Canine Hip Dysplasia - A Dog's Displaced Hip

Canine Hip Dysplasia or CHD occurs when the ball and socket joint of the hips of dogs does not fit well together. Dogs can acquire this disease genetically - as when they are actually born with it - or environmentally - when they develop it due to excessive weight, poor diet and lack of exercise or physical activity. Most veterinarians and breeders, however, think that the majority of it is caused genetically. It gives them an unnatural manner of walking or running around in your house. This may not sound good for you and more especially for your dog since this will hinder him from performing ordinary tasks with ease and comfort. So what can you do once you learn that your dog has this kind of disease?

So what are the common symptoms of canine hip dysplasia or CHD? In some dogs, this disease has little or even no outward physical manifestation, but in most dogs, symptoms such as the following: being quiet when they are still yet puppies, bunny hopping, swaying hips, lying down in an unnatural position, and overdeveloped chests with an underdeveloped hind parts.

Although we may know if our dog has CHD based on the aforesaid visible symptoms, it is still better to get a professional opinion and diagnosis through an x-ray examination. Remember, that only a professional can accurately tell for sure whether our dogs has the disease or not. After an x-ray result had been examined by the vet, he will refer you to a surgeon who can then perform the necessary surgery required to correct the defect. He may offer you several choices on the kind of procedure that would suit best for the treatment of your dog, some of which are: total hip replacement, dorsal acetabular rim, triple pelvic osteotomy, femoral head and neck osteotomy, or juvenile pubic symphysiodesis.

Some dog owners have preferred to treat CHD in a totally conservative or traditional method. Some of the treatments that they used are nutritional supplements, acupuncture, exercise, weight management, and even chiropractic care.

If your dog has CHD then, there is no reason to panic or to be worried unnecessarily concerning this disease. There are ways in which this disease can be treated, if not avoided. The available methods of treatment are either through surgery or traditional or conservative methods. All that would be needed then is for you to be observant of your dog in order to detect the disease early on and prevent any further damage that it may cost you and your dog.

Visit Steve Weber at his site, Cactus Canyon, for more articles and videos which help pet owners deal with dog arthritis. Steve's focus is providing pets and all natural solution, such as Flexicose glucosamine, for treating canine joint disease safely and inexpensively.