| ALL ABOUT HIPS AND ELBOWS (OFA) |
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 Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) is the most common cause of rear leg
lameness in dogs. CHD results from the abnormal formation of the hip
joint, causing instability and eventual degeneration of the joint.
Eventually, dogs with CHD develop arthritis of the hips which may
lead to crippling of the rear limbs.
Certain breeds of dogs are more prone
to CHD. Large breed dogs such as Saint Bernards, Newfoundlands,
Rottweilers, Golden Retrievers, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and German
Shepherds are genetically predisposed to CHD.
Smaller breed dogs may
also be affected, although they are less likely to show clinical
signs. The cause of CHD is unknown,
although it is believed that rapid development of the skeleton may
predispose dogs to this disease.
Other factors which may contribute
to the development of CHD include diet and heredity. In affected
dogs, the ball of the femur sits loosely in the socket of the hip
and the weight of the dog causes abnormal wear on the joint. |
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Clinical Signs |
Not all dogs with hip dysplasia are affected to the same degree, nor
will all dogs show clinical signs. On the other hand, dogs suffering
from CHD may show signs as early as 4 – 12 months of age. The most
common clinical signs include: pain in the hip, especially when
rising or after resting, limping, a swaying gait, reluctance to
climb stairs and bunny hopping.
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| Diagnosis |
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CHD is best diagnosed with x-rays. In earlier stages, observable
changes seen with x-rays may be very minor. Your veterinarian may
request permission to sedate or anesthetize your pet in order to
obtain the best possible pictures of your dog’s hips. Several
manipulations of the hips are used to diagnose looseness of the hips
and the predisposition towards hip dysplasia. These include the OFA
method, the Penn Hip method, and the Genetic Disease Control method,
which are used to certify breeding dogs and test for joint laxity. Dogs with CHD are evaluated
according to the severity of the x-ray findings. Mild hip dysplasia
is identified in dogs in which the hips merely show evidence of
increased space in the joint. Moderate hip dysplasia is diagnosed
when signs of arthritis are evident, including the flattening of the
ball of the femur or some roughness on the joint surface. Severe
dysplasia shows complete degeneration of the head of the femur and
extreme arthritis of the joint.
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| Treatment |
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Canine Hip Dysplasia cannot be reversed, however, there are a number
of options to alleviate the pain associated with the arthritic
changes. The most common treatment plan includes the use of
non-steroidal anti-inflammatories such as Rimadyl in combination
with an exercise plan. Other medications to promote joint health,
such as Adequan or Chondroitin Sulfate with Glucosamine (Cosequin),
may also be prescribed by your veterinarian. Overweight pets may be
put on special diets to reduce stress on the joints.
In severely affected dogs, surgery
may be recommended. There are a number of surgical procedures which
your veterinarian may discuss or recommend. These include removal of
the ball of the femur, reconstruction of the joint, or replacement
of the head of the femur with a prosthetic.
The best treatment for CHD is
prevention. Prior to obtaining a purebred dog of one of the
predisposed breeds, it is well-advised to request information on the
status of both its parents. If your puppy shows early signs of the
condition, prevention of excessive weight gain may slow the
progression of the disease.
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| Please do not use our website to attempt to diagnose or treat your pet. The consultation with your veterinarian is the best source of health advice for your individual pet. You should not rely, on the veterinary advice or any other information provided on this site for the diagnosis or treatment of any specific condition. You should always consult your own veterinarian for specific advice concerning the medical condition or general treatment of your pet. Günbil German shepherd dogs, worldclassgsd.com and or Günbil German shepherds, accepts no liability related to the veterinary advice and
information provided on this site regarding health matters. |
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