Hip dysplasia in dogs. What is and how does joint dysplasia develop in dogs?


Dysplasia in animals is an inherited disease of the musculoskeletal system, which is manifested by a violation of the correspondence between articular surfaces, resulting in the development of dislocation or arthrosis. Most often, damage to the hip joint is observed, since it bears the main load. Less commonly, animals have dysplasia of the elbow joint.

Reasons for the development of pathology:

  • Hereditary predisposition. In 85% of cases, a vicious gene in a breeding dog is passed on to its offspring.
  • Incompetently designed exercise regimen for young pets. Dog breeders overload the immature body under the age of one and a half years with excessive physical activity. As a result, skeletal tissue does not keep pace with the development of the muscular corset, which leads to a violation of the congruence of the articular surface. Most often detected in bullmastiffs, Great Danes, and St. Bernards.
  • Physical inactivity. A sedentary lifestyle and constant keeping of a dog in an enclosure leads to the fact that the structure connective tissue undergoes changes, which negatively affects the health of the joints. Excess weight puts additional stress on the supporting apparatus.
  • Errors in nutrition. A deficiency in the diet of vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, and essential amino acids leads to disruption of mineral metabolism in bones and connective tissue, which provokes joint damage. Excess phosphorus in the diet often leads to pathology of the musculoskeletal system.
  • Injuries. Often it is mechanical damage hip, elbow joint is a trigger for disruption of the physiological correspondence between the articular surfaces. Sprains while running, unsuccessful jumps, walking on ice and slippery floors indoors, injuries from collisions vehicle can lead to dysplasia.

The disease most often affects working breeds of dogs.: German and East European shepherds, retrievers, Labradors, bulldogs. Molossian breed lines - bullmastiffs, St. Bernards, Great Danes are also susceptible to polygenically inherited diseases.

The first changes in the functioning of the pet’s musculoskeletal system appear no earlier than 4 months of age. In a puppy, pathology in the hip or elbow joint can only be detected by testing.

Severity of dysplasia symptoms hip joints in a dog and the choice of technique treatment largely depends on the stage pathological process. According to the accepted classification, disorders in the hip joint can be of 5 degrees, and disorders of the elbow – 4.

Manifestations of the disease:

  • Lameness of the supporting limb. Impairment of the supporting ability of the joint develops gradually; the first manifestations in puppies are not easy to notice.
  • A sick dog often lies on its side. It is almost impossible to see a dog lying on its stomach.
  • When forced to run, the rear limbs are noticeable, which is reminiscent of rabbit running.
  • Upon careful examination, significant atrophy can be detected muscle tissue hips.

Hind limb weakness due to hip dysplasia

Absence necessary treatment over time leads to complete loss motor activity of a four-legged family member.

An external examination of the configuration of the diseased joint, assessment of gait and identification of features of the position of the limbs help the veterinarian suspect dysplasia. Upon palpation, which is usually carried out under anesthesia of the animal, muscular dystrophy is detected. When abducting the limbs, the specialist will identify hip dislocation, deformation and displacement of the acetabulum.

The main method for diagnosing musculoskeletal disorders is radiographic examination. In addition to confirming the dislocation, the specialist will detect dysplastic changes in the acetabulum, displacement of the femoral head, the level of joint asymmetry, and its effect on the function of the animal’s spinal cord. They do it in 2 projections.

Hip dysplasia

First, the animal is placed on the ridge, and the hind limbs are extended parallel to each other. Then the examination is carried out in the supine position. The limbs are bent at the knee joints and brought to the body. The animal is first anesthetized and immobilized.

In veterinary practice, there are 2 approaches to the treatment of pathology - conservative and surgical. In case of minor dysplastic changes in the joint, the animal may be prescribed medications.

Treatment usually includes the use of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Phenylbutazone and Rimadyl. Effectively reduce swelling, pain syndrome and inflammation, corticosteroids, for example, Prednisolone, Dexamethasone.

The use of chondroprotectors helps reduce atrophic processes in the connective tissue of joints. In this case, the best therapeutic effect is achieved with the introduction medicinal substances directly into the diseased joint.


Chondroprotectors

Of no small importance to alleviate the pet’s condition is a nutritious diet and the use of vitamin and mineral supplements and immunomodulators. Special regularly performed exercises help reduce the degree of dysplasia.

With little effect from the applied conservative therapy, and also in case of serious changes in the joint, a surgical solution to the problem is often recommended:

  • young individuals most often undergo pectineus muscle myectomy;
  • if the pet’s weight does not exceed 15 kg, it can undergo resection arthroplasty with removal of the femoral head; the limb is fixed using a ligament;
  • if the dog is young, then a pelvic osteotomy may be suggested - a complex surgical procedure during which plastic surgery is used to strengthen the cut bone;
  • in some cases, the surgeon resorts to acetabular osteotomy;
  • V specialized clinic a sick dog can undergo a complete joint replacement using high-tech prostheses.

Basic prevention of musculoskeletal disorders:

  • carrying out regular monitoring and culling of sick individuals from breeding;
  • competent care and proper feeding of animals;
  • injury prevention.

Read more in our article on dysplasia in dogs.

Read in this article

Causes of hip and elbow dysplasia

Joint dysplasia in animals is an inherited disease of the musculoskeletal system, which is manifested by a violation of the correspondence between the articular surfaces, resulting in the development of dislocation or arthrosis in the joint. In veterinary practice, damage to the hip joint is most often observed, since it bears the main load. Less commonly, animals have dysplasia of the elbow joint.

Among the reasons that provoke the development of pathology of the musculoskeletal system in dogs, experienced dog breeders and veterinarians note the following:

    • Hereditary predisposition. In 85% of cases where joint dysplasia is detected in a stud dog, the vicious gene is passed on to the offspring.
    • Incompetently designed exercise regimen for young pets. Many inexperienced dog breeders overload the immature body under the age of one and a half years with excessive physical activity. Due to the puppy's hyperactivity, owners cannot always correctly dose motor activity.

This leads to the fact that the skeletal tissue does not keep pace with the development of the muscular corset, which leads to a violation of the congruence of the articular surface. Most often, owners of large breeds – bullmastiffs, Great Danes, and St. Bernards – face this problem.

    • However, according to veterinary experts, hip dysplasia in four-legged friends is caused not only by unbalanced physical activity, but also physical inactivity. A sedentary lifestyle and constant keeping of a dog in an enclosure leads to the fact that the structure of the connective tissue undergoes changes, which negatively affects the health of the joints.

Excessive weight of a pet puts additional stress on the supporting apparatus, which provokes dysplasia.

    • Errors in nutrition– one of the main reasons for the development of pathology in dogs of all breeds. As a rule, the disease is caused by imbalance nutrients in puppyhood, when the growing body consumes protein components, vitamins and minerals in an enhanced manner.

A deficiency in the diet of vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, and essential amino acids leads to disruption of mineral metabolism in bones and connective tissue, which provokes joint damage. Excess phosphorus in the diet often leads to pathology of the musculoskeletal system.

  • Injuries. Often, it is mechanical damage to the hip or elbow joint that is the trigger for disruption of the physiological correspondence between the articular surfaces. Sprains while running, unsuccessful jumps, walking on ice and slippery floors indoors, and injuries from being hit by a vehicle can lead to the development of dysplasia.

The disease most often affects working breeds of dogs. Veterinary experts note that German and East European shepherds, retrievers, Labradors, and bulldogs are primarily susceptible to the disease. Molossian breed lines - bullmastiffs, St. Bernards, Great Danes are also susceptible to polygenically inherited diseases.

Symptoms of pathology in dogs

The owner can notice the first changes in the functioning of the pet’s musculoskeletal system no earlier than 4 months of age. In a puppy, pathology in the hip or elbow joint can only be detected through an x-ray examination.

The severity of symptoms of hip dysplasia in a dog and the choice of treatment method largely depends on the stage of the pathological process. According to the accepted classification, disorders in the hip joint can be of 5 degrees, and disorders of the elbow – 4.

Symptoms can be detected by the owner already in the mild phase of the disease (according to the classification, stage C). In phases D and E, with pathology within acceptable limits and with a significant degree of joint destruction, the clinic becomes obvious.

  • Lameness of the supporting limb. Impairment of the supporting ability of the joint develops gradually, so the owner may not immediately notice the symptom or not attach any importance to it, deciding that the dog landed poorly after a jump.
  • Decline physical activity. The dog avoids games, exercises, jumping, and is reluctant to run. During a long walk, the animal often stops and refuses to go further.
  • A sick dog often lies on its side. It is almost impossible to see a dog lying on its stomach with this pathology.
  • When walking, a sick individual experiences wobbling of the hindquarters. The gait is uncertain.
  • After sleep and rest, it is difficult for the dog to get up.
  • When forced to run, the owner can observe the rear limbs moving out, which is reminiscent of a rabbit run.
  • If serious changes develop in the structure of the joint, the animal stops jumping and has difficulty climbing stairs.
  • The whole body of the sick dog begins to look inharmonious due to progressive atrophic phenomena in the hip area, the sternum becomes more powerful.
  • Upon careful examination, the owner may detect severe atrophy of the thigh muscle tissue.

The lack of necessary treatment over time leads to a complete loss of motor activity of the four-legged family member.

Watch this video about the causes and symptoms of hip dysplasia in dogs:

Diagnosis of the condition

An external examination of the configuration of the diseased joint, assessment of gait and identification of features of the position of the limbs help the veterinarian to suspect the phenomenon of dysplasia. Upon palpation, which is usually carried out under anesthesia of the animal, muscular dystrophy is detected. When abducting the limbs veterinary specialist will reveal hip dislocation, deformation and displacement of the acetabulum.

The main method for diagnosing musculoskeletal disorders in veterinary medicine is radiographic examination. In addition to confirming the dislocation, the specialist will also detect dysplastic changes in the acetabulum and displacement of the femoral head. The method allows us to identify the level of joint asymmetry and identify its effect on the function of the animal’s spinal cord.

Severe hip dysplasia in a dog

An X-ray is required in 2 projections. First, the animal is placed on the ridge, and the hind limbs are extended parallel to each other. Then the examination is carried out in the supine position. The limbs are bent at the knee joints and brought to the body. The animal is first anesthetized and immobilized.

The reliability of the results obtained and the choice of treatment method for joint dysplasia in dogs depends on how still the dog remains during the manipulation. According to analysis x-rays the specialist makes a conclusion about the stage of the pathological process.

Treatment of joint dysplasia in dogs

In veterinary practice, there are two approaches to the treatment of pathology - conservative and surgical. In case of minor dysplastic changes in the joint, the animal may be prescribed medications. In this case, treatment of elbow dysplasia in dogs usually includes the use of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs.

For this purpose, veterinarians use Phenylbutazone and Rimadyl. Corticosteroid drugs, for example, Prednisolone, Dexamethasone, effectively reduce swelling, pain and inflammation.

Of no small importance to alleviate the pet’s condition is a nutritious diet and the use of vitamin and mineral supplements and immunomodulators. Many veterinary specialists rightly believe that special regularly performed exercises help reduce the degree of dysplasia.

If the effect of conservative therapy is insignificant, as well as with serious changes in the joint, the owner is often recommended to surgically solve the problem. At the same time, in surgical practice There are several types of surgery to treat hip dysplasia in dogs.


Special corset for dogs with hip dysplasia

Young individuals most often undergo pectineus muscle myectomy. If the pet's weight does not exceed 15 kg, it can undergo resection arthroplasty. During the operation, the femoral head is removed. Fixation of the limb occurs due to the ligament. Large breeds do not undergo this operation.

If the dog is young, a pelvic osteotomy may be suggested. This is a complex surgical procedure in which plastic surgery is used to strengthen the cut bone. In some cases, the surgeon resorts to acetabular osteotomy. In a specialized clinic, a sick dog can undergo a complete joint replacement using high-tech prostheses.

We recommend reading about what to do if a dog’s paw is broken. From the article you will learn about the causes of injuries, types of fractures, symptoms of a fracture of the front and rear paws, first aid, and surgical treatment.

Read more about how to care for a dog after a fracture.

Joint dysplasia in dogs is a common pathology, especially in service breeds. In advanced cases, the disease can result in the animal losing the ability to move independently. The main method of identifying the disease is an X-ray examination of the joint in 2 projections.

Treatment may be conservative. If there is a significant dysplastic change, the veterinarian recommends one or another method of operatively solving the problem.

Useful video

Watch this video about the diagnosis and treatment of joint dysplasia in dogs:

is one of the most common musculoskeletal diseases in dogs and affects many animals around the world. As the disease develops and progresses, the dog's hip joints become degenerative changes, causing increased pain and problems with mobility. If this disease is not treated, it will ultimately lead to irreversible consequences and the dog will not be able to move its hind legs due to severe pain. Such pain causes serious suffering. However, the vast majority of dogs can often lead full and active lives if the disease is diagnosed at an early stage and the correct treatment is given and maintained in a timely manner.

Causes of hip dysplasia in dogs

This condition can be characterized as a consequence of the formation in the hip joint of a pathologically sized gap between the articular head and the articular cavity, while their fit to each other should be tight. If the head femur Dogs do not fit properly into the socket of the hip joint, then friction between them leads to degeneration of the articular surface and bone, which ultimately leads to impaired musculoskeletal functions.

Canine hip dysplasia results from a number of genetic and environmental factors.

Some dogs are already born with hip dysplasia, this is more often the case with early onset hip dysplasia. From the point of view of the mechanism of heredity, this is a rather complex disease associated with the involvement of polymer genes. Therefore, in such genetically determined cases, the disease cannot be quickly eliminated from a particular breed or within-breed line. This is either practically impossible, or has a long-term, delayed effect.

Older dogs may develop dysplasia with obvious signs of arthritis (more commonly referred to as hip dysplasia adult dogs).

External influences can also lead to hip dysplasia. The cause may be rapid weight gain and obesity of the dog, eating habits, poor development of the muscles of the hind legs, pelvic injuries or chronically recurring bruises and sprains, for example, as a result of training or hunting.

Early manifestation prone to it, a custom develops but after four months of age. Young animals exhibit excessive mobility or abnormal joint gaps, which progresses as the animal grows. In older age, this gradually leads to the development of one of the forms of arthritis - osteoarthritis, which provokes damage to the articular cartilage. The disease can also occur due to extreme physical wear and tear on the articular surface of the hip joint, which is often observed in working dogs and dogs involved in search and rescue of people. These animals work for a very long time, for many years, on hard, uncomfortable surfaces, and this is not physiological and naturally leads to disruption of the musculoskeletal system.

Dog Breeds Most Prone to Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia It occurs among dogs of all breeds, including mixed ones. However, this disease affects large and giant breeds more often than small ones. Some breeds are genetically more susceptible to instability (looseness) of the hip joint and thus show symptoms of dysplasia more often than others.

These breeds include:

  • German Shepherd;
  • Golden retriever;
  • Labrador Retriever;
  • Rottweiler;
  • German dog;
  • Saint Bernard;
  • mixtures of the above breeds.

Symptoms of hip dysplasia in dogs

Symptoms depend on the degree of instability (looseness) in the dog's hip joint, the degree of joint inflammation, and the degeneration that occurs. It is important to note that pain in dogs is not always directly dependent on the stage of development of the disease. Some dogs with moderate dysplasia may experience extreme pain, while dogs with severe dysplasia may experience little to no pain.

General signs hip dysplasia include:

  • exercise intolerance;
  • jumping gait (especially on stairs);
  • cerebellar gait ( rear end clearly swaying);
  • stiffness, pain;
  • difficulty getting up from a lying or sitting position;
  • sitting position “frog” (one hip is twisted);
  • reluctance to run, jump, climb stairs;
  • pain when touched;
  • hind limbs are lame, often worsening after exercise;
  • The hind legs are positioned closer together than the front legs (narrow position).

With progression hip dysplasia in dogs The following symptoms may appear:

  • muscle atrophy of the hind limbs;
  • arthritis (especially in older age);
  • avoidance of touching;
  • inexplicable aggressive behavior(at constant chronic pain in the joints).

Diagnosis of hip dysplasia in dogs

When diagnosing hip dysplasia, a veterinarian should Special attention Pay attention to a visual examination of the dog, and first of all determine the degree of joint laxity in the hips, which is an early indicator of the disease. In adult dogs, the degree of loss should be assessed muscle mass in the hips and extensions shoulder muscles(due to compensatory mechanisms of muscle hypertrophy).

The main diagnostic test is the hypermobility test (Ortolani test). For this purpose it is often used general anesthesia, since the doctor performing it must actively rotate the dog’s hip joint, and this can cause severe pain.

X-ray examination for diagnosis hip dysplasia in dogs, is simply an indispensable diagnostic tool. It allows you to clearly see how far the degeneration and asymmetry of the joints have spread. Allows you to determine the degree of influence of this asymmetry on spinal cord dogs.

Veterinarian must take urine from the animal for general analysis and blood for detailed and biochemical analyses. Any information about the origin of the dog may also be useful. However, it should be noted that the dog's parents may never get sick hip dysplasia, but produce offspring with this disease. This is a very common occurrence.

How earlier illness diagnosed, the more options available for its treatment. This is important primarily because the longer the disease continues to go undiagnosed, the more negative pathological changes the dog’s joints undergo. The degree of their degeneration is increasing.

Therefore, at the first signs of hip dysplasia, the dog owner should contact a veterinarian, especially if the breed of his dog is at risk and, accordingly, more prone to the disease. The sooner a diagnosis is made, the better.

Treatment of canine hip dysplasia

Hip dysplasia in dogs can be treated either conservatively or with surgery. Treatment options often depend on the dog's age, size, weight, degree, and type of dysplasia (early or older). When choosing conservative therapy or surgical intervention, the severity of joint hypermobility is taken into account.

Conservative treatment of canine hip dysplasia

Conservative therapy includes drug treatment And physiotherapy as additional means for the treatment of a disease. One of the options for physiotherapeutic procedures involves the use of, which has a good effect on dogs with hip dysplasia.

An important aspect of treatment should be the constant monitoring of the animal’s weight. If the dog overweight, then it should be reduced as much as possible, since by reducing the pressure on the painful joint, inflammation also decreases, and this in turn promotes recovery. Veterinarian, including complex therapy If you have hip dysplasia in your dog, you should make an individual plan for reducing its weight. This can be easily achieved by developing a low-calorie diet, but vitamins and minerals must be present in it in full and not infringe on the animal’s needs. In puppies special diets, intended for rapid growth large dogs may also reduce the severity of the disease hip dysplasia. Such supplements help puppies’ bones and muscles grow at the right speed, and this is important for physiological proper development musculoskeletal system.

Painkillers (analgesics) and anti-inflammatory drugs are used widely and everywhere. Their use is justified, depending on the pain of the process and the degree of development of inflammation. In each individual case, their combination and dosage are different. However, appointments of this kind can only be made by a veterinary specialist. Only he has the right to safely prescribe analgesics, antibiotics and steroids, taking into account the condition of the dog and possible chronic diseases. This especially applies to animals with gastrointestinal problems.

Special attention in complex therapy of hip dysplasia in dogs deserves nutritional supplements, such as glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, green mussel powder, Omega-3 fatty acids and some others. Their use is quite important, but only in combination with other means. They help strengthen bone tissue and promote regeneration of the surface of damaged joints.

Massage and physiotherapy. Exercises that are gentle on the dog’s muscle tone are recommended. Such exercises include walking, jogging and especially swimming (including hydrotherapy). However, you should avoid excessively active physical activity that puts additional pressure on the joint: jumping, frisbee, intense running, etc.

For arthrosis and degenerative arthritis, glycosaminoglycan polysulfides, for example, pentosan polysulfate, can be prescribed. Drugs in this group are natural components of articular cartilage and increase the production of joint fluid in the joint cavity. In addition to the above, it is recommended to keep a pet with arthritis warm, away from cold, dampness and drafts. An orthopedic bedding for sleeping dogs also helps stop the development of arthrosis and arthritis.

Experienced breeders know that most large purebred dogs susceptible to diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Animals with a massive build, high body weight and constantly experiencing severe physical stress often develop problems with joints. Dysplasia in dogs is a disease that is often diagnosed during puppyhood. Timely treatment of the disease will help to avoid serious consequences, one of which is complete immobility.

Features of the disease

Dysplasia is dangerous disease, in which the joint tissue in dogs is modified or destroyed (partially or completely). With the development of this pathology, too large a gap appears between the head of the bone and the glenoid cavity, and the bone begins to fit incorrectly to the joint (normally the fit should be quite tight). Upon contact bone tissue they begin to rub, the joints are subject to pressure, become separated, become flattened, etc.

This pathology is almost never congenital, but can develop in a dog in early childhood. Doctors, after looking at a high-quality x-ray, can diagnose “dysplasia” even in the initial stages (sometimes it is possible to detect dysplasia in 6-month-old puppies). Acute symptoms of the disease, noticeable to people around them, usually appear in animals by 1-1.5 years. It is during this period that intensive growth ends, and it is already possible to determine for sure the exact state of the dogs’ joint tissues.

Almost all joints in a dog's body can be subject to pressure and friction. But the most impressive load during movement always falls on the hip joint (abbreviated as TJ), because When running or jumping, the dog makes strong pushes and absorbs shock with its hind legs. Therefore, hip dysplasia occurs many times more often than knee or elbow dysplasia.

Who is at risk for the disease?

Unpleasant problems with the hip joints usually appear in massive, heavy dogs. Large and tall animals suffer from this disease more often than others.

Dysplasia can occur in divers, golden retrievers, shepherd dogs, Great Danes, Malamutes and some other breeds.

Reasons for appearance

It has been scientifically proven that main reason The occurrence of hip disease in dogs is burdened by heredity. If a female or male has deformed joint tissues, then this problem can be passed on at the genetic level to their offspring. But even if the puppy has a large genetic predisposition, this does not mean that he will necessarily suffer from this disease.

There are many reasons that provoke the onset of the disease. Hip dysplasia in dogs can occur due to the following factors:

  • Not balanced diet(if the dog eats meat products in unlimited quantities, receives only protein for food, or consumes cheap, low-quality food, then over time it may develop severe joint pain);
  • excess phosphorus and calcium ( a large number of these microelements that enter the dogs’ body along with food or dietary supplements can negatively affect the development of joint and bone tissues);
  • obesity ( overweight increase the load and pressure on the joint tissue, resulting in their gradual destruction);
  • grueling training, heavy physical activity (during the formation of the skeleton, any excessive loads can harm the joints);
  • inactivity (if the puppy walks outside for 5-10 minutes and spends the rest of the time in the apartment, then due to lack of movement its joints may not develop properly);
  • injuries, bruises, sprains, dislocations of limbs.

Main symptoms

An attentive owner can always independently suspect joint dysplasia in his pet. This may be indicated by symptoms such as:

  • limping and swaying when walking;
  • incorrect placement of paws while running (while jogging, the dog can push off the floor with both hind legs at once);
  • frequent rest while running or walking;
  • stiffness of movement (it is difficult for a pet to get up from the floor, it is difficult to go up and down stairs, a dog with elbow dysplasia sometimes cannot even give its paw to a person on his command, etc.);
  • unusual position when lying down (if the dog is lying on its stomach, its hind legs may be unnaturally deployed in different sides, you can understand exactly what this pose looks like by looking at the photo);
  • asymmetry of the body (with hip dysplasia, the puppy tries to transfer the main load from the hind legs to the front legs, so it rib cage and the front legs become more massive, the pelvis looks narrower, and the muscles of the hind legs atrophy);
  • swelling, swelling in the joint area;
  • pain in the hip area that occurs when feeling the limb.

The sooner the owner notices these symptoms in their pet, the easier it will be to undergo treatment. If you get an appointment with a doctor on time, the chances that the dog will recover and return to a full life increase significantly. Hip dysplasia in dogs diagnosed in adulthood is much less treatable.

Diagnostic methods

To diagnose dysplasia, your veterinarian will need to conduct a thorough examination of your dog. The doctor will feel the animal’s limbs and conduct a mobility test (try to straighten the joints, listen to whether there are creaks, clicks or friction when bending the paws). Already at this stage, an experienced specialist will be able to preliminarily determine whether there is a pathology or not.

After this, the doctor can prescribe an x-ray to the dog (an x-ray is taken on animals only after anesthesia is administered; without anesthesia, it will be very difficult to take an x-ray due to the resistance of the pet-patient). Such a study will allow us to examine how the articular socket and femoral neck are located. A completed, clear image will give the doctor an idea of ​​what pathological changes have already affected the hip joint.

Another examination aimed at objectively assessing the condition of the joint tissue and recognizing dysplasia in dogs is arthroscopy. During the endoscopic procedure, the veterinarian will be able to examine the structure cartilage tissue using a miniature camera inserted through a small puncture into the joint cavity. Although this study is informative, unfortunately, it is carried out only in the most modern, well-equipped clinics and costs a lot of money.

After all the studies, the doctor will be able to determine the degree of hip dysplasia. In veterinary medicine, there are the following categories that describe the condition of dog joints:

  1. A (articular tissue without pronounced pathologies);
  2. B (susceptibility to pathological changes);
  3. C (light initial stage joint dysplasia);
  4. D (moderate dysplasia);
  5. E (severe dysplasia).

Treatment

Dysplasia of pathologically altered joints in large dogs can be treated in two main ways: conservative and surgical. What treatment to prescribe is always decided individually and depends on the degree of damage to the articular tissues, the age and weight of the animal, its well-being, etc.

In the conservative treatment of hip joint pathology, veterinarians usually prescribe medications to dogs (specially designed for animals) and procedures that help alleviate their suffering as much as possible. Most often, the following groups of drugs are prescribed to animals:

  • chondroprotectors (medicines that promote the restoration of joints and cartilage tissue in dogs, prescribed in the form intravenous drips or intramuscular injections, and also injected directly into the joint);
  • antispasmodics (reduce pain that occurs in the animal when moving);
  • anti-inflammatory drugs (stop inflammatory processes);
  • food supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin (strengthen the bone tissue of dogs, promote joint regeneration in a short time).

If hip dysplasia in dogs has developed due to obesity, the owner will also have to completely review the diet, put the pet on a low-calorie diet and ensure that the dog gradually begins to lose weight. During the period of weight loss, the animal must be given vitamin complexes.

In addition to taking medications and vitamins, physical therapy treatment is often prescribed for hip joint disease. The most effective procedures are considered to be paraffin therapy, ozokerite, magnetic and laser therapy. Good healing effect will give a massage to the sore joint (it should be performed by a professional). Treatment of hip dysplasia must necessarily include moderate physical activity: swimming, light running, etc. But you cannot force dogs to jump and run fast.

Heal to the end severe degree dysplasia using gentle methods is impossible. If medications and procedures do not give the expected effect, and the pet’s condition only worsens, the optimal solution to the problem will be surgery, before which it will be necessary to take another x-ray. During the operation, the doctor will be able to adjust the shape of the hip bone so that its head matches the size and shape of the glenoid fossa.

The complexity and duration of the operation will depend on how advanced the dysplasia is. In some cases, the surgeon will only need to remove a small amount of cartilage. At severe course diseases, the following types of surgery can be performed:

  1. Complete excision of the femoral neck and head. Prescribed for advanced disease. The recovery period after such an operation can be very long, but after complete rehabilitation the dog and its owner will be able to completely forget about the disease. The dog will be able to run, jump, do any physical exercise and enjoy life. At the same time, no prostheses, etc., will be implanted into the animal’s body.
  2. Osteotomy. During this manipulation, the doctor cuts the bones and changes the location of the articular fossa. Thanks to this, the hip joint is in the correct location (an x-ray will show how it will look). Such a surgical procedure can be performed only for an uncomplicated form of dysplasia, not aggravated by arthritis.
  3. Endoprosthetics. The affected hip joint is completely replaced with a prosthesis made of titanium alloy. At full recovery After this procedure, the dog will be able to move normally without experiencing pain or discomfort.

Dysplasia is a pathology of joint development. Unlike humans, dysplasia in dogs is not a congenital disease, but is directly related to heredity. This disease is considered the scourge of all large breeds, and almost every puppy that is expected to grow into a dog of heavy build and/or above average height is at risk. How and why does dysplasia develop? Is it possible to overcome this disease?

Puppy large breed quickly gains weight, especially if the owners want to raise a real giant or strongman - they stuff the baby with calcium supplements, feed them with meat and cereals, and various growth stimulants. The muscles grow, but the bones cannot keep up with them - the load on the joints becomes excessive. Add to this a slippery floor, excessive physical activity (early exhausting workouts) and we get a joint that is deformed to one degree or another.

There are 4 degrees of dysplasia in dogs, from mild changes to serious pathology, due to which the pet loses the ability to move normally. Grade “A” is the norm, from B to E - various disorders, depending on the severity.

This development of events is possible if the dog’s genotype contains “harmful” genes that place the puppy at risk. In Russia, these are almost all large breed puppies, since they began to remove dogs with dysplasia from breeding relatively recently. The heavier (more muscular) the dog, the higher the risk. And, unfortunately, dysplasia develops in predisposed puppies even when the owners raise the baby correctly, control the load, do not overfeed and do not try to artificially slow down or accelerate weight gain.

The point of preventing dysplasia in dogs is to minimize the consequences. If the joints of a puppy that receives adequate loads and grows up on a balanced diet develop pathology, it is highly likely that it will be possible to preserve motor function and stop the development of the disease. And if an already sick puppy is overweight, gains weight too quickly or is exposed to excessive stress, dysplasia will cause more significant harm to the baby.

When choosing a large breed puppy, it is important that both parents undergo a dysplasia test. Documents with negative results (grade A) are provided by the breeder. This will not give a 100% guarantee that the baby will grow up healthy, but no further measures can be taken in advance. All babies are born with a normal skeleton and normal joints, without signs of pathologies. Problems appear only as you grow older. That is, at the time of purchase (when the puppy is 2-4 months old) it is impossible to predict whether the baby will have dysplasia or not.

Read also: Mycoses – fungal diseases in dogs

Signs of dysplasia

IN early age The puppy's flexible skeleton grows quickly, and the bones and joints gradually harden. And only around six months, and sometimes earlier, do the first alarm bells appear. Lameness and pain are the only obvious signs dysplasia in dogs, but sometimes they are difficult to notice. Therefore, the owner of a large breed puppy should specifically look for these symptoms, paying special attention to the baby:

  • slight limp, stiffness after sleep;
  • habit of "pacing". The puppy does not jump up to meet you, but first tries to walk carefully, as if consciously stretching stiff muscles (this is from the outside; in fact, the puppy needs time to develop the sore joint);
  • “starting” lameness (at the beginning of the run the dog limps, then seems to move normally);
  • lameness after exercise, intermittent claudication (either appears or disappears without a trace for days or weeks);
  • the habit of “resting” in the middle of the journey, although the distance traveled cannot be called large. The puppy plops down on his butt and sits for a while, not wanting to go further;
  • refusal to go up and/or down stairs. Many breeders recommend carrying babies for walks in your arms, and only when the puppies are 4 months old should they gradually master going up and down stairs.

It is important to understand that the sooner treatment begins, the greater the dog’s chances of full life. “Yes, he just twisted his paw/hit himself/slept uncomfortably, etc.” - don’t get your hopes up, even if you turn out to be right. If you notice at least one of the symptoms, you should immediately contact a veterinarian! Dysplasia discovered after reaching the age of one is extremely difficult to overcome, especially if the pathology is serious.

Weak spots

Elbow dysplasia– lameness on the front legs (or paw, but more often both joints are deformed), pain when bending the front legs in dogs, refusal to follow the “give me a paw” command, whining when trying to feel or examine the paws. Sometimes compactions and thickening are noticeable in the joint area. If the pain is severe, the puppy hesitates to go down the stairs or refuses to go down at all, since in this position the load on the elbow joints increases.

Part of the joint may be dissected, and an extra fragment may form on the joint. The bones may rub against each other as a result of joint flattening, or they may hang loose in the joint like a spoon in a mug. There are many variants of pathologies, and each individual case has its own characteristics of the anatomy of the joint.

Hip dysplasia for a long time in dogs may not cause any external signs diseases. In severe cases, puppies wag their hindquarters when walking, cannot or have difficulty climbing stairs (it hurts to push off with their hind legs when jerking forward and up), and walk with a lowered croup. Often, dogs try to lean on their front paws to relieve stress from the sore area.

With THA, the head of the femur does not fit correctly into the socket. If the discrepancy is minimal, signs of the disease may not appear until adulthood or may not appear at all. If the discrepancy is significant, the disease will manifest itself even if the puppy is raised correctly.

Dysplasia knee joint It is rare in dogs and is usually associated with trauma. As a result of injury or improper maintenance (slippery floors, excessive loads), the joint partially comes out of the joint capsule (subluxation). Due to incorrect position, the joint beats and rubs against the edges of the cup - deformation, pain, lameness. This kind of trouble can happen to any joint, so it is better to raise a large breed puppy with support. experienced dog handler or breeder.

Dysplasia is the destruction of joints in dogs. If suddenly a cheerful and healthy pet begins to limp and whine when walking, becomes inactive and tries to move as little as possible, the owner should immediately take him to the veterinarian. Joint dysplasia in dogs is a serious disease that cannot be ignored.

This disease is susceptible large dogs: Great Danes, St. Bernards, etc. Dysplasia leads to the destruction of the elbow or hip joints. At the last stage of the disease, animals cannot move independently.

The reasons for the development of the disease include:

    • hereditary factor (the disease is transmitted from parents to offspring, therefore only animals free from dysplasia should participate in breeding);
    • poor nutrition(lack or excess of calcium in the diet can trigger the rapid development of dysplasia);
    • excess body weight is another reason for the accelerated development of the disease;
    • absence sufficient load or, conversely, its excess is dangerous for puppies under one year old, especially for large and giant dogs;
    • in rare cases, injuries or dislocations become the impetus for the development of dysplasia.

There are five degrees of dysplasia: 1 (A) – there are no disorders in the joint; 2 (B) and 3 (C) – dislocations may occur; 4 (D) and 5 (E) – moderate and severe degrees, lead to serious changes and destruction of the joints.

There are two types of dysplasia:

      • Elbow
      • Hip joints.

Canine elbow dysplasia (EDD)

This type of disease includes several pathologies:

  1. Separation of the olecranon process from the main part of the bone (fragmentation).
  2. Mechanical discrepancy between joint surfaces (discongruence).
  3. Separation of the coronoid process from the main part of the bone (fragmentation).
  4. Osteoarthritis exfoliating.

These anomalies can occur one at a time or be combined with each other. Both are usually affected elbow joint. As a result of these pathologies, bone growth is disrupted (ulna, radius), joints become inflamed and destroyed. This type of dysplasia is rare.

Canine hip dysplasia (DHHD)

In dogs with this type of dysplasia, the shape of the femoral head does not correspond to the acetabulum, which causes increased pressure and frictional forces on the joint. This pathology leads to the gradual destruction of cartilage and articular membrane, and then the process moves to bone tissue.

Photos of dogs suffering from dysplasia

Symptoms of dysplasia in dogs and diagnosis

The first signs of the disease may appear as early as 4-6 months, but more often this occurs after a year.

Here are the clear symptoms of dysplasia in dogs:

      • the animal begins to limp on the hind (in case of DTBS) or front (in case of DLS) legs, and the lameness intensifies as the disease progresses;
      • the dog has difficulty climbing stairs, with difficulty rising from a lying position;
      • the animal shows anxiety if the sore part of the paw (thigh or elbow) is touched;
      • dogs with this disease may fold their hind legs “like a frog” when lying down;
      • running becomes like a rabbit's - the hind legs push off the ground at the same time;
      • in the area of ​​the diseased joint, the muscles begin to atrophy.

There is only one diagnostic method - x-ray examination of the diseased joint. Before the procedure, the dog is given an injection of a relaxant to completely relax the muscles, and then placed on the table (for THD - on its back, the hind legs are spread wide apart, for DLS - on its side, the paw is bent at the elbow 45 degrees). X-rays will only be informative if the animal is already 12 months old.

Methods of treating the disease

Dysplasia cannot be cured completely, as this disease is associated with joint destruction. There are several methods of treatment for TBS and DLS: conservative (with the help of medications), surgical (surgical intervention). Each of these methods is complemented by physiotherapy: swimming, massages, warming, etc.

Hip dysplasia in dogs: treatment

Conservative treatment of hip dysplasia in dogs involves taking painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs and chondroprotectors, but it will only be effective for early stages disease and will not stop the process of destruction, but will only alleviate the condition of the animal.

  1. Nutritional supplements (chondroprotectors): GAG, chondroitin, glucosamine. They can be used for life, they reduce inflammation in the diseased joint and prevent further tissue destruction.
  2. Anti-inflammatory drugs: Deramax, Rimadyl, Ketoprofen, etc. These drugs are intended for the treatment of osteoarthritis in dogs. They effectively relieve inflammation and have an analgesic effect. Human medications are contraindicated for animals: Ibuprofen, etc.
  3. Corticosteroids. These drugs are prescribed to older dogs when other medications have not brought improvement.

The last stages of THD (4 and 5) are treated surgically. These methods are not cheap, but they are more effective. In some cases, only thanks to surgical intervention the dog can walk.

Resection arthroplasty

During the operation, the surgeon removes the head of the femur. Dr. Efimov proposed modifying this procedure: a muscle layer is made between the neck of the femoral bone and the glenoid cavity (a small piece of the buttock muscle is used). Subsequently, a plate similar to cartilage forms in this place, thanks to which the limb begins to move freely and painlessly.

This procedure is indicated for animals whose weight does not exceed 25 kg. It can be done at any age.

Triple pelvic osteotomy

This procedure is performed only on young animals up to one year old, less often - up to two. During the operation, the acetabulum is isolated and rotated to an angle at which the head of the femoral bone will receive a larger area of ​​support and will not fall out of the joint. The fragment is fixed with a metal structure.

This procedure is quite expensive and traumatic, but if all recommendations are followed, it gives an excellent effect.

Installation of endoprosthesis

During the operation, the neck and head of the femur bone are removed and replaced with implants. After graduation recovery period dogs begin to move painlessly. This method is very effective for treating large animals (at least 20 kg), but its cost is quite high.

Attention! At least 3 months must pass between joint replacement operations on both sides.

What complications does the disease lead to?

If the owner does not pay attention to constant lameness and other symptoms of dysplasia, the animal's condition will gradually worsen. Without treatment, the joint quickly deteriorates, causing severe pain in the dog. At the last stage, an animal that has not received help becomes disabled and loses the ability to move independently.

Prevention

It is impossible to prevent the development of dysplasia in advance. The disease will definitely make itself felt if the dog has a predisposition to it.

Prevention is as follows:

      • correct conduct of breeding work (all producers must be examined for the presence or absence of dysplasia);
      • proper and competent raising of a puppy (balanced nutrition, physical activity according to age, constant and frequent walks, maintenance normal weight body).

Important! Dysplasia is a serious disease that should not be left to chance. Without treatment, an animal with this disease will certainly become disabled and experience severe pain. Before purchasing a puppy, be sure to ask whether its parents have been examined for dysplasia, and raise the baby correctly.

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