Thursday, April 4, 2013

Canine Hip Dysplasia and How You can Help Fight it

By Geraldine Dimarco


Do you know what canine hip dysplasia is? Dog hip dysplasia is a condition wherein the canine thigh ball socket is not fitted right with the hip bone. It may be an inherent skeletal deformity, or it may be that the tissue connecting the ball and socket is not cohesive enough to keep it perfectly fitted together. This significantly decreases the dog's mobility as it causes extreme pain even in the simplest movements.

Sometimes hip dysplasia is caused when a puppy gets injured in his legs and did not receive the proper medical attention. Oftentimes though, it is a genetic ailment that develops as the puppy matures. When the canine is not given the appropriate treatment at the right time, sometimes he will not be able to walk at all.

OK, this may sound a tad too scary for you. There are things you can do to help your dogs hip dysplasia. An option is surgery of course; however, for most pet owners, they do not go for this because it is too expensive. Now, don't feel bad about it. You can use a natural treatment for hip dysplasia that has been proven effective for many dogs.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin are two very helpful elements in helping mend damaged joint and cartilage tissues of the suffering canine. Unfortunately, the nature of these natural supplements is not for pain relief and once your dog is on it, he will most likely have to stay on it for good. The good news is that in about 6 weeks of consistent use, there will be an improvement that will be shown. Glucosamine and Chondroitin have a few side effects and are generally safe.

MSM or Methyl-sulfonyl-methane lowers joint inflammation and improves the condition of the connective tissues. This will lessen the pain that your dog will feel. Herbs like dandelion, alfalfa, yucca, licorice and rosemary will also help in alleviating arthritis painful effects.

The natural treatment for hip dysplasia as mentioned in the earlier paragraphs should be complimented with a diet rich in vitamins and fatty acids. Moreover, you must be very strict in the maintenance of their ideal weight. Being overweight will worsen his condition. Integrate this healthy diet with regular, light exercise as recommended by the veterinarian.

The exercises that you can put your dog through should be very easy on the ligaments and joints. Frisbee, for example, places too much undue stress on the joints, harming his lifestyle later on in his senior years. Try swimming, walking and slow stair walking. Remember that the objective in engaging him in physical activity is not just to develop muscle but to build a wider range of movements. The best thing you can do for your pet is to keep his ideal weight and enhance his immune system.

Hopefully, these helpful tips on canine hip dysplasia will equip you to deal with your dogs condition effectively. Make sure that your dog has a healthy lifestyle and maintain regular visits to the vet. Enjoy quality bonding time with your pet!




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