Hip dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a congenital disease that, in its more severe form, can eventually cause lameness and painful arthritis of the joints. It is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. It can be found in many animals and, rarely, humans, but is common in many dog breeds, particularly the larger breeds.

Treatment

There is no complete cure, although surgery can alleviate the symptoms. Depending on the extent of the problem, surgical alternatives include excision arthroplasty, in which the head of the femur is removed and reshaped or replaced; pelvic rotation, in which the hip socket is realigned. Hip replacement is also possible, it is expensive but (since it completely replaces the faulty joint) has the highest percentage of success, usually restores complete mobility, and also completely prevents recurrence.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Since a less mobile joint may lose muscle mass and quality as a dog ages, and hip dysplasia may also indirectly cause spinal injury (due to the extra strain on the back), if a hip replacement is to be done, there is advantage in doing it whilst the dog is at an age that new muscle can be laid down by the body afterwards, rather than in old age when damage may have been done.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Responsible breeders who track the incidence of hip dysplasia have been able to reduce the incidence in some breeds but not to eliminate it altogether.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~