by Pauline Abreu

Created on: September 19, 2009

Hip dysplasia in dogs can be caused by a number of factors. One of the main reasons a dog would have this conditions is to do with genetics. Just as many conditions and diseases occur in humans through genetics, dogs are exactly the same. There are also other reasons where a dog can have hip dysplasia too, in the majority of cases it affects larger breed dogs, and pure bred dogs. For some dogs the cause is obesity, if a dog is not fed a suitable diet pertaining to the weight it should be for the breed, he has more of a chance of having hip dysplasia.

The dog being overweight can cause the hip and ball joint to pressured and grow apart. Lowered calcium and protein levels can also be a cause of this problem, we all know that the correct calcium levels are good for healthy bones. If your dog is not receiving a sufficient amount of calcium the bones will become weak, and this certainly will not help the ball joints. Lack of calcium and protein may lead the bones to become distorted resulting in hip dysplasia. Your dog can be treated easily if this is the reason for the condition by giving him sufficient amounts of calcium and protein, your vet will know the exact intake your dog needs in accordance with the size and breed of dog you have.

Something else to look at is that the dog may be over exercised, sled dogs, and working dogs are more prone to this condition. This is because the hips and joints are working harder and will wear down faster than a dog who is not over worked. Dogs with hip dysplasia suffer a great deal of pain, they will most certainly limp, and will probably not want that particular area touched. The dog won't want to do the regular activities that has done in the past, as these will be too painful to do. If your dog is limping, not wanting to go on his usual walk, having trouble walking, not stretching his back legs, or any other abnormal symptoms you should consult a vet straight away.

The sad thing about hip dysplasia is that it has various stages, and some pet owners may not know at first that their dog has this condition. When the condition is at its worst the dog may limp for the rest of his life, or may not be able to walk at all if treatment is not done to solve the problem. The good news is that there are many treatments for canine hip dysplasia, and surgery may also be an option. To help prevent the condition, keep your dogs body weight regulated, exercise your dog, but not to excess, and provide a comfortable place for your dog to sleep.

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