I need a thorough description of Hip Dysplasia in dogs?
Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 at
9:13 pm
umm… hi.
Tagged with: description • dogs • dysplasia • need • thorough
Filed under: hip dysplasia in dogs treatment
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To understand hip dysplasia we must have a basic understanding of the joint that is being affected. The hip joint forms the attachment of the hind leg to the body and is a ball and socket joint. The ball portion is the head of the femur while the socket (acetabulum) is located on the pelvis. In a normal joint the ball rotates freely within the socket. To facilitate movement the bones are shaped to perfectly match each other; with the socket surrounding the ball. To strengthen the joint, the two bones are held together by a strong ligament. The ligament attaches the femoral head directly to the acetabulum. Also, the joint capsule, which is a very strong band of connective tissue, encircles the two bones adding further stability. The area where the bones actually touch each other is called the articular surface. It is perfectly smooth and cushioned with a layer of spongy cartilage. In addition, the joint contains a highly viscous fluid that lubricates the articular surfaces. In a dog with normal hips, all of these factors work together to cause the joint to function smoothly and with stability.
Hip dysplasia is caused by a laxity of the muscles, connective tissue, and ligaments that would normally support the joint. As this happens, the articular surfaces of the two bones lose contact with each other. This separation of the two bones within the joint is called a subluxation, and this causes a drastic change in the size and shape of the articular surfaces. Most dysplastic dogs are born with normal hips but due to their genetic make-up (and possibly other factors) the soft tissues that surround the joint develop abnormally causing the subluxation. It is this subluxation and the remodeling of the hip that leads to the symptoms we associate with this disease. Hip dysplasia may or may not be bilateral; affecting both the right and/or left hip.
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2084&aid=444
http://www.acvs.org/AnimalOwners/HealthConditions/SmallAnimalTopics/HipDysplasiainDogs/
Read Or Skim Through These.
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And They Show Pictures, x-rays,And Diagrams
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This site gives a great explanation with x-ray examples. It tells you symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options as well. http://www.petplace.com/dogs/hip-dysplasia-in-dogs/page1.aspx
hip dysplasia is caused by a laxity of the muscles, ligaments, and connective tissue that would normally support the joint in the hip. the two bones within the hip become separated, in a process called subluxation.
symptoms include:
- difficulty going up/down stairs
- appearant stiffness in the rear legs
- the way the dog walks will change over time. instead of a steady altered gait, the dog will begin to hop a bit.
larger breeds usually are the most susceptible to hip dysplasia. (retrievers, rottweilers, german shepherds, and great danes).