Articular dysplasia in dogs. Painful lameness - dysplasia in dogs: what it is, causes of joint destruction, symptoms and treatment What is joint dysplasia in dogs

Hip dysplasia in dogs is a pathology of the musculoskeletal system, which is characterized by underdevelopment of the acetabulum of the hip joint. Large dog breeds are especially susceptible to the disease. The disease is dangerous because it provokes partial and sometimes complete destruction of joints and cartilaginous tissues, and threatens with loss of motor functions. Diagnosis and timely treatment of dysplasia will help stop the degenerative processes in the animal's body.

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What is hip dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a defect in the development of the joint in the region of the articular cavity. Initially, the disease was called subluxation of the articular head due to the increase in the gap between the cavity and the head of the bone (it does not adhere to the joint, which leads to friction and wear of the head). The result is hardening and deformity of the joint.

Causes and risk group

Most often, dysplasia is diagnosed in German Shepherds, Retrievers, Great Danes, Bullmastiffs and St. Bernards.

The main causes of DTBS:

heredity;
overfeeding, unbalanced nutrition (lack of phosphorus, calcium in the diet, excess protein leads to the development of the disease);
excessive physical exertion (pets under 18 months of age are prohibited from heavy exertion, especially large and heavy breeds);
lack of movement (puppies need a gentle load in order for bone and muscle tissue to develop properly);
rapid growth of bone and joint tissues in the first 6 months of life;
injury.

Symptoms

A veterinarian can determine the disease at the 12th month of a puppy's life, but dysplasia begins to appear only at 2-2.5 years.

Signs of hip dysplasia in dogs:

lameness that occurs spontaneously (when examining the limbs, no changes in integrity are observed);
even with a small load, the dog gets tired quickly;
hind legs shaking;
while walking the dog sways;
on palpation of the upper thigh, the pet whines and tries to bite;
hind legs are spread to the side.

Puppies with dysplasia during rest take a frog pose to unload the hind limbs. Also, in young individuals, asymmetry of the body is observed: powerful forelegs, weak hind legs and a developed chest.

Symptoms of DTS may be partially manifested, so diagnosing the disease at home is difficult. For example, a pet may place its paws differently due to fatigue, and limp due to damage to its paw during a walk.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of diseases associated with bones is carried out using x-rays. Based on the picture, the veterinarian can determine not only the presence or absence of pathology, but also the degree of joint deformity.

X-rays are performed under general anesthesia to ensure that the results are of good quality. In some cases, arthroscopy is done. During this procedure, an incision is made into which an arthroscope is inserted to examine the joint. The mini-camera shows the state of the desired area and the surrounding tissue.

The study helps the specialist determine the severity of the animal's disease:

A - no deviations;
B - there is a predisposition to joint deformity;
C - initial form;
D - middle stage;
E - severe dysplasia.

Conservative therapy

Treatment of hip dysplasia is effective in the early stages of the disease. Therapy is based on the elimination of pain, swelling, restoration of cartilage tissue.

Conservative treatment includes the use of:

1. Chondroprotectors- medicines that restore articular and cartilaginous tissue (Glucosamine, Adequan, Khionat, Teraflex, Mukosat, Chondrolon). Medicines are prescribed in the form of intravenous droppers, injections into the joints, intramuscular injections. The drugs can be taken alone or in combination.
2. Antispasmodics- eliminate pain syndrome (Analgin, No-shpa, Baralgin).
3. Anti-inflammatory drugs- Rimadyl, Nimesulide.
4. Mineral complexes based on glucosamine and chondroitins- Omega-6, Omega-3.

Veterinarians prescribe corticosteroids, which are hormonal drugs that are injected under the skin (small breeds) or directly into the joint. However, this therapy may have a number of undesirable side effects.

Conservative treatment is supplemented with physiotherapy. In veterinary clinics, electromagnetic radiation or laser therapy can be performed. These procedures are aimed at warming up the joints, but they are not always effective, because they have many contraindications.

Operational technique

Conservative therapy is not always effective for hip dysplasia. In the later stages of the disease, surgical intervention is necessary. The complexity and duration of the operation depends on the degree of joint deformity.

Types of surgical intervention:

Excision of the femoral head and neck This is a major operation that involves a long recovery period. After excision, the joint is restored, and the pet can move independently without prostheses. Due to the narrowing of the pelvic cavity, there is sometimes a malfunction of the abdominal organs.
osteotomy- dissection of the bone and a change in the position of the articular fossa, contributes to the correct location of the joint. The procedure can be performed with a non-aggravated form of the disease.
Myoectomy- excision of the pectineal muscle during the growth of the puppy. This procedure does not lead to a complete recovery, but reduces lameness, restores the motor function of the joint. The operation is carried out with the ineffectiveness of conservative therapy. Myectomy is performed on puppies between the ages of 6 and 12 months.
Resection arthroplasty– resection of the joint to reduce pain. The procedure eliminates the friction of the head of the joint on the cavity, resulting in reduced pain. The operation is indicated for small breeds of dogs weighing up to 20 kg. Arthroplasty can be performed even on older dogs.
Endoprosthetics- prescribed at the last stage of the disease. The joint is replaced with an artificial one made of titanium alloy. After the procedure, the dog moves without pain, leads a normal life. The operation is prohibited for muscle atrophy. From a functional point of view, it is recommended to install a prosthesis for dogs weighing more than 30 kg.

Massage

Massage is a mandatory procedure, which is carried out in combination with conservative and surgical therapy. It relieves pain, relaxes muscles, improves blood circulation. You can perform massage exercises at home:

warm up the muscles with confident, slow movements;
perform pressure;
initially it is necessary to massage the longitudinal dorsal muscles on both sides, and then move on to the hind limbs;
You can work out only the muscles, it is strictly forbidden to press on the bones.

Care and nutrition

For a quick rehabilitation of a pet after treatment, it is necessary to provide appropriate conditions. Vitamins, proteins, minerals, trace elements should be present in the diet, at the same time, the weight of the pet should be monitored to prevent the occurrence of obesity.

The dog should not be transferred to a rigid diet, as this will lead to a deterioration in the condition. From the diet you need to remove foods containing a large amount of fat.

After the operation, it is necessary to force the pet to move in order to provide additional blood flow to the limbs, this will help the muscles not to atrophy. The dog should be examined regularly. Due to the weakening of the body, diseases associated with the nervous system, abdominal organs, and infection can occur.

You need to walk a pet with dysplasia on the lawn, minimizing walking on asphalt. Swimming is useful, as in the water the load on the joints is reduced, and the rest of the muscle group receives the necessary load.

What to do is prohibited

When hip dysplasia in dogs is strictly prohibited:

exclude meat products from the diet;
treat the disease with painkillers;
independently try to insert the bone into place;
cool or warm the pelvic part;
self-administer intramuscularly or intravenously drugs.

Also, sick dogs are contraindicated in physical activity and long walks, during which there is tension in the hind limbs.

Prevention

Preventive measures include proper nutrition with plenty of micronutrients. At an early age in puppies, food should be nutritious and healthy. They also need to avoid heavy loads, as microcracks can occur in underdeveloped limbs.

If an animal has been diagnosed with dysplasia, it must be spayed or castrated so that the disease is not passed on to offspring.

Diseases of the musculoskeletal system often occur in dogs of large breeds. With a massive complexion and high weight, against the background of high physical activity, animals often have joint problems. One of the most common pathologies of this type is dysplasia. Unlike humans, dysplasia in dogs is not a congenital disease, but develops in puppyhood and is determined by a hereditary predisposition. It is possible to prevent serious complications of this disease, including the complete immobility of the dog, only with the help of timely treatment and proper preventive measures.

Dysplasia is an incurable disease that can lead to partial or complete destruction of the joints in a dog. The problem lies in a significant increase in the gap between the head and the cavity of the articular joint, as a result of which the tightness of the bones is reduced. Constant friction and excessive pressure leads to the destruction of bone tissue, delamination or flattening of the joints.

Since the hip joints are subjected to the greatest load when the dog moves, they are most often affected by dysplasia. Much less common are injuries to the elbow joints and, in rare cases, to the knee.

There are 5 degrees of development of dysplasia in dogs:

A - is the norm;
B and C - there are some violations in which dislocations can occur;
D and E - serious destruction of the joints occurs.

The appearance of the disease is possible if the puppy has a genetic predisposition. In Russia, the risk group includes representatives of all large breeds, since dogs with dysplasia began to be withdrawn from breeding relatively recently. The most unpleasant thing is that if there is a predisposition, dysplasia can develop even if the puppy is properly fed and subjected to normal stress.

Reasons for the appearance

The onset of the disease in the presence of a genetic predisposition can provoke many different factors, the most common of which are:

Improper nutrition: unbalanced diet (the predominance of meat or its complete absence, poor-quality dry food); the introduction of a large number of phosphorus-calcium supplements; constant overeating and resulting obesity.
Movement disorders: excessive training; immobility; injuries, bruises, other injuries of the limbs.

The risk of developing dysplasia is highest in dogs with a large body weight, significantly exceeding the norm, which are subjected to increased training.

Signs of dysplasia in dogs

It is possible to recognize pathological processes in the joints by an x-ray already in six-month-old puppies. But it is almost impossible to notice any external disturbances during this period. Only with close attention do the primary symptoms of dysplasia in dogs become visible:

slight lameness that appears at the beginning of a run or after exertion;
stiffness upon awakening, the desire to "stretch" or "disperse" after prolonged lying;
refusal to move up the stairs in both or one direction;
occasional desire to relax during a walk.

It is extremely important to notice the disease in a timely manner and start treatment as early as possible. If you have at least one of the signs, you should immediately contact your veterinarian, since it will be much more difficult to cure the pathology with age. Moreover, the visible symptoms of dysplasia in dogs usually appear only by 1–1.5 years, when the musculoskeletal system is fully formed. At the same time, injuries of different joints have several distinguishing features.

hip dysplasia

Negative processes in the hip joint cause a violation of the physiological position of the femoral head in relation to the articular cavity. Characteristic features of the dog's behavior with such injuries are constant leaning on the forelimbs, unwillingness to go up the stairs, lowered croup, waggling behind when walking.

The appearance of signs of the disease is determined by the severity of such violations:

with a slight discrepancy, the symptoms of hip dysplasia in dogs usually do not appear at all or appear only in old age;
with a significant discrepancy between the indicated parts of the joint, the signs of the disease will quickly become noticeable even if the puppy is kept in the right conditions.

Elbow dysplasia

If the disease affects the elbow joints, other symptoms are observed:

limping on the forelimbs;
refusal to give a paw on command;
the appearance of thickening or additional fragments on the elbow joints;
jerking of the paw when feeling the neoplasm;
reluctance to go down the stairs.

Some signs of this type of dysplasia depend on the specific pathology, since the bones of the joint can flatten, creating increased friction, or, conversely, decrease, forming an excessive gap.

knee dysplasia

Changes in the knee joint in dogs are rare and are usually caused by trauma or excessive load on the hind limbs. In such cases, the position of the articular bones changes according to the type of subluxation. This can be determined by the following features:

the appearance of visible deformation of the knee joints;
painful sensations when feeling these places;
noticeable lameness in the hind legs.

To prevent this from happening, a puppy of a large breed must be provided with the correct conditions of detention, excluding the possibility of injury.

Diagnostic methods

During the initial examination of the dog for the presence of dysplasia, the veterinarian performs several manipulations:

evaluates the correctness of general movements;
palpates the joint to detect deformity;
performs flexion-extension of the limbs to determine how the joint moves, as well as to see the reaction of the animal.

Then an x-ray is ordered. When performing it, the dog must be under general anesthesia, which allows you to determine the location of the articular bones without muscle support. If the x-ray does not give a complete picture of the damage, arthroscopy is performed - the introduction of a microscopic camera through a tissue puncture. Such an examination is the most informative, but expensive and is not performed in all clinics.

Treatment of dysplasia in dogs

Dysplasia in dogs is treated medically or surgically. The choice of method of treatment depends on the characteristics of the course of the disease, the individual characteristics of the organism and the state of health of the animal. In most cases, the treatment of elbow dysplasia in dogs can be performed both conservatively and surgically. Pathologies of the hip joints are usually eliminated only surgically.

Conservative therapy

With dysplasia in dogs, drug treatment includes the appointment of drugs from several groups with different effects:

chondroprotective - for the regeneration of joints;
antispasmodic - to reduce pain;
anti-inflammatory - to relieve inflammation of surrounding tissues.

Dietary supplements with glucosamine and chondroitin are also used to accelerate the recovery processes in the joints. Along with taking medications and dietary supplements, the animal is prescribed a special diet for weight loss with the simultaneous use of vitamin-mineral complexes.

A good effect is given by additional physiotherapy procedures. The most requested are:

paraffin therapy or ozokerite;
magnetic and laser therapy;
massage of the injured joint.

During the treatment period, physical activity is not excluded for the dog, but it should be moderate - swimming, light jogging, walking.

It should be borne in mind that conservative treatment of hip dysplasia in dogs gives only a temporary improvement - the pain syndrome is removed and lameness is eliminated, but the destroyed articular joints are not restored. Therefore, experts recommend immediately performing an operational correction.

Surgical operations

Surgical treatment of dysplasia in dogs is aimed at changing the shape of the femoral head so that it fits the parameters of the glenoid cavity. The complexity of the operation depends on the degree of the disease. For minor violations, the procedure may consist only in the removal of a small fragment of cartilage. In more severe cases, the following operations are performed:

Endoprosthetics is a complete replacement of the hip joint with a titanium prosthesis. After the rehabilitation period, the dog will move normally without any discomfort.
Osteotomy - changing the location of the articular notch and giving the joint the correct physiological shape. The operation can be performed only in the absence of aggravation of dysplasia by arthritis.
Removal of the neck and head of the femur - the technique does not involve the implantation of any implants, but is associated with a very long recovery period. But after recovery, the dog will not have any signs of the disease, it will be able to run and jump without restrictions.

The decision on the method of surgical treatment is made by the doctor based on the diagnosis and condition of the animal. Any operation for dysplasia is a very delicate work that only a surgeon with extensive experience and deep knowledge of anatomy can perform with high quality. Therefore, it is extremely important to find just such a specialist.

Disease prevention

The essence of preventive measures to prevent dysplasia in dogs depends on the stage at which they are required. It is necessary to think about the absence of a disease in a puppy even before acquiring it. When choosing a large breed dog, it is necessary to ensure that its parents have been tested for dysplasia and have shown negative results (Grade A). A certificate of this is provided by the breeder along with other documents. Although even this will not give a full guarantee that the disease will not manifest itself in the future.

It is simply impossible to determine dysplasia in a puppy under the age of 6 months (and sometimes older). But if the dog has a predisposition, the disease will definitely declare itself later. Therefore, further prevention is to minimize the risk of its occurrence or development of consequences. Preventive measures include a balanced diet and adequate exercise. With this approach, it is quite possible to stop the development of the disease, even if a pathological process has begun in the puppy's joints.

If a large breed dog is fed from childhood, which leads to rapid weight gain, and at the same time is subjected to excessive training, then all this together significantly increases the load on diseased joints and can cause irreparable harm to the animal. Any dog requires attention and care, especially if it is a representative of a large breed that is at risk for joint diseases. However, you need to know that dysplasia is not a sentence. You can save your pet if you notice the problem in a timely manner and provide him with the right treatment.

You can also ask a question to our website staff veterinarian, who will answer them as soon as possible in the comments box below.

is one of the most common diseases of the musculoskeletal system in dogs and affects many animals around the world. As the disease develops and progresses, the dog's hip joints undergo degenerative changes, causing increased pain and problems with movement. If this disease is not treated, then eventually it will lead to irreversible consequences and the dog will not be able to move its hind legs due to severe pain. Such pain causes severe suffering. However, the vast majority of dogs can often lead full and active lives if the disease is diagnosed early and the right treatment is provided and maintained.

Causes of hip dysplasia in dogs

This condition can be characterized as a consequence of the formation in the hip joint of an abnormal size of the gap between the articular head and the articular cavity, while their fit to each other should be tight. If the dog's femoral head does not properly fit into the socket of the hip joint, then the friction between them leads to degeneration of the articular surface and bone, which ultimately leads to impaired musculoskeletal functions.

Canine hip dysplasia is the result of a number of genetic and environmental factors.

Some dogs are already born with hip dysplasia, this is more often early onset hip dysplasia. From the point of view of the mechanism of heredity, this is a rather complex disease associated with the involvement of polymeric genes. Therefore, in such genetically determined cases, the disease cannot be quickly removed from a particular breed or intrabreed line. This is either practically impossible, or has a long-term, delayed effect.

Older dogs may develop dysplasia with overt signs of arthritis (more commonly referred to as hip dysplasia adult dogs).

External influences can also lead to hip dysplasia. The cause may be the dog's rapid weight gain and obesity, dietary habits, poor development of the musculature of the hind limbs, pelvic injuries, or chronically repeated bruises and sprains, for example, as a result of training or hunting.

early manifestation prone to it, the custom develops but after four months of age. In young animals, there is excessive mobility or pathological joint gap, which progresses with the growth of the animal. At an older age, this gradually leads to the onset of a form of arthritis - osteoarthritis, which provokes damage to the articular cartilage. The disease can also occur due to extreme physical wear of the articular surface of the hip joint, which is often observed in working dogs and dogs involved in search and rescue of people. These animals work for a very long time, for many years, on hard, uncomfortable surfaces, and this is not physiological and naturally leads to a violation of the musculoskeletal system.

Dog breeds most prone to hip dysplasia

hip dysplasia found among dogs of all breeds, including mixed ones. However, this disease affects more often large and giant breeds than small ones. Some breeds are genetically more susceptible to hip instability (looseness) and thus are more likely to show symptoms of hip dysplasia than others.

These breeds include:

German Shepherd;
Golden retriever;
Labrador Retriever;
rottweiler;
German dog;
St. Bernard;
mixtures of the above breeds.

Symptoms of hip dysplasia in dogs

Symptoms depend on the degree of instability (looseness) of the dog's hip joint, the degree of inflammation of the joints, and the degeneration that occurs. It is important to note that pain in dogs is not always directly related to the stage of development of the disease. Some dogs with moderate dysplasia may experience severe pain, while dogs with severe dysplasia have little to no pain.

General signs hip dysplasia include:

intolerance to physical activity;
jumping gait (especially on stairs);
cerebellar gait (the back is obviously swinging);
stiffness, pain;
difficulty getting up from a lying or sitting position;
sitting position "frog" (one hip twists);
unwillingness to run, jump, climb stairs;
the appearance of pain when touched;
hind limbs lame, often worse after exercise;
the hind legs are more closely spaced than the front legs (narrow stance).

With progression hip dysplasia in dogs the following symptoms may appear:

atrophy of the muscles of the hind limbs;
arthritis (especially in older age);
avoidance of touch;
unexplained aggressive behavior (with persistent chronic pain in the joints).

Diagnosis of hip dysplasia in dogs

When diagnosing hip dysplasia, the veterinarian should pay special attention to the visual examination of the dog, and first of all determine the degree of looseness of the joints in the hips, which is an early indicator of the disease. In adult dogs, it is necessary to evaluate the degree of muscle loss in the thighs and the expansion of the shoulder muscles (due to compensatory mechanisms of muscle hypertrophy).

The main diagnostic test is the hypermobility test (Ortolani test). For its implementation, general anesthesia is often used, since the doctor conducting it must actively rotate the hip joint of the dog, and this can cause severe pain.

X-ray examination, in the diagnosis hip dysplasia in dogs, is simply an indispensable diagnostic tool. It allows you to clearly see how far the degeneration and asymmetry of the joints has spread. Allows you to determine the degree of influence of this asymmetry on the spinal cord of the dog.

The veterinarian must take urine from the animal for general analysis and blood for detailed and biochemical analyzes. Any information about the origin of the dog can also be useful. However, it should be noted that the dog's parents may never get sick. hip dysplasia, but give offspring with this disease. This is a very common occurrence.

The earlier a disease is diagnosed, the more treatment options are available. This is important primarily because the longer the disease continues to be undiagnosed, the more negative pathological changes the dog's joints undergo. The degree of their degeneration is growing.

Therefore, at the first signs of hip dysplasia, the dog owner should contact the veterinarians, especially if the breed of his dog is at risk and, accordingly, more prone to the disease. The sooner the diagnosis is made, the better.

Treatment of hip dysplasia in dogs

Hip dysplasia in dogs can be treated both conservatively and surgically. Treatment options often depend on the dog's age, size, weight, degree, and type of dysplasia (early or older). When choosing conservative therapy or surgical intervention, the severity of joint hypermobility is taken into account.

Conservative therapy for hip dysplasia in dogs

Conservative therapy includes drug treatment and physiotherapy as an additional remedy for the treatment of the disease. One of the options for physiotherapy involves the use of, which is good for dogs with hip dysplasia.

An important aspect in the treatment should be considered the constant control of the weight of the animal. If the dog is overweight, then it should be reduced as much as possible, since by reducing the pressure on the painful joint, inflammation also decreases, and this in turn contributes to recovery. A veterinarian, as part of the complex therapy of hip dysplasia in a dog, must draw up an individual plan for reducing its weight. This can be achieved easily by developing a low calorie diet, but vitamins and minerals must be present in full and not detract from the needs of the animal. In puppies, special diets designed for the rapid growth of large dogs may also reduce the severity of a leak. hip dysplasia. Such additives help to grow the bones and muscles of puppies at the right speed, and this is important for the physiologically correct development of the musculoskeletal system.

Pain medications (analgesics) and anti-inflammatory drugs are used widely and ubiquitously. Their use is justified, depending on the pain of the process and the degree of development of inflammation. In each case, their combination and dosage are different. However, appointments of this kind are made only by a veterinarian. Only he has the right to safely prescribe analgesics, antibiotics and steroids, taking into account the condition of the dog and possible chronic diseases. This is especially true for animals with gastrointestinal problems.

Nutritional supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, green mussel powder, omega-3 fatty acids, and some others deserve special attention in the complex treatment of hip dysplasia in dogs. Their use is quite important, but only in combination with other means. They help strengthen bone tissue and promote the regeneration of the surface of damaged joints.

Massage is important physiotherapy. Exercises with a sparing effect on the dog's muscle tone are recommended. Such exercises include walking, jogging and especially swimming (including hydrotherapy). However, excessively active physical activity that puts additional pressure on the joint should be avoided: jumping, frisbee, intense running, etc.

For arthrosis and degenerative arthritis, glycosaminoglycan polysulfides, such as pentosan polysulfate, may be prescribed. Preparations of this group are natural components of articular cartilage and increase the production of joint fluid in the joint cavity. In addition to the above, it is recommended to keep a pet with arthritis warm, away from cold, dampness and drafts. Orthopedic sleeping pad for dogs also helps to stop the development of arthrosis and arthritis.

Hip dysplasia is a hot topic in dogs, if it's possible for the topic to remain "hot" for 50 years. Researchers have been working hard for decades to find a solution to this problem, and breeders are doing everything they can to reduce the risk of getting affected puppies. But still the problem remains.

There are a few simple things we could do to reduce the incidence of hip dysplasia at this time if we understand some basic things. Here are the 10 most important things you should know:

1) All puppies are born with perfectly normal hips

Hip dysplasia is not a birth defect; it is not something that is present at the birth of a puppy. Numerous studies have shown that all puppies are born with "perfect" hips; that is, the hips are "normal" for a newborn with no signs of dysplasia. The structure of the hip joint at birth is cartilage, and it only becomes bone as the puppy grows. If a puppy develops hip dysplasia, then the process of its occurrence will begin shortly after birth.

This is the hip joint of a 1 day old puppy. Cartilage tissue is not visible on an X-ray until the minerals that form bone are deposited in it. Proper joint development depends on maintaining proper alignment between the femoral head and the "socket" it enters (the acetabulum).

“The hip joints of all dogs are normal at birth. The joints continue to develop normally as long as full congruence is maintained between the acetabulum and the femoral head… Growth of the acetabular rim is stimulated by tension on the joint capsule and gluteal muscles attached along the dorsal rim and pressure from the femoral head on the articular surfaces… The morphological characteristics of the complex hip structure show that biomechanical behavior has a direct effect on the growth of this joint." (Riser 1985)

2) The genes that cause hip dysplasia remain a mystery

Hip dysplasia tends to be more common in some breeds than others, and in some lines than others, suggesting that there is a genetic component to the disease. However, scientists have been looking for genes that are responsible for the development of hip dysplasia in dogs for many decades, with absolutely no success.

The genes that connected with hip dysplasia have been identified in some breeds but are breed specific; that is, the set of genes is different in each breed. (For example, see studies in German Shepherds (Marschall & Distl 2007, Fells & Distl 2014, and Fels et al 2014), Bernese Mountain Dogs (Pfahler & Distl 2012), and Labrador Retrievers (Phavaphutanon et al 2008). lead to hip dysplasia were not found in any breed.

It is unlikely that researchers are going to discover an easy genetic solution to the problem of hip dysplasia. This is a complex characteristic that depends on both genes and the environment, and there is no simple solution to it. We need to be able to improve genetic progress by choosing a strategy that works effectively, such as estimating breeding value (EBV). One of the significant advantages of using EBV is that it is not necessary to know the genes responsible for the expression of the trait, but for this we must have an appropriate database and information about affected animals.

3) Environmental factors are also important

Although there is a genetic influence on hip dysplasia, the hereditary component of the trait is quite low. Many studies have shown that genetic variation is only a modest proportion, typically 15-40%. This means that some of the variation in the quality of the hips is the result of non-genetic, or the result of the influence of the "environment". This is one of the reasons why decades of strong selection have resulted in only marginal reductions in hip dysplasia in some breeds. At the current rate of progress and selection by phenotype alone, it could take decades to achieve a meaningful reduction in the incidence of hip dysplasia (Lewis et al., 2013).

Understanding the specific environmental factors that play a role in the development of hip dysplasia should make it possible to reduce the number of affected animals, even if the genetic basis has not yet been elucidated. This will reduce the significant pain and suffering of the dog itself, as well as its owner, caused by its suffering. There is no reason why we should not take active steps to do so now.

Here are three "external" factors that were found: a) joint instability, b) weight and c) exercise (see below)

4) Joint instability is the main cause of hip dysplasia

Puppies are born with perfect hips, and unless joint instability develops, the dog does not develop hip dysplasia (Riser, 1985). Joint instability occurs when the head of the femur does not fit snugly against the acetabulum. This may be the result of traumatic injury, overload of the joint by weight, poor muscle development. Joint instability is a major factor that predisposes a dog to developing hip dysplasia.

In dogs, as in many other vertebrates (including humans), the head of the femur in newborns is held securely in place by a strong ligament called the ligamentum teres. One end of this ligament is attached to the head of the femur, and the other end to the inner wall of the acetabulum (cup-like depression in the pelvis). You can see the round ligament in this illustration.

If this ligament is damaged or torn, the femur will not fit snugly into the socket, causing the joint to become unstable.

If the femoral head is not properly seated in the socket, the forces acting on the femur will be abnormal. Instead of being distributed along the inner surface of the socket, the forces in the joint will be concentrated in a smaller area - on the weaker edge of the acetabulum. And with a load on the hip joint, the result will be damage to the edge of the cavity.

5) Managing joint stability is key

The round ligament should keep the head of the femur in the joint in the growing puppy, while the muscles that will support the hips will develop and grow stronger. But in some puppies, the ligament shows signs of failure before they are even a month old (Riser 1985).

“The round ligaments of the hip joints were edematous [swollen], several fibers of the ligaments were torn, and the surface of the ligaments was dotted with capillary hemorrhages. These changes were considered as the first findings that could be associated with hip dysplasia."

Due to the instability of the joint, abnormal forces are applied to the hip and acetabulum, resulting in injury that causes hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis of the hip.

“There is no evidence that a primary bone defect exists, but rather the cause of the disease is the inability of the muscles and other soft tissues to keep the hip joint in full congruence. This is further supported by the fact that dysplasia can be increased, reduced, or prevented by adjusting the degree of joint instability and mismatch. No other malformations are associated with this disease. Cause-and-effect relationships between muscle and soft tissue defects or pathological changes, other than a lack of muscle mass or strength, have not been established ... Hip dysplasia is an accumulation of factors from the "fund" of genetic deficiencies and environmental stressors that fall into the programmed scheme of progressive reconstruction and joint diseases” (Raiser 1985)

6) Body weight is a MAJOR environmental (external) factor

If there is weakness in the hip joint, the amount of damage caused to the femur and acetabulum will depend on the magnitude of the forces in the hip joint. The heavier the dog, the greater the strength, so there will also be a higher risk of developing hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis.

Puppies that weigh more at birth, as well as those with higher growth rates (thus becoming heavier earlier), are at higher risk of degenerative changes in the hip joint (Vanden Berg-Foels et al, 2006).

As shown in the graph below, puppies raised on a restricted diet (gray line) are significantly less likely to develop dysplasia and develop much later in life than puppies raised on conventional diets (black line) (Smith et al, 2006).

At four years, less than 10% of the dogs kept on a restricted diet (25% less than the control group) were dysplastic, while more than 30% of the dogs in the control group were dysplastic. As an added benefit, dogs on restricted diets also live longer (Kealy et al, 2002)!

Unfortunately, many dogs (including show dogs!) are overweight (McGreevy et al 2005, Corbee 2013), and obesity may also be the most significant environmental factor in hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis. But body weight is a factor that we can control.

Although progress from genetic selection will take many generations, the incidence of hip dysplasia in dogs can be reduced immediately and drastically by simply controlling their weight.

7) Exercise: what is good and what is bad

Exercise strengthens the muscles of the legs and pelvis, and this leads to increased stability of the hip joint. But not all exercises are created equal.

Puppies raised on slippery surfaces or with access to stairs before 3 months of age have a higher risk of hip dysplasia, while those raised free-range (off-leash) on soft, uneven ground (such as in park) have a lower risk of developing dysplasia (Krontveit et al 2012). Dogs born in summer have a lower risk of hip dysplasia, presumably because they are more able to exercise outdoors (Ktontveit et al 2012). On the other hand, dogs aged 12-24 months who regularly chase a ball or stick thrown by their owner have an increased risk of developing hip dysplasia (Sallander et al, 2006).

The most critical period for normal growth and development of the hip joint in dogs is from birth to 8 weeks, so the type of exercise puppies have during this time is most important.

8) Nutrition is important

Since puppies grow quickly, it is critical that their nutrition is correct.

Puppies need to eat enough to support growth, but they should not be fat because any extra weight can increase the risk of developing hip dysplasia (Hedhammar et al 1975, Kasstrom 1975). An additional problem is that puppies, in addition to excessive amounts of food, may also consume excessive amounts of specific nutrients. As long as the puppy is fed a good quality commercial food in the required quantity, he will have a balanced diet and should not be supplemented. Dietary supplements, especially calcium, are not only unnecessary, but can cause serious problems. There is no evidence that supplemental protein or vitamins reduce the risk of hip dysplasia (Kealy et al 1991, Nap et al 1991, Richardson & Zentek 1998).

9) Early intervention is critical

Most treatments for hip dysplasia are easier and more successful in young dogs. If early symptoms are not addressed and screening occurs after 12–24 months or more, the window of time with the best prognosis for response to treatment will be missed (Morgan et al 2000). The first signs of lameness usually appear at 4-6 months of age, but after a month or two, the dog may appear to be getting better. This is because damage to the rim of the acetabulum, such as microfractures, will heal and the dog will no longer experience acute pain, but the development of dysplasia and osteoarthritis will continue. Thus, the dog may not show clinical signs for many years while pathological changes progress.

Joint instability can be identified as early as 4 months of age (either by palpation or PennHIP). If signs of dysplasia can be detected early, intervention, including weight control, exercise, or surgery, should be done to mitigate the additional damage—but this must be done before skeletal growth is complete. Breeders should educate new puppy owners about factors that may increase the risk of developing hip dysplasia, and encourage them to get a veterinary examination if they show any signs of lameness.

10) We can significantly reduce hip dysplasia now

Genetic selection must continue to be made to reduce hip dysplasia. But a significant and immediate reduction in the number of affected animals can be achieved by improving the control of not genetic, but environmental factors. Weight control, appropriate exercise, proper nutrition, and early intervention at the first sign of lameness are simple steps we can take that will drastically reduce the pain and suffering caused by hip dysplasia. Research will certainly continue, but we already have the information needed to solve this problem.

Original: The 10 most important things to know about canine hip dysplasia by Carol Beuchat.
Translation: Galina Lomakina (with editing and additions).

Dysplasia is dangerous joint disease, which in dogs is not a congenital pathology, but is directly related to heredity. This disease mainly affects representatives of large breeds. Almost every puppy is predisposed to the disease, which will later grow into a dog of heavy build. Therefore, it is very important to diagnose the disease even in puppyhood. Timely treatment will help protect the pet from serious consequences, including complete immobility.

Reasons for the appearance

Recently, joint dysplasia has been spreading rapidly and takes terrifying forms. Over the years of studying the disease, many experts have come to the conclusion that joint dysplasia is a genetically determined disease. Pathology is passed down from generation to generation.

However, there is an opinion that the disease can be acquired (as a result of an injury). But this hypothesis is broken by the fact that unhealthy puppies are more likely to be born to certain breeds. Moreover, in the same females and males.

In addition, the theory genetic predisposition confirms the fact that stray and outbred dogs are not susceptible to the disease, although more often pets are injured. Also, the disease develops in puppies resulting from "mixed marriages" between outbred representatives and individuals of breeds predisposed to dysplasia. Therefore, it is hardly possible to think that the disease is acquired.

The role of hereditary predisposition to the appearance of the disease is enormous. There are factors that contribute to the development of dysplasia in dogs:

lack of essential vitamins and minerals;
early and inappropriate physical activity;
unbalanced diet;
incorrect proportion of calcium and phosphorus;
obesity;
excess protein;
diseases that lead to a violation of the development and growth of the animal.

All of the above factors have their place in the development of pathology, but their "contribution" to the appearance of the disease is no more than 5%.

Types of disease in dogs

Symptoms and disease, as was said, develop in large breeds of dogs - Labradors, Great Danes, Shepherds, St. Bernards and others. Dysplasia is a serious pathology that leads to the destruction of the hip, elbow or knee joints. At the last stage of the disease, animals cannot move independently.

There are 5 degrees of dysplasia:

1 (A) - no disorders in the joint;
2 (B), 3 (C) - sometimes there are dislocations;
4 (D), 5 (E) - moderate and severe degrees, which lead to serious and severe damage to the joints.

There is dysplasia of the hip, elbow and knee joints.

Hip dysplasia (DTBS)

In dogs, adverse events in the hip joint cause changes in the physiological location of the femoral head to the articular cavity. The main signs of animal behavior with such changes are:

The appearance of signs of hip dysplasia is determined by the severity of violations:

with minor changes, the symptoms of the disease usually do not appear at all or develop only in old age;
with significant changes in the hip joint, signs of the disease will immediately become visible even if the puppy is properly maintained.

Elbow dysplasia

If the disease is concentrated in the elbow joint, then the following symptoms are observed:

dog limping on front paws;
unwillingness to give a paw on command;
the appearance of thickening or other fragments on the elbow joint;
withdrawal of the limb during palpation of the neoplasm;
refusal to go down the stairs.

Some of the symptoms of this type depend on the characteristics of the disease. For example, articular bones can thicken, causing friction, and, conversely, shrink, creating a strong gap.

knee dysplasia

Changes in the knees in dogs are uncommon and usually result from injury or increased load on the hind limbs. In such situations, the position of the bones changes according to the type of subluxation. Signs of knee dysplasia:

visible deformity of the knee joints;
pain when feeling the knee;
severe lameness on the hind legs.

To prevent the disease from developing, puppies of large breeds should create the right conditions for keeping and try to exclude the possibility of injury.

Diagnostics

Joint dysplasia is diagnosed by a veterinarian after a thorough examination of the animal and an X-ray examination. The doctor probes all the joints of the dog, evaluates their mobility, listens for the presence of friction squeaks during extension or flexion of the limbs. An experienced veterinarian can in most cases make a diagnosis based on these examinations.

At the initial stage, the dog is shown an x-ray examination. The picture is taken after the introduction of anesthesia, since without this it is almost impossible to provide the property of the animal. In the picture you can see the location of the femoral neck and articular cavity. The specialist determines the presence of deformation.

Rules that must be followed to obtain high-quality images:

small dogs are examined only after 1 year of life, adults - after 1.5;
each dog is filmed 2 times;
the picture is taken in the supine position of the animal on its back with parallel legs extended.

Arthroscopy - another examination, which will allow you to give an objective assessment of the condition of the joints and help determine dysplasia. This is an endoscopic examination. Through a small puncture, a miniature camera is inserted into the joint area, with the help of which a specialist can see the cartilage structure. This procedure is very expensive and is not carried out in all veterinary clinics.

After all the manipulations and studies, the doctor determines the degree of dysplasia and selects the treatment.

Treatment

Dysplasia in dogs is treated medically and surgically. The choice of treatment method depends on the course of the disease, the individual characteristics of the body and the health of the dog. Therapy of dysplasia of the joints of the elbows can be carried out both conservatively and surgically. Treatment for hip dysplasia in dogs is usually surgical.

Conservative therapy

Medical treatment includes the use of drugs of various effects:

chondoprotectors - preparations for the regeneration of joints;
antispasmodics - to relieve pain;
anti-inflammatory - aimed at relieving tissue inflammation.

But biologically active supplements with chondroitin and glucosamine are also prescribed to accelerate the recovery processes in the joints. Along with the use of dietary supplements and medicines, the dog is shown a special diet for weight loss while taking vitamins and minerals.

Physiotherapeutic procedures can give a positive effect. The most popular and in demand are:

laser and magnetic therapy;
ozokerite or paraffin therapy;
massage of the diseased joint.

During treatment, the animal's motor activity is not excluded, but it should be restrained - light jogging, swimming, slow walks. It is necessary to know that conservative therapy for DTS is only a temporary improvement in the condition, in which lameness is eliminated and pain sensations are removed. Unfortunately, the destroyed articulations of the joints are not restored. Therefore, veterinarians recommend prompt correction.

Surgical intervention

Hip dysplasia surgery in dogs involves reshaping the femoral head to fit the glenoid cavity. The complexity of the operation depends on the degree of the disease. With minor violations, the process consists in removing a small part of the cartilage. In severe cases the following operations are carried out:

Endoprosthetics - replacement of the hip joint with a prosthesis made of titanium. After recovery, the animal will move normally without any discomfort.
Osteotomy - changing the place of the articular notch and giving the physiological correct shape to the joint. If arthritis is present, aggravating dysplasia, this type of operation is not foreseen.
Removal of the head and neck of the femur - the procedure does not involve the replacement of the joint with an implant, but is associated with a long recovery period. After the final recovery, there are no symptoms of the disease, the dog can jump and run without restrictions.

The decision on the method of surgical intervention is made by the veterinarian based on the condition of the dog and the diagnosis. With dysplasia, any operation is a delicate work that a surgeon can perform qualitatively only with deep anatomical knowledge and extensive experience. Therefore, it is very important to find a good specialist.

Disease prevention

Preventive measures to prevent and prevent the development of pathology depend on the stage at which they are needed. You need to think about the absence of illness in a puppy even before buying it. When choosing a puppy of a large breed, it is important to make sure that his parents do not have a disease. Their test results for dysplasia must correspond to grade A. The breeder is obliged to submit such a certificate along with other documents. Although even this does not give full confidence that in the future the dog will not develop a disease.

In puppies aged 6 months (and even older), it is very difficult to determine dysplasia. But with a predisposition, the disease will still someday manifest itself. Therefore, it is necessary to start preventive measures as early as possible to prevent the risk of occurrence and development of consequences. Preventive measures include adequate exercise and a balanced diet. With this approach, it is possible to stop the further development of the disease, even if the puppy has begun the process of articular changes.

But if a puppy of a large breed begins to be fed and subject to great physical exertion, then all this leads to an increase in the load on the joints and the development of pathology.

Any animal requires care and attention, especially if it is a large breed dog, which is at risk of joint diseases. However, you need to know that dysplasia is not a sentence. You can save your pet if you notice changes in time and start adequate treatment.

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