Medications for hip dysplasia in dogs. Dysplasia in dogs: symptoms and treatment. Treatment methods for DTB

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 on early stage, treatment features. This article will tell you about this.

Dysplasia is quite 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. That's why hip dysplasia in dogs (tbs) 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 dysplasia develops hip joints 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 they can develop serious consequences. There are often difficulties in movement, there is constant pain. On 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 looked at the types of hip dysplasia in dogs, knee joints, elbow joints, it should be noted that the first variety 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 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:

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

How to treat?

If you suspect dysplasia in your pet, you should contact the experienced specialist. 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 weight gain. 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 chronic diseases in an animal, general state health. It is useful to use the following nutritional supplements: green mussel powder, chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine, fatty acid Omega-3. 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 mobile.

Dysplasia in dogs is in most cases diagnosed during puppyhood. The breeds most susceptible to damage are large dogs, which is related to their large mass bodies. 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 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 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, on cartilage tissue there is a huge burden that can provoke 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 long time proceeds 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 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 the high probability of developing osteoarthritis.

Diagnosis of dysplasia in puppies

Confirmation of the diagnosis is carried out in several stages.

1. 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.
2. Prescribing an x-ray, which will allow you to make an accurate diagnosis, taking into account the deterioration of the tissue.
3. 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 in 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. 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

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. 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 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 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 in 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 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. 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 and long-term use of serious medications may be required.

A lot depends on the condition of the musculoskeletal system in pets. For example, their well-being and ability to actively move in games. If there is something wrong with your dog's legs, his health will rapidly deteriorate. Hip dysplasia is especially unpleasant. In this case, the disease can lead to complete deprivation of animals.

It is impossible to talk about dysplasia if the interlocutor does not understand the structural features of the hip joint in dogs. Without going into anatomical details, this joint is formed by a depression in the pelvic bones and the spherical head of the femur. Moreover, the head is connected to the acetabulum by a particularly strong ligament called the “round” ligament.

The joint capsule provides additional stability to this connection. The area where the bones actually touch each other is called the articular surface.

These areas are covered with a layer of hyaline cartilage, which provides low level friction and “smooth” operation of the joint. In addition, synovial fluid acts as a natural lubricant, the same cartilage is responsible for its production. It is held in place by the joint capsule. When all elements of the system work as expected, the joint functions normally.

What is dysplasia? If we decipher this term, “tying” it to damage to the joints, then this is an inflammatory-degenerative disease of unknown origin. As a result, the joint “softens” and the bones that form it lose reliable contact with each other. This pathological condition can also be called "subluxation".

Note that this disease it is almost never congenital. The pathology develops gradually, imperceptibly, which is why the vivid manifestation of its symptoms often comes as a “surprise” to the animal’s owners. Contrary to popular belief, dysplasia in dogs is not in all cases bilateral. But if you do nothing and do not treat your pet in any way, the pathology may well become bilateral.

Symptoms and first signs of dysplasia

Hypothetically, animals can get sick at any age. There is a certain breed predisposition, but there is practically no gender and age gradation.

Many cases have been described in which puppies began to get sick at the age of 5 - 6 months maximum. The first signs that something is wrong are a “confused” and unsteady gait, accompanied by strong painful sensations. If nothing is done, these “lucky ones” may be unable to walk by the age of one year. In most cases, symptoms appear from the age of six or seven.

The problem is that in old dogs the picture of dysplasia is often mistaken for or, when starting to treat them precisely for these pathologies. And only after a couple of months, when there are no visible improvements, a full medical checkup, revealing the real reason serious condition animal.

During this time, naturally, pathological process only “gaining momentum”, as a result of which the “driving” qualities of the pet are greatly deteriorated.

• The gait of dogs with the disease changes greatly: it becomes rolly and shaky.
• If a sick dog is slightly pushed in the croup area, he can easily fall.
• As a rule, the animal's limbs do not bend, which makes it extremely difficult for him to climb up the stairs. This gait is sometimes called the “rabbit gait” because dogs actually walk in a manner that resembles a giant rabbit (or rather a frog).
• In more moderate cases, dogs have difficulty moving in the morning, since “undeveloped” joints respond with pain to any attempt to get up and walk. But the further you go, the longer the periods of “numbness” become.

Many owners of relatively older animals attribute all this to the consequences of their pets’ decrepit body, but this is wrong.

Remember that even an old dog, even if it may be difficult for her to jump and gallop, should not experience pain from basic physical activity.

If your dog experiences suffering when trying to walk “big”, if he falls to the floor from the slightest push, then this is in any case not normal (and at any age). The worst thing is that over time, the muscles that allow the pet to move seriously atrophy. This, as is easy to understand, leads to sharp deterioration condition of the dog.

Read also: Coronavirus in dogs: details about the disease, diagnosis and treatment

Predisposing factors: breed predisposition

This disease has a certain breed predisposition.

• The representatives most often affected by hip dysplasia are: large and giant varieties of dogs. In German Shepherds, the disease develops more often.
• With a considerable number of greyhounds in kennels, it turns out that almost all of them either do not suffer from dysplasia, or get sick, but extremely rarely and in fairly mild forms.
• Dysplasia is detected even less frequently in dogs of small breeds and “middle breeds”.

Purebred pets are most susceptible to pathology. If your dog is a “product” of crossing two predisposed breeds (which were described above), then the likelihood of him developing the disease increases by several orders of magnitude.

Yard watchdogs get it extremely rarely. All this is a consequence of accumulation genetic pathologies in a population of purebred animals. This happens both for objective reasons (the linkage of “bad” genes with the necessary breed characteristics) and because of the negligence of breeders who allow defective dogs to be bred.

Nutritional factors

Taking into account many years of observations by veterinarians from all over the world, we can draw a logical conclusion: the more calories an animal consumes per day, the higher the likelihood of developing hip dysplasia.

In addition, experiments have clearly proven that obesity increases the risk of the disease by approximately 1.7 times. This is quite logical: the greater the mass per joint, the faster it will wear out and the stronger its predisposition to subsequent destruction.

In dogs of giant and large breeds that are obese, the risk of developing is markedly increased. Please note that the consequences of obesity in giants are much more serious: for example, at the age of 6 - 7 years, an overly “well-fed” dog can easily die from the cardiovascular system, although otherwise he could have lived up to ten years or more.

Another predisposing factor is more “physiological”: the problem is that puppies aged 3 to 9 months grow very quickly. During this period, large breed puppies should be fed only well-balanced food.

Interesting! It has been proven that animals that were fed “pasture” at this age, putting whatever they could into a bowl, suffer from dysplasia three times more often than their peers who received normal nutrition.

Further proper feeding is also of no small importance: if you feed your pet in a balanced manner during the first 3 years, the likelihood of its disease will decrease by another 25%. All this suggests that nutritional-dystrophic disorders of the development of bone and cartilage tissue play an important role in the development of hip dysplasia.

They, of course, can be hereditary, but if the dog did not receive all the necessary nutrients and microelements in childhood, the result may be the same.

Oddly enough, movement is not always particularly good for the body. Veterinarians assume that in service dogs and breeds, if they were overloaded with training at the age of six months to one and a half years, the joints are already initially weakened (especially if the animal was fed so-so).

Dogs with a normal muscle mass index get sick noticeably less often. So you shouldn’t overload your pet, but forgetting about active walks is also not the best solution. It is necessary for the animal to walk for at least two hours every day.

Interesting! Active games dogs (especially old ones) are contraindicated: for example, playing with a “flying saucer” puts excessive stress on the joints and spine, which increases the risk of developing dysplasia.

Read also: Inflammation of the prepuce in dogs: treatment and prevention

Diagnosis of the disease

As a rule, the diagnosis in this case is extremely comprehensive: the “clinic” with its signs of difficulty in movement and severe pain reaction is taken into account, a complete external examination of the animal is carried out, radiography is mandatory. Differential diagnosis needed only to exclude arthritis and arthrosis. If an x-ray was taken, there is nothing difficult in distinguishing these two pathologies: the main characteristic manifestations are clearly visible in the pictures.

Veterinarians often detect dysplasia based on the results palpation of the hip joint. In the case when the tissues under the fingers seem to be “softened” and the necessary rigidity of the joint capsule and the joint itself is absent, it is no longer difficult to make a diagnosis.

Unfortunately, in more than half of the animals, clinical signs develop relatively late, and therefore such pets are often bred. This is very bad, because as a result, breeders get more more dogs, initially predisposed to the development of hip dysplasia.

To obtain the most reliable results, it is required that the animal be injected with quite powerful sedatives guaranteeing complete relaxation of muscle tissue. During the analysis, specialists evaluate the hip joints for compliance with natural characteristics, determine the degree of damage to the acetabulum, and also study the characteristics of the round ligament, head and neck of the femur.

Ideally, all results obtained are compared with data obtained from examining healthy animals of the same age, breed, physiological state. According to the results of the study, the animal is classified into one of seven main categories.

In a normal condition, one of the following three ratings is given: excellent, good or satisfactory. In doubtful cases, a diagnosis of “borderline dysplasia” may be made.

If dysplasia is present, it is also divided into several subtypes: moderate, severe, severe dysplasia.

Important! Even when assessed as “borderline dysplasia,” allowing the animal to breed is strictly prohibited.

Treatment of dysplasia in dogs

In relatively mild cases, it is quite possible to get by solely drug therapy, but still you shouldn’t hope for a significant improvement in the animal’s condition in such a situation.

Carrying out a surgical operation

The first method is pelvic osteotomy. The technique is effective, but can only be used in dogs that have just reached ten months of age (no more). In addition, this method is used only in cases where radiographs show signs of only weakening of the joints, but no damage. bone tissue.

The procedure itself involves a rather complicated surgery, during which the surgeon “breaks” the pelvic bones and restores the normal state of the acetabulum. Surgical intervention of this type cannot be called simple and, accordingly, cheap., but this method (if the operation is successful, of course) is a 100% guarantee of a successful and complete recovery of the animal.

Juvenile symphysiodesis. This is a simpler and less “drastic” surgical intervention. Without going into details, during this operation the surgeon blocks the symphysis area (growth line) pubic bones pelvis This changes the angle of the hips and improves the articulation of the joint, as a result of which the effects of dysplasia are completely eliminated.

Important! There is no point in carrying out intervention in the case of an adult dog: it is vitally important to perform the operation at the age of 16 to 20 weeks, no later.

Additional methods

Hip replacement. Perhaps the only way to maintain the overall quality of life of an adult dog already suffering from dysplasia. As you might guess, during the operation the affected areas of the bones are completely excised and replaced with an artificial implant.

This intervention is strictly contraindicated for young dogs, as their skeleton is still growing.

The advantage of the method is that it can be used to treat dogs aged from one year to infinity. In addition, the size of the dog does not matter: the operation can be performed on both Great Danes and “pocket” dogs.

Hip isplasia is a common hereditary orthopedic disease. Studies have shown that such dogs are born with normal joints, but gradually develop dysplasia as a result of a discrepancy between the development of the bony part of the hip joint and the supporting soft tissues: ligaments, capsule and muscles. This occurs in the first six months of life, when the tissues are soft and flexible, but have a limit of elasticity.

The diagnosis of hip dysplasia is made based on medical history and clinical signs, including:

• difficulty getting up,
• rabbit running
• pain and lameness in the pelvic limbs,
• pain and crepitus on palpation of the hip joints.

Hip dysplasia in dogs - symptoms

Clinically, the dog may experience pain on different stages development hip dysplasia. In immature dogs, stretching of the joint capsule and microcracks in the cartilage manifest as pain, while in adult dogs, excessive load on the affected joint leads to the appearance of common symptoms arthrosis. These symptoms include pain when standing up, pacing, decreased range of motion, and worsening of symptoms after rest following vigorous exercise. Hip laxity can be tested by abducting the proximal femur, preferably in a non-weight bearing position:

• one hand is used as a fulcrum medial to the proximal thigh in the lateral recumbent dog position, with medial pressure applied to the knee joint;
• The knee is brought into a supine dog position with the thigh perpendicular to the table.

Subluxation of the hip joint can be diagnosed by applying medial pressure to the greater trochanter.

X-rays with extended limbs, as well as more detailed images of the labrum or joint laxity, can help make a definitive diagnosis of joint laxity, incongruity, subchondral sclerosis, and osteophyte formation.

Hip dysplasia is an inherited abnormality that occurs in some breeds and is rare in other breeds.

The website of the Organization of Veterinary Orthopedics www.offa.org provides a list of 136 breeds in order of frequency of occurrence of hip dysplasia. Breed data is based on at least 100 studies between January 1974 and December 2003. The results of a retrospective study showed an improvement in the hip phenotype in dogs. Among certain breeds, the percentage of dogs classified as excellent hip joints has increased and, consequently, the percentage of dogs with hip dysplasia has decreased. Noticeable improvements have been seen in breeds such as the German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever and Rottweiler. The most pronounced improvement was shown for Rottweilers. Even if these figures have been influenced by the tendency to present dogs with healthy hip joints for evaluation and to hide dogs with diseased hip joints, this still encourages the use of only dogs with healthy joints for breeding.

It is believed that the development of hip dysplasia is influenced by environmental factors, the significance of which remains to be determined. As studies have shown, diet has a significant impact on the development of hip dysplasia, both quantitatively and qualitatively. Diet is not able to cure dysplasia or change the genetic status of the offspring, but it can influence the phenotypic manifestation of dysplasia, promoting optimal development of the hip joints in animals at risk. Diet can also be a remedy conservative treatment dogs that have already developed hip dysplasia. Careful control of body weight will help alleviate clinical manifestations.

In dogs at birth, the femoral head and acetabulum are composed primarily of cartilage. The formation of bone tissue and changes in the position of the femoral head in relation to its body occur as a result of enchondral ossification and osteoclast activity, respectively. With hip dysplasia, due to weakness of the joint, its congruity is disturbed, the dorsomedial part of the femoral head and the acetabular labrum are in contact with each other, while this joint accounts for almost half of the body weight when walking. As a result, microcracks and deformation of the acetabular lip, cartilage erosion and deformation of subchondral bone tissue appear. Pathological changes develop such as effusion into the joint cavity, stretching and thickening of the articular capsule and round ligament, and the formation of osteophytes.

Several factors related to feeding play a role in the development of dysplasia and overload of the hip joint. Above we talked about excess energy intake from food. Excess body weight leads to overload of the cartilaginous skeleton, including the hip joints. It could be important factor, which explains the greater prevalence and more severe course of hip dysplasia in overweight dogs.

Problem high content calcium in the diet was discussed earlier. It follows that excess calcium leads to deterioration in the maturation of the hip joint, as well as vulnerable cartilaginous growth zones of the skeleton.

Electrolytes are present in all body fluids, including synovial fluid. Differences in the concentrations of circulating cations and anions affect the acid-base balance. The influence of electrolytes on the osmolarity of body fluids, as well as on the acid-base balance, may be important in the development of hip dysplasia in young dogs.

The average osmolarity of synovial fluid in normal retriever hip joints is significantly lower than in hip joints with dysplasia. Whether this difference reflects joint weakness or is a result of increased blood flow to the capsule in arthritis remains to be determined.

In another study, three groups of dogs from 27 litters of five breeds were fed diets that differed in the content of Na+, K+ and Cl+ ions. Hip laxity in these dogs was assessed by measuring the Norberg angle on radiographs taken at 30 and 105 weeks of age. However, acid-base balance and electrolyte levels in body fluids were not measured. Dogs fed dry food low in Na, low in K and high in Cl showed a slight but statistically significant increase in the Norberg angle compared to other groups. Only in retrievers the Norberg angle remained small regardless of diet. To establish the optimal content of electrolytes in feed, it is necessary to study in more detail clinical significance these results, the sensitivity and reproducibility of radiographic examination, the influence of other electrolytes that play a role in acid-base balance and osmolarity. Data on the adverse effects of long-term acidosis of feed origin on mineral composition skeletons suggest that further research in this area may provide valuable information.

It is possible that vitamin D also plays a role in the development of hip dysplasia, but this has not yet been proven. Although excess vitamin D intake does not increase calcium absorption, hypervitaminosis D adversely affects the process of enchondral ossification and, consequently, the growth and development of the hip joint. If the differentiation process of cartilage is impaired, its resistance to physical stress may decrease, which will lead to deformation of the femoral head and acetabular labrum.

This can be combined with overload of the hip joint, which is not yet sufficiently developed in a dog of this age and size, and, therefore, play a significant role in its deformation at a young age.

Canine hip dysplasia - treatment

In the field of canine nutrition, there is now sufficient evidence to suggest that, of all the nutritional components most often encountered in practice, it is the absolute amount of calcium in the daily diet that provokes the development of skeletal abnormalities, and not the ratio of calcium to phosphorus. If the phosphorus content in the diet is high, it can bind more calcium in the intestine with the formation of non-absorbable complexes, but perhaps this only applies to phytates. Easily absorbed salts lead to the same consequences for the skeleton as an excess of calcium alone.

Hip dysplasia can develop in young overweight dogs, even with relative limitation of physical activity. Most likely, this is due to stretching of the periarticular tissues above the elasticity limit and associated pathological changes cartilage and subchondral bone tissue.

Overfeeding should be avoided and the dog should be given a diet that meets its energy needs. The required energy content of the diet is determined based on the individual needs of the animal, taking into account the influence of age, breed, body weight and activity. Because excess calcium can impair hip development, puppies' food should contain calcium in an amount appropriate to their size and age. There are ready-made balanced foods that meet the energy and calcium needs of a puppy during its rapid growth. Such foods should never be supplemented with vitamins and mineral supplements, as this may lead to an overdose.

Measurements using force plates before and after 3 months of crating have shown that rest alone and weight loss can improve the clinical manifestations of hip dysplasia in young and adult dogs.

In the conservative treatment of hip dysplasia, hip joints are necessary: therapeutic diet and limitation of physical activity.

Hip development in young dogs can sometimes be corrected surgically. Some researchers recommend performing symphysiodesis in puppies between 8 and 13 weeks of age. They argue that the pelvic floor does not grow in width, and this does not interfere with the development of the dorsal parts, including the acetabulum arch. As a consequence, the degree of alignment of the femoral head will improve after thermal cauterization of the pelvic symphysis. Pectinate muscle myectomy is indicated in dogs with contractures in which the degree of adduction of the feet may be such that the limbs are crossed.

It occurs in young and adult dogs. Short-term results can be impressive, although long-term effects and the prognosis for the possible development of osteoarthritis are still unknown.

To other possible types of hip dysplasia surgical intervention, which can be resorted to for appropriate indications, include triple pelvic osteotomy, hip replacement and resection arthroplasty. A triple pelvic osteotomy can be performed when there is severe joint weakness, but without deformation of the head and fossa. Potential candidates for hip replacement include dogs with severe dysplasia and deformity of the femoral head and/or acetabulum due to osteoarthritis or trauma. Resection arthroplasty is indicated in cases of severe joint deformity and pain. The result of the operation depends mainly on the ability to create a smooth surface between femur and acetabulum, dog's weight, musculature and early start of training.

Definition of DTBS

Causes of DTBS

Diagnosis of DTBS

Classification of DTBS

Treatment methods for DTBS

The problem of elbow dysplasia. 22

Definition of DTBS

Since the times of the Roman Empire, cases of hip dysplasia (HJD) have been known, not only in dogs, but also in humans, horses, cats and cattle. cattle. Cases of THD in wolves have been recorded and documented.

Hip dysplasia in dogs was first identified in the United States almost 50 years ago. J.B. Schnell first described this disease in 1952, after observing and studying a large population of German shepherd dogs in the United States. It was soon described in Germany, but only after the Second World War did information about DTS become more widespread, and Scandinavian veterinarians, along with American and English veterinarians, also made a special contribution to its research.

And lately the problem of DTHD has been talked about much more often than before. Unlike dysplasia in humans, hip dysplasia in dogs is not congenital, since puppies, unlike human children, are born without signs of the disease and its first manifestations can be observed only after reaching a certain age.

The term "dysplasia" comes from the Greek words dys (deviation from the norm) and plasia (development, formation), and Dysplasia is a developmental disorder.

Hip dysplasia was initially defined as “congenital subluxation” or “congenital displacement” of the hip joint. In 1954, J.B. Schnell proposed to abolish the term “dysplasia”, replacing it with the selective concept of “hip dysplasia”, because the disease reflects the problem only of the hip joint.

The following definitions are most often used in the literature: “Hip dysplasia is an anatomical defect of underdevelopment of the articular cavity, which carries the potential danger of disrupting the musculoskeletal function of the pelvic limbs.” This means that not every animal with hip dysplasia will have clinical symptoms.

Another definition is “hip dysplasia - hereditarily caused, abnormal formation of the hip joint, in which the acetabulum and the head of the femur do not correspond to each other in shape.” Incorrect formation of the hip joint is expressed in abnormal structure the head of the femur or the glenoid cavity, or both.

Today, the concept of hip dysplasia is considered as a general concept, which includes almost all “diseases” and “deviations from the form” in the hip joint.

The disease begins with disturbances in the osteochondral apparatus of the hip joints, in particular with underdevelopment of the upper edge of the socket, which leads to its gradual compaction. The congruence (mechanical correspondence) of the shape of the socket and the femoral head is disrupted. The force effects in the diseased joint are redistributed, the loads on the upper and anterior surfaces of the acetabulum increase. There is an increase in friction and pressure forces on local areas of both components of the joint, while in a healthy joint these forces are distributed evenly. Looseness occurs in the joint under the influence of the weight of the body and the movements of the animal. Overloaded areas of the femoral head are subject to increased wear and do not have time to regenerate. Bone growths (exostoses) form on the edges of the acetabulum and on the femoral neck. Degenerative changes increase in cartilage. The wearing head of the femur becomes deformed, changing from spherical to conical or mushroom-shaped.

Changes occur in the ligamentous apparatus of the joint and surrounding tissues. To hold the joint, its capsule is compacted. The deposition of calcium salts begins in it. Flabby muscles no longer support the joint. Wear and tear of joint tissues and degenerative processes in it cause inflammatory phenomena - arthritis, which occurs in acute form or chronically, with periodic exacerbations, with pain and lameness.

The range of motion in the joint becomes increasingly limited, and the animal spares the affected limb. Gradually, all elements of the joint are involved in the process. The blood supply to the femoral head is disrupted. The ligaments become loose, the joint capsule is stretched, and the nerves are injured, increasing the pain. Subluxations and complete dislocations develop, and the configuration of the joint is disrupted. The femoral head always moves upward and outward, and the calcified capsule loses its elasticity. Over time, there may be complete degeneration of the joint structures (arthrosis), rupture of the joint capsule, stiffness or immobility (ankylosis) of the joint, as well as systemic damage and osteodystrophy.

These processes lead to disability of the dog, and sometimes to euthanasia.

Causes of DTBS

IN last years, establishing the influence of factors environment on the development of hip joint dysplasia is described as a disease caused by heredity and environmental factors and manifested in the form of impaired mobility in the hip joint and changes in the shape of the glenoid cavity and head of the femur.

Some scientists believe that hip dysplasia in dogs is a genetically determined disease, i.e. a pathology transmitted hereditarily from parents to offspring.

The most widespread among scientists are two theories about the hereditary nature and mechanism of inheritance of THD.

Most geneticists are inclined to the theory of additive inheritance, i.e. the actions of genes involved in the final formation of the hip joint.

The second theory stems from the premise that the genes responsible for the final formation of the hip joint influence each other, and their mutual actions combine in various ways, which means that the hereditary nature of the defect is much more complex than in the first case.

But there is a third theory, which is a combination of the first two: the action of genes responsible for the formation of joints can, on the one hand, be additive, and on the other hand, individual genetic pairs can influence each other in different ways.

Experts have come to the conclusion that THD is a classic example of a quantitative trait determined by many genes (polygeny), and in this case many environmental factors influence final result formation and manifestation of the trait. Not all animals with hip dysplasia are clinically affected, but apparently clinically healthy dogs cannot be assumed to be free of hip dysplasia. When selecting valuable genotypes, it is necessary to use pedigree analysis, in which ancestors suffering from THD must be noted.

It is important to remember that this pathology can be transmitted through 14 generations, i.e. Even with healthy parents, a sick puppy can be born, but if at least one of the parents is sick, the risk increases many times over.

In addition to heredity, the predisposition of the breed also matters, and at this point the format of the dog becomes an important factor. According to statistics on the frequency of dysplasia in various dog breeds, dysplasia occurs much more often in stretched dogs (with an elongated body) than in square breeds. The hip joints of stretched format dogs experience heavy load(according to the laws of biomechanics) than the joints of square dogs. Classic examples of stretched dogs are Dachshunds, Scottish Terriers, Basset Hounds, Retrievers, and German Shepherds.

Factors that contribute to the worsening of dysplasia also play an important role. These include:

• early physical activity - excessive physical activity, especially jumping, injures a fragile joint (but do not forget that movement helps develop the muscles that protect the joint, so the puppy should play with peers, move as much as he wants, without coercion);
• disturbances in feeding the puppy - when the food is not digested and the puppy does not receive enough nutrients for growth;
• excess protein and calories - overfeeding leads to overweight body, which negatively affects the puppy’s too “soft” joints;
• violation mineral metabolism(lack of vitamin D in the diet, incorrect ratio of calcium to phosphorus) - leads to curvature of the bones of the limbs, thickening of articular cartilage, thinning of bone walls;
• any other diseases that impair the growth and formation of the dog.

Diagnosis of DTBS

As already mentioned, at birth a puppy does not have dysplasia, since there are no joints as such, but information about the presence or absence of pathology is already “recorded” in the dog’s genes. Then, as the puppy grows and develops, the joints begin to take shape and it is at this time that dysplasia becomes noticeable.

Symptoms begin to appear, such as incorrect positioning of the limbs, rapid fatigue of the puppy, difficulty getting up on a slippery floor, preference to lie down or crawl to the goal rather than stand up and walk. “Bunny” running is also often observed, when both pelvic limbs push off the ground at the same time. A swaying and unsteady gait appears. Thoracic limbs develop more intensively, sometimes hypertrophy of the muscles of the forelimbs develops, because the main load passes to them, since the puppy spares the pelvic muscles. In the hind limbs, there is stiffness immediately after standing, pain when manipulating the hip, and a sensation of crepitus (friction sounds when rotating) of the hip joint. An alarming symptom should be poor development of the muscles of the pelvic limbs and croup, fear of movements leading to rotation of the femoral head.

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.

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 externally healthy dog may have a severe degree of pathology. Hip dysplasia in dogs can occur at any age. If the pathology does not manifest itself in puppyhood (as a rule, mild and moderate degrees of compensated dysplasia) - this does not mean that it does not exist.

Official diagnosis of dysplasia is carried out from 12 months, and for giant breeds even from 18 months. But if the puppy already at 4 months has obvious external signs dysplasia, then it is necessary to immediately make a diagnosis in order to take at least some measures in time to improve the puppy’s quality of life and prevent the development of secondary osteoarthritis. It is also considered advisable to early diagnosis, if the pathology was detected in puppies of the same litter, or in puppies of other litters, but from the same parents.

But no matter what external signs are observed in a dog, for a reliable diagnosis an X-ray examination is carried out, which high degree information content allows one to draw a conclusion about the structural and functional state of the hip joints.

The following requirements apply to x-rays:

1. An X-ray is taken with the animal in the supine position with the pelvic limbs extended parallel to each other.

2. The use of sedatives or relaxants is mandatory.

3. On x-ray put the pedigree number, breed, date of the x-ray and indicate the right and left sides.

4. During the recording, an identification number (tattoo) must be stamped on the x-ray using a digital x-ray stencil.

5. The size of the images should be such that the shadow of the pelvis and knee joints is completely visible on the radiograph, and the images of the right and left iliac crests should be at the same level, and the shadows kneecaps- opposite the block.

6. The picture should show a clear image of the anatomical bone structures of the hip joints, in particular the articular surfaces and the upper edge of the acetabulum.

An official conclusion based on the images is made by an RKF specialist.

Classification of DTBS

Uniform for member countries of F.C.I. The X-ray testing system for hip dysplasia was developed by the Utrecht Congress dedicated to the fight against dysplasia, where a single form, classification of severity and terminology was established.

When assessing DTHD, the following radiological parameters are taken into account:

1. Norberg angle - formed between a straight line connecting the geometric centers of the heads of both femurs and a tangent drawn from the center of the head along the anterior outer edge of the acetabulum, the angle is measured using a protractor made of transparent x-ray film with concentric circles and axes applied to it , located at an angle of 105 o. To determine the Norberg angle, a protractor is placed on the femoral head so that the contour of one of the angles of the protractor coincides with the contour of the femoral head. Then, through the perforation hole in the center of the protractor, mark the center of the head with a pencil. The center of the head of the other joint is determined in the same way. After this, the protractor is installed so that the perforation hole coincides with the center of the femoral head of the joint under study, and a horizontal line on the protractor connects both centers. Thus, if the oblique drawn on the protractor coincides with the imaginary oblique drawn from the center of the head of the femur to the anterior outer edge of the acetabulum, touching it, then the Norberg angle at the joint is 105o, but if the line on the protractor does not touch the anterior outer edge, then the angle Norberg is less than 105o.

2. The index of penetration of the femoral head into the socket is determined by the ratio of the size of the part of the femoral head covered by the outer edge of the acetabulum to the radius of the femoral head. Normally the ratio is equal to one, i.e. the size of the part of the femoral head covered by the upper edge of the acetabulum is equal to the radius of the femoral head or half of the femoral head is covered by the acetabulum.

3. Tangential angle - located between a horizontal line drawn through the anterior outer edge of the acetabulum and a straight line, which is a continuation of the cranial contour of the joint space. Normally, this straight line runs below the horizontal or coincides with it (negative tangential angle or equal to 0°), while in pathology the straight line is directed above the horizontal, creating a positive tangential angle, and is called “tangent”.

4. The joint gap should be narrow and uniform.

5. Cervical-diaphyseal angle - 145o.

There are several methods for assessing the degree of dysplasia in the world.

1. Classification of lesions in THD in dogs according to Schnell:

Normal hip joint:

• joint angle 105° or more;
• the front edge of the cavity has a uniform convexity to the outer end;
• the femoral neck has no deposits;
• the joint space is cocentrically located in the cavity.

Hip dysplasia grade I:

• joint angle 100-105o;
• compaction in the area of ​​the anterior edge of the cavity;
• gentle stratification on the neck of the femur;

Hip dysplasia degree II:

• the joint angle is less than 100°;
• distinct stratification on the neck of the femur;
• weak fixation of the femoral head.

Hip dysplasia grade III:

• strongly flattened acetabulum;
• phenomenon of osteoarthritis;
• subluxation of the femoral head.

Hip dysplasia grade VI:

• the same changes as with grade III dysplasia.
• complete dislocation of the femoral head.

2. according to Mitin

Condition of the hip joints	Breeding index	X-ray signs
Healthy joint	a-O “Perfect” “no signs of dysplasia”	There are no signs, the parameters are “with reserve”
Stage of predisposition to hip dysplasia	“Still a normal joint”	Presence of one of the following signs: A- Norberg angle less than 105o B- Head penetration index less than one B- Widened and uneven joint space G - positive tangential with a rounded anterior outer edge of the glenoid cavity
Predysplasia stage	"within acceptable limits"	Combination of any two characteristics
The initial stage of destructive changes	"mild dysplasia"	Combination of any three characteristics

3. Accepted in many countries, including Russia, the assessment of TPA:

Grade A - no signs of dysplasia;

Grade B - the configuration of the joints is close to normal;

Grade C - mild hip dysplasia;

Grade D - moderate hip dysplasia;

Grade E - severe hip dysplasia.

With any assessment method, each joint is assessed separately. The aggregate result of an animal's joint condition is taken from its worst joint to assign selection indices.

Treatment methods for DTBS

Hip dysplasia in dogs is considered an incurable disease. All methods of conservative and surgical treatment are aimed at relieving or reducing pain symptoms and slowing the progression of secondary osteoarthritis. The choice of treatment tactics depends on the manifestation clinical symptoms and radiological parameters of dysplasia, age and body weight of the animal, the degree of muscle atrophy, the purpose of the animal and the presence of concomitant diseases in the patient.

Conservative treatment includes taking medications, physical therapy, and observing a number of restrictions in the regimen.

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 and also lead to destructive processes in the subhodral bone of the joint, and therefore requires medical supervision. Physiotherapy can also include therapeutic exercises - swimming.

One of the components of conservative treatment is restriction of movements and compliance with the rules of walking and keeping. Dogs during the growth period with excessive joint instability and adult animals with developed hip dysplasia should avoid prolonged exercise, as this leads to the development and progression of dysplastic osteoarthritis. Animals suffering from hip dysplasia should not experience weakness or lameness of the pelvic limbs after a walk. In dogs with hip dysplasia that were walked on lawns, exacerbation of dysplastic coxarthrosis was observed much less frequently than in dogs walked on asphalt. Owners should avoid moving the animal on smooth and slippery floors, as spreading of the pelvic limbs can lead to increased damage to the joint. Cold and wet weather often leads to exacerbation of dysplastic osteoarthritis, increased lameness, and night pain. Dogs suffering from hip dysplasia should be kept in a warm and dry room.

It is also necessary to monitor the dog's body weight. Excess weight leads to a caudal shift of the center of gravity, which increases the load on the pelvic limbs and contributes to the progression of secondary osteoarthritis in the hip joint. At chronic pain caused by secondary osteoarthritis, only with a decrease in body weight can a clear clinical improvement be obtained. After losing weight, many dogs do not need daily anti-inflammatory therapy. But it should be borne in mind that weight loss should be carried out in a controlled manner. You cannot reduce your caloric intake at the expense of proteins. A puppy needs a highly nutritious diet, mainly meat, for proper development, including joints.

Drug treatment of hip dysplasia in dogs includes taking the following medications:

1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

NSAIDs are the main drugs in the treatment of osteoarthritis. The effect of this group of drugs is only symptomatic, i.e. the pain symptom is relieved, but degenerative changes in the joint are not eliminated. Elimination of pain as an important protective mechanism leads to the progression of the disease in the joints of sick animals, since the dog stops feeling pain and uses the joint to its full potential, thereby destroying it even more. Therefore, each medication that has an anti-inflammatory effect and analgesia should be taken only with strict indications and restriction of movements.

2. Corticosteroid hormones

Corticosteroid hormones for dysplastic osteoarthritis are reserve drugs and are used in cases of ineffectiveness or complications after the use of NSAIDs. It should be noted that the opinions of scientists differ on the effectiveness and appropriateness of using these drugs.

3. Slow-acting drugs

The mechanism of action of drugs in this group in the treatment of osteoarthritis has not been fully studied. Today, it consists of several components: inhibition of inflammatory enzymes, especially metalloproteinase and stromelysin, removal of oxygen radicals and stimulation of hyaluron synthesis. Glucosaminoglycans have an anabolic effect for chondrocytes, and also inhibit catabolic processes in cartilage and stimulate the synthesis of hyaluron. Hyaluron increases the viscosity of synovial fluid and “covers” articular surfaces, creating a barrier to cytokines and metalloproteinase, causing damage cartilage matrix. Today, many drugs based on glycosaminoglycan have appeared on the veterinary market for the treatment of osteoarthritis. However no clinical trials, which would prove the effectiveness of nutritional supplements in the treatment of osteoarthritis.

4. Anabolic steroids

For diseases of large joints, the use of drugs that increase muscle mass can lead to functional improvement. This occurs by increasing joint stability and enriching articular cartilage with mucopolysaccharides. Anabolic steroids are recommended for use in dogs after bone growth has completed, since drugs in this group help to “close” the epiphyseal growth zones and prevent continued bone growth. The use of anabolic drugs is recommended to be combined with dosed training. But drugs of this group are prohibited in veterinary medicine.

5. Antioxidants

Antioxidants include vitamins C, E, and the trace element selenium. The mechanism of action of antioxidants is to reduce the level of free radicals in the joint cavity, which are conductors. Pain reduction occurs due to vitamin C, which is involved in collagen synthesis. It must be borne in mind that the likelihood of obtaining a positive effect during treatment using large doses of vitamin C is bordered by a greater likelihood of obtaining side effects from the gastrointestinal tract.

6. Drugs plant origin.

Herbal preparations proposed as potential "cartilage protectants" include plants from the family Agavaceae. Substances derived from these plants have been used for a number of years to treat human ailments. But there are no veterinary studies documenting or refuting their effectiveness in treatment. Many of these plants and herbs have unknown anti-inflammatory effects but do not meet the criteria for symptom relief or articular cartilage repair.

7. Essential fatty acids (EFA)

Dietary foods containing EFAs may help reduce the production of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins in affected joints, and thereby help reduce NSAID dosages and reduce the risk of adverse complications.

8. Viscoelastic drugs

Synovial fluid in a diseased joint loses its lubricating function, and also loses its damping (shock-absorbing) and attracting ability. All these properties are due to the viscoelasticity of the synovial fluid. Preparations designed to replenish viscoelasticity are synthesized on the basis of hyaluron, and the raw materials for their production are rooster scallops. The therapeutic effect of the drugs applies only to the affected joint. It is due solely to their rheological properties and is not associated with pharmacological, immunological or metabolic effects. In terms of the effectiveness of pain relief, drugs in this group compete with NSAIDs. However, they have one significant drawback that limits their widespread use in veterinary medicine - high cost.

Surgical treatment of dysplasia is aimed at reducing pain, improving joint function and slowing down the development of secondary osteoarthritis.

Can be applied the following types surgical procedures: resection arthroplasty, total endoprosthetics, triple pelvic osteotomy, as well as pectinectomy and myoplasty of the biceps femoris muscle as palliative measures.

The essence of the operation “resection arthroplasty” 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.

In a triple pelvic osteotomy, the acetabular component of the hip joint is given surgically more correct angle. The operation is actually extra-articular, i.e. The hip joint itself is not affected. Performed on dogs aged 5 months and older. But the optimal age of 9-10 months is recommended, since at this age the growth rate sharply decreases bone apparatus, but at the same time the processes of formation and regeneration of the skeletal system are still high. Puppies tolerate this operation better and recover faster. The operation is ineffective in severe forms of 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. The disadvantage of triple pelvic osteotomy is also the narrowing of the pelvic cavity, which can lead to dysfunction of the pelvic cavity organs (rectum, Bladder). In addition, after this operation, the amplitude of abduction of the pelvic limb to the side decreases.

Total hip replacement involves 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.

A recommendation for a particular operation is given only when the prognosis after the operation is more favorable than without it, and the operational risk and the risk of complications after the operation should be lower than the predicted improvement.