Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) is an often-misunderstood debilitating disease. The word dysplasia when applied to CHD, refers to the abnormal growth of the canine hip. This abnormal growth makes the hip loose and unstable, leading to increased movement of the hip. Increase movement results in a week and hip joint that causes painful inflammation and decrease flexibility. Overtime a GSD with hip dysplasia may suffer from crippling arthritis and lameness if untreated. CHD is a progressive disease. The levels of acuity vary from dog to dog and specific breeds. Large breeds are statistically the most at risk of developing CHD, but the smaller medium dogs are also affected by the disease. Dogs with CHD are frequently at high risk of injury through both normal and strenuous activity.
The hip joint is not the only area of a dog that may be affected by this disease. Knee, shoulder, and spinal joints can also show evidence of changes. The gradual loss of cartilage, joint inflammation, bone spurs, and pain can all result from osteoarthritis or dysplasia.
The symptoms of hip dysplasia varies some clear-cut signs of that your dog may have hip dysplasia include:
A dog can have CHD and initially present as asymptomatic. The disease will become more evident to the owners as their dog matures. The only way to accurately diagnose a dog with CHD is by the use of X rays taken by your veterinarian.
Both the environment and genetics play an important role in determining if a dog will CHD. Poor or reckless breeding does not always mean dogs will be affected with dysplasia, having said that, there is a genetic disposition for the disease.
As a puppy, if the animal has been malnourished, overweight, excessively exercised, or has the genetic precursors to CHD, the odds increase that this dog will develop CHD as time passes. This is especially true for larger breeds. Selective breeding is crucial in reducing the odds of CHD. However, CHD can result from genetic mutations or directly from masked genes that can skip one or more generations. Just because the parents of your dog have not developed dysplasia does not mean your dog cannot be affected. When choosing a breed that is known to have the disease, look for reputable breeders, and do your homework research your puppies genetic past.
