by Kay Fielding

Created on: September 20, 2009   Last Updated: September 21, 2009

Hip dysplasia displacement of the hip ball into the hip socket-is a huge problem in dogs. The hip ball should fit tightly into the hip joint or cup of the hip. Hip dysplasia results when this does not happen. It can be very painful and often keeps the dog from fully enjoying life. It also keeps the owner from having a companion that can fully participate in their life style. It is a problem that, once your own dog has it, you can't do much to relieve the pain. But you can prevent it from ever happening to your dog if you take certain precautions. I raise a breed that is very prone to hip dysplasia, but then, all heavy breed dogs are. The best thing you can do is to prevent it.

There are ways to prevent or lessen hip dysplasia. I've raised more than fifty dogs that are free of hip dysplasia over the last ten years. In fact, nearly all the dogs that lived with me while growing to adulthood, for the last ten years, have passed OFA with at least a fair rating. Most of my puppy buyers have sound hipped dogs too because they follow the recommendations below.

Before we look at how to protect a puppy, you need to know the facts. Puppies are born with cartilage in their hip sockets. This means that it is not only not bone, but it is soft and pliable. Imagine yourself gaining upwards of 100 pounds in a year's time. Would your feet hurt? I bet they would. Well, your large breed puppy is doing the same.) Puppies are born only ounces, but by the time they are a year, they often weigh 80-100 pounds. That's a lot of growth in a year. Can you imagine a baby gaining 100 pounds in a year? That seems beyond preposterous, but it happens to our dogs. And compounding that with the fact that they are growing bones on non-bone areas, those non-bone areas need protection.

Start by purchasing a puppy from sound breeding stock. If the parents were not tested and did, in fact, have unsound hips, how likely is it that the baby will? After all, if you have brown eyes, do you expect your children will? Yes, like breeds like in the dog world just as you would probably have children with characteristics like yourself. So be sure to start right with sound genetics.

Don't start your puppy by feeding a cheap dog food while it is still growing. When feeding a baby or growing adolescent, don't scrimp! I personally like a puppy food with glucosamine. Glucosamine helps hips to grow properly. After your dog becomes an adult and if you have to, you can feed a cheaper dog food. Remember though, if you

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