Dog Guide For Dog Lovers! Guide for all breeds of dogs, health and training information. From Dog Breeds to Picking a Puppy. Everything for the dog fancier's needs! Working Dogs, Toy Dogs, Herding Dogs, Sporting Dogs, Non Sporting Dogs, Terrier Dogs, Hound Dogs. See All Dog Breeds. Dog Articles.
Dogs

Dogs - Hip Dysplasia Causes and Treatments

Excerpt : Your Questions on Canine Hip Dysplasia - Answered. What is canine hip dysplasia? Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) is one of the most frustrating diseases in veterinary medicine today simply because it


Your Questions on Canine Hip Dysplasia - Answered.

What is canine hip dysplasia? Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) is one of the most frustrating diseases in veterinary medicine today simply because it is so difficult to prevent and treat. CHD is a developmental disease of the bones in which the head of the thigh bone poorly fits the hip socket, causing damage to the cartilage, gradual destruction of the joint, pain and swelling. This disease should not be confused with hip arthritis. Rather, it is the most common cause of arthritis in the hips.

How is canine hip dysplasia transmitted? CHD is a inheritable disease. It is passed on by the parents to the offspring. The only effective measure therefore to eradicate the disease is to prevent dogs with hip dysplasia from breeding. However, this is easier said than done, because not all dogs with hip dysplasia show signs of the disease.

Pals
Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com

Also see : Your Dogs Health - The Basics Every Dog Owner Should Know
This article describes things about a dog’s health that every dog owner should know. After reading this article, dog owners should know more about...read more

It's Story Time! - Find the Power Within, or The Truth About Dogs
I heard a story recently, and wanted to share it with you. It goes something like this: Once upon a time... The chief was sitting at the...read more

Seemingly normal dogs still carry the gene for CHD and are bred, causing the disease to stay within the genepool.

How does one know if a dog has hip dysplasia? A dog with hip dysplasia generally has less energy and movement. It has difficulty rising from a sitting position, lameness in the back legs, is hopping like a rabbit when running, and is reluctant to go up the stairs. However, these symptoms are usually not evident till the dog reaches middle age. In extreme cases though, some dogs exhibit obvious hip problems as early as 5-6 months of age.

How does a vet confirm if a dog has hip dysplasia? Sad to say, there is no blood test or genetic test yet that will detect if a dog is a carrier of CHD or not. Diagnosis of the disease is routinely done through physical examinations and x-rays. X-rays help in assessing how bad the condition is, and through comparison with future x-rays,
Dog and Cat White
Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com


Also see : Dogs - Therapeutic Benefits
Healing Hounds Dogs are man's best friend. Always loyal and ever loving, this trait has made canines an integral and common part of what...read more

Do You Know How To Best Look After Your Dog's Health?
As a loving pet owner, you want your dog to live a great life. You can do this thanks to the many advances in veterinary medicine. Dogs can live...read more

it can also serve as a gauge of how well the chosen treatment is working. Two techniques for taking x-rays of CHD-afflicted dogs are listed below:

1.hip-extended ventrodorsal view x-ray - It provides a frontal view of the pelvis and hip-joints and best assesses the degree of severity of arthritis present. 2.PennHIP radiography technique - It is used to detect hip looseness in dogs as young as four months of age.

What are the treatment options for canine hip dysplasia? There is no real cure for CHD just yet, but there are conservative or non-surgical ways to relieve its symptoms. These include the use of drugs to relieve pain and inflammation. Rimadyl, Ectogesic and Deramaxx are effective and have given a lot of suffering dogs the relief needed to live a normal life. Weight loss programs, controlled exercise and physical therapy are also very effective in certain
Chihuahua
Buy this Poster at AllPosters.com


Also see : Dental Care For Dogs
Some people don't realize that dental hygiene is as important for dogs as it is for human beings. Just like in people, dogs' teeth can gather plaque...read more

Can Cat Lovers Ever Love Dogs?
People often define themselves as either a cat lover or a dog lover, but the question remains can a cat lover ever love dogs? Or, dog lovers ever...read more

cases.

When conservative treatment is not enough, the only other option is surgery. Surgery can be very effective as it corrects the underlying cause of hip pain which is a malformed joint. Surgery is approached in two different ways when dealing with hip dysplasia. Prophylactic surgery is done to prevent the progression af arthritis while therapeutic surgery aims to treat already arthritic hips.

Triple pelvic osteotomy is the primary preventive procedure available. It involves cutting the pelvis in three places and rotating the hip sockets to provide better coverage. This procedure is effective as long as it is done before arthritis sets in or before the joint is damaged. Another kind of preventive surgery, although still being studied if it is effective or not, is pubic symphysiodesis. This involves manipulating the way the pelvis grows to ensure a tighter hip. This procedure is
Dog
Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com

Also see : Dogs - The Best Tracking Systems
Tips on Choosing the Best Dog Tracking System Dogs are man's best friend, and this is not an understatement. This is because man and dogs find...read more

Shampoo for Dogs - How to Find a Good One
Does your dog always having a lush, soft coat? Does your dog's skin remain rash and itch free? If you said yes to either or both of the...read more

done on very young dogs.

Therapeutic procedures include total hip replacement and femoral head ostectomy. Total hip replacement is performed mainly on larger dogs. High density, medical plastic is used to replace the socket and a high-quality, non-corrosive alloy is used for the ball. This procedure has a high success rate, almost completely eliminates pain and enables the dog to completely resume activity.

Another therapeutic procedure for hip dysplasia is femoral head ostectomy. It involves the removal of the top of the femur which then eliminates the painful grinding at the hip joint. The femur is then allowed to float freely causing the formation of scar tisue which then serves as a false joint. This procedure is not recommended for mild cases of arthritis and is generally effective only on smaller, well-muscled dogs.

Can canine hip dysplasia be prevented? The best
Jack Russell Terrier Puppy
Buy this Photographic Print at AllPosters.com

Also see : Dogs and Heartworms
It is surprising how many people are still confused about heartworms and the effects that a heartworm can have on your dog. First lets look at...read more

Dogs and Lifestyle
For some these two notions might seem too far apart to present any similarities. But still, more than we know, dogs as object of our love or...read more

measure of prevention is of course careful breeding since hip dysplasia is a inheritable condition. The onset of hip dysplasia can be delayed in many dogs with a genetic predisposition by preventing excessive weight gain during the early months and by making sure that the puppy does not place undue stress on the hips.

OFA and PennHip offers information on breed risk. Prospective puppy buyers are advised to check for pedigrees for OFA, PennHip or GDC certifications.

About the author:



Jay is the web owner of http://www.dog-training-tips.org Dog Training Tips, a website that provides information and resources on dog training, puppy training, and more. You can also visit his website at: http://www.petmall.us Pet Mall for pet supplies.


More Dogs Articles



Dogs unlearn jumping
The best way to teach a Sheep to stop something is not to let him do it in the first place. So, if you do not want puppy to jump as an adult, do not...

Shih Tzu - New Puppies and Older Dogs
Introducing a new puppy to an older dog can be trickey! New puppies often want to play. Old dogs usually don't and may not like puppies at all. A...

Google

Doesn't Get Any Better
Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com


For Dog Lovers Like You and Me | sitemap
Partners : Kung fu art of fighting | Debt Consolidation | Debt Consolidation | Guitar Books | Guitar Lessons

copyright www.knowaboutdogs.com 2006

Recently Added Dogs Articles


Flea Control For Cats And Dogs
As a pet owner I'm sure you'd be frustrated at the sight of your pet scratching and suffering from fleas. If you look into the veterinary arsenal...read more

History of Dogs?? or maybe Wolves???
ORIGIN Do you know that the adorable little puppy you bought home last week could possibly be a descendent of a wolf? It may well be true! In fact,...read more

Obesity In Dogs
Numerous studies have shown that more Americans are obese today than ever before and, interestingly, we're not the only ones. Not only are Americans...read more

An introduction to Clicker Training for Dogs
Clicker Training for Dogs What is a 'clicker'? A clicker is simply a small plastic box, containing a metal plate which, when pressed,...read more

Pet Peeve: Dogs Doing Business Where Not Wanted
We’ve recently moved into a new apartment complex that really is much like a resort. We don’t have to maintain the lawn, handle any maintenance...read more

Change Your Thinking to Change Your Dog's Behavior
Bad Behavior is only a Game. I recently changed the way I think about training my dog. I have one of those high spirited dominate alpha males...read more

Natural Food for Dogs and Cats
from David the Dogman Just this side of Heaven is a place called The Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to...read more

Arthritis In Dogs – What You Can Do To Help Your Dog
Information on arthritis in dogs and what the treatment options are. Canine Arthritis is a common ailment as dog’s...read more

Stress-Relieving Holistic Blends for Dogs
Happiness, sadness, anger, fear, love -- emotions play a pivotal role in our lives. But are these types of feelings an integral part of an animal's...read more

Dogs Can Be Psychic Mediums Too
My dog Pepper is a medium of sorts. He sees spirits, angels, and other beings I can't see. This came in handy recently. One of my dogs, Bits,...read more

Some News About Dogs