Hip dysplasia is a medical disorder that involves the deformity of the hip joint. This condition is extremely painful as the dislocation of the ball and socket joint in the hip causes them to rub painfully against each other. It results in excruciating stiffness with every step that is taken.
This abnormal skeletal condition is known to be very common in dogs and is termed canine hip dysplasia. Dog owners need to know what is causing their dogs to suffer. Although there is no specific cure for hip dysplasia, there are certain strategies to help treat hip dysplasia in dogs. In this article, we will be going into the depth of this disease, discovering its causes, symptoms, and natural remedies along the way.
What is hip dysplasia in dogs?
As discussed above, hip dysplasia is a medical disorder in dogs that is caused when the hip joint forms abnormally. In a normally developed hip, the ball and socket joints are firmly attached together in the hip. They also glide smoothly when moved, but in the case of dysplasia, the hip joint does not move freely but instead grinds painfully. Even the slightest dislocation of the ball and socket joint can cause your canine friends great discomfort as they cannot walk properly without their joints rubbing against each other.
Causes of hip dysplasia
Canine hip dysplasia is known to have been caused by multiple factors. This disease is also a genetic trait and can be inherited. A dog can also develop hip dysplasia because of excess weight, insufficient diet, overexercise, especially when in growing age, and fast growth periods can be the cause of abnormalities in the hip joint of your dog as well.
Symptoms of hip dysplasia
It is important to know that whether your dog is suffering from hip dysplasia or not. But the big question here is how. No worries! The symptoms of hip dysplasia are unmistakably obvious and it is no sweat to find out if your furry companion is actually affected by this condition or not. Some of these telltale signs include:
- Limping
- Stiffness
- Bunny hop
- Hesitance in jumping, climbing, or running
- Other signs of discomfort
- Difficulty in moving the hind legs
Breeds at a higher risk of hip dysplasia
Although all dogs can develop hip dysplasia or inherit it, there are some breeds that are more prone to hip dysplasia than others. Usually, large dogs are more likely to be in danger of getting hip dysplasia, but small dogs can also suffer at the hands of this abnormality. Following are some of the breeds that are at a higher risk of hip dysplasia
- German shepherds
- Golden retrievers
- Labrador retrievers
- Great Danes
- Rottweilers
- Mastiffs
Procedures to naturally help get rid of hip dysplasia
A number of strategies can be applied to help cure hip dysplasia in dogs or at least minimize its effects to some extent. Your veterinarian may recommend one or more of the following techniques.
- Swimming and water exercise
Swimming is one of the most effective ways to cure dogs of hip dysplasia. This method is highly recommended as it does not involve much movement of the joints and can also accomplish various exercises without any serious influence on the hip joint.
- Short walks
Short walks can be really helpful for a dog facing hip dysplasia. Hip pain may cause dogs to be hesitant towards exercise, but some of it is considered to be very necessary. These little walks can keep your dog from becoming obese, and it can also regain its strength through this form of exercise. Exercising will also allow your dog to be active, despite the disease it is suffering from.
- Joint supplements
Joint supplements are necessary to ease the discomfort in your dog that is caused by hip dysplasia. This supplement is fully loaded with ingredients that prevent joint damage and help repair damaged cartilage. As this condition can inflict serious pain and inflammation upon your dog, it is necessary that, being a dog owner, you provide your dog with joint supplements to help reduce the pain caused when suffering from hip dysplasia.
- Omega fatty acids
Another natural cure for hip dysplasia, which no doubt your vet would recommend, is the intake of omega fatty acids. If you feed your dog an adequate amount of fatty acids regularly, you will see that there will be reduced pain, and the joint condition of your dog may also improve.
Approaching alternate options to home remedies
If you find that your dog is not finding comfort from these home remedies, then the first thing that you should do is to immediately approach your veterinarian. First of all, he will most probably prescribe medications for your dog. However, if these medications are not enough to relieve your dog of the pain, then, unfortunately, you would have to approach surgery. There are various surgical options available to discuss with your vet and choose which would be ideal for your dog.
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