How to Help a Golden Retriever Puppy With Hip Dysplasia
A Golden Retriever is an intelligent and affectionate family dog. Among the medical problems that can afflict Golden Retrievers and other dog breeds is a condition called hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is a genetic disease that causes looseness, abnormal development and arthritis of the hip joint, which is the ball and socket joint on the uppermost part of the thighbone, the femur. To make your puppy more comfortable, there are some things that you can do to help him at the onset of this condition.
Instructions
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Monitor your puppy's weight and diet, which is the single most important thing you can do for your puppy. If surgery should be necessary, there is a higher rate of success if your puppy is not overweight. Feed him a high-quality sensible diet in the suggested amounts for his age, size and activity level. Ask your veterinarian about the type and amount of food to feed your puppy.
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Exercising your puppy is equally important in order to keep a healthy weight. Exercise can provide good range of motion and can support weak bones while limiting wear and tear on the joints. Suggested low-impact activities might be leash walking, swimming, or walking on treadmills. Avoid acrobatic exercises like jumping and playing Frisbee.
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Keeping your puppy's joints warm whenever possible may keep him more comfortable. Some ideas may be to provide a nice warm sweater. Provide an orthopedic foam bed, which would distribute weight evenly and reduce pressure on joints, which, in turn, helps with arthritis and joint pain. Be sure to place the bed in a warm area of the home away from drafts. Placing a hot water bottle on the affected joints may help as well.
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Perform physical therapy and massage on your puppy to help relax the muscles, promoting smooth movement in the joints. Your veterinarian can advise you about some simple massages you can perform at home. Remember that your puppy is in pain and it is important to start slowly. Begin with gentle petting around the joint area, working up to a kneading motion with your fingertips, using a circular motion. Gradually work your way to the surrounding areas and muscles. If your puppy seems to enjoy his massage, make a practice of doing it for about 10 minutes every day. If it feels uncomfortable to him, discontinue the massage and contact your vet for further instructions.
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Make it as easy as possible for your puppy to get in and out of your car and to go between the house and the yard. Stairs should be avoided if possible, so you might want to build a ramp.
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Provide some relief with anti-inflammatory medications prescribed by your veterinarian. Never give any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs--such as aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen or Acetaminophen--or any home medications without consulting your vet. Follow instructions to prevent any adverse side effects.
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Give your dog some vet-approved supplements that manage arthritis and joint pain, such as Glucosamine. Glucosamine, which is found in healthy cartilage, is absorbed and distributed to joint tissues and it has anti-inflammatory and joint-regenerating properties. Omega-3 fatty acids are often used to manage allergies in dogs. Because of the anti-inflammatory properties, some have encouraged the use of Omega-3 in dogs with osteoarthritis and joint pain as well.
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Tips & Warnings
Educate yourself further on hip dysplasia so that you can be fully aware of all signs and symptoms. Early detection and treatment is vital for your puppy.
Do not give any over-the-counter medications or perform any treatments without instructions and advice from your veterinarian.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Golden retiever puppy is yawning image by Yulia Podlesnova from Fotolia.com
