Hip dysplasia in dogs symptoms. Symptoms of pathology in dogs. Managing joint stability is key

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 mean we're 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 says nothing to those who do not have 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 socket is deformed, but also the “tip” of the pelvic bone itself, as a result of which the “puzzle does not fold,” that is, the bone does not stay in the socket 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 engage in leisure activities. 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 that is supported by the limbs.

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

There are many reasons why underdevelopment appears, namely:

It is also worth mentioning that the disease can be inherited, so a healthy puppy that eats properly and gets enough exercise can 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 rare cases, your veterinarian may request an arthroscopy to confirm the diagnosis.

Arctroscopy is a surgical procedure in which a small incision is made and an arthroscope is inserted 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 special drugs are used for treatment - chondroprotectors, which are used in the complex treatment of 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 pain syndrome, a specialist prescribes painkillers. Physiotherapy is used for treatment, namely: laser and electromagnetic radiation, as well as warming up the joint using various means.

Separately, it is worth mentioning 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, prevents bone tissue destruction.

Such an operation is performed only when diagnosing moderate or severe dysplasia, since 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 surgery the animal forever forgets about this problem, and after the end of the rehabilitation period it may not deny itself 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 the abdominal organs due to narrowing pelvic cavity, what you should think about before undergoing surgery.

Total endoprosthetics. The name itself suggests that prosthetics will be implanted. The upper part of the femur along with the rounded process, as well as the acetabulum, is subject to prosthetics, 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 the animal’s motor activity, 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 with infection.

Remember that to maintain your pet’s mental health, you need to communicate with it regularly, as well as go for 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 early age the puppy had enough healthy and nutritious food.
• 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.

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 treatment to begin as early as possible, which will allow the dog to remain physically active. 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 of the femur fits perfectly into the socket on the pelvic bone, 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.

Dysplasia is understood as a pathology of the acetabulum, in which the head of the bone is fixed, which manifests itself in the fact that the cavity becomes flat. Since the bone in this case does not fit tightly in the joint, destruction begins hip joints, and the animal begins to experience discomfort and pain.

Stages of dysplasia in dogs.

Joint dysplasia in dogs is divided into stages:

• a mild form in which the acetabulum has become flat, but the bone is firmly fixed in it.
• in the moderate form of the disease, the plane of the cavity is more pronounced, due to this, the articulation of the bone in the joint weakens. The head of the bone bears traces of irregularities.
• a severe form of the disease means destruction of the head of the bone and the joint remaining in a state of dislocation.

Reasons for development

• The disease is often genetic in large breed dogs. With careful culling of sick animals from further development of the genotype, only healthy animals are born.
• Dysplasia can also develop due to poor nutrition. Scientists have already proven that an unbalanced ratio of phosphorus and calcium in a dog’s diet, low-quality dry food, and also, conversely, too much meat in the diet can serve as an impetus for the development of dysplasia.
• Also, in the case of large breeds, you should always carefully monitor the dog's weight. The development of dysplasia will only worsen excess weight.

There are two main causes of hip dysplasia, genetic and non-genetic. proper nutrition. Most often, the development of the disease occurs precisely because of genetic predisposition. Ecology plays a significant role, that is, the state environment, under which the individual develops.

Advances in nutritional research have shown that diet also plays an important role in the development of hip dysplasia. Large breed puppies should develop gradually; it is better to be underweight for their age than to be at least slightly overweight. You should not overfeed them, accelerating growth, because this will ultimately lead to unnecessary pressure on the joints.

Recently, joint dysplasia has been spreading rapidly and taking on terrifying forms. Over the years of studying the disease, many experts have come to the conclusion that joint dysplasia is a genetically determined disease. Pathology is passed on from generation to generation.

However, there is an opinion that the disease can be acquired (as a result of injury). But this hypothesis is broken by the fact that unhealthy puppies are more often born to certain breeds. Moreover, in the same females and males.

In addition, the theory of genetic predisposition is confirmed by the fact that homeless people and mongrel dogs are not susceptible to the disease, although pets are more often injured. The disease also develops in puppies resulting from “mixed marriages” between outbred representatives and individuals of breeds predisposed to dysplasia. Therefore, one can hardly think that the disease is acquired.

The role of hereditary predisposition to the occurrence of the disease is enormous. There are factors that contribute to the development of dysplasia in dogs:

• lack of essential vitamins and minerals;
• early and inappropriate physical activity;
• unbalanced diet;
• incorrect proportion of calcium and phosphorus;
• obesity;
• excess protein;
• diseases that lead to disruption of the development and growth of an animal.

All of the above factors have their place in the development of pathology, but their “contribution” to the occurrence of the disease is no more than 5%.

This condition can be characterized as a consequence of the formation in the hip joint of a pathologically sized gap between the articular head and the articular cavity, while their fit to each other should be tight.

If a dog's femoral head does not fit properly into the socket of the hip joint, friction between the two leads to degeneration of the articular surface and bone, which ultimately leads to impaired musculoskeletal function.

Canine hip dysplasia results from a number of genetic and environmental factors.

Some dogs are already born with hip dysplasia, this more often refers to early onset hip dysplasia. From the point of view of the mechanism of heredity, this is a rather complex disease associated with the involvement of polymer genes.

Therefore, in such genetically determined cases, the disease cannot be quickly eliminated from a particular breed or within-breed line. This is either practically impossible, or has a long-term, delayed effect.

Older dogs may develop dysplasia with obvious signs of arthritis (more commonly referred to as adult canine hip dysplasia).

External influences can also lead to hip dysplasia. The cause may be rapid weight gain and obesity of the dog, eating habits, poor development of the muscles of the hind legs, pelvic injuries or chronically recurring bruises and sprains, for example, as a result of training or hunting.

Hip dysplasia is a real scourge of large breed dogs. With dysplasia, the joint is formed incorrectly and therefore functions poorly, causing discomfort to the animal. And although big dogs are more susceptible to this disease, it also occurs in smaller breeds. The main disadvantage of this disease is that it is not completely curable.

In the photo you can compare x-rays of a healthy and diseased hip joint.

The main reason for the development of dysplasia in dogs is a genetic factor. If at least one of the parents of the litter had this disease, then the probability that it will be passed on to the puppies is 50%.

If a male dog has been diagnosed with hip dysplasia (no matter what degree), he will not be allowed to be bred. Particularly valuable bitches can continue the pedigree if they have a mild degree of the disease.

You can find out whether at least one of the puppies' parents suffers from this disease using a dysplasia test. Puppies whose parents had a disproportion in size often suffer from hip dysplasia.

Much depends on the breed. Large breeds are predisposed to dysplasia, such as: shepherd dogs of various types, chow chows, Labradors, St. Bernards, etc.

A less significant factor influencing the development of dysplasia in a dog, but still occurring, is incorrect physical exercise. Under excessive loads in early childhood, the hip joint (TJ) becomes deformed. Therefore, it is extremely important to closely monitor puppies, especially large breeds. Among other things, do not let them go down the stairs on their own, this puts a very strong load on the hip joint.

Lack of physical activity can also lead to hip dysplasia. The inactive lifestyle of your dog, especially a growing puppy, can lead to the fact that the knee and elbow caps, as well as the hip joints, will be underdeveloped, and the animal will require treatment, including surgery.

Your pet's excess weight is another risk factor. Overweight This is a big load, especially for immature joints. An unbalanced diet, including a lack or excess of calcium, phosphorus and other vitamins and minerals, will have a detrimental effect on the health of your pet’s limbs.

And of course, various joint injuries lead to dysplasia. Even such a small thing as a sharp tug on the leash, when the puppy behaves disobediently and pulls the owner, leads to changes ligamentous apparatus and can unbalance joints.

It is worth noting that dysplasia is not congenital disease. The hip (or elbow) joint becomes deformed around the sixth month of life.

This happens because bones grow much faster than ligaments and muscles. It is during this risky period that many puppies look ridiculous due to their disproportionately long hind legs.

Be vigilant and carefully monitor the symptoms of dysplasia.

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?

Large breeds of dogs often suffer from a serious disease - joint dysplasia. The pathology causes pain and discomfort to the pet.

Lameness and deforming arthritis are serious consequences of late diagnosis of the disease in an animal. We will tell you how to notice the development of the disease in your friend in time and when you need to contact a veterinarian in order to prolong the dog’s life and relieve pain.

Causes of joint dysplasia

Joint dysplasia in dogs, such as shepherds, Rottweilers and collies, is genetically determined. The presence of joint diseases in the pet's parents can serve as the first signal for examining the baby. But even healthy parents cannot guarantee the absence of disease.

Muscular frame of a puppy large breed at an early age it grows rapidly, and soft bones, without having time to harden, are subject to constant deformation. This is how the disease develops in absolutely healthy babies.

The main reasons for the development of dysplasia in dogs include:

• Poor nutrition. Unbalanced intake of meat and cheap feed causes disturbances in cartilage tissue growing organism, contributing to disease.
• Excess calcium and phosphorus in the diet. Uncontrolled use of dietary supplements for bone growth can cause an imbalance of microelements in the body.
• Obesity. The animal's high body weight increases its susceptibility to the disease.
• Intense workouts. A high load on a fragile puppy can provoke the development of the disease.
• Low mobility. If the baby walks very little, his joints do not receive the necessary load and begin to deform.
• Limb injuries. Any bruise, sprain or fracture can cause problems for your pet in the future.

Knowing the causes of the development of the disease, it is necessary to know the traumatic factors to which the puppy was exposed and, if at least one of them is present, seek advice from a veterinarian. It is impossible to prevent the development of the disease, but early diagnosis illness will relieve your friend from severe pain and lameness.

Symptoms of joint dysplasia

Symptoms of joint dysplasia in dogs can appear both at an early age in the period from 4 to 12 months, and in adult animals. When identifying the first signs, as well as diagnosing the disease in the parents of an animal or puppies of the same litter, you must immediately contact a specialist for diagnosis.

Joint dysplasia in dogs is manifested by the following symptoms (see photo below the list. a - healthy joint, b - with dysplasia):

• puppy limping, slight lameness;
• the puppy does not jump up immediately, but begins to pace;
• “starting” lameness;
• lameness after exercise;
• got tired during walks, the puppy sits down and doesn’t want to go further;
• refusal to climb stairs, difficulty getting up;
• “hare” running – the dog pushes off with both legs at once when running;
• unnatural position of the legs during sleep;
• body asymmetry - the upper part of the body becomes more massive, with narrow pelvis;
• swelling and swelling of the joints,
• painful reaction when palpating the joints.

The disease may not manifest itself for a long time, but remember that early diagnosis of the disease will help your pet live a life without pain and complications.

Treatment of dysplasia in dogs

The doctor determines how to treat the disease depending on the degree of damage, the weight of the animal, lifestyle, breed and diagnoses.

When treating hip dysplasia in dogs, there are conservative and surgical methods.

Treatment of joint dysplasia with a conservative method in dogs is carried out the following drugs:

1. Chondroprotectors. Substances that restore cartilage tissue are administered intravenously, intramuscularly, in the form of tablets and powders.
2. Antispasmodics. Reduce pain syndrome.
3. Anti-inflammatory drugs. Reduces swelling and swelling of tissues.
4. Dietary supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin, which restore cartilage tissue.

If dysplasia is diagnosed against the background of obesity, then it is necessary to reconsider the dog’s diet and reduce caloric intake, add moderate fitness exercises. Be sure to help your pet’s body with vitamin supplements.

If there are risks of developing and diagnosing the disease in the early stages, you can reduce the chances of complications with the help of nutrition. It is advisable to exclude industrial dry food from the diet and focus on natural nutrition.

Reduce the amount of pure proteins and replace them with carbohydrates. Otherwise, this will cause the dog to become obese, which also provokes the development of the disease. Therefore, provide the puppy with soft, adequate exercise. Swimming is very beneficial.

Physiotherapy will be effective. Massage, ozokerite, laser and magnetic therapy, paraffin baths help well.

In Germany, homeopathic remedies are often used, but the treatment plan must be determined by a doctor. For this purpose, injectable preparations Cel and Discus Compositum are used. They must be used for a long time and under the supervision of a doctor, but the effectiveness of expensive drugs is controversial and not confirmed by research.

The most effective method of treatment is surgical correction joint capsule. TO this method resort when conservative procedures do not help. Large breed dogs are operated on in the hospital using closed and open methods. Depending on the degree of damage, the doctor either changes joint capsule or secures the joint with a screw. It is possible to use endoprostheses.

Prevention of dysplasia in dogs

Prevention of hip dysplasia involves maintaining a proper diet and moderate stress on the puppy’s joints.

Owners of animals with this disease are always interested in prognoses: what is the risk of hip dysplasia in dogs? If the baby is playful and active, early diagnosis and prevention of the disease will help him maintain his ability to move and be cheerful for a long time.

The only reliable method of treating the disease is surgery. It will definitely protect your baby from pain, lameness and severe arthritis.

In addition, puppies with this diagnosis are unsuitable for breeding.

And the second question that interests people: how long do dogs with hip dysplasia live? Here the answer will be much simpler. The disease is genetically determined and does not affect life expectancy. That is, with proper care for your pet, he can live a long and happy life.

If your pet shows the first symptoms of the disease, take him to a specialist for diagnosis as soon as possible. And remember, this disease is not a death sentence for the baby, but only a test that only you can help him survive. Love your baby, take care of him and he will thank you with devotion.

Hip dysplasia was first isolated from dogs and described in the United States 60 years ago, although the disease has been diagnosed and treated in humans for a long time. Subsequently, Swedish veterinarians proved that the disease is caused by hereditary factors and is most often found in large dogs.

Although the size of the animal is not a determining factor in the development of the disease, since even small breeds, for example, chow chows, also suffer from hip dysplasia (HD).

Veterinarian observations have shown that puppies are born with normally developed joints, which are then susceptible to disease due to hereditary predisposition. However, in large breeds the disease progresses by high speed, because they rapidly gain body weight, which is a load for fragile joints. The disease is especially dangerous for short-legged breeds.

Most often, hip dysplasia (HJD) affects German Shepherds, Newfoundlands, St. Bernards, Rottweilers, Great Danes, Boxers and English bulldogs. Greyhounds are free from the disease. In 89% of cases, dysplasia affects two hip joints at once, 3.3% are unilateral lesions of the left joint, 7.7% - the right.

Dysplasia in large breed dog puppies may well be congenital. It is inherited. To prevent this possibility, experienced breeders have to cull sick animals, which leads to an improvement in the situation. After such radical measures, puppies are born absolutely healthy.

Behind last decades Hip dysplasia is spreading at a terrifying rate and has equally terrifying forms. The best specialists in the world have long come to the conclusion that dysplasia is a genetically determined disease. This pathology is passed on from generation to generation.

Types of disease

Symptoms and disease, as stated, develop in large breeds of dogs - Labradors, Great Danes, Shepherds, St. Bernards and others. Dysplasia is a serious pathology that leads to the destruction of the hip, elbow or knee joints. On last stage diseases animals cannot move independently.

There are 5 degrees of dysplasia:

• 1 (A) - absence of disorders in the joint;
• 2 (B), 3 (C) - sometimes there are dislocations;
• 4 (D), 5 (E) - moderate and severe degrees, which lead to serious and severe damage to the joints.

There is dysplasia of the hip, elbow and knee joints.

Hip dysplasia (HJD)

The appearance of signs of hip dysplasia is determined by the severity of the disorders:

• with minor changes, the symptoms of the disease usually do not appear at all or develop only in old age;
• If there are significant changes in the hip joint, signs of the disease will immediately become visible even if the puppy is properly maintained.

Elbow dysplasia

If the disease is concentrated in the elbow joint, then the following symptoms are observed:

• the dog limping on its front legs;
• reluctance to give paw on command;
• the appearance of thickenings or other fragments on the elbow joint;
• withdrawal of the limb upon palpation of the neoplasm;
• refusal to go down stairs.

Some symptoms of this type depend on the characteristics of the disease. For example, articular bones can thicken, causing friction, and, conversely, decrease, creating a strong gap.

Knee dysplasia

Knee changes in dogs are uncommon and usually result from injury or increased stress on the hind legs. In such situations, the position of the bones changes according to the type of subluxation. Signs of knee dysplasia:

• visible deformation of the knee joints;
• pain when feeling the knee;
• severe lameness on the hind legs.

To prevent the disease from developing, large breed puppies should be the right conditions content and try to eliminate the possibility of injury.

The most common type of this disease is hip dysplasia. Most often seen in puppies of large dogs. She can be recognized by incorrect position hind legs, lameness when exercising, puppy lethargy, difficulty jumping and unsteady gait.

With hip dysplasia in dogs, body asymmetry is observed: a disproportionately narrow rear, poorly developed paws and a massive, wide chest.

Elbow dysplasia is a developmental defect of the forelimbs. The defect can be on two or one paw. This genetic disease can be successfully treated surgically. However, even a cured individual is not allowed to breed. IN advanced cases You can hear the cracking and crunching of the elbow joint.

In the photo you can see an x-ray of the diseased elbow joint.

The most severe stage of hip dysplasia is multiple epiphasic dysplasia. This is a hereditary defect. Most often, a dog is affected in early childhood. Growth in puppies stops abruptly due to calcification of the pineal gland. The joints of a sick animal seem swollen, the gait is very unsteady and swaying.

Degrees of dysplasia in dogs

— A — no signs of disease;

— B — there are almost no deviations from the norm;

— C — mild degree of illness;

— D — dysplasia within acceptable limits;

— E — significant degree of destruction.

— 0 — no violations detected;

— 1 — arthrosis in minimal manifestation (osteophytes up to 2 mm in width);

— 2 — moderate level of pathology (pathological growths from 2 to 5 mm);

— 3 — deep tissue deformation (more than 5 mm).

The final conclusion on the condition is made by a specially trained specialist at the RKF.

Signs of dysplasia in dogs.

At an early age, the puppy's flexible skeleton grows quickly, and the bones and joints gradually harden. And only around six months, and sometimes earlier, do the first alarm bells appear. Lameness and pain are the only obvious signs dysplasia in dogs, but sometimes they are difficult to notice. Therefore, the owner of a large breed puppy should specifically look for these symptoms, paying special attention to the baby:

• slight limp, stiffness after sleep;

• habit of "pacing". The puppy does not jump up to meet you, but first tries to walk carefully, as if consciously stretching stiff muscles (this is from the outside; in fact, the puppy needs time to develop the sore joint);

• “starting” lameness (at the beginning of the run the dog limps, then seems to move normally);

• lameness after exercise, intermittent claudication (either appears or disappears without a trace for days or weeks);

• the habit of “resting” in the middle of the journey, although the distance traveled cannot be called large. The puppy plops down on his butt and sits for a while, not wanting to go further;

• refusal to go up and/or down stairs. Many breeders recommend carrying babies for walks in your arms, and only when the puppies are 4 months old should they gradually master going up and down stairs.

It is important to understand that the sooner treatment begins, the greater the dog’s chances of full life. “Yes, he just twisted his paw/hit himself/slept uncomfortably, etc.” - don’t get your hopes up, even if you turn out to be right.

If you notice at least one of the symptoms, you should immediately contact a veterinarian. Dysplasia discovered after reaching the age of one is extremely difficult to overcome, especially if the pathology is serious.

The problem with the timely detection of dysplasia in dogs is the inability to determine the presence of the disease at an early stage without an x-ray. You, as the owner, should closely monitor your puppy and respond with a trip to the veterinarian if any of the following symptoms occur:

• During walks, your four-legged friend's running pattern changes. The dog runs, as if pushing off the ground with its hind legs. At the same time, rest after jogging becomes frequent.
• The dog's running towards the owner does not begin immediately, but after some warm-up. The dog carefully begins to walk towards you, gradually increasing the speed of the step, and switches to a shallow trot.
• During physical activity, lameness appears and disappears in the animal.
• A lying puppy's paws are turned out in an unnatural way.
• refuses to obey the command “Paw!” or whines while this command is being executed.
• walking up the stairs causes discomfort and pain and the puppy does not want to go up and down the steps.
• Feeling the joints causes the dog to become restless and cry.
• When you lightly press on the joints, you can feel that they are swollen.

Symptoms

Most often, dysplasia is diagnosed in dogs aged 12-18 months. This is due to the puppy’s rapid growth and rapid weight gain. And these loads lead to the fact that dogs’ joints begin to deteriorate. This leads to lameness of the animal, which can already appear at the age of two years.

The most striking symptoms of the development of dysplasia are:

• it is difficult for the dog to get up after lying down and climb the stairs;
• when walking, the dog sways unevenly or limps;
• she winces or whines when you touch her thigh.

Even if the dog is not limping, this does not exclude the possibility of developing dysplasia. Simply incorrect positioning and development of the joints has not yet led to lameness.

Thus, in a puppy, the first alarming signs of the development of the disease are that it often lies with its hind legs spread out in different directions, as well as rapid fatigue during long walking and the so-called “rabbit” run, in which the dog pushes off with both hind legs while running. .

Joint dysplasia is sometimes diagnosed at the age of 4-5 months, when dogs’ hind legs are not yet strong. In this case, treatment should be started immediately, without waiting until the baby reaches 12 months of age. Otherwise, osteoarthritis may develop.

Symptoms depend on the degree of instability (looseness) in the dog's hip joint, the degree of joint inflammation, and the degeneration that occurs. It's important to note that painful sensations in dogs are not always directly dependent on the stage of development of the disease. Some dogs with moderate dysplasia may experience extreme pain, while dogs with severe dysplasia may experience little to no pain.

Common signs of hip dysplasia include:

• exercise intolerance;
• jumping gait (especially on stairs);
• cerebellar gait (the hindquarters visibly sway);
• stiffness, pain;
• difficulty getting up from a lying or sitting position;
• sitting position “frog” (one hip is twisted);
• reluctance to run, jump, climb stairs;
• pain when touched;
• hind limbs are lame, often worsening after exercise;
• The hind legs are positioned closer together than the front legs (narrow position).

As hip dysplasia progresses in dogs, the following symptoms may appear:

• muscle atrophy of the hind limbs;
• arthritis (especially in older age);
• avoidance of touching;
• inexplicable aggressive behavior(at constant chronic pain in the joints).

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 that the owner can notice without an x-ray.

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.

Dysplasia (from the Greek dis - destruction, plasia - formation, appearance). Hip dysplasia is a very common disease among dogs. If this disease is neglected, it will cause the dog to begin to limp and experience constant pain.

Sometimes such an animal even has to be euthanized. Unfortunately, the first symptoms of this disease appear in a puppy after a year of life, so dog breeders do not have a recipe for choosing a puppy about whom we can say with complete confidence that he will not have hip dysplasia in the future.

An attentive owner will immediately determine that something wrong is happening to his pet. Change in gait and impairment appearance dogs indicates the development of pathology.

The following signs may indicate defects:

• Limping, swaying while walking.
• Incorrect paw placement when running (pushing off the surface with both legs at once).
• Stiffness of movements.
• Incorrect posture when lying down - the hind legs are turned in different directions.
• Body asymmetry. The dog transfers the bulk of its body weight to the front part of the body, while the pelvis becomes narrow as the muscles of the hind legs atrophy.
• Swelling of the joints.
• Pain when touching the paws.

Any of these signs should be a reason to contact your veterinarian. Timely help for your dog will help slow down or completely stop the development of the disease. Dysplasia detected at an early age, when bones are still developing, is cured much faster.

Diagnostics

Before starting treatment, a complete diagnosis of the body’s condition is performed. In this case, five degrees of development of pathology are revealed:

1. there are no deviations in the development of the joint;
2. there is a predisposition to pathology;
3. mild degree of dysplastic osteoarthritis;
4. moderate dysplasia disease;
5. severe form of dysplasia.

To detect inflammation, blood and urine are taken for analysis. The preferred method for diagnosing hip dysplasia is an X-ray of the hip under general anesthetic.

Without anesthesia, the animal can keep its muscles tense, which interferes with determining the clinical picture. It is advisable to prescribe this procedure to individuals over the age of one year and before it visit a cardiologist and take a blood test to exclude serious consequences from anesthesia.

Visible signs and noticeable joint laxity may also indicate hip dysplasia. During the examination, the doctor pays attention to correct positioning limbs, absence of body movements atypical for a healthy individual.

To assess the condition of the joints, the specialist will flex the joint, observe the dog's reaction, and note the presence of atypical cracking and crunching sounds. Any pet suspected of having hip dysplasia should be examined by a specialist as soon as possible.

Joint dysplasia is diagnosed by a veterinarian after a thorough examination of the animal and an x-ray examination. The doctor palpates all the dog’s joints, assesses their mobility, and listens for friction squeaks when extending or bending the limbs. An experienced veterinarian can make a diagnosis based on these tests in most cases.

On initial stage shown to the dog x-ray examination. The picture is taken after the administration of anesthesia, since without this it is almost impossible to secure the animal’s real estate. In the picture you can see the location of the femoral neck and glenoid cavity. The specialist determines the presence of deformation.

Rules that must be followed to obtain high-quality images:

• small dogs are examined only after 1 year of life, adults - after 1.5;
• each dog is filmed 2 times;
• the picture is taken in supine position animal on its back with parallel legs extended.

When diagnosing hip dysplasia, a veterinarian should pay special attention to a visual examination of the dog, and first of all determine the degree of joint laxity in the hips, which is an early indicator of the disease.

In adult dogs, the degree of loss should be assessed muscle mass in the hip area and expansion of the shoulder muscles (due to compensatory mechanisms of muscle hypertrophy).

The main diagnostic test is the hypermobility test (Ortolani test). To carry it out, general anesthesia is often used, since the doctor performing it must actively rotate the dog’s hip joint, and this can cause severe pain.

Radiographic examination, when diagnosing hip dysplasia in dogs, is simple an indispensable tool diagnostics It allows you to clearly see how far the degeneration and asymmetry of the joints have spread. Allows you to determine the degree of influence of this asymmetry on spinal cord dogs.

Dysplasia is diagnosed by a veterinarian after a thorough examination of the dog and an x-ray examination. The doctor palpates the dog’s joints, evaluates their mobility, and listens for creaks or friction when bending and straightening the paws. In most cases, the primary diagnosis experienced specialist can make a diagnosis based on these signs.

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

To obtain high-quality images, you must follow the following rules:

• Small dogs are examined only after 1 year, large dogs - after 1.5 years.
• Each animal is filmed twice.
• The picture is taken in a supine position, with legs extended parallel.

The simplest diagnostic methods are observation by a veterinarian of the animal’s behavior while running and walking, as well as palpation. The latter makes it possible to identify thickenings or defects in the joint area. If any are detected, the next step will be fluoroscopy.

X-rays of large breed puppies must be done exclusively under anesthesia. Otherwise, the animal will spin around and the picture will turn out blurry and illegible. In order to make sure that anesthesia will not cause any significant harm to the puppy’s health, you first need to undergo an examination with a cardiologist and take a blood test. biochemical composition blood.

First of all, the veterinarian will evaluate the correctness and ease of the dog’s movements. Then palpation is an attempt to detect the deformation by touch.

The doctor will bend and straighten the joint several times to assess the reaction (is there pain, crunching, friction, etc.).

Pictures for dysplasia are quite informative, but x-rays are taken only under anesthesia. This is necessary so that it is possible to assess the position of a joint that is not supported by muscles (an awake dog tenses and twists, even if it fully trusts the owner and the doctor).

To avoid the unpleasant consequences of anesthesia, it is recommended to first take a blood test for biochemistry and visit a cardiologist.

There is an opinion in scientific circles that the diagnosis of the disease should be carried out when the dog is one year old, and in the case of representatives of large breeds, even at the age of one and a half years. Usually this point of view is argued by the fact that it is at the above age levels that the joints are fully formed, which makes it possible to make a diagnosis.

This approach is suitable for breeding dogs, that is, simply determining the presence of a disease without further goals.

However, if a small puppy is unable to walk at the age of six months, it cannot be left in this position for another 6 months. The disease can be diagnosed as early as 4 months after the puppy is born.

This will allow you to begin to take certain measures to prevent osteoarthritis, as well as to improve your pet’s quality of life. In any case, it’s definitely not worth wasting precious time that could be spent usefully.

The diagnosis itself is carried out not on the basis of clinical signs of the disease, but relying on the results of radiography. Quite unusual is the fact that the filming itself is carried out while the animal is under anesthesia. There are reasons for this, however. Tension of the animal's limbs during filming can show a false state of affairs, which will usually appear better than it really is.

Treatment

Depends on the clinical signs found in the pet, the discomfort caused to it, body weight, age and the presence of other concomitant diseases. Dysplasia is treated conservatively (medically, with the use of physiotherapy) and surgically (operation).

This disease is incurable, all therapy is aimed at reducing unpleasant sensations, discomfort in the dog, and stopping the development of the pathology.

Conservative treatment method

There are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that are very effective, with minimal side effects. The choice of drug is made individually, and different drugs may be tried before the most suitable one is found. effective drug.

NSAIDs can relieve inflammation and pain, but their use not only does not stop, but continues to develop dysplasia. The dog will feel better and the lameness will go away, but using the drugs for 5-28 days may have a negative effect on the stomach.

Even when the medicine enters through the blood, it is carried throughout the body and reaches the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, which suffers. In case of stomach upsets and vomiting, the drug should be stopped or a blocker (ranitidine) should be prescribed.

NSAIDs cannot be used if there are abnormalities in the animal’s kidneys or liver, which can be detected by a complete urine and blood test. These drugs in small doses, agreed upon with a veterinarian, may not have side effects or negative effects on articular cartilage, then their use to relieve symptoms is advisable.

The most commonly prescribed drugs are: ketofen, movalis, quadrisol. They are administered orally, no more than once a day, the dosage is determined by the doctor, in accordance with age and weight category.

The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is possible in the period after surgery. They relieve inflammation and swelling, but when used for more than three days, they lead to divergence of the seams, which leads to their healing secondary intention. NSAIDs reduce the production of collagen, which allows tissue to grow together.

Most dogs with hip dysplasia require veterinarian-approved medications such as glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and fatty acids Omega-3s, which help improve joint health and strengthen cartilage.

In addition, injections of glycosaminoglycan are necessary, which triggers the regenerative process in the joints. In some cases, doctors recommend the use homeopathic remedies.

Quality treatment Hip dysplasia in dogs is promoted by moderate daily exercise that does not require high activity. They support the patient’s mobility and strengthen the organs. Experts tend to believe that physical activity is very effective in improving the quality of life of an affected dog and should be an integral part of any treatment.

Because excess weight puts undue stress on the hip joints, weight loss measures are highly recommended if you are overweight. To determine the need for weight loss, it is enough to feel the dog in the ribs. If there is no excess, then they can be easily felt, and in dogs with short hair they are clearly visible while walking.

When losing weight, the pressure on the pelvis will decrease, which can lead to an improvement in the condition and the abolition of injections with anti-inflammatory drugs.

Physiotherapy is indicated for sick individuals. The affected joint is heated using paraffin, or the sore spot electromagnetic radiation. This type of therapy gives good results, especially in combination with other treatment methods.

Sick dogs or those with a predisposition to pathology should limit their physical activity during the growth stage so as not to provoke the development of dysplastic osteoarthritis. If after walking the dog is weak on its legs or limps, then the load on the limbs was excessive and should be reduced next time.

At home, the individual must move on a rough surface so as not to further deform the femur. The dog’s home should be warm and dry, otherwise the pain may worsen and lameness may intensify. It is better not to walk sick dogs on paved areas, but to give preference to lawns. Swimming is beneficial for sick dogs, as it does not load the joints, but strengthens the periarticular muscles.

Surgery

An alternative to conservative therapy is surgery. There are several surgical procedures designed to treat pet hip dysplasia. There are several main ones:

1. Juvenile pubic symphysiodesis is often used for therapy and prevention of the development of pathology in dogs. During this operation, some growth zones of the pubic bones are excised, which helps slow down the growth of bone tissue and close the head of the femoral neck with the acetabulum.

The operation is indicated for young puppies under 16 weeks of age. It allows you to relieve lameness for up to several years, and is indicated when medications are ineffective;

1. Resection arthroplasty is aimed at reducing pain in the patient at the contact of the glenoid cavity and the head of the femoral neck. To do this, they are resected. The procedure is indicated for individuals whose weight is less than 22 kg, but even larger dogs have had good results.

This operation is performed when other surgical treatment methods cannot be used, and in the absence of a positive result from drug therapy. Specialists tend to carry out this procedure not only for severe pain, but also for severe lameness;

1. triple pelvic osteotomy involves artificially breaking the pubic, ischial and ilium bones, followed by application of an implant to the ilium and fixation of the ischium with a wire suture.

Dysplasia in dogs is treated with medication and surgery. The choice of treatment method depends on the course of the disease, individual characteristics the dog's body and health. Therapy for elbow joint dysplasia can be carried out as follows: in a conservative way, and operational. Treatment for hip dysplasia in dogs is usually surgical.

Conservative therapy

Treatment medications includes the use of medications of different effects:

• chondoprotectors - drugs for joint regeneration;
• antispasmodics - to relieve pain;
• anti-inflammatory - aimed at relieving tissue inflammation.

But dietary supplements with chondroitin and glucasamine are also prescribed to speed up the recovery process in the joints. Along with the use of dietary supplements and medications, the dog is prescribed a special diet for weight loss while taking vitamins and minerals.

Positive effect are able to provide physiotherapeutic procedures. The most popular and in demand are:

• laser and magnetic therapy;
• ozokerite or paraffin therapy;
• massage of a sore joint.

During treatment, the animal's physical activity is not excluded, but it should be restrained - light jogging, swimming, slow walks. You need to know that conservative therapy for DTS is only a temporary improvement in the condition, in which lameness is eliminated and pain is eliminated.

Unfortunately, damaged joints cannot be restored. Therefore, veterinarians recommend surgical correction.

Surgical intervention

Hip dysplasia in dogs can be treated either conservatively or with surgery. Treatment options often depend on the dog's age, size, weight, degree, and type of dysplasia (early or older). When choosing conservative therapy or surgical intervention, the severity of joint hypermobility is taken into account.

Treatment of dysplasia in dogs should begin as early as possible. There are 2 main types of therapy: surgical and drug. But only veterinarian must 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 pain, relieves inflammation, and 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.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely cure a disease such as hip dysplasia. But it is quite possible to stop its development and make the dog’s life full, long and painless. This can be done with medication or surgery.

Disease detection test

There is a so-called test that helps identify dysplasia. The test results are obtained based on a veterinarian's examination (includes palpation of the limbs) and an x-ray. Be sure to ask the test results of the parents of your future puppy - do not forget that most often dysplasia is hereditary.

Dysplasia can be diagnosed not only by x-rays. There is also the so-called Ortolani test. This is a special way of palpation. Moreover, this test is used not only for dogs, but also for newborn children. According to this test, the degree of dysplasia in different dogs can vary significantly:

• Grade A. No dysplasia.
• Grade B. Minor deviations from the norm.
• Grade C. Mild dysplasia.
• Grade D. Moderate dysplasia.
• Grade E. Severe dysplasia.

This method cannot detect elbow dysplasia.

Remember that test results are not always reliable! Often, puppies that were diagnosed with elbow or hip dysplasia at 2 months grew into healthy dogs. X-rays can only be trusted when the dog's bones are fully formed, that is, after the first year of life.

Surgical treatment

Most often, this treatment method is used in advanced stages of elbow dysplasia or hip joint. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to guarantee the successful outcome of the operation and its effectiveness. Today, there are many types of surgical interventions for joint diseases in dogs. Let's look at the main ones.

Dysplasia is a disease that dog owners are increasingly faced with. This problem can turn into a real tragedy if the owner does not take time to treat his four-legged friend. How to recognize the disease and how to treat it?

What is hip dysplasia in dogs

Hip dysplasia is a disease that destroys the joint. It inevitably leads to disruption of the dog’s musculoskeletal system.

There are 5 degrees and classifications (according to FCI) of dysplasia in dogs: at 1 (A - normal) there are no symptoms and the disease itself, at 2 (B - borderline condition) and 3 (C - mild form) the animal experiences dislocations, at 4 ( D – moderate) and 5 (E – severe) there are serious disturbances in the functioning of the hip joint.

In recent decades, the number of dogs suffering from dysplasia has increased. Animals of large and giant breeds are mainly susceptible to the disease. In small dogs, THD is very rare. The main danger of this disease is that without treatment, and sometimes even with it, the animal will not be able to move independently.

Causes of hip dysplasia in dogs and risk groups

Most often, dysplasia occurs in the following dog breeds: shepherd dogs (more in German than in Eastern European dogs), moloss dogs (great Danes, St. Bernards, bullmastiffs, etc.), and retrievers.

Here are the main reasons for the development of THD:

• heredity (often breeding involves dogs that have not been tested for the presence of this disease, and this leads to the manifestation of THD in the offspring);
• an unbalanced diet and overfeeding (a deficiency of calcium and phosphorus in the diet, as well as excess protein and excess weight will aggravate the development of the disease);
• excessive loads (heavy loads are contraindicated for puppies during the growth period up to 18 months, especially for heavy and large breeds);
• lack of movement (puppies and young dogs need to exercise a lot so that their muscle and bone tissue develops correctly, but do not forget that all exercise up to 18 months should be gentle);
• injuries (in some cases, dislocations or injuries of the hip joint can trigger the development of the disease).

Symptoms of hip dysplasia in dogs

What are the signs of hip dysplasia in dogs? If you notice that your pet has begun to limp (especially after exercise), it is difficult to get up and gets tired quickly - this is a reason to visit the veterinarian. The animal experiences pain in the damaged joint, so it lies down more and protects its paws. Often puppies with dysplasia lie in the “frog” position.

Another symptom of THD is “rabbit” running (while running, the dog leans on both hind limbs at once). As a rule, symptoms of dysplasia begin to appear in puppies from six months of age, but an accurate diagnosis can only be made after 12 months.

Diagnosis and treatment of hip dysplasia in dogs

Diagnosis of hip dysplasia is carried out only by radiographic examination of the damaged area. Using the images, the veterinarian will determine the degree of development of the disease and offer treatment options.

How to treat dysplasia in dogs? Success treatment of DTHD depends on the degree of development of the disease. There are two ways to combat the disease: conservative and surgical.

At the first stage, oral administration or injection of chondroprotectors (injection of the drug into the joint) and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed.

Surgical method includes several different measures (depending on the severity of the disease): removal of the femoral head, triple osteotomy, installation of an endoprosthesis (recommended in the last stages of dysplasia).

Any method of treatment is accompanied by auxiliary measures: massage, ozokerite, warming, physiotherapy, swimming, etc.

Main preventive measure

– correct selection work. Breeders are required to check all sires for dysplasia, however, this measure does not always give the desired result. A large breed puppy should be raised properly. Proper nutrition, regular walks, maintaining normal weight, adequate physical activity according to age are good prevention of THD.

Continuing our column, in which we consider the most common diseases of dogs, talk about their prevention and give advice and recommendations regarding the treatment of such diseases of our four-legged friends, today we will talk about dysplasia in dogs.

Let's look at what this disease is and discuss it clinical symptoms, let's talk about prevention and treatment. After all, who, if not us - the owners of our Spartaks, Buranov and Hilds - should take care of the health of our pets?!

What dog breeds are prone to dysplasia?

To treat dysplasia, depending on the condition of the articular tissue and the individual condition of the animal’s body, conservative and surgical treatment is used.

Conservative methods

Pathology of the hip joint can be treated with medication in the early stages of development. This technique is aimed at restoring cartilage tissue, relieving swelling and pain.

Conservative treatment is based on the use of:

• Chondoprotectors - drugs aimed at restoring cartilage and joint tissues (Adequan, Glucosamine, Artra, Teraflex, Chionate, Chondrolone, Mucosat, Pentosan). The drugs are prescribed in the form of intravenous drips, intramuscular injections, and injections into the joint. Medicines are prescribed in combination or separately.
• Antispasmodics that relieve pain - No-shpa, Baralgin, Analgin.
• Anti-inflammatory drugs - Nimesulide, Rimadyl.
• Mineral complexes based on chondroitins and glucosamine - Omega-3, Omega-6 complexes.
• Along with medications, the dog is prescribed physiotherapeutic procedures.

The most effective are:

• Paraffin therapy.
• Ozokerite.
• Magnetic therapy.
• Laser therapy.
• Massage.

Operative technique

Conservative treatment may not always give the desired result in the treatment of hip dysplasia (HJD). When the disease has reached its final stages, surgical intervention is necessary. The duration and complexity of the operation depends on the condition of the joint. Sometimes it is enough to just remove a small cartilage growth inside the joint.

If the joint is severely deformed, the following types of operations are used:

• Excision of the femoral neck and head. The operation is quite traumatic, and the recovery period after it can be long. After excision, the joint is completely restored, and the animal can move freely without the use of any prostheses.
• Osteotomy - cutting the bone and adjusting the location of the articular fossa. The joint is in the correct position. Surgery is possible in uncomplicated forms of the disease.
• Myectomy - excision of the pectineus muscle during the puppy's growth period. Practice shows that complete cure This technique does not give, but it can significantly reduce lameness and restore motor function of the joint. The indication for this type of surgical intervention is the ineffectiveness of conservative treatment with drugs. Greatest effect Myectomy gives the dog age from 6 to 12 months.
• Resection arthroplasty is the resection of a joint to reduce pain. This operation reduces the contact of the joint head with the glenoid cavity. After the operation, when moving, the friction of the head against the socket stops, and the dog stops experiencing pain. This type of surgical intervention is used for small breeds of dogs weighing up to 20 kilograms. Resection arthroplasty is performed at any age of the animal.
• Endoprosthetics. Used at the last stage of dysplasia. The dog's joint is replaced with an artificial one made of titanium alloy. Prosthetics are used when other surgical methods have failed or do not make sense. After completing the rehabilitation course, the dog continues to move without pain and lead a normal lifestyle. Muscle atrophy is a contraindication for endoprosthetics, so if there are indications for installing a prosthesis, it should be done as soon as possible. From an economic and functional point of view, installation of a prosthesis is recommended for dogs weighing more than 30 kilograms.

Preventive measures taken for animals predisposed to the disease do not allow them to completely get rid of it. Therefore they the main objective– this is to minimize the negative impact on the body. Prevention of dysplasia includes:

• minimizing loads, allowing you to maintain motor function for as long as possible;
• adjusting the diet, completely eliminating growth stimulants and reducing the amount of meat in the animal’s diet;
• Constantly monitoring the puppy’s weight and using all possible measures to maintain it at normal levels.

Conservative treatment, especially for hind limb dysplasia in dogs, rarely leads to improvement. And these improvements are temporary - the pain stops, the lameness goes away for a while.

But the problem remains. Imagine trying to put a cap on a pen, but they don't fit together.

No matter how hard you try, nothing will work out - either the handle will break or the cap will crack. Therefore, there is only one solution - to surgically correct the shape so that the head of the bone matches the socket of the joint as closely as possible.

They operate in an open and closed manner, and the decision on the methods and degree of exposure is made by the doctor, individually in each case. Sometimes it is only necessary to slightly cut off the cartilage, and sometimes it is necessary to install a prosthesis or secure the “loose” area with a screw.

Surgeries for dysplasia are a jewelery job that requires enormous experience and colossal knowledge of anatomy, so try to find the most competent specialist available to you.

It is immediately worth noting that therapy for abnormalities in the structure of joints in animals does not give a 100% result. This is such an insidious disease - dysplasia in dogs. Its treatment is carried out using chondroprotective drugs, which are administered by injection into the vein or joints of the animal. Under no circumstances should you perform the procedure yourself. This should only be done by a doctor.

The optimal measure for dysplasia is surgery.

After surgery, cold compresses are applied to the operated area. This measure relieves swelling and reduces pain. Cold should be applied every seven hours for an interval of no more than ten minutes.

The animal should be fixed in a comfortable position and movements should not be allowed after the operation for up to one month. During this period, it is necessary to lightly stretch the limbs to avoid atrophy. During the postoperative period, you should not feed the dog. Recommended light food, since an increase in body weight will have a detrimental effect on the operated limbs.

Drug treatment

• Drug treatment in the postoperative period consists of prescribing painkillers, anti-inflammatory therapy.
• To prevent the development of infection, it is allowed prescribing antibiotics.
• It is recommended to use treatment regimens that slow down the development of arthritis and have a protective effect on the cartilage of the joint.

Based on the x-ray, the veterinarian determines the presence or absence of dysplasia and describes the condition of the dog’s joint.

The degree of damage by the disease determines how to treat dysplasia in a dog.

Severe forms of dysplasia require surgical intervention.

During the operation, the doctor will perform one of the following manipulations:

• will reduce stress and minimize pain for the dog during activity by severing the pectineus muscle within the joint.
• will remove the head of the bone, and secure the limb itself with a special ligament.
• will cut both the bone itself and the acetabulum in order to unfold it for tight contact with the joint.
• will remove a wedge-shaped piece of bone, followed by fixation of the bone with a special plate.
• will replace the joint with a prosthesis.

Treatment of joints in dogs, with mild to moderate stages of the disease, allows you to soften negative impact dysplasia on the condition of the animal. But you need to approach drug treatment very responsibly and follow all the veterinarian’s recommendations, which include:

• therapy, which includes taking special medications and performing procedures. Medicines are aimed at restoring joints and cartilage, relieving pain when moving, preventing inflammation, and strengthening bones.

It can be treated in two main ways: conservative and surgical. What treatment to prescribe is always decided individually and depends on the degree of damage to the articular tissues, the age and weight of the animal, its well-being, etc.

Conservative method

This type of therapy involves taking medications, physiotherapy, and homeopathy. The animal is given chondroprotectors, intra-articular injections are given, the diseased joint is exposed to laser and electromagnetic radiation, it is heated, and special therapeutic exercises are prescribed, for example, swimming can usually be very useful.

• Nutritional supplements (chondroprotectors): GAG, chondroitin, glucosamine. They can be used for life, they reduce inflammation in the diseased joint and prevent further tissue destruction.
• Anti-inflammatory drugs: Deramax, Rimadyl, Ketoprofen, etc. These drugs are intended for the treatment of osteoarthritis in dogs. They effectively relieve inflammation and have an analgesic effect. Human medications are contraindicated for animals: Ibuprofen, etc.
• Corticosteroids. These drugs are prescribed to older dogs when other medications have not brought improvement.

If a dog is overweight, then it should be reduced as much as possible, since by reducing pressure on the painful joint, inflammation also decreases, and this in turn promotes recovery.

The most effective procedures are considered to be paraffin therapy, ozokerite, magnetic and laser therapy. A massage of the sore joint will give a good therapeutic effect (it should be performed by a professional). Treatment of hip dysplasia must necessarily include moderate physical activity: swimming, light running, etc. But you cannot force dogs to jump and run fast.

It is impossible to completely cure severe dysplasia using gentle methods. If medications and procedures do not give the expected effect, and the pet’s condition only worsens, the optimal solution to the problem will be surgery, before which it will be necessary to take another x-ray.

During the operation, the doctor will be able to adjust the shape of the hip bone so that its head matches the size and shape of the glenoid fossa.

The last stages of THD (4 and 5) are treated surgically. These methods are not cheap, but they are more effective. In some cases, surgery is the only way the dog can walk.

Surgical method

Resection arthroplasty. During the operation, the surgeon removes the head of the femur.

Dr. Efimov proposed modifying this procedure: a muscle layer is made between the neck of the femoral bone and the glenoid cavity (a small piece of the buttock muscle is used). Subsequently, a plate similar to cartilage forms in this place, thanks to which the limb begins to move freely and painlessly.

This procedure is indicated for animals whose weight does not exceed 25 kg. It can be done at any age.

Triple pelvic osteotomy. This procedure is performed only on young animals up to one year old, less often - up to two.

During the operation, the acetabulum is isolated and rotated to an angle at which the head of the femoral bone will receive a larger area of ​​support and will not fall out of the joint. The fragment is fixed with a metal structure.

This procedure is quite expensive and traumatic, but if all recommendations are followed, it gives an excellent effect.

Installation of endoprosthesis. During the operation, the neck and head of the femur bone are removed and replaced with implants. After the recovery period is over, the dogs begin to move painlessly. This method is very effective for treating large animals (at least 20 kg), but its cost is quite high.

Conservative treatment of canine hip dysplasia

Conservative therapy includes drug treatment and physical therapy as additional means for the treatment of a disease. One option for physiotherapy involves the use of hydrotherapy, which is beneficial for dogs with hip dysplasia.

An important aspect of treatment should be the constant monitoring of the animal’s weight. If a dog is overweight, then it should be reduced as much as possible, since by reducing pressure on the painful joint, inflammation also decreases, and this in turn promotes recovery.

The veterinarian, as part of complex therapy for hip dysplasia of a dog, should draw up individual plan reducing her weight. This can be easily achieved by developing a low-calorie diet, but vitamins and minerals must be present in it in full and not infringe on the animal’s needs.

Puppies have special diets designed to rapid growth large dogs may also reduce the severity of hip dysplasia. Such supplements help the bones and muscles of puppies grow at the required speed, and this is important for the physiologically correct development of the musculoskeletal system.

Painkillers (analgesics) and anti-inflammatory drugs are used widely and everywhere. Their use is justified, depending on the pain of the process and the degree of development of inflammation.

In each individual case, their combination and dosage are different. However, appointments of this kind can only be made by a veterinary specialist. Only he has the right to safely prescribe analgesics, antibiotics and steroids, taking into account the dog’s condition and possible chronic diseases.

This especially applies to animals with gastrointestinal problems.

Nutritional supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, green mussel powder, Omega-3 fatty acids and some others deserve special attention in the complex treatment of hip dysplasia in dogs. Their use is quite important, but only in combination with other means. They help strengthen bone tissue and promote regeneration of the surface of damaged joints.

Massage and physiotherapy are also important. Exercises that are gentle on the dog’s muscle tone are recommended. Such exercises include walking, jogging and especially swimming (including hydrotherapy). However, you should avoid excessively active physical activity that puts additional pressure on the joint: jumping, frisbee, intense running, etc.

For arthrosis and degenerative arthritis, glycosaminoglycan polysulfides, for example, pentosan polysulfate, can be prescribed. Drugs in this group are natural components of articular cartilage and increase the production of joint fluid in the joint cavity.

Prevention

To avoid the transmission of hip dysplasia to offspring, necessary measures are taken by breeders. Thus, individuals with pathological changes are excluded from breeding.

In addition, X-rays can be performed under light anesthesia in dogs as young as one year of age to evaluate general condition and the presence of abnormalities in the joints.

Thanks to breeders, breeders can purchase healthy puppy, but according to scientific evidence, diet at an early age also has big influence on joint health.

However, positive results can also be achieved with a special diet, even in already sick dogs. Therefore, at the stage of development of the body, a balanced supply of vitamins and proteins is necessary for health.

In addition, your puppy's food must contain adjusted levels of phosphorus and calcium. Depending on specific requirements, the recommended content of calcium in dry food is from 0.9 to 1.6 percent, and phosphorus from approximately 1.3 to 1.9. These indicators should be reduced with age, and nutrition again adapted to the specific individual.

Prevention of canine dysplasia provides for certain norms of load on the joints of both healthy and predisposed animals. If there are signs of severe fatigue, the dog should be protected from stress and its condition monitored.

Dogs who are overweight need to lose weight to reduce pressure on their joints. It is important to reduce the energy content of the feed, but make sure that there is no shortage of it.

Also, when calculating the diet, you should take into account the level of activity of the individual, since less active dogs prone to obesity. Losing weight may not eliminate the disease, but it will reduce joint pain and associated symptoms.

Special ingredients in dog food may have positive influence on the joints. The addition of antioxidants, particularly vitamin E and C, as well as unsaturated fatty acids, can reduce joint inflammation. Nettle extract as natural medicinal plant also has a positive effect on joints due to its anti-inflammatory nature.

All of the above components must enter the individual’s body along with food. If it is not possible to create a plan tailored to the needs of the dog’s body, balanced diet yourself, you can contact your veterinarian to get it done.

Preventive actions to prevent and prevent the development of pathology depend on the stage at which they are needed. You need to think about the absence of illness in a puppy before purchasing it.

When choosing a large breed puppy, it is important to make sure that its parents do not have a disease. Their dysplasia test results must correspond to grade A.

The breeder is required to submit such a certificate along with other documents. Although even this does not give complete confidence that the dog will not develop the disease in the future.

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 everyone essential 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 both parents have been tested for canine dysplasia and received a 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.

A guarantee of the absence of hip dysplasia (HD) in dogs is selection and genetic prevention. To obtain healthy offspring, it is necessary to breed healthy parents. Dog trainers and breeders should be especially interested in addressing the problem to maintain the health of the breeds being bred.

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

Owners of dog breeds predisposed to hip dysplasia (HJD) should especially carefully monitor the normalization of the animal’s diet in order to prevent obesity. Excess weight in a dog is an increased load on the joints, therefore, a provoking factor in the development of dysplasia.

Owners should remember: under no circumstances should they give their dog drugs to accelerate growth or increase body weight.

Such additives can provoke the development of dysplasia. This is especially true for dogs that are most susceptible to this disease. Breeders should carefully study the mother's pedigree and, if there is a pathology in the anamnesis, they should think carefully before making a decision.

It is impossible to prevent the development of dysplasia in advance. The disease will definitely make itself felt if the dog has a predisposition to it.

• correct conduct of breeding work (all producers must be examined for the presence or absence of dysplasia)
  
• do not give animals heavy loads (especially during intensive growth puppies);
• do not force pets to run long distances;
• feed the dog healthy food, do not overfeed, monitor the pet’s weight.

Dysplasia is a serious disease that should not be left to chance. Without treatment, an animal with this disease will certainly become disabled and experience severe pain. Before purchasing a puppy, be sure to ask whether its parents have been examined for dysplasia, and raise the baby correctly.

Nutrition for dysplasia

Some dog owners, having become familiar with the mechanism of action of dysplasia, try to reduce the calorie content of their pet’s food by reducing the amount of protein and increasing the amount of carbohydrates. By doing this, they are trying to reduce the growth rate of their pet, hoping that this will at least stop the dysplasia.

This approach only guarantees the emergence of new problems. Owners of animals with a natural predisposition to dysplasia and overweight should be concerned. The dog's body must be in good condition, consuming the right amount. useful substances and vitamins, as well as expend energy reserves.

megan92 () 2 weeks ago

Tell me, how does anyone deal with joint pain? My knees hurt terribly ((I take painkillers, but I understand that I am fighting the effect, not the cause...

Daria () 2 weeks ago

I struggled with my painful joints for several years until I read this article by some Chinese doctor. And I forgot about “incurable” joints a long time ago. So it goes

megan92 () 13 days ago

Daria () 12 days ago

megan92, that’s what I wrote in my first comment) I’ll duplicate it just in case - link to professor's article.

Sonya 10 days ago

Isn't this a scam? Why do they sell on the Internet?

julek26 (Tver) 10 days ago

Sonya, what country do you live in?.. They sell it on the Internet because stores and pharmacies charge a brutal markup. In addition, payment is only after receipt, that is, they first looked, checked and only then paid. And now they sell everything on the Internet - from clothes to TVs and furniture.

Editor's response 10 days ago

Sonya, hello. This drug for the treatment of joints is indeed not sold through the pharmacy chain in order to avoid inflated prices. Currently you can only order from Official website. Be healthy!

Dysplasia in dogs often appears in puppies. Experienced breeders understand that the bulk of large purebred dogs prone to diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Animals that have a powerful body build, large body mass and constantly feel strong physical stress often have difficulties with their joints. Timely initiation of therapy for the disease can help eliminate severe consequences, especially immobility.

Main types of disease

Multiple epiphyseal dysplasia. A very severe stage of joint damage. This is an abnormal condition of calcification of the pineal gland, seen when the hind limbs are affected. The dog is exposed to the disease from birth. Joints may become swollen, and an unstable and wobbly gait may occur. Puppies stop growing. This defect is considered hereditary, but its genetic origin has not yet been clearly studied.

Elbow dysplasia. This type of disease also refers to frequent deviation of the joints, which is associated with a malformation of the elbow joint of the forelimbs. The disease can be traced already at 4-6 months and can affect both 2 and 1 paw. Most of all, underdevelopment of the elbow joint in dogs is eliminated by surgical intervention and drug treatment, however, sick individuals are not allowed to breed even after recovery. This defect has genetic origins.

Hip dysplasia. It gives rise to asymmetry of the torso. For example, the chest is vast and large, and the pelvis is narrow, the hind legs are poorly formed. When moving, dogs transfer weight and load to the front part of the body, so this part is much more developed. It is important to note that at a young age the body can compensate for the deficiency by depositing new matter on the bones, but with old age the disease worsens. For this reason, it is important to implement complex therapy and maintenance.

Hip dysplasia in dogs occurs in dogs of all breeds, including mixed breeds. The disease affects larger breeds more often than small ones. At the genetic level, certain breeds are most susceptible to instability (looseness) of the hip joint and more often than others express symptoms of dysplasia.

Symptoms of dysplasia disease in dogs

Often the disease is detected when the animal is one or one and a half years old. And this is natural, since it is in this period The dog is growing rapidly and gaining mass. If treatment is not started on time, this will lead to subsequent lameness, which may not be expressed immediately.

You need to carefully monitor the puppy: when he prefers to lie with his hind legs spread out to the sides and often takes this position, he has dysplasia. In addition, you need to be on alert when the dog quickly gets tired during a walk or is chasing, pushing off with 2 paws at the same time from behind.

What symptoms of dysplasia should you pay attention to:

• lameness in 1 or both hind legs;
• when moving, the dog sways;
• difficulty getting up;
• unnatural rotation of the hind legs if the dog is on its stomach;
• severe fatigue, frequent pauses;
• paws swell;
• when pressing on the joints - unhealthy feelings, although they may not exist when walking or running;
• the front part is more massive and stronger, while the back part is smaller and weaker.

If your dog shows signs of dysplasia, you should consult a doctor immediately. Ignoring treatment will lead to the fact that after a certain period the creature will not be able to move and will feel torment.

Joint dysplasia in young dogs occurs without signs; they appear much later. It is necessary to focus on the fact that the puppy does not want to move on a slippery floor and prefers to crawl. In the advanced stage of the disease, the dog may become hostile due to the pain it regularly experiences.

Diagnostics

The main diagnostic method is the test for Ortolani dysplasia, which is performed under anesthesia, since the doctor performing it is required to rapidly rotate the dog’s hip joint, and this can cause severe pain. X-ray examination, when diagnosing hip dysplasia in dogs, is simply considered a necessary diagnostic tool. It makes it possible to clearly see how pronounced the asymmetry of the joints is. Makes it possible to determine the level of impact of asymmetry on the dog’s spinal cord.

The veterinarian takes a urine sample for examination and blood. The dog's parents may not have hip dysplasia but produce future generations with the disease. This is a very common manifestation. The earlier a disease is diagnosed, the more treatment alternatives are available. This is important primarily because longer illness is not examined, the dog’s joints are subjected to huge negative painful changes. The level of their degeneration increases.

A dysplasia test will help determine the diagnosis

To establish a diagnosis of dysplasia, it is necessary to undergo an appropriate analysis - an x-ray examination, based on the results of the image, the degree of formation of dysplasia in the dog is determined.

A test for dysplasia is an X-ray examination of the hip and elbow joints, as well as a further study of acquired photos of dysplasia (images) and a conclusion about the stage of the disease or its absence. Since underdevelopment of the hip joints is most often observed in dogs, therefore, let’s talk about a test for abnormal development in dogs of this species.

The test for hip dysplasia is performed in a “stretch” manner. Of course, in order for an image for dysplasia in dogs to be taken in accordance with the rules, it is necessary to correctly place the animal on the X-ray table. The animal is placed on its back vertically to the plane of the table, that is, the dog’s body does not have to be inclined either to the left or to the right. In this case, the chest should be fixed in an immobilized position.

The pelvis is placed parallel to the plane of the table, maintaining an exactly symmetrical position of its left and right sides in relation to the main axis. The animal’s kneecaps must be in the upper middle state, that is, they must be clearly visible in the photo. Incorrect development in dogs. In a similar way, the animal is “stretched” by its hind limbs, which must be turned 15 degrees.

After this, a test for dysplasia in dogs is performed directly. After extracting the image, the veterinarian checks for equality of magnitude and symmetry of location pelvic bones. The veterinarian, who bears absolute responsibility for the test procedure, is obliged to place a non-erasable mark on the photo to identify the animal, that is, the dog’s brand number. It should be noted that during the period of the dysplasia test, the dog must be at least 12 months old. The picture indicates:

• animal's name;
• stamp number;
• date of birth;
• breed;
• date of shooting;
• marks “left” and “right”;
• address and name of the owner.

The doctor who performs a test for abnormal development in a dog is obliged to control the quality of the image and the accuracy of the position skeletal system. When there are pathologies or “doubtful” circumstances, then the veterinarian must inform the owner of the matter. He can establish a conclusion based on the results of the image in advance. The conclusion contains the establishment of one of the stages of hip position:

• stage I, or A: without indicators of abnormal development;
• stage II, or B: moderately normal position;
• stage III, or C: mild;
• stage IV, or D. middle.

Therapy for joint dysplasia

It should immediately be emphasized that treatment of abnormalities in the structure of joints in animals does not provide 100% results. Treatment of dysplasia in dogs is carried out using chondroprotectors, which are applied by injection into the veins or joints of the animal. Under no circumstances should you carry out the procedure yourself. This must only be done by a doctor. When your pet is diagnosed with abnormal development, you need to apply maximum effort so that he can live longer without pain and difficulties.

Various substances should be used, including those with an analgesic effect. In order to remove the pain syndrome, veterinarians often prescribe Quadrisol-5, to eliminate the acute inflammatory process - Phenylbutazone, and in order to stop the destruction processes - Stride. The drug Rimadyl can help eliminate or reduce lameness. Treatment also includes taking vitamins, proper nutrition and a regimen of physical activity.

In case of neglected disease processes, veterinarians refer the dog for surgery. The type of operation is determined after a general diagnosis, it can be:

1. Myectomy of the pectineus muscle. It is not considered a difficult operation during which the pectineus muscle of the hip joint is dissected. This reduces the pain caused by physical activity and the pressure on the affected joint. This manipulation is performed exclusively on young animals in order to stabilize their position.
2. Resection of the femoral head. This procedure is also called resection arthroplasty. It involves the removal of the head of the femur, and the fixation of the limb is performed thanks to a special ligament. After such an intervention, motor function is preserved only in small pets whose weight does not exceed 15 kilograms. For this reason, its implementation in representatives of large and huge breeds will not provide the predicted result.
3. The method of triple pelvic osteotomy refers to complex operations. The doctor cuts the bone, then it is turned in a similar way so that it comes into closer contact with the hip joint. An auxiliary plate is used to strengthen the bone. This method is used to cure exclusively young animals.
4. Interacetabular osteotomy method. The method consists of removing the wedge-shaped part of the neck. The end, which fits more tightly into the articular notch, is secured with a plate.
5. Changing a joint. The procedure is carried out in hospitals that have specialized equipment, devices and prostheses. The procedure involves completely removing the diseased joint and replacing it with a new one. This surgical intervention provides good results and in most situations the dog begins to live a full life.

The dog owner must monitor the pet's weight. Dogs that are at risk for the disease or have already been diagnosed with the disease must limit physical activity. Long runs active games with jumping can cause intensive formation of pathology and a shift to the worse side of the condition. However, completely eliminating physical no activity needed.

Active overloads are not recommended for up to six months, but the animal can swim. The disease will require a special careful attitude towards the pupil, and it depends only on the owner to what extent the dog’s life will be high-quality and long without pain and suffering.

Hip dysplasia in dogs is a pathology of the musculoskeletal system, which is characterized by underdevelopment of the acetabulum of the hip joint. Large breeds of dogs are especially susceptible to the disease. The disease is dangerous because it provokes partial and sometimes complete destruction of joints and cartilage tissue, and threatens loss of motor functions. Diagnosis and timely treatment dysplasia will help stop degenerative processes in the animal’s body.

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What is hip dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a defect in the development of the joint in the socket area. The disease was originally called subluxation of the articular head due to the increase in the gap between the socket and the head of the bone (it is not adjacent to the joint, which leads to friction and wear of the head). As a result, compaction and deformation of the joint occurs.

Causes and risk group

Most often, dysplasia is diagnosed in German shepherds, retrievers, Great Danes, bullmastiffs and St. Bernards.

The main causes of THD:

• heredity;
• overfeeding, unbalanced nutrition (lack of phosphorus, calcium in the diet, excess protein leads to the development of the disease);
• excessive physical activity (pets under 18 months of age are prohibited from heavy exercise, especially large and heavy breeds);
• lack of movement (puppies need gentle exercise for bone and muscle tissue to develop properly);
• rapid growth of bone and joint tissues in the first 6 months of life;
• injuries.



Symptoms

A veterinarian can detect the disease in the 12th month of a puppy’s life, but dysplasia begins to appear only at 2-2.5 years.




Signs of hip dysplasia in dogs:

• lameness that occurs spontaneously (when examining the limbs, no changes in integrity are observed);
• even with a small load the dog gets tired quickly;
• hind legs are shaking;
• the dog sways while walking;
• when palpating the upper thigh area, the pet whines and tries to bite;
• the hind legs are spread to the side.

Puppies with dysplasia, while resting, take a frog position to unload the hind limbs. Also, young individuals exhibit body asymmetry: powerful front legs, weak hind legs and a developed chest.

Symptoms of DTS may appear partially, so diagnosing the disease at home is difficult. For example, a pet may place its paws differently due to fatigue, or limp due to damage to its paw during a walk.



Diagnostics

Diagnosis of diseases related to bones is carried out using x-rays. Based on the image, the veterinarian can determine not only the presence or absence of pathology, but also the degree of deformation of the joint.

X-rays are performed under general anesthesia to ensure good quality results. In some cases, arthroscopy is done. During this procedure, an incision is made into which an arthroscope is inserted to examine the joint. A mini camera shows the condition of the desired area and surrounding tissue.

The study helps the specialist determine the severity of the animal’s illness:

• A – no deviations;
• B – there is a predisposition to joint deformation;
• C – initial form;
• D – middle stage;
• E – severe dysplasia.

Conservative therapy

Treatment for hip dysplasia is effective in the early stages of the disease. Therapy is based on eliminating pain, swelling, and restoring cartilage tissue.

Conservative treatment includes the use of:

1. 1. Chondroprotectors– medications that restore joint and cartilage tissue (Glucosamine, Adequan, Chionate, Teraflex, Mucosat, Chondrolone). Medicines are prescribed in the form of intravenous drips, injections into joints, and intramuscular injections. The drugs can be taken alone or in combination.
2. 2. Antispasmodics– eliminate pain syndrome (Analgin, No-shpa, Baralgin).
3. 3. Anti-inflammatory drugs- Rimadyl, Nimesulide.
4. 4. Mineral complexes based on glucosamine and chondroitins- Omega-6, Omega-3.

Veterinarians prescribe corticosteroids hormonal drugs, which are injected under the skin (small breeds) or directly into the joint. However, with such therapy a number of undesirable side effects are possible.

Conservative treatment is supplemented with physiotherapy. Veterinary clinics may administer electromagnetic radiation or laser therapy. These procedures are aimed at warming up the joints, but are not always effective, as they have many contraindications.

Operative technique

Conservative therapy is not always effective for hip dysplasia. In later stages of the disease, surgical intervention is necessary. The complexity and duration of the operation depends on the degree of joint deformity.

Types of surgical intervention:

• Excision of the femoral head and neck is a major operation that involves a long recovery period. After excision, the joint is restored, and the pet can move independently without prostheses. Due to the narrowing of the pelvic cavity, disruption of the functioning of the abdominal organs is sometimes observed.
• Osteotomy– dissection of the bone and change in the position of the articular fossa, promotes the correct location of the joint. The procedure can be performed when the disease is not aggravated.
• Myectomy– excision of the pectineus muscle during the puppy’s growth. This procedure does not lead to a complete recovery, but it reduces lameness and restores motor function of the joint. The operation is performed when conservative therapy is ineffective. Myectomy is performed on puppies between 6 and 12 months of age.
• Resection arthroplasty– joint resection to reduce pain. The procedure eliminates friction between the head of the joint and the socket, resulting in reduced pain. The operation is indicated for small breeds of dogs weighing up to 20 kg. Arthroplasty can be performed even on older dogs.
• Endoprosthetics- prescribed at the last stage of the disease. The joint is replaced with an artificial one made of titanium alloy. After the procedure, the dog moves without pain and leads a normal life. The operation is prohibited for muscle atrophy. From a functional point of view, it is recommended to install a prosthesis in dogs weighing more than 30 kg.

Massage

Massage is a mandatory procedure that is performed in combination with conservative and surgical therapy. It relieves pain, relaxes muscles, improves blood circulation. You can also perform massage exercises at home:

• warm up the muscles with confident, slow movements;
• apply pressure;
• Initially, it is necessary to massage the longitudinal spinal muscles on both sides, and then move to the hind limbs;
• You can only work the muscles; pressing on the bones is strictly prohibited.

Care and nutrition

To quickly rehabilitate your pet after treatment, you need to provide appropriate conditions. The diet should contain vitamins, proteins, minerals, microelements, and at the same time you should monitor your pet’s weight to prevent obesity.

The dog should not be put on a strict diet, as this will lead to a worsening of the condition. You need to remove foods containing large amounts of fat from your diet.

After surgery, it is necessary to force the pet to move to ensure additional blood flow to the limbs, this will help the muscles not to atrophy. The dog should be examined systematically. Due to the weakening of the body, diseases associated with the nervous system, abdominal organs, and infection may occur.

You should walk a pet with dysplasia on the lawn, minimizing walking on asphalt. Swimming is beneficial, since the water reduces the load on the joints, and the rest of the muscle group receives the necessary load.

What is prohibited to do

For hip dysplasia in dogs, the following is strictly prohibited:

• exclude meat products from the diet;
• treat the disease with painkillers;
• try to insert the bone into place on your own;
• cool or warm the pelvic part;
• independently administer intramuscular or intravenous drugs.

Also, physical activity and long walks, which cause strain on the hind limbs, are contraindicated for sick dogs.

Prevention

Preventive measures include proper nutrition with plenty of microelements. At an early age, puppies' food should be nutritious and healthy. They also need to avoid heavy loads, as microcracks can occur in underdeveloped limbs.

If an animal is diagnosed with dysplasia, it must be spayed or neutered so that the disease is not passed on to descendants.

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

With proper care from the owner and medical care The dog will live normally. How does dysplasia manifest in dogs and how to cure it?

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

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

Stages and causes of the disease

Veterinarians distinguish 4 stages of the disease:

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

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

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

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

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

Signs, symptoms, diagnosis

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

Treatment of dysplasia

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

Surgical intervention

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

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

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

Drug therapy

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

Medicines prescribed:

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

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

Prevention

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

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

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

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

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

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