Canine Hip Dysplasia

More information about hip dysplasia vs arthritis below:

Our Sire and Dam are standard breed size German Shepherds with solid structure and sloping back with good croup. They have no American breeding bloodline. They are black saddleback with rich copper pigment. Both our sire and dam (the parents) have a lifetime guarantee on their hips, elbows, and temperament so I feel strongly that their puppies will not have those issues. We offer at a lower price and include more items, but we are also much more selective on who will receive a puppy.

Canine Hip Dysplasia

Hip Dysplasia is a genetic (polygenic) trait that is affected by environmental factors.
Hip dysplasia in Dogs is a disease of the hip in which the ball and socket joint is malformed. The hip joint is composed of the ball and the socket. The development of hip dysplasia is determined by an interaction of genetic and environmental factors. There is a complicated pattern of inheritance for this disorder, with multiple genes involved. Hip dysplasia is the failure of the hip joints to develop normally (known as malformation), gradually deteriorating and leading to loss of function of the hip joints. This malformation means that the ball portion and its socket don’t properly meet one another, resulting in a joint that rubs and grinds instead of sliding smoothly.

Hip dysplasia is one of the most common skeletal diseases seen in dogs. Gender does not seem to be a factor. Large and giant breeds are most commonly affected, including German Shepherds. Rarely, small breed dogs can also be affected, but are less likely to show clinical signs.

Genetic hip dysplasia often begins while a dog is still young and physically immature. Early onset usually develops after four months of age and usually can be diagnosed by x-ray. Depending on their lifelong food diet and exercise, there are also cases of later onset, where hip dysplasia develops as osteoarthritis, a form of joint inflammation (arthritis) that is characterized by chronic deterioration, or degeneration of the joint cartilage.

Causes, other than genetic:
Influences on the development and progression of hip dysplasia are concurrent with both genetic and environmental factors:
* Rapid weight gain and obesity
* Nutritional factors
* Injury
* Excessive or lack of proper exercise

* Osteoarthritis

Diagnosis
Your veterinarian will perform a complete physical exam on your dog, including x-ray, a blood chemical profile, a complete blood count, an electrolyte panel and a urinalysis. Inflammation due to joint disease may be noted in the complete blood count. X-rays are crucial for visualizing the signs of hip dysplasia. Some of the possible findings may be osteoarthritis, issues with the spinal cord, lumbar vertebral instability, bilateral stifle disease and other bone diseases.
As part of surveying the physical symptoms and fluid work-ups, your veterinarian will also need a thorough history of your dog's health, onset of symptoms, and any possible incidents or injuries that may have contributed to your dog's symptoms. Any information you have on your dog's parentage will be helpful as well, as there may be a genetic link.

Osteoarthritis, Arthritis in Dogs:
Osteoarthritis is defined as the progressive and permanent long-term deterioration of the cartilage surrounding the joints. Arthritis is the medical term for inflammation of the joints, while osteoarthritis is the term referring to a form of chronic joint inflammation caused by deterioration of joint cartilage. Older dogs are at the highest risk. 

Symptoms and Types
Symptoms of arthritis vary. Your dog may exhibit a decreased level of activity, occasional lameness, and a stiff gait that worsens with exercise. These symptoms may increase with exercise, long periods of inactivity, or cold weather.

Causes
There is no known cause for primary Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD). However, there are a wide variety of causes for secondary DJD, such as trauma, abnormal wear on joints and cartilage, dislocation of the kneecap or shoulder, and osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), a condition in which the bone and cartilage develop abnormally so that a flap of cartilage develops within the joint.

Obesity is another factor for DJD, as it increases stress on joints. In addition, dogs with disorders such as diabetes, prolonged steroid treatment, and hyperlaxity (an excessive looseness of the joints) may also be at higher risk for DJD.

Diagnosis
A diagnosis of DJD may be done based on an assessment of historical symptoms, such as decreased activity or stiffness, as well as a physical examination which will reveal a decreased range of motion, stiff-legged gait, deformity of the joints, and swelling or pain in the joints.

Prevention
Joint pain is part of the aging process for both dogs and pet parents alike. Read up on some ways that could slow down and possibly prevent the onset of arthritis and other joint issues for your senior dog. When the cartilage begins to degrade due to strain or injury, pain results and can make dogs reluctant to move. Big dogs are more prone to developing arthritis because extra weight places more stress on the joints, but all dogs are at risk. Problems like hip dysplasia, even though present earlier, may not be obvious until dogs reach the age of six or seven. The hips, elbows and knees are the most common problem spots, but dogs are so stoic they almost never show signs until a lot of damage has been done. Typical signs are reluctance to climb stairs, trouble getting up after sleeping, and reluctance to exercise. You can’t reverse joint disease but you can slow down the progression and often prevent some of the worst problems. Here are five ways to help keep your dog’s joints healthy.

Prevent Joint Injury
Arthritis almost always develops as a result of injury much earlier in life, even when your dog is a puppy. Over exercise, jumping too high, and running too hard before a puppy’s bones and joints are mature can injure the joints so supervise your young dog’s exercise routine. 

Make Environmental Accommodations - Even adult dogs can hurt themselves by jumping on and off the sofa, for instance. Make it easier for your dogs to do what they love without risking injury. For example, provide a dog ramp so they can easily get into and out of the car without jumping, or offer them a footstool so they don’t have to risk the leap. 

Treat Injuries Promptly - Veterinarians say it’s vital to treat any suspected injury as soon as possible to reduce or prevent joint problems as your dog ages. Dogs that suffer fractures from being hit by cars, for example, may need special treatment, forced rest or even surgical repair to help them properly heal.

Feed Appropriate Food - Large breed puppies can grow too fast and become too heavy for their immature joints. Adult dogs put on too much weight when overfed, and obesity adds strain to the joints and makes it painful to exercise. Choosing the correct grain-free diet or adding joint-supporting dietary supplements like Dasuquin, Cosequin, or Glyco-Flex (or any chondroitin and glucosamine for dogs supplement) can slow down the progression of arthritis or even prevent joint problems in your pets.

Keep Dogs Moving - Arthritis and joint problems develop into a vicious cycle. When it hurts to move, dogs stop exercising and so they gain more weight which puts increased stress on the joints. Exercise also “feeds” the joint by pumping natural lubrication into the area. Gentle exercise keeps joints limber and healthy, helps slim down pudgy dogs, and just helps them feel better. Joints stiffen after naps, so it can help to provide a heated bed or gentle massage each morning to get your dog limber before a walk.

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