home All hormones Signs of hip dysplasia in puppies. Environmental factors are also important. Conservative treatment method

Signs of hip dysplasia in puppies. Environmental factors are also important. Conservative treatment method

Hip dysplasia in dogs is being reported more and more often. Dogs of large breeds or with large mass body, as this puts stress on the musculoskeletal system. Joints also wear out due to 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 real torture for a four-legged family member.

You can recognize that a dog will have dysplasia at an early age. This allows you to start treatment as early as possible, which will save the dog physical activity long time. How to recognize that a puppy or adult dog Is there a risk of suffering from dysplasia?

Normally (in a healthy animal) the head femur fits perfectly into the hollow of the pelvis, 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 abraded 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 from a veterinarian may arise at the age of six months, but the growth of bone and cartilage tissue ends somewhere in the year and a half.

It is during this period that one can already say for sure whether the dog has problems with musculoskeletal system. But why does hip dysplasia occur in dogs?

Main reason for development hip dysplasia– genetic predisposition. At the genetic level, a tendency to pathologies of the musculoskeletal system is transmitted to the baby.

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

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

Incorrect feeding. Most diseases are caused by improper diet of animals. If the puppy is fed only meat or milk (only protein nutrition) or they give poor quality food, then problems with paws cannot be avoided.
Excess calcium and phosphorus. Yes, these microelements are necessary for a growing body, they strengthen bones and cartilage tissue. However, if you overfeed them, the bone tissue will become “oversaturated” and the cartilaginous 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 burden on the musculoskeletal and muscular system. And if the dog still runs and tries to jump, then problems with the joints cannot be avoided.
Too active training and physical activity. Especially in puppyhood or old age, when bones and joints are vulnerable.
As the exact opposite of the previous point - low activity. If the baby doesn’t go for walks at all, and only goes outside to do his business, then his joints will definitely develop incorrectly.
Injuries, including sprains or sprains. This is why it is so important to ensure that your baby does not run on slippery floors (or on ice outside). 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 (work dogs, sled dogs) are also often affected. What kind of breeds are these? Great Danes, St. Bernards, Newfies, Shepherds, Rottweilers, Labradors and Golden Retrievers, Malamutes, divers and other representatives of the barking family.

Symptoms

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

You can suspect something is wrong if the pet begins to limp or stagger when walking (“slips” 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 it if the animal began to rest often during a walk. He runs less, plays less, and tries more and more to lie down or sit. It is noticeable that physical activity is difficult for him.
There was some stiffness in movements. For example, going down and up the stairs), and sometimes getting up from the floor has become extremely difficult. Even lifting a dog's paw becomes a difficult task.
The dog lies down unusually, spreading its sore legs in different directions. In addition, it is noticeable how the load is transferred from damaged limbs to healthy ones. Therefore, healthy paws become more massive (due to the fact that all the work is redistributed to them), but sick paws, on the contrary, “lose weight”, the muscles atrophy.
With hip dysplasia, the affected joints swell, swell, and become extremely painful when touched and palpated.

Treatment of a dog with dysplasia

Treatment of dysplasia in dogs should begin as early as possible. There are 2 main types of therapy: surgical and drug. And only the veterinarian should decide how to treat the patient. The degree of damage, 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 drugs, vitamins and nutritional supplements that accelerate tissue restoration. It is imperative to review the diet and, if necessary, put the dog on a diet so that he loses excess weight.

Physiotherapy helps relieve painful sensations, relieves inflammation, 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 physical therapy. However, active running and any jumping should be immediately prohibited.

If therapy is powerless or the degree of damage is so severe that no medications or physical procedures will help, then the veterinarian will recommend surgery. Just be sure to take an x-ray before it to assess the severity of the pathology.

Surgery will help correct the size articular surface so that the bones “fit” each other perfectly.

There are 3 ways out of the situation: excision of the head and neck of the femur, osteotomy (changing the articular fossa so that the bone “fits” into it) and endoprosthetics (titanium prosthesis). In any of the above 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 stress your baby, do not force him to 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 with protein foods and increased supply of calcium and phosphorus can harm the growing body.
Don't chase the animal, don't make it jump a lot. And we are talking not only about puppies, but also about adult dogs.
Before adopting a puppy, make sure that a canine dysplasia test (both parents) has been taken and negative result. The breeder must have an official document in his hands, which must contain the mark “A” (there are no pathological changes in 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.

Dysplasia in dogs in most cases is diagnosed during the period puppy age. Large dog breeds are most susceptible to this disorder, due to their large body weight. Due to the massive physique, the hip joints are always subject to additional physical impact, which can trigger the development of pathology. At timely treatment and subsequent preventive methods the disease is completely eliminated, and the dog moves freely. Read more about joint dysplasia in dogs in our article.

Dysplasia in dogs: symptoms, treatment

The disease is a degenerative process that affects joint tissue. With dysplasia, the main disorders occur in the joints located in the elbow and hip.

If therapy is not started in time, there is a high risk of the dog being unable to move in the future. With such a disease, a wide gap appears in the area of the bone head and socket of the joint, which is why the bone begins to lie incorrectly. IN in good condition it is in maximum contact with the joint. Due to the resulting space, bone and joint tissues begin to actively touch and rub against each other. Due to the increased load, the joint is subjected to additional stress and begins to peel and wear out.

The disease is caused by several reasons:

In addition to establishing the cause of the disorder, the specialist also identifies the exact stage of dysplasia. For this there is international classification, according to which the degree of pathology is determined:

Stage 1 (A) – completely healthy joints, the problem in the movement of the individual should be sought for other reasons;
Stage 2 (B) or 3 (C) - the dog periodically experiences mild to severe dislocations;
4 (D) degree – refers to the average, the first structural and degenerative changes in cartilage tissue;
Grade 5 (E) is the most severe stage of the disease. With it there are pronounced destructive processes in tissues, the motor activity of the individual is significantly limited.

Attention! Taking into account which joint was affected by dysplasia, the doctor distinguishes between dislocation of the hip or elbow joint.

Symptoms of dysplasia in a dog

In almost 100% of registered cases, a similar diagnosis was made to young individuals aged from one to one and a half years. The appearance of the disease during this period is due to several reasons, including intensive growth and speed dial weight. Because of this, a huge load is placed on the cartilage tissue, which can trigger a degenerative process. At the first symptoms, you can only notice lameness in the dog, after which other signs of the disease associated with damage to a specific joint - the elbow or hip - are recorded.

Destruction of joint tissue in the elbow area in dogs

With this type of disease, the animal exhibits the following signs of the disease:

lameness is observed only in the front legs, with destruction most often affecting both legs;
when trying to bend a limb, a sick pet feels discomfort and pain, may whine, and show aggression in attempts to touch it;
if the dog is trained, even when given a command, it does not want to give its paw and does not follow direct orders;
On palpation, the joints feel tightness and swelling;
if the pain is severe, the dog refuses to walk or moves extremely slowly, descending the steps becomes almost impossible for the puppy;
X-rays may show delamination of the joint, the tissue becomes flat;
V severe cases the joint simply begins to dangle freely and the individual cannot walk.

Hip destruction

With such a lesion, the disease proceeds for a long time without severe symptoms. But the following signs of dysplasia gradually appear:

while walking, the dog begins to wobble, it is difficult for it to climb stairs or onto any elevated surfaces;
At first, the puppy begins to spend a long time in horizontal position, trying to spread his paws;
walks become tiring, while running the dog tries to push off with both paws, that is, the “rabbit running” syndrome is observed;
when lameness appears, it is diagnosed in the area of the hind limbs; it can affect one paw or both at once;
Given the deterioration of the condition, the puppy moves less and less and may become paralyzed after smoothing of the articular tissue and loosening of the joint.

To learn more about the disease, you can also watch a video about hip dysplasia in dogs.

Video - Dysplasia in dogs

Attention! In some puppies, the first signs of dysplasia can be noticed already at the age of four months, while the paws have not yet become stronger, and the dog is different increased activity. In such cases, treatment begins immediately, since it is impossible to wait until the individual is one year old due to high probability development of osteoarthritis.

Diagnosis of dysplasia in puppies

Confirmation of the diagnosis is carried out in several stages.

First, the doctor conducts an in-person examination, which includes palpation and examination of the diseased limbs. The paw must be bent and unbent to pay attention to whether there are clicking sounds in the joint. Their presence indicates the development of destruction of cartilage tissue.
Appointment of an x-ray, which will allow you to diagnose accurate diagnosis taking into account the wear of the fabric.
Arthroscopy. Maximum informative procedure, which involves insertion into the joint through a puncture of a small chamber. It is carried out only in professional clinics with modern equipment.

Attention! X-rays of dogs are often performed using general anesthesia. You should not be afraid of this and refuse such examination tactics. Since for correct diagnosis It is important to get a clear picture, the dog should be immobilized as much as possible.

Surgical therapy for dysplasia

Surgical treatment methods include several types of operations, each of which has its own characteristics.

Table. Characteristic surgical intervention for dysplasia

Type of operation	Character
Pectineus muscle myectomy	is an excision of the pectineus muscle inside the hip joint; after the operation, pain and discomfort when walking goes away; the physical load on the musculoskeletal system is further reduced
Severing the femoral head	complete removal of the head of the femur; installation in its place of a special ligament that will fix the bone and joint
Method of triple osteotomy of the hip joint	during the operation, the bone with the cavity is first excised; the dissected part is turned over and applied tightly to the joint; the resulting structure is secured using a special titanium plate
Interacetabular osteotomy	the veterinarian removes the sphenoid part of the bone; the bone is applied tightly to the joint; secure the structure with a titanium plate
Total replacement of a diseased joint	the destroyed joint is removed; an artificial one is installed in its place; ensures full mobility for the dog

Drug therapy for dysplasia in dogs

If there is a violation, complex therapy is required, including several types of medications. They are selected taking into account the age of the puppy, the degree of neglect of the disorder and the presence of symptoms of dysplasia.

A drug available in tablet form. It is classified as a chondroprotector, eliminates pain and discomfort when walking, and promotes restoration of joint tissue. It is usually prescribed after 6 years of a dog’s life, but in case of dysplasia it is recommended to include it in the therapy of puppies. The dose must be calculated individually for each animal based on the calculation of 1 tablet per 10 kg of weight. The tablet is crushed taking into account the weight of a particular animal and “Artroglycan” is given in the morning and evening in a selected dose. Duration of treatment is 3 weeks with the possibility of extension.

A drug based on glucosamine and chondroitin. It has a general strengthening effect on the body, restores mobility, and eliminates pain. Often used to treat dysplasia in puppies of any breed. The dose is selected individually. First, the drug is dissolved in water and given with drink, then added to the food. In order not to provoke unwanted reactions, the medication is first given at the rate of 1/10 of the selected daily dose daily for seven days. If well tolerated, the drug is taken in full after a week once a day for 8 weeks.

"Chondroitin complex"

The drug prevents further destruction of joints, starts the regeneration process, and also restores bone tissue. Taken in capsule form for oral administration. The dose for puppies is usually 1 capsule of the drug per day. If necessary, “Chondroitin” is adjusted upward if the destruction is severe and pronounced. The recommended duration of use is 3-8 weeks.

"Chondroitin complex"

A safe antispasmodic used to relieve pain and discomfort when walking. It is taken in tablet form or placed intramuscularly and subcutaneously. When prescribing Papaverine to a puppy, the dosage is 1-3 mg/kg in the morning and evening. The duration of treatment is determined individually for each puppy.

"No-shpa"

It is also an effective antispasmodic, relieving muscle spasms and making it easier for the animal to walk during the active course of therapy. No-shpu can be taken orally or administered by injection subcutaneously or intramuscularly. Dose active substance is 1-3 mg/kg puppy. Take the drug twice a day in an individually selected course of therapy.

"Rimadyl"

Good anti-inflammatory agent non-steroidal group. Taken in the form of liver-flavored tablets. Since the medication is designed specifically for dogs, it is well tolerated by them and shows side effects in exceptional cases. Relieves stiffness and inflammation. The dosage of the medication is selected taking into account the weight of the puppy and is 4 mg/kg. It is recommended to divide the prescribed amount of Rimadyl into morning and evening reception. After a week at successful treatment the amount of the drug is reduced to 2 mg/kg in one or two uses.

Rimadyl is available in various forms

Also a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Relieves stiffness in puppies, eliminates swelling, pain in the affected area, provokes more fast recovery joint tissue. It is taken in tablet form and is well tolerated by puppies. Previcox should not be given only to animals weighing less than 3 kg and up to 10 weeks of age. The dose of the active substance is 5 mg/kg. Accept medicinal product can be a long course. It is also prescribed in the same amount after surgical interventions after eliminating dysplasia for a period of three days.

"Norocarp"

This drug belongs to the narcotic analgesic group and is used to relieve only acute pain syndrome due to dysplasia in severe stages, as well as during the recovery period after surgery on the affected area. Norocarp is administered only by injection subcutaneously or intramuscularly. The dosage is 4 mg/kg daily for an individually selected course of therapy. If necessary, the amount of active substance is reduced to 2 mg/kg, also once a day.

"Norocarp" for injection

Prevention of dysplasia in dogs

To prevent a similar violation in the future or to protect a healthy puppy from possible development dysplasia, it is recommended to adhere to the following recommendations:

the dog must comply balanced diet with sufficient minerals and vitamins;
if necessary, supplement the diet with artificial vitamin complexes, they are accepted in courses;
Puppies should not be exposed to long walks or overloaded, so as not to have an excessive impact on the musculoskeletal system;
At the same time, you cannot avoid walks and keep the dog in a confined space all the time, which contributes to the set excess weight and loads on the knee and pelvis area;
individuals that are distinguished by their large mass due to belonging to large breeds, regardless of the presence of symptoms and weight, up to two years of age must be periodically shown to a veterinarian to evaluate their condition.

Strong physical activity is a guarantee of the absence of degenerative processes in the joint

Attention! Puppies whose dysplasia has been eliminated are at risk of developing other degenerative processes in the musculoskeletal system in the future.

Hip dysplasia or knee joints in puppies - one of the most common diseases, which is provoked for several reasons from genetic predisposition to malnutrition.

Because early signs appear already in the period from 4-12 months of an individual’s life, you should immediately contact a veterinarian to stabilize the animal’s health. With a rapid initiation of therapy, it is possible quite quickly and without the use of invasive methods restore the puppy's joint. In other cases, surgery may be required and long-term use serious medications.

Davydov V.B. veterinarian, candidate of veterinary sciences

The problem of hip dysplasia in dogs was very relevant 10-15 years ago, and currently its spread is associated almost exclusively with inadequate breeding work on animals and untimely culling (not to be confused with euthanasia) of individuals with hip dysplasia. In addition, the increase in the number of dogs with dysplasia in a particular country or even city is associated with an increase in the population of those breeds in which the pathology occurs more often than in others. For example, in the last few years the popularity of Labradors and Golden Retrievers has increased, and accordingly, dysplasia in representatives of this breed has become more common. Also, pathology began to be detected in breeds that appeared relatively recently in Russia, such as the South African Boerboel, Rhodesian Ridgeback, etc.

About the causes of hip dysplasia

Recently, due to the catastrophic spread of the problem and the same catastrophic forms, there is a need to explain the reasons for the development of the problem. All veterinarians of the entire world community have long concluded that hip dysplasia in dogs is a genetically determined disease (i.e., a pathology transmitted hereditarily from parents to offspring). You don’t have to be a doctor to independently understand the correctness of this opinion. Isn't the fact of breed attachment proof of this? Moreover, there are intrabreed lines of dogs where dysplasia is more common than in others. It is immediately necessary to compare this fact with the opinion of the so-called acquired dysplasia or dysplasia associated with repeated injury. Doesn’t it seem strange to you that these “types” of dysplasia occur in representatives of the same breeds and even in the same parental pair. Is it possible to assume that for some reason hip dysplasia is acquired in the offspring of these parents or that for some reason their puppies are more often injured than others. One can imagine a hereditary or familial tendency towards injury - it's just not serious.

Thus, we can conclude that the genetic factor plays an overwhelming role in the occurrence of hip dysplasia in dogs. But in fairness, it should be noted about the factors contributing to the worsening of dysplasia (note the worsening, but not the occurrence) - this is a violation mineral metabolism(lack of diet, incorrect ratio of calcium to phosphorus), early physical activity, disturbances in feeding the puppy, excess protein and calories in general with a deficiency minerals(feeding dry food or large amounts of meat), any other diseases that impair the growth and formation of the dog. If we take the “general” cause of dysplasia as 100%, then the genetic (i.e. hereditary role) is at least 90-95%.

Proof of this can also be the fact that there is no hip dysplasia in outbred dogs (including street dogs, whose diet is not balanced at all), even if the degree of rickets in them is significant. There are no known facts of detection of pathology in mongrel dogs, with the exception of mixed breeds of those breeds that are prone to dysplasia (German, Central Asian and Caucasian Shepherd, retriever, etc.). There are also no known cases of dysplasia occurring after injuries (an issue that is very actively discussed).

What happens in a joint when it has dysplasia?

Due to the mechanical discrepancy between the shape of the femoral head and the acetabulum in which it is located during movement, friction and pressure forces increase on local areas of both components of the joint, while in a healthy joint these forces are distributed evenly. Due to such local overexposure, the cartilage covering the components of the joint is gradually destroyed, involving pathological process and the underlying bone, as well as the lining of the joint (which is accompanied by the appearance of pain and along with it lameness). As the destructive processes continue, the structures of the joint are deformed, and with even longer processes, so-called osteophytes appear, which ultimately deform the joint. Thus, hip dysplasia is not a greater problem than the secondary osteoarthritis that results. And it is precisely to slow down this osteoarthritis that the drug treatment of dogs with this pathology is aimed at.

Signs of dysplasia and age of diagnosis

The degree of destruction of dysplastic joints depends on certain conditions during the period active growth dogs, and is also formed throughout subsequent life. Moreover, the manifestation of dysplasia in a dog is often difficult to predict. Example: a dog with grade D dysplasia does not show any external signs of the disease if there are no factors contributing to its manifestation (only its manifestation, not its creation). At the same time, there are individuals who, even with a severe form of dysplasia, do not show signs of pathology until middle and older age. This happens quite often. You also need to know that two puppies from the same litter (having the same genetic predispositions), but being in different living conditions, can have different clinical picture pathology. By the way, this fact is often used to refute the diagnosis, as an argument not in favor of genetic predisposition, but in fact both puppies were in natural conditions, nose different conditions nutrition and loads.

At the birth of a puppy, there is no dysplasia yet, just as there are no joints as such, but information about the presence or absence of pathology is already “recorded” in the genome (genes) of the dog. Then, as the puppy grows and develops, the joints begin to take shape and it is at this time that dysplasia becomes noticeable (by the way, dysplasia means impaired growth and development). Moreover, dysplasia may begin to manifest itself clinically, with symptoms such as incorrect positioning of the limbs, the ability to lie on the stomach with the pelvic limbs outstretched to the sides, fatigue of the puppy, difficulty getting up on a smooth, slippery floor, preference to lie down or crawl to a goal rather than stand up and get there. “Bunny” running is also often observed, when both pelvic limbs push off the ground at the same time. But at the same time, you need to know that the presence of these symptoms does not at all mean the presence of hip dysplasia, just as an apparently healthy dog can have severe degree pathology. In the latter case, dysplasia remains unnoticed and manifests itself already at the age of 2 or more years in the form of severe osteoarthritis, which cannot be radically corrected either with medication or surgery. This fact is very important, especially when dog handlers postulate the point of view that lameness in adulthood cannot be of dysplasia origin. Hip dysplasia in dogs can occur at any age. If the pathology does not manifest itself in puppyhood (usually mild and moderate degrees of compensated dysplasia), this does not mean that it does not exist. The most common symptom of dysplasia that attracts the attention of owners is lameness. Lameness with dysplasia always occurs due to two reasons: pain in the joint (the period of support is shortened), as well as a violation of biomechanics pelvic limb, which may manifest itself as difficulty moving the limb forward. In the latter case, mixed type lameness will be clinically observed.

It must be taken into account that lameness can increase or decrease as the dog moves. More often, initial lameness is detected (increasing lameness after a period of rest or sleep), and during a walk the lameness may disappear completely. This feature of lameness in dysplasia is associated with the presence of inflammation of the joint membranes, and inflammation, as is known, occurs secondary to osteoarthritis. Thus, we can conclude that the presence of lameness in a puppy or adult dog indicates joint damage and the development of osteoarthritis. However, lameness may also worsen with movement.

In the scientific and other literature, the opinion has been established that the diagnosis of dysplasia should be carried out at the age of 12 months, and for giant breeds even at 18 months. This opinion is motivated by the fact that it is at these ages that the joints are fully formed and a diagnosis can be made. In this case, we are talking about a “legal” diagnosis of hip dysplasia in a dog to determine its breeding suitability, so we know exactly whether the dog has an anomaly and to what extent (in points). But what to do when a puppy has difficulty moving at the age of 4-5 months, leaving him to live up to a year in order to begin treatment is a categorically wrong position. Dysplasia can and should be diagnosed as early as 4-5 months in order to take at least some measures to improve the puppy’s quality of life and prevent the development of secondary osteoarthritis. And in this case we will be talking about a “medical” diagnosis of dysplasia. It is necessary to understand that the degree of dysplasia is “E” with subluxation or dislocation at the age of 4-5 months. there is no way to become a “C” or “B” grade in 12 months. The degree of dysplasia fluctuates in small pathological amplitudes, you shouldn’t even hope, precious time will be lost, the time when the dog responds better and faster to treatment (conservative or surgical).

About X-ray testing for hip dysplasia in dogs

In the previous section of the article, the issue of the age of the first X-ray when diagnosing dysplasia was already mentioned, so the conclusion is this: X-rays should be taken in the following cases (regardless of age):

1. A puppy of almost any breed will exhibit the symptoms mentioned above;

2. The puppy belongs to the category of breeds prone to this pathology and has at least the slightest hint of dysplasia;

3. The pathology was detected in puppies of the same litter, or in puppies of other litters, but from the same parents;

In this work, I will not dwell on the details of the position of the animal during radiography - this is an exclusively medical task, but such a diagnostic moment - such as filming under anesthesia - requires some clarification. It is known that the diagnosis of dysplasia is made on the basis of several parameters assessed by point system. So one of the parameters - “Index of insertion of the femoral head into the acetabulum” completely depends on the degree of relaxation of the limbs and, if the dog is tense during the photo, then the femoral head enters the socket deeper and when assessing this parameter it will turn out to be less pronounced than it actually is in fact. This will make the dog's level of dysplasia appear "better" (milder) than it actually is. In this regard, it is necessary to understand that the degree of dysplasia diagnosed without anesthesia will turn out to be more serious under anesthesia, but not milder. For example, if without anesthesia the degree of dysplasia is “C2”, then under anesthesia it may well be “D”, but not “C1” or “B”. Moreover, if, regardless of the degree of dysplasia, the puppy already shows signs of secondary osteoarthritis, the degree of manifestation of which has nothing to do with the presence or absence of anesthesia. So detailed explanation This issue is due to the fact that dog handlers, not understanding the essence of diagnosis, often state that if the picture was taken without anesthesia, then the diagnosis is not correct and with anesthesia there will be no dysplasia at all. In terms of incorrectness I partly agree, but in terms of diagnosis I agree with accuracy, but vice versa.

About the “treatment” and “prevention” of dysplasia

There is no cure for hip dysplasia as such, but there are a number of options therapeutic measures, which allow you to stop or slow down the implementation of dysplasia in secondary osteoarthritis.

There are two such directions:

1. Conservative treatment (medicines, physiotherapy, classical homeopathy (not homotoxicological drugs from HEEL). Drug treatment includes the use of chondroprotectors: intravenously, into the muscle and into the joint, the latter method is the most effective, but requires visits to veterinarian. In the presence of secondary osteoarthritis, especially in the formation of osteophytes, resorption therapy in the form of intra-articular injections is used. For the treatment of homeopathic medicines, mandatory medical individualization is required, i.e. selection of constitutional remedy and representatives different breeds dogs, as well as individuals of the same breed, can be used for dysplasia different means. In addition, inept prescribing of homeopathic medicines can lead to uncontrollable situations. In this connection, the names of these funds are not given in this article. Physiotherapy includes exposure of the joint to laser, electromagnetic radiation, and heating (paraffin, ozokerite). The use of devices, especially laser ones, requires caution, since in some cases they can have an aggravating effect, as well as lead to destructive processes in the subhodral bone of the joint, and therefore require medical supervision. Physiotherapy can also include therapeutic exercises such as swimming.

About the use of the drug Rimadyl

The use of this remedy for dysplasia in dogs is associated exclusively with one goal - to achieve the speedy elimination or reduction of lameness as the main problem of the animal. From the perspective of a veterinary amateur, the goal may be quite justified, but with scientific point From a perspective, the use of this remedy is extremely undesirable. The creation and promotion of this drug in veterinary medicine is associated with the main strategy for the treatment of chronic diseases abroad, which is based on symptomatic and palliative care(ie, relief of symptoms and temporary relief without attempting to influence the osteoarthritis process itself). In the vast majority of cases, a dog with dysplasia abroad will be prescribed the following treatment: special dry food and Rimadyl tablets (for life!!!) or hydrocortisone injections, of course, if surgery for some reason it does not apply. What is the harm of such treatment? It consists in the fact that lameness in an animal or a person, in fact, is a protection against excessive load on the limb, since dysplasia is realized in osteoarthritis precisely under active loads. For clarity, I will give an example. Imagine a car engine that, due to incorrect operation, makes loud noises, knocking, etc. Any car enthusiast (and not only) knows that the more you drive such a car, the more irreversible the changes in the engine will be. Now you have decided to repair it, but the car mechanic suggests that you not repair the engine, but close your ears so as not to hear knocking (knocking and noises are lameness, and cotton swabs in the ears are Rimadyl). I think no comments are required on this comparison. Taking off only extreme symptom pathology - lameness, we allow the dog to fully load the limb, which will lead to the acceleration and aggravation of secondary osteoarthritis. In addition, the use of this drug may cause serious gastrointestinal diseases, although it is better tolerated than other anti-inflammatory drugs.

On the use of “homeopathic” homotoxicological drugs

Zeel, Traumel, Discus com.

The effectiveness of these drugs is clearly exaggerated by veterinarians, who prescribe them wherever possible if pathology is detected in the limbs or spine. The merit of these drugs lies solely in discrediting classical (unistic) homeopathy, which in its monovariant, individually selected, is an excellent addition to the main treatment of a dog at any stage of osteoarthritis and degree of dysplasia. There are several reasons here (more precisely, a lot), I will give only one of the main ones: the use of several (even two) similar homeopathic medicines leads to antidotation or distortion of the action of each of them separately. Example, lack of action of the above complex of means, but clear positive effect when using one of the drugs included in this complex, but in a single variant. It is also important to know that homeopathic medicines should be used exclusively orally (per os) and the creation of injectable forms is nothing more than a perversion of homeopathic doctrine in order to popularize these remedies among veterinarians (the same doctors who do not accept classical homeopathy). Although the use of these drugs does not have such a detrimental effect on the body as Rimadyl, you should not hope for a stable condition of the dog. The effect will only be symptomatic.

In this article there is no need to outline all aspects of the contradiction of homotoscological drugs to the basic principles of classical homeopathy (there are too many of them), the reader just needs to know the basic provisions.

About the use of supplements containing glucosamine and chondroetin

The use of supplements containing glucosamine and chondroetin (Gelacan, Stride, etc.) cannot have a negative effect in any way; moreover, they are indicated for joint dysplasia and secondary osteoarthritis. But you need to know several aspects related to them. Supplements are often prescribed by the breeders themselves and are recommended by them for the prevention of dysplasia in puppyhood, but dysplasia is a pathology that has genetic inheritance and none!! feeding cannot stop it if the pathology is programmed. Negative side The question is the owners' hope for feeding and inaction during the period of active growth of the puppy, while the puppy no longer needs glucosamine, but the proper amount and balanced intake of drugs containing calcium and phosphorus. And this is the main mistake. When a dog already has osteoarthritis, supplements containing glucosamine cannot replace its injectable counterpart.

In young, growing dogs, in which the development of dysplasia is already genetically predetermined, osteoarthritis (destructive processes in the joint) gradually progresses, which manifests itself more intensely the greater the load the dog has. Jumping, running for many kilometers, active games with healthy dogs, they create microtrauma to an immature joint, which enhances the development of pathology, manifested by lameness. The destruction of the dysplasia joint is further enhanced if the dog is overweight. But it is important to note that exactly the same (or even greater) load on the growing healthy dog will never lead to the development of dysplasia.

During the period of active growth for puppies (up to 6-7 months), especially breeds prone to hip dysplasia, exercise is contraindicated. Excessive load while the components of the joint are not yet formed (shape of the joint, ligamentous apparatus) can lead to a more severe form of osteoarthritis, especially if dysplasia in one form or another is present. Overload means walking for many hours, running a dog after a bicycle, “harnessing” a dog to a sled, etc., which lead to visible fatigue of the puppy. Only after making sure of the consistency of the musculoskeletal system, starting from 6-7 months. you can gradually increase the load, observing the dog’s reaction. If any signs of illness appear, it is better to consult a veterinarian. There are no restrictions on a dog swimming in a pond at any age.

About the nutrition of a dog with dysplasia

There are reports that reducing the caloric intake of puppies will reduce growth rate, which may prevent the development of hip dysplasia. As a result of such recommendations, owners reduce the amount of protein in the diet and increase the level of carbohydrates. From such a diet there is nothing except, new problem will not work and, more importantly, avoid excess weight. Limiting protein to a growing body can lead to irreparable consequences (including worsening programmed dysplasia). A puppy needs a highly nutritious diet, mostly meat, you just need to control excess weight.

2. Surgical procedures (resection arthroplasty, total endoprosthetics, triple pelvic osteotomy, as well as pectinectomy and myoplasty of the biceps femoris muscle as palliative measures).

Excision arthroplasty (removal of the femoral head).

The essence of the operation is to remove the head and neck of the femur. Thus, hip dysplasia of any severity cannot develop into osteoarthritis, since there is no destructible component of the joint (femoral head).

The operation is recommended in cases where grade D or E dysplasia is detected, with subluxation or complete dislocation of the femoral head, as well as in the presence of signs of secondary osteoarthritis. The operation can and even preferably be performed at the age of 4-5 months, since it is in puppyhood that it is better tolerated and rehabilitation occurs faster. In addition, with degrees of dysplasia D and E with subluxation at the age of 4-5 months. at the age of 10-12 months. More severe forms of osteoarthritis will already be observed, which will greatly complicate recovery after surgery. The disadvantages of this operation include a relatively long recovery period. This is due to the fact that after the operation, the pelvic limb is stabilized only by a thickened capsule and muscles stabilizing the joint, and this may take time. But an important advantage of this method is the ability to “forget” about the existence of dysplasia (of course, after rehabilitation of the limb) for the entire life of the dog; moreover, there are practically no restrictions on physical activity for life. It is also important that during this operation no artificial components remain in the body.

Triple pelvic osteotomy

The operation consists of giving surgically the acetabular component of the hip joint has a more correct angle, which consists of intersecting the three pelvic bones (iliac, pubic and ischial), followed by fixation of the sawn segment (iliac) with a Z-shaped plate. The operation is actually extra-articular, i.e. The hip joint itself is not affected. Performed on dogs aged 5 months and older. But it is recommended optimal age 9-10 months since at this age the intensity of growth of the bone apparatus sharply decreases, but at the same time the processes of formation and regeneration skeletal system still high. Puppies tolerate this operation better and recover faster. The operation is ineffective when severe forms dysplasia, especially with secondary osteoarthritis, which significantly reduces its applicability. In general, the presence of osteoarthritis in hip dysplasia reduces the effectiveness of this surgical procedure. A disadvantage of triple pelvic osteotomy is also the narrowing pelvic cavity, which can lead to dysfunction of the pelvic organs (rectum, Bladder). In addition, after this operation, the amplitude of abduction of the pelvic limb to the side decreases.

Total hip replacement

The operation consists of a complete replacement of both the acetabular and femoral components of the hip joint with a prosthesis (titanium alloy, polymer). The operation is indicated for severe forms of pathology; if performed correctly and the implant has good compatibility, it gives good results and this is certainly an important advantage. But even with a high-quality operation, the body’s reaction to the prosthesis is partly unpredictable. There are aspects of the success of an operation that cannot be predicted.

Dysplasia in dogs is in most cases diagnosed during puppyhood. Large dog breeds are most susceptible to this disorder, due to their large body weight. Due to the massive physique, the hip joints are always subject to additional physical stress, which can trigger the development of pathology. With timely treatment and subsequent preventive methods, the disease is completely eliminated, and the dog moves freely. Read more about joint dysplasia in dogs in our article.

Dysplasia in dogs: symptoms, treatment

The disease is a degenerative process that affects joint tissue. With dysplasia, the main disorders occur in the joints located in the elbow and hip.

If therapy is not started in time, there is a high risk of the dog being unable to move in the future. With such a disease, a wide gap appears in the area of the bone head and socket of the joint, which is why the bone begins to lie incorrectly. In its normal state, it is in maximum contact with the joint. Due to the resulting space, bone and joint tissues begin to actively touch and rub against each other. Due to the increased load, the joint is subjected to additional stress and begins to peel and wear out.

The disease is caused by several reasons:

In addition to establishing the cause of the disorder, the specialist also identifies the exact stage of dysplasia. For this purpose, there is an international classification, according to which the degree of pathology is determined:

Stage 1 (A) – completely healthy joints, the problem in the movement of the individual should be sought for other reasons;
Stage 2 (B) or 3 (C) - the dog periodically experiences mild to severe dislocations;
4 (D) degree – refers to medium, the first structural and degenerative changes in cartilage tissue are observed;
Grade 5 (E) is the most severe stage of the disease. With it, pronounced destructive processes in tissues are observed, and the individual’s motor activity is significantly limited.

Attention! Taking into account which joint was affected by dysplasia, the doctor distinguishes between dislocation of the hip or elbow joint.

Symptoms of dysplasia in a dog

In almost 100% of registered cases, a similar diagnosis was made to young individuals aged from one to one and a half years. The appearance of the disease during this period is due to several reasons, including intensive growth and rapid weight gain. Because of this, a huge load is placed on the cartilage tissue, which can trigger a degenerative process. At the first symptoms, you can only notice lameness in the dog, after which other signs of the disease associated with damage to a specific joint - the elbow or hip - are recorded.

Destruction of joint tissue in the elbow area in dogs

With this type of disease, the animal exhibits the following signs of the disease:

lameness is observed only in the front legs, with destruction most often affecting both legs;
when trying to bend a limb, a sick pet feels discomfort and pain, may whine, and show aggression in attempts to touch it;
if the dog is trained, even when given a command, it does not want to give its paw and does not follow direct orders;
On palpation, the joints feel tightness and swelling;
if the pain is severe, the dog refuses to walk or moves extremely slowly, descending the steps becomes almost impossible for the puppy;
X-rays may show delamination of the joint, the tissue becomes flat;
in severe cases, the joint simply begins to dangle freely and the individual cannot walk.

Hip destruction

With such a lesion, the disease proceeds for a long time without pronounced symptoms. But the following signs of dysplasia gradually appear:

while walking, the dog begins to wobble, it is difficult for it to climb stairs or onto any elevated surfaces;
At first, the puppy begins to spend a long time in a horizontal position, trying to spread its paws;
walks become tiring, while running the dog tries to push off with both paws, that is, the “rabbit running” syndrome is observed;
when lameness appears, it is diagnosed in the area of the hind limbs; it can affect one paw or both at once;
Given the deterioration of the condition, the puppy moves less and less and may become paralyzed after smoothing of the articular tissue and loosening of the joint.

To learn more about the disease, you can also watch a video about hip dysplasia in dogs.

Video - Dysplasia in dogs

Attention! In some puppies, the first signs of dysplasia can be noticed already at the age of four months, while the paws are not yet strong, and the dog is characterized by increased activity. In such cases, treatment begins immediately, since it is impossible to wait until the individual is one year old due to the high probability of developing osteoarthritis.

Diagnosis of dysplasia in puppies

Confirmation of the diagnosis is carried out in several stages.

First, the doctor conducts an in-person examination, which includes palpation and examination of the diseased limbs. The paw must be bent and unbent to pay attention to whether there are clicking sounds in the joint. Their presence indicates the development of destruction of cartilage tissue.
Prescribing an x-ray, which will allow you to make an accurate diagnosis, taking into account the deterioration of the tissue.
Arthroscopy. The most informative procedure involves inserting a small chamber into the joint through a puncture. It is carried out only in professional clinics with modern equipment.

Attention! X-rays in dogs are often performed using general anesthesia. You should not be afraid of this and refuse such examination tactics. Since it is important to obtain a clear image for a correct diagnosis, the dog should be immobilized as much as possible.

Surgical therapy for dysplasia

Surgical treatment methods include several types of operations, each of which has its own characteristics.

Table. Characteristics of surgical intervention for dysplasia

Type of operation	Character
Pectineus muscle myectomy	is an excision of the pectineus muscle inside the hip joint; after the operation, pain and discomfort when walking goes away; the physical load on the musculoskeletal system is further reduced
Severing the femoral head	complete removal of the head of the femur; installation in its place of a special ligament that will fix the bone and joint
Method of triple osteotomy of the hip joint	during the operation, the bone with the cavity is first excised; the dissected part is turned over and applied tightly to the joint; the resulting structure is secured using a special titanium plate
Interacetabular osteotomy	the veterinarian removes the sphenoid part of the bone; the bone is applied tightly to the joint; secure the structure with a titanium plate
Total replacement of a diseased joint	the destroyed joint is removed; an artificial one is installed in its place; ensures full mobility for the dog

Drug therapy for dysplasia in dogs

"Chondroitin complex"

"No-shpa"

It is also an effective antispasmodic, relieving muscle spasms and making it easier for the animal to walk during the active course of therapy. No-shpu can be taken orally or administered by injection subcutaneously or intramuscularly. The dose of the active substance is 1-3 mg/kg puppy. Take the drug twice a day in an individually selected course of therapy.

"Rimadyl"

A good non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Taken in the form of liver-flavored tablets. Since the medication is designed specifically for dogs, it is well tolerated and shows side effects in exceptional cases. Relieves stiffness and inflammation. The dosage of the medication is selected taking into account the weight of the puppy and is 4 mg/kg. It is recommended to divide the prescribed amount of Rimadyl into morning and evening doses. After a week, if treatment is successful, the amount of the drug is reduced to 2 mg/kg in one or two uses.

Rimadyl is available in various forms

Also a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Relieves stiffness in puppies, eliminates swelling and pain in the affected area, and provokes faster restoration of joint tissue. It is taken in tablet form and is well tolerated by puppies. Previcox should not be given only to animals weighing less than 3 kg and up to 10 weeks of age. The dose of the active substance is 5 mg/kg. You can take the drug for a long course. It is also prescribed in the same amount after surgical interventions after eliminating dysplasia for a period of three days.

"Norocarp"

This drug belongs to the narcotic analgesic group and is used to relieve only acute pain due to dysplasia in severe stages, as well as during the recovery period after surgery on the affected area. Norocarp is administered only by injection subcutaneously or intramuscularly. The dosage is 4 mg/kg daily for an individually selected course of therapy. If necessary, the amount of active substance is reduced to 2 mg/kg, also once a day.

"Norocarp" for injection

Prevention of dysplasia in dogs

To prevent such a violation in the future or to protect a healthy puppy from the possible development of dysplasia, it is recommended to adhere to the following recommendations:

the dog must follow a balanced diet with sufficient minerals and vitamins;
if necessary, supplement the diet with artificial vitamin complexes, they are taken in courses;
Puppies should not be exposed to long walks or overloaded, so as not to have an excessive impact on the musculoskeletal system;
At the same time, you cannot avoid walking and keep the dog in a confined space all the time, which contributes to excess weight gain and stress on the knee and pelvic area;
individuals that are large due to their belonging to large breeds, regardless of the presence of symptoms and weight, must be periodically shown to a veterinarian for up to two years of age to assess their condition.

Strong physical activity is a guarantee of the absence of degenerative processes in the joint

Attention! Puppies whose dysplasia has been eliminated are at risk of developing other degenerative processes in the musculoskeletal system in the future.

Hip or knee dysplasia in puppies is one of the most common diseases, which is provoked for several reasons, from genetic predisposition to poor nutrition.

Since early signs appear already in the period from 4-12 months of an individual’s life, you should immediately contact a veterinarian to stabilize the animal’s health. If therapy is started quickly, it is possible to restore the puppy’s joint quite quickly and without the use of invasive methods. In other cases, surgery and long-term use of serious medications may be required.

And some of them may be congenital.

Not only mongrels, but also purebred animals suffer from various “diseases,” so it is important to know what diseases a particular breed is predisposed to. Today we will tell you about hip dysplasia.

Let's talk about how dangerous this disease is, whether it is inherited, and whether it can be cured.

general information

Let's start with what dysplasia is in order to further understand what we are talking about and how serious it is. Hip dysplasia is a disease of the musculoskeletal system, which is expressed in the underdevelopment of the acetabulum of the hip joint.

Such a definition does not mean anything to those who do not have a medical education, so let’s figure out what exactly the problem is. The fact is that the femur at the end, which is attached to the pelvis, has a rounded process.

This process fits into the corresponding cavity in the pelvis so that the bone does not come out of the cavity during movement. With dysplasia, not only the cavity is deformed, but also the “tip” itself pelvic bone, as a result of which “the puzzle does not fit,” that is, the bone does not stay in the cavity and falls out of it when moving.

Causes and risk group

The disease cannot be called simple, as it turns any purebred dog into a disabled person in the literal sense of the word. The animal cannot compete, participate in hunting or actively spend leisure time. In this regard, it is worth understanding why dysplasia appears and whether it is associated with certain breeds.

Unfortunately, there are breeds for which underdevelopment of the hip joint is the norm.

These breeds include the following:

chow-chow;

As you may have noticed, the disease mainly manifests itself in large breeds, which are characterized by the presence of considerable body weight, which is supported by the limbs.

However, it cannot be said that dysplasia is hereditary disease or appears in certain breeds.

There are many reasons why underdevelopment appears, namely:

Separately, it is worth mentioning that the disease can be inherited, therefore healthy puppy who eats properly and gets enough physical activity, may still suffer from this problem.

Did you know? Scientists have proven that although dysplasia is inherited, ecology plays a significant role. Moreover, all puppies are born with healthy joints, regardless of heredity, and the initial chance of developing the disease does not exceed 40%.

Signs

Next, we’ll look at how dysplasia manifests itself in dogs and at what age it can be detected. A specialist can diagnose the disease as early as 12 months of a puppy’s life, but dysplasia only appears at the age of 2-2.5 years.

A sick dog has the following symptoms:

Important! Puppies with dysplasia can adopt a frog position on their belly when resting to get as much weight off of their hindquarters as possible.

In this case, only a few symptoms may appear, which makes it quite difficult to identify the disease at first at home. Due to fatigue, an animal may place its paws differently, or begin to limp due to damage to a limb during a walk.

Therefore, only those owners who know firsthand about the disease can immediately identify it in an animal.

Diagnostics

Since this is a bone-related disease, diagnosis is carried out using X-rays. Based on the image, the specialist diagnoses not only the presence or absence of dysplasia, but can also indicate the degree of deformation of the joint.

Diagnostics are carried out exclusively under general anesthesia so that the pictures are of good quality. IN in rare cases The veterinarian may request an arthroscopy to confirm the diagnosis.

Arctroscopy is surgery, during which a small incision is made, after which an arthroscope is inserted into it to examine the joint. The mini-camera shows the condition of the joint, as well as the surrounding tissues.

Did you know? Puppies may react inappropriately to your smile because showing their teeth is perceived by them as a sign of aggression.

However, it is worth clarifying that such operations are carried out very rarely, as they require modern equipment and a considerable amount of money from the dog owner.
Hip dysplasia in dogs differs not only in symptoms, but also in severity, so after examination, the doctor may classify the problem into one of the following categories:

A - no deviations were detected;
B - there is a predisposition to joint degradation;
C - initial stage;
D - moderate dysplasia;
E - severe form.

Next, based on the diagnosis, appropriate treatment is prescribed, which should relieve the pet of the problem or improve its condition.

How to help your pet: treatment

The disease is not incurable, so you need to figure out what ways there are to rid your animal of this problem. Let's discuss the main treatment options.

It’s worth saying right away that drug treatment for hip dysplasia in dogs will never give 100% results, since each individual body reacts differently to drugs, and it is impossible to correct bones with medications.
From this we can conclude that drug treatment makes sense in the case when the animal has been diagnosed light form diseases. Let's start with the fact that they are used for treatment special drugs- chondroprotectors that are used in complex therapy joint diseases.

At the same time, your veterinarian may prescribe homeopathic medications that are suitable specifically for your breed. Anti-inflammatory drugs are mandatory.

Since the disease is difficult to tolerate due to the presence of pain, a specialist prescribes painkillers. Physiotherapy is used for treatment, namely: laser and electromagnetic radiation, as well as warming up the joint using various means.

It is worth mentioning separately food additives. To strengthen bone tissue, as well as speed up its regeneration, the drugs Glucosamine and Chondroitin are prescribed. All medications are prescribed exclusively by a veterinarian.

If you don’t like something, then consult another specialist, but under no circumstances start treating with what you are offered at the pharmacy. The problem is that you will be recommended a medicine that, as they say, will “get your dog back on his feet,” but it’s not that simple.
The drug is symptomatic, that is, it does not cure, but simply removes the symptoms. Your animal will stop limping and become happier, but the problem will not go away.

As a result of regular use of the drug (and there is no other way), the animal’s joint will degrade more and more every day, and dysplasia will intensify. Needless to say how it will all end.

Surgical intervention

Surgery is the only option for those animals that have been diagnosed with a severe form of the disease, as drug treatment can only suppress symptoms.

There are several operations that can restore normal mobility to an animal:

excisional arthroplasty;
triple osteotomy;
total joint replacement.

Excisional arthroplasty. The operation involves removing the head of the femur, which eliminates friction on the pelvis and, accordingly, destruction bone tissue are suppressed.

Such an operation is performed only when moderate or severe dysplasia is diagnosed, since in a mild form surgical intervention will not be justified.
After the operation you should long rehabilitation, since the femur is supported only by muscles and tendons, however, after surgical intervention the animal forever forgets about such a problem, and after the end rehabilitation period may not deny himself physical activity.

Important! The operation does not involve placing implants into the dog's body.

Triple osteotomy. The idea is that the surgeon shapes the socket so that it is in safe contact with the head of the femur. In order to prevent destruction of the pelvic bones, the specialist implants a special plate.

It should be said right away that such an operation is performed only if the animal has a mild form in which there is no secondary osteoarthritis (cartilage dysfunction in the joint).

Such an operation can disrupt the functioning of organs abdominal cavity due to the narrowing of the pelvic cavity, which is worth thinking about before undergoing surgery.

Total endoprosthetics. The name itself suggests that prosthetics will be implanted. Subject to prosthetics top part the femur along with the rounded process, as well as the acetabulum, which provides a solution to all problems. The prostheses are made from an alloy of titanium and polymer so that the “inserts” are reliable and sufficiently mobile.
However, it is worth noting that not every animal is suitable for such surgery, since the dog’s body can react unpredictably to such large implants.

Important! Operations are performed only on young animals.

Nutrition and care

We should not forget that a sick animal must be provided with appropriate conditions in order to achieve recovery or speedy rehabilitation after surgery.

The animal needs a large amount of proteins, vitamins, minerals and trace elements, but it is necessary to control the dog’s weight in order to prevent obesity, which will negatively affect the sore joint.

It is important to remember that you cannot put your dog on a strict diet, as you will only worsen his condition. A sick animal needs a sufficient amount of calories, and the food itself must be natural and healthy.

Important! Eliminate foods that contain predominantly fat from your diet.

Care. Dysplasia does not put an end to motor activity animal, so you need to force your pet to move so that its muscles do not atrophy, and the additional blood flow improves the nutrition of the limbs.

Examine the animal daily in order to detect any disease or abnormality in time. Since the dog’s body is weakened by the existing problem, there is a risk of other diseases associated with the abdominal organs, nervous system, or infection.

Remember that to maintain mental health pet, you need to communicate with it regularly, and also go out to short walks. An animal experiences the same emotions as we do, so think about it.

What not to do

Prevention

A balanced diet, which implies the presence of a large number of microelements. It is especially important that the puppy has enough healthy and nutritious food at an early age.
Lack of stress at an early age. Any heavy load on underdeveloped limbs causes the appearance of microcracks, which eventually develop into disease.
Selection work. It is important to understand that if your dog is diagnosed with dysplasia, it is better to castrate or sterilize him so that the genes are not passed on to descendants who will suffer from this disease.

Did you know? Dogs have no sense of time, so they navigate according to their own biological clock. This means that the animal will never remember the time of feeding or walking, but hunger and natural need will work “like clockwork.”

Now you know what this disease is and for what reason it appears in dogs. Dysplasia in puppies is treated much faster than in adult animals, so it is important to pay attention to the symptoms. Remember that a sick pet needs your warmth and care much more than any medications or surgeries.