by Unwirklich VinZant

Created on: September 17, 2009   Last Updated: October 09, 2009

The limping, whimpering, stiff walking, and unhappy dog is an unhappy sight indeed and just may be a dog with Hip Dysplasia. Hip Dysplasia most commonly affects large breed dogs. It is a defect of the joint or joints in the hips causing the ball of the leg bone to fit incorrectly into the hip socket causing pain, stiffness, swelling and without treatment can result in loss of mobility in the hind leg or legs.

Hip Dysplasia symptoms though hard to watch are not hard to recognize. If you witness them in your dog it's important you seek medical advice and care as with time this condition becomes more severe. However, you may be wondering, what causes Hip Dysplasia in dogs?

Genetics:

Breeders across the globe have now acknowledged that Hip Dysplasia is a genetically passed down trait. If any dog in your dog's family line had Hip Dysplasia his or her chances of having it as well increase dramatically. Because of this most breeders will offer a "Hip Dysplasia free" guarantee. This means they have checked the family line of their animals before breeding and have selectively bred the condition out of their puppies. This is not to say nobody should own, care and love for dogs that are at risk for hip dysplasia, but that you should have them neutered or spayed and not breed them as well as be aware that this medical condition could arise and it does require care. Knowing your dog's family history is just as important as yours is to you.

Though genetics does factor greatly into the occurrence of Hip Dysplasia there are two other factors that can increase your dog's risk of getting Hip Dysplasia other than simply being of a large breed.

Nutritional Aspects:

Controlled feeding:

Especially in large breeds that grow rapidly in their youth it's important to limit food intake. Studies show puppies that were "free fed" or given a full dish at all times had a higher chance of suffering from Hip Dysplasia.

On the same note controlled feeding will also limit your chances of obesity which is another cause of hip dysplasia in dogs. The added weight of an over-weight dog places even more stress on the hip joints.

Home Made dog food:

Most store bought dog food now contains ample amounts of calcium for the breed, size and age of dog they marketed for however home made dog food may not meet these calcium requirements. It's been shown that both too little and too much calcium in a dogs diet can increase the chance of hip dysplasia in dogs.

Exercise:

Exercise is considered a two-edge sword in the list of hip dysplasia causes in dogs. This because though good muscle tone in the legs and hips can reduce the effect and chance of hip dysplasia, excessive exercise and strain on the hip joints can also cause it. You are best to try to maintain a balance. Do not over-work your dog and if it is a large breed try to avoid jumping activities such as Frisbee.

By now knowing the causes of Hip dysplasia in dogs, you can greatly reduce your chance of having to watch a beloved pet go through the pain of the progressive condition and it's treatment.

Sources:

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1569&aid=444

http://www.hipdysplasiaindogs.com/

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