should not be excess weight, which means that the dog should not be given any growth stimulants; overfeeding with cereals and meat is also contraindicated. And your pet doesn’t need to run long distances.

Important! A large breed puppy should be shown to the doctor periodically, even if everything is fine with the baby.

With careful attention to the choice of pet (careful selection) and on the part of the owner, the risk of dysplasia is minimized. However, even if it develops, the dog can be helped, the main thing is not to delay a visit to the veterinarian.

Additionally, watch the video about the manifestation and treatment of dysplasia in dogs:

Hip dysplasia is a disorder in the development of the hip joint, which leads to increased weakness and mobility (the head of the femur comes out of the acetabulum), which subsequently leads to the development of arthrosis and destruction of the joint. This pathology is heritable. All animals are born with normal joints, but later the ligaments and capsule that fix the hip joint are relaxed, the “hinge” becomes loose, which leads to damage to the head of the femur itself, the supporting part of the acetabulum, destabilizing the joint even more. In most cases, dysplasia in animals develops on both sides, affecting both joints.

WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF HIP DYSPLASIA IN DOGS?

Hip dysplasia is an inherited pathology, but its development can be largely influenced by external factors: improper unbalanced feeding (), overfeeding the puppy, when excess body weight significantly increases the load on the joints, and the rapid growth of bones does not allow them to be sufficiently strengthened. Also, the risk of developing dysplasia increases if, in early puppyhood, you begin to give the puppy large and sudden stressful physical activities: agility, Frisbee, fetching, jumping from heights, which leads to microtrauma of the joints and disruption of their development.

Since we cannot differentiate what caused dysplasia, all dysplasia is considered hereditary, and animals must be excluded from reproduction.

HOW CAN YOU SUSPECT THAT A DOG IS DEVELOPING DYSPLASIA?

Hip dysplasia is the most common orthopedic pathology in dogs. It usually affects fast-growing dogs of large and giant breeds, but it also occurs in medium and small dogs and even cats. Most often, hip dysplasia manifests itself between six and twelve months with varying degrees of lameness, refusal to take long walks, and difficulty getting up, especially after active exercise.

WHAT HAPPENS IN A DYSPLASIC JOINT?

Initially, pain appears due to overload of individual areas of the joint with the formation of microcracks in the articular cartilage and bone, erosion of the cartilage, abrasion of the articular surfaces, which leads to complete inflammation of the entire joint (osteoarthritis).

HOW TO DIAGNOSIS HIP DYSPLASIA IN A DOG.

The first step should be to evaluate the clinical signs of dysplasia, which usually develop in puppyhood and progress later in life if dysplasia is not treated.

You may suspect hip pathology in your dog if you have:

Lameness on the hind leg, up to the dog’s complete refusal to lean on the limb. After rest, the lameness is greater, and then the dog “saunters”;
Exercise intolerance in a dog or puppy, which is often mistaken for personality traits or heart pathology;
The dog has difficulty getting up or lying down, cannot sit normally;
The dog has difficulty climbing stairs and cannot jump out or jump into a car;
The dog has an abnormal gait. It is often described as: the dog wagging its hindquarters or placing its leg abnormally while walking;
Lameness in both hind legs may go unnoticed for a long time;
The dog does not allow itself to be touched by the croup, bares its teeth and snarls;
Severe pain is not always characteristic of hip dysplasia in dogs; they adapt extremely well to chronic pain.

If any of these signs appear, you should contact a veterinarian.

At the appointment, the mobility of the hip joint, the preservation of full amplitude of the limb, and the presence of possible pain in the joints are checked. There are specific tests that determine the pathological mobility of the hip joint - the “artolani” test, which is usually performed under light sedation to relax the muscles so that the animal does not resist. During this test, the weight bearing load on the dog's hip joint is simulated. If there is pathological mobility and weakness of the joint, the head of the femur is subluxated from the joint and, when the limb is abducted to the side, with a characteristic click it returns to the acetabulum, and the test is considered positive. This test does not cause any harm to the joint, and the subluxation formed during the test occurs in the animal during the initial support phase during walking, which injures the joint.

The final diagnosis is made radiologically.

Informative photographs are carried out ONLY under sedation for complete muscle relaxation and comfort of the animal. During sedation, a maintenance drip is placed, and a team of experienced doctors monitors the general condition of the animal.

There are several techniques worldwide for assessing the canine hip joint for osteoarthritis (OA) due to dysplasia. Arthrosis changes in the joint, the presence of inflammatory changes in the bone, and the percentage of coverage of the femoral head are mainly assessed. The most common projection (the position in which the dog lies during the photograph) is “lying on its back with legs extended back.” In this position, there is torsion of the hip joint capsule, which leads to depression of the femoral head into the acetabulum and erroneously covers the femoral head more with the roof of the acetabulum. Typically, this projection is used to evaluate OA, joint destruction due to dysplasia.

At our clinic, we take a comprehensive approach to assessing the condition of the hip joint in dogs. Images are taken only under sedation to ensure complete relaxation of the muscles (active stabilizers of the joints) and comfort of the animal. Three views are taken: lying on the back with legs extended to assess the general condition of the joint and the presence of joint OA; a compression view, during which the femoral heads are pressed into the acetabulum, is used to measure the depth of the acetabulum and assess the congruence of the articular surfaces (whether they fit each other in shape or have already changed). The third projection is distraction. Using a special distractor, the level of passive exit of the femoral head from the acetabulum is measured. The distraction index DI is determined. The greater the DI, the greater the passive weakness and the greater the likelihood and rate of development of hip OA in dogs due to dysplasia. It is the distraction index DI of the hip joint that is heritable and determining in the development of osteoarthritis (dysplasia) of the hip joint in dogs, and it is this that must be taken into account when choosing dogs for breeding so that subsequent generations of puppies do not have hip dysplasia.

The distraction index can be measured from four months and remains the same throughout life. Thus, after examining a puppy’s hip joint, we can predict with sufficient accuracy the future fate of his hip joint, recommend therapy or surgery to save his joints, so that in adulthood the dog can walk without limping, without hip dysplasia. You can immediately figure out which puppies are the best for breeding in relation to the condition of the hip joints (distraction index, hereditary characteristic, and the smaller it is, the better the hip joint), and for which puppies we can therapeutically or by performing a mini-operation save the joints from destruction, so that in adulthood age, the dogs walked without limping. The latter will have a poor gene pool for breeding regarding hip dysplasia, but they can make excellent companions for someone.

COMPARISON OF INFORMATION CONTENT CONCERNING THE STATE OF THE HJ joint of the CONVENTIONAL PROJECTION AND DISTRACTION.

In the first “supine position with legs extended” image, usually used to evaluate hip dysplasia in dogs, there are no signs of arthrosis of the joint, that is, there is no dysplasia.

The image with a distraction projection of the same animal shows that the heads of the femur almost completely protrude from the acetabulum, which indicates significant pathological mobility of the hip joint in the dog. This determines a significant risk of developing hip dysplasia in a given individual over several years.

In adult dogs, signs of osteoarthritis of the hip joint may be absent or mild, even in the presence of a large distraction index, if the owners handled the puppy correctly. Thus, such a dog will have a large heritable distraction index, which is directly proportional to the likelihood of developing dysplasia, but with a conventional x-ray examination it will be assessed as an animal with no dysplasia, a good gene pool and allowed for breeding, although a large distraction index will be passed on to the puppies, a higher probability development of osteoarthritis of the hip joint, and enormous efforts will be required to prevent the destruction of the hip joints in puppies. In the selection of parental individuals, individuals with the lowest distraction index, which is heritable, should be selected, and not those with no signs of hip dysplasia, which is largely influenced by the environment, feeding, maintenance, and to a small extent heritability is observed.

MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT HIP DYSPLASIA

Hip dysplasia develops over the course of a year and this diagnosis cannot be made earlier. Dysplasia begins to develop in puppyhood, and the first signs can be detected radiographically as early as three months. From four months, there are patented approved methods for determining excessive pathological mobility of the hip joint, which will subsequently affect the development of osteoarthritis of the joint (its destruction). From one year in Europe and from two years in America, hip joints are assessed for signs of osteoarthritis (joint destruction) as a fact, and with a positive diagnosis, nothing can be done about it.

My puppy's parents did not have problems with joints and my puppy will not have dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is multi-inherited - that is, there are many genes that are responsible for the development of the hip joint, and it may be that your puppy gets the worst of both parents. In addition, even genetically ideal joints can be destroyed by improper feeding and maintenance of the puppy; and joints that are genetically predisposed to rapid destruction due to excessive mobility (large distraction index) can be saved from osteoarthritis with appropriate maintenance and feeding; also, at a young age, it is possible to perform minimally invasive surgeries aimed at increasing joint stability.

It is necessary to give more calcium and vitamin D so that joint problems do not develop. The most common misconception is that the more calcium, the stronger the bones. With the correct and harmonious growth of bones in a young animal, processes of resorption and growth of a new matrix constantly occur in them, and these processes are in a fragile balance, which is disrupted by excessive intake of calcium and vitamin D with feeding. You can read in more detail about the effect of deficiency and excess of dietary components on the development of orthopedic problems in dogs in the article.

HOW TO TREAT HIP DYSPLASIA IN DOGS?

The sooner we identify developing pathology, the more effective treatment will be. All orthopedic pathology begins before the age of one year and then continues to develop with age throughout life. The most effective treatment is carried out up to a year, which can stop the development of osteoarthritis (dysplasia) of the hip joint in dogs as they age.

Feeding a young, developing puppy is extremely important and we recommend commercially prepared diets for dogs of the appropriate age and size. When feeding prepared diets, additional vitamins and minerals cannot be given. The puppy should not be overfed, since excess weight is an extra burden on developing, growing soft bones and joints. Super-stressful loads on joints and bones should be avoided: jumping from high barriers and others.

The most effective methods of preventing the destruction of the hip joint due to its pathological weakness with a certain guarantee of results are operations performed at the right time. All operations involve rotating the acetabulum to provide greater coverage of the femoral head with the roof of the acetabulum, which prevents destruction of the joint. It should be understood that when the joint is already destroyed, there is nothing left to save there, and the dog can only be helped by excisional arthroplasty (removal of the head and neck of the femur) or joint replacement.

At four months, a routine orthopedic examination can be carried out with measurement of the distraction index of the hip joint in a puppy, and in the case of a large DI and a high probability of developing osteoarthritis (dysplasia) of the hip joint, a mini-operation can be performed - “juvenile pubic symphysiodesis”. This operation takes about 10 minutes, is performed through a two-centimeter skin incision and consists of closing the growth zone at the pubic symphysis, which, as the animal grows, leads to greater coverage of the head of the femoral joint, greater stability and, as a result, prevention of the development of osteoarthritis of the hip joint in dogs. Juvenile pubic symphysiodesis is carried out up to five months, but the closer to it, the less the puppy’s growth potential, the less effective the technique. This operation is well tolerated by the puppy, he walks immediately, there may be slight stiffness in his gait, but this quickly passes. Juvenile symphysiodesis prevents the development of hip dysplasia by ninety percent.

EXAMPLE OF EXAMINATION FOR THE PROBABILITY OF DEVELOPING OSTEOARTHROSIS AT 4 MONTHS.

Labrador puppy 4 months old. Already in the projection “lying on the back with outstretched legs” one can see insufficient coverage of the femoral heads by the roof of the acetabulum.

The “distraction projection” image shows a significant protrusion of the head of the femur from the acetabulum, which indicates a significant likelihood of developing osteoarthritis in the coming years of the animal’s life.

From five to seven months, a “double pelvic osteotomy” is performed. This operation consists of making two cuts on the bones of the dog's pelvis, ensuring mobility of the acetabulum, which is rotated to a certain degree to ensure sufficient coverage of the head of the femur and is fixed to a plate. The operation is quite difficult to perform. After this, there is a strict restriction of the animal’s mobility for two months so that all the cuts grow together well in the new position. Compared to a “triple pelvic osteotomy,” the recovery is much faster, and the dog begins to lean on his leg already on the seventh day.

From eight to eleven months, a “triple pelvic osteotomy” is performed - this is practically the same as a “double pelvic osteotomy”, with the only difference that not two, but three cuts are made to the pelvic bones to ensure mobility of the acetabulum with its subsequent fixation onto the plate in a new position. This is a difficult operation for the surgeon, the animal and its owner, but it produces results and prevents joint destruction in an adult animal.

After a year, there are no surgeries to save the hip joint, and therapy is multimodal, aimed at reducing the rate of development of osteoarthritis of the joints, and consists of weight control and physical therapy, and some drug support.

All diagnostics and all operations are performed by experienced specialists at our clinic; we do not lose touch with our patients and their owners and are always ready to help in the postoperative period.

Conduct early diagnosis of your puppy for the possibility of developing hip dysplasia, provide him and yourself with a quality life in the future.

The diagnosis of hip dysplasia in dogs does not sound reassuring. The disease negatively affects the mobility of animals and causes pain and discomfort. Dogs with a large weight and large build that experience intense physical activity are especially susceptible to the disease.

Dysplasia in dogs - symptoms

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

the dog began to limp and sway when walking;
places its paws incorrectly, pushes off with both hind limbs when running;
takes frequent breaks to rest;
movements become constrained - it is difficult for the dog to move up steps, get up from the floor, or follow commands;
the body gradually becomes asymmetrical - the 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 experiences pain when touched.

Dysplasia in dogs - causes

Many factors can precede the appearance of joint problems. Owners need to 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:

unhealthy diet with an excess of protein foods;
feeding with low-quality feed;
excessive intake of calcium and phosphorus into the body;
grueling loads;
obesity;
sedentary lifestyle;
suffered limb injuries.

Diagnosis of dysplasia in dogs

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

To determine the degree of hip dysplasia in dogs and prescribe treatment, an additional x-ray is taken. The image provides complete information about the nature of joint damage and helps determine optimal therapy. In modern, well-equipped clinics, dogs undergo arthroscopy for a complete diagnosis. 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 large breed dogs 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 rushing to conclusions, since disturbances in puppies can be temporary, associated with intense and uneven growth.

Hip dysplasia in dogs can be definitively diagnosed no earlier than 9-18 months (depending on height and breed). This does not apply to hereditary pathologies, which are clearly visible when the puppy reaches 4 months. The dysplasia test is a necessary official document for dogs applying for breeding. Although the absence of the disease in the parents is not considered a guarantee that the puppies will not be prone to developing pathology.

X-ray diagnosis of hip dysplasia in dogs

Hip dysplasia in dogs is diagnosed through x-rays and a hypermobility test. Both the first and second procedures are performed under general anesthesia. Therefore, before conducting the study, consultation with a cardiologist and anesthesiologist is necessary. Full sedation of the dog ensures its correct positioning and, as a result, obtaining high-quality, reliable images in all the necessary projections. After all, even the calmest and most obedient animal will strain its muscles and ligaments, which will prevent the correct placement of the articular surfaces.

Dysplasia in dogs - how to determine at home?

It is difficult to suspect a disease based on its characteristic symptoms at first. Joint dysplasia in dogs is visible to the naked eye only in advanced stages, when the animal experiences severe discomfort and pain. This condition is accompanied by:

incorrect position;
lameness or “bunny” gait;
exercise intolerance;
aggressive behavior, often when touched.

Degrees of dysplasia in dogs

By how 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:

A– absence of pathology;
IN– borderline state, predisposition to the development of the disease is present;
WITH- mild degree - the dog is recommended for exclusion from breeding;
D– average degree;
E– severe dysplasia - accompanied by serious mobility impairments.

Prevention of dysplasia in dogs

A radical measure to prevent the development of the disease in dogs - excluding individuals with this disease from breeding - is yielding results. However, heredity is far from the only factor that can trigger 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 exposure to external factors. To prevent possible problems, owners should remember that:

a puppy whose joints and muscles have not yet been formed should not be subjected to strong physical stress. Contraindicated for children are jumping from great heights, heavy objects, long-distance running;
the pet must walk and move; lack of activity can lead to 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 additional supplements to your pet’s diet should be done with caution. This is especially true for specialized feeds.

Hip dysplasia in dogs - treatment

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

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

The answer to the question of how to treat dysplasia in dogs also involves 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.

Experienced dog breeders know this well. genetic disease, like canine hip dysplasia, which affects some large breeds. The disease can be diagnosed at an early age, but if left untreated, it can lead to complete immobilization of the dog.

Causes and features of joint dysplasia in dogs

Hip dysplasia in dogs was first identified and described in America 70 years ago, while in humans this disease has been identified and treated for a long time. Subsequently, Swedish veterinarians proved that the disease, as a rule, oh, found in large breeds and is caused by hereditary factors. However, the size of the dog is not a determining factor in the occurrence of the disease, since even small breeds, such as chow chows, can also suffer from hip dysplasia.

Doctors' observations have proven that puppies can be born with normally developed joints, which are then susceptible to disease due to hereditary disposition. Moreover, in large dogs the disease progresses at high speed, as they rapidly gain weight, which puts a strain on weak joints. Moreover, this disease is dangerous for short-legged breeds.

Typically, hip dysplasia occurs in Newfoundlands, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, St. Bernards, English Bulldogs, Boxers and Great Danes. Greyhounds are free from this disease. In 90% of cases, dysplasia is observed simultaneously on two hip joints, 4% occur on the left unilateral lesion, 6% on the right.

Hip dysplasia in dogs represents a developmental defect joint in the area of the glenoid cavity. At first, the disease was called subluxation of the articular head, since this causes an increase in the gap between the articular cavity and the head of the bone. The bone does not fit tightly to the joint, resulting in friction and wear of the head. The joint becomes flattened and deformed.

Today, the definition of dysplasia in dogs includes any deviations from natural formation hip joint.

Pronounced symptoms of the disease appear at 1.2-1.5 years, after the end of intensive growth of the animal. However, genetic disposition cannot completely be the impetus for the development of the disease in the future. Veterinarians have proven that the onset of the disease is influenced by a combination of hereditary disposition and exposure to environmental factors.

Attention: It is best to prevent the presence of a predisposition to dysplasia at the stage of buying a puppy. Before purchasing, you must carefully read the parents' documents. But we must not forget that even several puppies from the same litter that are prone to the disease, when exposed to different living conditions, can have different development of the disease.

Exist reasons that provoke disease and contribute to its development:

The most obvious sign of the disease may be lameness of the animal.

Attentive owner He will immediately be able to determine that something wrong is happening to his dog. Changes in the appearance and gait of the animal indicate the development of the disease.

The following symptoms may indicate the disease:

Any of the above symptoms should be a reason for a visit to the veterinarian. Timely assistance to the animal can help slow down or completely stop the development of the disease. Dysplasia in dogs, which discovered at an early age When the bones are just beginning to develop, it is treated much faster.

Distinct symptoms of dysplasia in dogs appear at different ages and will depend on the individual characteristics of the animal. In mild stages, the disease is expressed only in some weakness of the hind legs, this will not affect the working condition of the dog. Lameness progresses with increasing physical activity. The animal quickly gets tired and refuses to carry out certain commands.

Diagnosis of the disease

Dysplasia can only be determined by a veterinarian after an X-ray examination, as well as a thorough examination of the dog. Doctor feels the animal's joints, determines their mobility, listens for the presence of friction or squeaks during extension and flexion of the legs. Most often, a professional veterinarian can make a primary diagnosis based on these signs.

The animal is prescribed an x-ray examination. The picture is taken only after the administration of anesthesia, since it is impossible to ensure the dog’s immobility without this. An x-ray will allow the veterinarian to examine the location of the femoral neck and glenoid cavity and identify the presence of deformities.

To get high-quality images, you must follow these rules:

The picture is taken in a supine position, with legs extended parallel.
Each dog is filmed twice.
Small breeds are examined only after one year, large dogs - after 2 years.

Arthroscopy is an examination that is aimed at recognizing dysplasia and truly assessing the condition of the joint. The procedure itself is endoscopic. By inserting a small camera into the joint area through a small puncture, the veterinarian can view the structure of the cartilage. This examination is quite expensive and is not performed in all clinics.

Treatment of DTS in dogs

To treat hip dysplasia in dogs, taking into account the individual state of the animal’s body and joint tissue, surgical and conservative treatment is used.

Conservative methods

Diseases of the hip joint are amenable to drug therapy only in the early stages of development. This method is aimed at relieving pain and swelling, as well as restoring cartilage tissue.

Conservative treatment is based on the use of:

Antispasmodics that relieve pain syndrome- Analgin, Baralgin, No-shpa.
Chondoprotectors are products that are aimed at restoring articular and cartilage tissues (Glucosamine, Adequan, Teraflex, Artra, Chondrolone, Chionate, Pentosan, Mucosat). All means are used in the form of injections into the joint, intramuscular injections, intravenous drips. The drugs are used individually or in combination.
Mineral complexes based on glucosamine and chondroitins - Omega 3 or 6 complexes.
Anti-inflammatory drugs - Rimadyl or Nimesulide.

Along with medications, the animal is prescribed physiotherapeutic procedures.

The most effective are considered:

Ozokerite.
Paraffin therapy.
Massage.
Laser treatment.
Magnetic treatment.

Surgical method

Conservative therapy may not always produce effective results in the treatment of DTS. If the disease has reached the final stages, then surgery is required. The complexity and duration of the operation will depend on the condition of the joint. In some cases, it is enough to remove only a minor cartilage growth inside the joint.

When the joint is severely deformed, then The following types of operations are used:

Osteotomy – correction of the location of the articular fossa and dissection of the bone. The joint takes the correct position. The operation can be performed during the uncomplicated stage of the disease.
Excision of the femoral head and neck. The operation is quite traumatic, and the recovery time after it can be very long. The joint is completely restored after excision, and the dog will be able to move freely without the use of any prostheses.
Endoprosthetics. Used at the last stage of dysplasia. The joint is replaced with an artificial one made of titanium alloy. Prosthetics are used when other methods have failed. After the rehabilitation course the animal continues to lead a normal life and move without pain.
Resection arthroplasty is the resection of a joint to reduce pain. This operation reduces the contact of the glenoid cavity with the head of the joint. After the operation, during movement, the friction of the head against the socket stops, and the animal stops feeling pain. This type of surgery is used for small types of dogs, weighing up to 25 kg.
Myectomy - removal of the pectineus muscle during puppy development. Practice proves that this method does not provide complete treatment, but it can significantly restore the motor function of the joint and reduce lameness.

Disease prevention

The main guarantee of the absence of hip dysplasia in dogs is genetic selection prevention. To get healthy dogs you need to produce mating of healthy parents. Breeders and dog handlers must be most interested in resolving the problem to maintain the health of the dogs being bred.

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

Owners of dog breeds that are predisposed to hip dysplasia most carefully need to monitor the normalization of the animal's daily diet in order to avoid obesity. Excessive weight is an increased load on the joints, which, of course, is a provoking factor in the development of dysplasia.

Important: Reducing caloric intake by reducing the amount of meat consumed and replacing it with carbohydrates is the wrong way. This method will lead to the emergence of new health problems for the animal. Your pet's diet must be designed so that it receives all the minerals, vitamins and substances required for development and growth.

The occurrence of hip dysplasia is significantly influenced by the organization physical activity. Both excessive and insufficient physical activity are harmful to the musculoskeletal system. You should not give a high load while the puppy is growing. At any age, constant running over very long distances is harmful.

When dysplasia is already developing, it is necessary to immediately reduce the time of play and exercise with the animal, as well as limit the load. A sign of excessive stress on the body may be your pet limping after a walk. Experts advise walking dogs with dysplasia on the lawn, excluding walking on asphalt roads. Swimming is beneficial for the animal, since in water the load on the joints is reduced, and other muscle groups receive the required load.

Humidity and cold, which lead to exacerbation of joint diseases, are contraindicated for sick dogs. Dogs with dysplasia must be kept in a dry and warm room, otherwise they will begin to suffer from night pain and aching joints.

Hip dysplasia in dogs, which is genetic, sooner or later affects the animal, despite the preventive measures taken. The main task of the owner is to reduce pain and provide assistance to the sick animal to maintain the dog’s motor activity.

Keeping a dog is a very big responsibility for the owner. Many breeds are susceptible to musculoskeletal diseases. This is especially true for large individuals. Animals with a massive build and heavy weight constantly experience considerable physical stress. Because of this, joint problems often arise. The most common disease is dysplasia. This disease is serious and often has very negative consequences. Therefore, it is important to identify it in time. And to do this, you should know the symptoms of dysplasia in dogs that appear at an early stage, and the features of treatment. This article will tell you about this.

Dysplasia is a rather dangerous disease. Characterized by modification and destruction of articular tissue. This pathology manifests itself as follows. A large gap forms between the head bone and the glenoid cavity. As a result, the bone does not fit properly into the joint. The bone tissues come into contact and begin to rub. The joints thicken, become stratified, and experience high pressure.

Types of dysplasia

All joints can be subject to pressure and friction. However, the heaviest load falls on the hip part. After all, when jumping and running, the animal makes strong pushes and absorbs shock with its hind limbs. Therefore, hip dysplasia in dogs (DH) develops most often. Dysplasia of the elbow and knee joints is also often observed in animals.

Elbow dysplasia in dogs includes several pathologies:

These anomalies occur both individually and in combination. As a rule, both elbow joints are susceptible to destruction.

Risk group

This disease can occur in animals of different breeds, including mixed ones. But most often bilateral hip dysplasia develops in dogs of large build, heavy weight and tall stature. There are a number of breeds that are genetically more susceptible to joint problems.

Thus, the risk group includes the German Shepherd, St. Bernard, Labrador, Malamute, Great Dane, Golden Retriever, and diver.

Reasons for the development of dysplasia

Scientists have proven that hip dysplasia in dogs occurs more often in those individuals whose parents suffered from deformation of the joint tissue. However, this does not mean at all that having a genetic predisposition, the pet will necessarily suffer from this disease. If the animal moves normally and feels well, then the only risk of disease is that the dog will not be suitable for breeding and may quickly tire under severe physical exertion.
Sofa pets often live with this diagnosis into old age.

But you still need to know the dangers of hip dysplasia in dogs, because without treatment, serious consequences can develop. There are often difficulties in movement and constant pain. In advanced stages, even complete immobilization is possible.

There are a number of factors that provoke the development of the disease. These include the following:

What are the symptoms of the disease?

Having considered the types of dysplasia of the hip joints in dogs, knee joints, and elbow joints, it should be noted that the first type is much more common. Therefore, it is important to know how hip dysplasia manifests itself.

Every owner is interested in how to determine dysplasia in dogs at home without the help of veterinarians. An accurate diagnosis can only be made in a veterinary clinic. To do this, a series of examinations are carried out. However, a caring owner is able to independently suspect such an illness in his four-legged friend.

The following are the symptoms of hip dysplasia in dogs that occur in the initial stages:

Over time, the disease begins to progress. The following symptoms are added:

Arthritis.
Atrophy of the muscles of the hind legs.
Aggressive behavior that cannot be explained. Occurs as a result of a constant feeling of pain.
Avoiding touching.

How to treat?

If you suspect dysplasia in your pet, you should contact an experienced specialist as soon as possible. He will conduct a test for dysplasia in dogs and select a suitable treatment regimen. First, the doctor assesses the ease and correctness of movements. Then, by palpation, the presence of deformities is examined. Will take an x-ray. The photo is the most informative. However, it is done under anesthesia.

There are many medications for dysplasia. However, they do not relieve the disease. They just relieve pain and make life easier. It is possible to overcome and prevent the consequences of the disease with the help of surgical intervention. True, the operation is performed only in advanced cases.

Dysplasia in dogs is treated using conservative or surgical methods.

The choice of option depends on the degree of the disease, the age of the animal, its weight and size, as well as the type of dysplasia.

Conservative treatment of hip dysplasia in dogs involves the use of medications and physical therapy. For example, hydrotherapy has a good effect on the condition of the animal. In some cases, massage is also indicated. The owner, in turn, must constantly monitor the weight of his four-legged friend and prevent him from gaining extra pounds. Also ensure that the pet is not exposed to drafts, dampness, or cold.

For severe pain, analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. The choice of drug and dosage is selected individually in each individual case. In this case, the doctor takes into account the presence of chronic diseases in the animal and the general state of health. It is useful to use the following nutritional supplements: green mussel powder, chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine, Omega-3 fatty acids. These elements strengthen bone tissue and stimulate the regeneration of damaged joints. Orthopedic bedding helps stop the development of arthritis and arthrosis.

If hip dysplasia is advanced in dogs, surgery is considered the only correct solution. Surgical treatment is aimed at reducing pain, improving the functioning of the joint, and slowing down the development of osteoarthritis. Surgical methods include myectomy, denervation of the joint capsule, and resection arthroplasty. With a correctly selected method and a competently carried out procedure, no complications arise, the dog begins to feel much better and becomes more energetic and active.