Canine Hip Dysplasia
The common term for a condition affecting your dog’s hips is canine hip dysplasia. It happens when the hip socket—the area where the femur (the thigh bone) attaches to the hip—becomes too small for the size of the thigh bone. This can lead to pain and stiffness, and may eventually cause your dog to suffer a serious decline in quality of life.
What Is The Cause Of Canine Hip Dysplasia?
Hip dysplasia in dogs is caused by a number of reasons, the first of which is heredity. Hip dysplasia is a hereditary condition that affects large canines such as Great Danes, Saint Bernards, Labrador Retrievers, and German Shepherd Dogs. Excessive growth rate, different types of exercise, an imbalanced diet, and other factors can amplify this hereditary susceptibility.
What are the signs/symptoms my dog has Canine Hip Dysplasia?
Hip dysplasia can manifest itself in dogs as young as four months old. Others acquire it alongside osteoarthritis as they get older. There are a few indications that owners should be aware of in both circumstances. The severity of the condition, the level of inflammation, the degree of looseness in the joint, and the length of time the dog has had hip dysplasia can all affect the symptoms.
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Reduced activity
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Range of motion is restricted.
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Difficulty or apprehension ascending, jumping, jogging, or stair climbing
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Laziness at the back end
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Gait: swaying, "rabbit hopping"
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During movement, the joint grates.
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Muscle mass loss in the thighs
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As the shoulder muscles compensate for the hind end, they grow noticeably.
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Pain\sStiffness
Treating a dog with Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia in dogs can be treated in a variety of ways, ranging from lifestyle changes to surgery. Your veterinarian may propose a nonsurgical method if your dog's hip dysplasia is not severe, or if your dog is not a surgical candidate for medical or economical reasons.
Conservative Management for Dogs with Hip Dysplasia
Nutritional management and weight control, exercise moderation, physical rehabilitation, Hydrotherapy Rehab and pain management are all options for dogs with mild or intermittent clinical symptoms.
Surgical Treatment for Canine Hip Dysplasia
Biocompatible osteoconductive/shelf arthroplasty, femoral head and neck excision arthroplasty, with or without muscle sling interposition, and complete hip replacement are among the surgical options for clinically debilitating hip dysplasia. Despite the lack of direct study comparing the two salvage methods, studies imply that complete hip replacement is more beneficial in bringing large dogs to full functional weight bearing.
June Canine Hip Dysplasia Awareness Month
So how can Fit4dogs help?
At our state-of-the-art Canine Rehabilitation center in Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire, we have everything your dog needs to be able to provide Consertivatve or pre and post-operation care, which may include, regular Hydrotherapy sessions, Cold Laser Therapy, Physiotherapy, Acupuncture and Bio magnetic therapy.
Make sure your dog gets the treatment it needs to live a full and active life and contact us today for help and advice.
Initial 1 Hour consultation including Hydrotherapy session
£50.00
Ongoing Hydrotherapy Sessions
£38.00
Book 10 Sessions Block & Get 1 Free
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What Our Clients Say
Sarah jackson
I can not even put a price on the help the girls at fit4dogs have given us, helping floss with the weekly tread mill sessions but also helping me with weekly advice on nutrition, exercise and most importantly confidence.
We finished our course today and felt quite emotional as they really have given Floss her life back. She is like a different dog!
We will still be coming monthly so it’s not goodbye. Thank you
Chelsey Atkinson
Absolutely amazing team! The help and support throughout Roxie’s recovery has been brilliant! The passion for the dogs they see and treat is so clear to see!
Roxie loves her hydrotherapy sessions and I do not believe she would have recovered as well without you guys.
She is a much happier and healthier dog and is able to enjoy life to the full thanks to the work of Fit4dogs!
Terri Thompson
We would definitely recommend Fit4dogsuk. We’ve recently started taking our Doberman Bear after he had surgery to repair his cruciate ligament and help his hip dysplasia. He’s hated water but with lots of encouragement and praise he’s overcome this and is getting much better. The team are really nice and friendly. You can see they are very passionate about their job. X