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Hip and Elbow Dysplasia in Dogs

Submitted by Nic on August 19, 2011

It is only natural for any dog owner to get very concerned upon hearing that his or her pet is suffering from hip and elbow dysplasia in dogs. However, both, hip and elbow dysplasia in dogs are very common problems. At times, both the conditions can affect the animal, leading to a lot of pain and restriction of movement too.

However, most pet owners can make an attempt to control the symptoms and manage the condition, by educating themselves about how to deal with hip and elbow dysplasia in dogs.

Elbow Dysplasia in Dogs

This condition refers to an abnormal development of a few parts, in the elbow joint. Though this condition usually becomes evident when the dog is between 4 and 12 months, it can show up during any phase of the dog’s life.

Moreover, elbow dysplasia in dogs is an inherited problem, which is more evident in certain breeds, like the German Shepherd, the Bernese mountain dog, Labrador retrievers and Golden retrievers. Hence, it can be said that this condition is mainly seen in large and medium sized dogs. While it is possible to get this condition treated by surgery, there are many people who prefer to opt for medicines and alternative methods of treatment, especially when it comes to handling the pain. However, both medication and alternative treatment options could take a while to cure the condition. Dogs who are overweight tend to face additional pressure on their elbows due to the extra weight and there therefore required to lose some of the excess fat, in order to manage the pain.

Hip Dysplasia in Dogs

When a dog is diagnosed with hip dysplasia, it means that he could be suffering from various abnormalities, which include the incongruity of the hip bones. This means that the socket and the ball do not make a proper fit. There are several factors that could lead to this and the most common one is usually the poor structure of the hip joint. When dogs suffer from this condition, it generally results in the reduced ability to support the pressure that is applied on the hip during simple activities, like walking and running.

Fortunately, hip dysplasia in dogs is definitely not indicate that the dog cannot lead a normal life. There are several methods of dealing with the pain and discomfort caused by hip and elbow dysplasia in dogs. Moreover, with the help of surgical procedures, the structural abnormality can be corrected to a great extent.

Dog Health