Back and Hip Problems

Golden retrievers are prone to back and hip problems.

Hip problems are common to certain breeds of dogs, such as Labrador retrievers, great Danes, German shepherds and St. Bernards. Back problems are more prevalent in long-bodied dogs with short legs, including basset hounds and dachshunds. Both back and hip problems can be a serious detriment to a dog's quality of life, requiring surgery or other methods to help manage the problem or just simply help manage the pain.

Warning Signs

Great Danes are prone to hip problems.

The first signs of a dog with hip or back problems is a wobbliness in the walk. An unsteady dog is not a healthy dog. Whimpering or other exclamations of pain are another sign that the dog needs to take a trip to the vet to identify what is going on. The most obvious sign would be limping or lameness in one or several of the legs. If any of these signs show up the dog should be taken to a vet or qualified professional to identify what is causing the unsteadiness or pain.

Hip Dysplasia

Let the dog set the pace for any walks.

Hip dysplasia is a genetic condition where the hip does not fit as snugly into the socket as it should. When a dog gets older, this can become painful as the bones grind against each other and cause too much wear and tear. It can also lead to additional complications such as arthritis. It can be diagnosed with a trip to the vet and an X-ray. Surgery is one option for dealing with the condition, but it isn't often done as it causes unnecessary pain and recovery time.

Back Problems

Dachshunds are prone to back problems.

There are a large variety of back problems for dogs. Some common problems are intervertebral disc disease, polymyositis and polyarthritis. Polymyositis is multiple muscles in the back becoming inflamed while polyarthritis is several joints becoming inflamed. Other problems, such as kidney infections, can show up with symptoms that are attributed to back problems. There are too many causes for back problems for an owner to be able to easily diagnose what is wrong with a pet. The best way to tell what is wrong is to take the dog to a vet at the first sign of distress.

Hip Solutions

Changing up.

Hip dysplasia can be combated by strengthening the dog's legs. This means a short walk every day where the dog sets the pace. Even better is time swimming as swimming allows the dog to exercise the limb without putting much weight on it. Other solutions involve pain reduction strategies, such as buying orthopedic bedding and applying heat to the sore hips.

Back Solutions

Exercise should be restricted unless recommended by a vet.

Do what the vet says to address back problems. If it is a simple case of tense muscles then hot pads or back massages can help the dog. Changing the bedding to an orthopedic bedding can also prevent problems in the future. Certain back problems, such as spinal trauma or disk disease, can be addressed with surgery, while others can be addressed with anti-inflammatory agents or muscle relaxants prescribed by a vet. When it comes to back problems, exercise should be restricted unless recommended by a vet.

References

• Recovery SA: Symptoms and treatment of hip dysplasia in dogs
• Pet Place: Neck and Back Pain in Dogs
• AllSands: Hip Dysplasia and your Dog