![]() These signs can also be the result of infections in joints, lack of synovial fluid or the result of trauma. ![]() Acute episodes of lameness with both or only one side affected can also occur after exercise or minor trauma. 1 If a young dog is found to have a swaying or unsteady gait, or runs with both hind legs moving together - often referred to by breeders as the "bunny hop" - it is worth further investigation. In the young dog, the first symptoms appear to be decreased activity, sometimes accompanied by joint pain. This gives time for atrophy and extraordinary musculature to develop as clinically recognizable signs. A reasonable classification that takes into account maturity, puberty and attaining adult height, if not near adult weight, would be dogs less than one year in age and those more than one year in age. It is therefore useful to separate dogs by age classification when describing the clinical signs of hip dysplasia. The second, and far more common type, is the insidious chronic form that develops over a period of time. The first is severe and is seen early in the afflicted dog’s life. In the second article in the series, we said that canine hip dysplasia can be conveniently categorized into two major types. The latter part of the article will be devoted to important new developments that hold promise for predicting the probability of phenotypic expression of CHD. Initially, this article will focus on the clinical signs of hip dysplasia, the specific methods used by the experienced practitioner to make the diagnosis and the problems associated with the classic hips-extended, Orthopedic Foundation for Animals-approved X-ray positioning for radiographic study. Physical examination techniques are helpful, and one can often pick up on concurrent conditions that could be otherwise overlooked. Many clinicians may depend too often on only subjective radiographic interpretation in the diagnosis of CHD. Anecdotal evidence has shown that canine hip dysplasia is one of the most over-diagnosed and misdiagnosed problems afflicting dogs. ![]() There is far more to a proper diagnosis than first meets the eye. Though CHD can afflict all breeds, it is more common in the large and giant breeds. This third article deals with the abnormal hip and how to diagnose it. There is no conclusive evidence that vitamin C can prevent hip dysplasia, but there is some evidence that vitamin C may be useful in reducing pain and inflammation in the dysplastic dog. Stay away from calcium supplementation of any kind all it can do is hurt. It is probable that even normal exercise levels may increase the phenotypic expression of CHD of a genetically predisposed dog. In the meantime, it makes sense to have lean puppies and to avoid breeding animals from litters that showed signs of hip dysplasia. Only by rigorous genetic selection will the incidence rate be reduced. While environmental effects, to include nutrition and exercise, may play a part in mitigating or delaying the onset of clinical signs and clinical symptoms, hip dysplasia remains a genetically transmitted disease. An affected animal can exhibit a wide range of phenotypes, all the way from normal to severely dysplastic and functionally crippled. Hip dysplasia is not something a dog gets it either is dysplastic or it is not. ![]() Without the genes necessary to transmit this degenerative disease, there is no disease. Genetics is the foremost causative factor of canine hip dysplasia. You may not like what you read, but you will be more competent to deal with the problem. When you finish reading it you will have a sufficient background to make rational breeding choices and will be able to discuss the subject from an informed basis with your veterinarian. Furthermore, the series is designed to be retained as a reference. While this series of articles will not replace a stack of veterinary medical texts, it is a relatively in-depth look at the whole problem of canine hip dysplasia. What follows is written from the perspective that the readers of the series are conscientious breeders who are the guardians of the genetic pools that constitute their breeds. This article is the third in an eight-part series on canine hip dysplasia (CHD). The authors assess the pros and cons of standard diagnostic methods for hip dysplasia By Susan Thorpe-Vargas Ph.D., John Cargill MA, MBA, MS
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