Large breeds of dogs, including English bulldog, is commonly known to be affect with Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD). Research has proven that CHD can affect dogs of any size, breed or age. It can sometimes be a contributing factor to conditions namely canine osteoarthritis. This condition makes CHD a very important subject to all dog owners. The important step is to understand how to be cautious and treat dogs, especially English bulldogs, suffering CHD.
What is Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD)?
The basic understanding of hip dysplasia lies on getting to know the part of the body affected. The hip joint forms the attachment of the hind leg to the body and is a ball and socket joint. The ball part is the head of the femur while the socket (acetabulum) is located on the pelvis. A healthy joint has the ball rotating freely within the socket. The shape of the bones is shaped to perfectly match each other with the socket surrounding the ball. The joint is further strengthened when two bones are held together by strong ligament. The ligament serves as an attachment of the femoral head directly to the acetabulum. The joint capsule, additionally, forms a very strong band of connective tissue, encircle the two bones adding more stability. The articular surface is the part where the bones actually touch each other. It is perfectly smooth and cushioned with a layer of spongy cartilage. The joint contains a highly viscous fluid to lubricate the articular surface.
What causes CHD?
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. Subluxation 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 other factors, the soft tissues that surround the joint develop abnormally causing the subluxation. It is this subluxation and the restructured hip that leads to the symptoms we associate with this disease. Hip dysplasia may or may not be bilateral. It could affect both the right and/or left hip.
What are the symptoms of CHD?
All dogs, even English bulldogs, of all ages are subject to hip dysplasia, leading to osteoarthritis. In severe cases, puppies as young as five months will begin to show pain and discomfort prior and after exercise. The condition will worsen until even normal daily activities are painful. Without medical intervention, these dogs may eventually cease to walk. In most cases, however, the symptoms do not begin to appear until the middle or later years in the dog’s life.
The symptoms are similar to those seen with other causes of arthritis in the hip. Dogs often walk or run with an altered gait. They may resist movements that require full extension or flexion of the rear legs. They often run with a “bunny hopping” gait. They will show stiffness and pain in the rear legs after exercise or first thing in the morning.
In milder cases, movement and exercise will warm up the stiffness of the joints. Some dogs will limp and many will become less willing to perform in normal daily activities. Many owners attribute the changes to normal aging but are surprised to a see a normal and pain free movement of their dogs after treatment. As the condition progresses, most dogs will lose muscle tone and may even need assistance in getting up.
Genetics is the primary causative factor of Canine Hip Dysplasia. There is no disease without the genes needed to transmit this generative disease. Dog just don’t get hip dysplasia by chance rather it is either genetically dysplastic or not.
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