Exercise And Labrador Hip Dysplasia
As a dog owner, it is distressing to watch your energetic, playful dog struggling to play and run due to hip dysplasia. Because of their large, heavy frame, extreme weight distribution, and strong genetic predisposition for the disorder, Labrador retrievers, German shepherds, Pitbulls, and Golden retrievers are among some of the most common breeds prone to dog hip dysplasia (DMD). However, hip dysplasia is not the only reason dogs get affected by this condition. It is estimated that as many as 30% of all purebred dogs in the United States are affected by DMD. This condition can also occur in mutts and kittens.
Hip dysplasia is a degenerative, non-curable joint condition that affects both dogs and humans. It is caused by the abnormal development of the patella, which is found at the front edge of the hip joint.
When this joint becomes dislocated, the dog’s hip cannot rotate fully about its axis, causing the animal to stumble or “stagger” when it jumps or walks. The symptoms typically appear during the late teens to early adulthood, although they can occasionally appear later in life. However, there is no current way to prevent the disease from occurring.
The first step in treatment for your dog with Labrador hip dysplasia is to carefully observe your dog.
You should not be afraid to walk it around on a leash, as well as standing on it to assess its gait. Lameness and uneven walking should be the first signs that you notice. As your pet progresses through its adolescence, the severity of the symptoms will likely increase. Any limping, dragging, or uneven walking is likely to be indicative of hip problems, so you should investigate these symptoms with a veterinarian.
If you suspect your dog has Labrador hip dysplasia, you should visit a veterinarian who deals specifically with breeds. While most veterinarians may have some knowledge of this condition, especially since the majority of Labradors are used for hunting dogs, it is unlikely that your regular veterinarian has had much experience dealing with this condition.
Even if your regular veterinarian has had experience with this type of dog, he or she may lack knowledge of the best ways to assess your pup’s condition, so it is best to take your pup to a specialist. The sooner you seek veterinary help for your pup, the better your chances of avoiding further damage to your pup’s joints.
There are several different options available to your dog owner in terms of non-surgical treatment for Labrador hip dysplasia.
One of the first choices you will have to make is which surgery is most appropriate for your pup. Depending on the severity of your pup’s case, non-surgical treatment may include the following: Limbing and trimming of the anal and hindquarters, which should also include the stretching of the upper body.
If your puppy has more serious problems, there is the option of surgery, but only if the vet feels that other measures, such as exercise and a natural diet, are not helping your dog. There is a chance that hip replacement surgery could be necessary in cases where the joint has reached its limit and cannot be restored.
There are two types of non-surgical management available for hip dysplasia in dogs.
One is the use of a weight-bearing, collar. These collars require that the dogs exercise regularly, which will force the dogs to keep their weight on the ball they are wearing, which in turn strengthens the muscles in that area. The other method of non-surgical management involves the use of an arthritic splint.
An arthritic splint is a leather-made joint splint that is placed in the socket joint between the ball of the dog’s foot and the lower part of the lower leg, enabling the weight to be more evenly distributed over the joint.
As with humans, the pain experienced by dogs with hip dysplasia can range from mild to excruciating.
The severity of the pain will also depend upon how long the dog has been having the problem, and whether the dog is an active or a sedentary breed.
Stronger breeds such as bulldogs or Alsatians are at a greater risk of experiencing pain when they stand on their feet for extended periods of time. Even though this type of pain is mild, it can still be very painful for your pup, especially if the problem is not treated promptly.
Because exercise is vital to promoting a healthy muscle mass in your puppy as well as his bone structure, you should spend plenty of time exercising with your young-age Labrador Retriever puppy. Exercise will keep your pup limber and strong, which will prevent the development of dysplasia. It is also important to remember that any exercise should be done gently and never over-exercise to avoid injury to your young puppy.
