Hip Dysplesia in Dogs
Hip dysplasia develops as a puppy is growing, and large-breed dogs can take up to two years to grow to full size. Even a puppy whose X-rays look normal at a few months old can develop hip dysplasia later. Though it is most common in large purebred breeds like Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers, it can occur in any sized dog and in any breed.
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Identification
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Hip dysplasia means that a dog has a poorly formed hip joint, which is where the thigh bone (femur) and the pelvis meet. Instead of a tight ball and socket joint, the ligaments keeping the joint together may be loose, the ball may be too flat or too small, or the socket may be too shallow. Over time, arthritis can set in due to the wear and tear caused by the hip sliding back and forth.
Exercise
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There are three factors that can cause hip dysplasia: exerecise, nutrition and heredity. Exercise should always be gentle and only for a short time while a puppy is growing. Large breeds may be more at risk, but too much exercise can strain developing joints and bones in any size or breed of puppy. Any jumping or long distance running should be saved until the puppy is fully grown.
Nutrition
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Nutrition is an important factor in hip dysplasia because too much of a good thing can cause the problem. A large-breed puppy should be fed properly measured amounts of food for its size, and food should be divided into three meals per day. If you give it too much at each feeding, or let it free-feed, your actions can cause the dog's bones and joints to grow too quickly, putting strain on them. Also, you should not feed the dog vitamin D or calcium supplements; excessive amounts of these nutrients can interfere with proper development of bone and cartilage.
Factor Three
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The third factor in developing hip dysplasia is heredity. If the dame and sire do not have dysplasia, it is less likely their pups will have it, but they still may. Responsible breeders, especially of large breeds, will have their dame's and sire's hips X-rayed and scored by one of the following organizations: The University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program or the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, which will help you decide if the puppy you are considering is at high risk.
Considerations
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Hip dysplasia can be mild and may be unnoticeable for years, or it may happen early on with your puppy. You may notice the dog suffering severe pain and limping each time it walks. It may have trouble standing back up after lying down, or you may hear or feel a "click" in its hips as the dog moves.
There are many treatments available for hip dysplasia. Your veterinarian will decide which one is appropriate for your dog depending on the severity of her problem (see Resources).
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