Everything You Need to Know About Hip Dysplasia

Many dog owners believe that pet hip dysplasia — a deformity of the hip — only occurs in large and giant breed dogs. However, the truth is it can happen in dogs of any size or breed. And when it happens, it makes walking a lot more challenging and painful for dogs, reducing their quality of life significantly.

Although the pain and discomfort caused by hip dysplasia are manageable with the help of Pet pain-away ingredients for hip dysplasia, their early detection in pets is necessary for timely treatment.

The good news is that pet owners can learn the signs of hip dysplasia and offer their canine partners much-needed care and medical attention without delay.

Here’s what every dog owner should know about hip dysplasia:

What is Hip Dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia is a deformity in the hip that occurs during growth when the ball and socket of the hip joint do not grow at equal rates. As a result, the ball and socket do not fit properly and lead to wear and tear in the joint, which eventually develops into a skeletal condition or deformity called hip dysplasia. This condition leads to lameness in pets, making moving around a lot painful for them.

What causes hip dysplasia in pets?

While hip dysplasia is closely associated with genetics, it can also be a result of overweight, exercise, diet, and excessive growth rate. This condition is prevalent in large-breed dogs, such as Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Great Dane, and others because of their large build. However, it is manageable with the help of a Pet Pain-Away solution.

How to tell if your dog has hip dysplasia?

Often, pet owners are unable to detect hip dysplasia in their pets, not until their pets begin to limp or refrain from walking or moving at all. But when the symptoms appear, they may notice:

• Stiffness in the pet’s back legs

• A significant decrease in thigh muscle mass

• Reduced activity

• Reluctance to climb stairs or walk

• Shoulder muscle growth resulting from compensating for the pain in their hips

• Grating in the joints during movement

How is hip dysplasia diagnosed?

Once you notice the signs of hip dysplasia in your pet, take him to your veterinarian for a proper diagnosis. The vet will perform some physical exams to check for looseness or grinding, pain, or decreased range of motion in the joints.

The final diagnosis comes after an X-ray or radiography, and the results reveal the degree and severity of the condition.

How does hip dysplasia get treated?

When it comes to treating hip dysplasia, plenty of treatment options are available, from lifestyle changes to surgery. The right treatment option depends on the severity of the condition. For low to moderate deformity, the doctor may suggest the following:

• Weight reduction to decrease the stress on the hip joint

• Limitation on exercises

• Physical therapy

• Pet chronic pain-away solutions and medications

• Joint fluid modifier

If your dog’s condition worsens or is severe, the doctor may recommend surgery as the only treatment.

Bottom line

While hip dysplasia is treatable, you, as a pet owner, should take responsible pet ownership and watch out for any signs that may indicate hip dysplasia in your dog.

And if your dog has been diagnosed with low or moderately severe hip dysplasia, try Pet Pain-Away ingredients, such as Pet Pain-Away, to offer pain relief to your lovely pet.