Though many people know about hip dysplasia in people, they may not be aware that it happens to dogs also. The hip joint is made of a ball and socket. The hip joint is the attachment for the hind leg to the dog's body. When the joint doesn't fit well, it is called hip dysplasia and it it a genetic condition.

The ball and socket joint normally fits together like puzzles pieces, which lets the dog walk and run without pain. When a dog suffers from this aliment, he is likely to develop arthritis as he grows older. As the hips move the soft cartilage is slowly rubbed away. A dog can have hip dysplasia in both hips or only one.

Symptoms

The symptoms of hip dysplasia are: uncoordinated, rear leg pain and touchy, limping, and a waving walking pattern. A usual clue and a big one is that the dog has difficulty in getting up from a prone position. If it is a severe case the dog's symptoms will start occurring before he is a year old and he will probably be lame inside of two years. If the case isn't as severe, the dog probably won't show symptoms before he is between 6-10 years of age.

Dogs More Prone

Hip dysplasia can be a problem for any breed, though it is more common in bigger dogs. It is specifically found more in Labrador Retrievers, Pointers, Rottweilers, Great Danes, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Setters, and Saint Bernards. Medium size breeds can suffer from this aliment, but small dogs aren't normally troubled with it.

Factors

The hip joint moves out of place, which is called a subluxation. This is caused by a looseness of the ligaments, muscles, and connective tissue that are the support system of the hip joint. This laxity lets the articular surfaces of the ball and socket lose their contact. Usually they are close together and protected by sponge like cartilage and fluid.

Treatment

It is treated with surgery, drugs, exercise, and weight management. The method of surgery is a replacement of the ball and socket or if it is a younger dog, the shape of the pelvis or femur. For pain relief anti-inflammatory drugs are used. Exercise is essential to add in loosening the dog's joints, but it should be slow and easy going.

Other ways to treat hip dysplasia are used such as massage, physical therapy, and supplements of glucosamine and chrondrotin. Some vets will suggest and explain how-to perform massage and physical therapy on your dog. Applying moist heat such as a wet type of heating pad before the massage or therapy will lessen the dog's pain and loosen the muscles.

Omega-3 fatty acids  and MSM, which is a natural sulpher are good for reducing inflamation. Some vets recommend supplementing the dog with them.

The dog with hip dysplasia in particular needs a sleeping area without drafts and that is warm. An orthopedic foam bed  in a dome shape will be soft and it distributes the dog's weight evenly, making him more comfortable.