Hip Dysplasia Medication for Dogs
Hip dysplasia in dogs happens when the hip joint becomes loose or moves away from the hip bone itself. It is a severe form of arthritis. The severity of the disease varies by dog and some only have minor symptoms.
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Symptoms
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Stiffness, altered walking or gait, resisting extension of the rear legs, pain and limping are the most common symptoms of canine dysplasia.
Diagnosis
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A physical exam and x-rays help with the diagnosis. The disease most commonly affects large and giant breeds. Heredity also plays a role in the development of the disease.
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Non-Steroid Medications
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These medications include aspirin, which is a conservative treatment option to help with pain and swelling and return the use of the limbs. The veterinarian will decide on the proper dosage. This helps greatly in milder forms of the disease.
Other Medications
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Remadyl is very effective at treating the pain and swelling. It is stronger than aspirin but is not a steroid and is normally used when aspirin is no longer strong enough.
Injectable Medications
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Steroids injected directly into the area are effective in reducing pain and inflammation. These are normally for the more severe forms of the disease and administered several times over the course of a month.
Significance
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Dogs with hip dysplasia usually inherit the disease, which can start at any age; even a puppy can develop the disease. The treatment begins conservatively and moves to stronger medications as the dog needs it.
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