Test for hip dysplasia in dogs. Hip dysplasia in dogs - a detailed description of the disease How to check a dog for dysplasia

Diseases of the musculoskeletal system often occur in dogs of large breeds. With a massive complexion and high weight, against the background of high physical activity, animals often have joint problems. One of the most common pathologies of this type is dysplasia. Unlike humans, dysplasia in dogs is not a congenital disease, but develops in puppyhood and is determined by a hereditary predisposition. It is possible to prevent serious complications of this disease, including the complete immobility of the dog, only with the help of timely treatment and proper preventive measures.

Dysplasia is an incurable disease that can lead to partial or complete destruction of the joints in a dog. The problem lies in a significant increase in the gap between the head and the cavity of the articular joint, as a result of which the tightness of the bones is reduced. Constant friction and excessive pressure leads to the destruction of bone tissue, delamination or flattening of the joints.

Since the hip joints are subjected to the greatest load when the dog moves, they are most often affected by dysplasia. Much less common are injuries to the elbow joints and, in rare cases, to the knee.

There are 5 degrees of development of dysplasia in dogs:

• A - is the norm;
• B and C - there are some violations in which dislocations can occur;
• D and E - serious destruction of the joints occurs.

The appearance of the disease is possible if the puppy has a genetic predisposition. In Russia, representatives of all large breeds are at risk, since dogs with dysplasia began to be withdrawn from breeding relatively recently. The most unpleasant thing is that if there is a predisposition, dysplasia can develop even if the puppy is properly fed and subjected to normal stress.

Reasons for the appearance

The onset of the disease in the presence of a genetic predisposition can provoke many different factors, the most common of which are:

1. Not proper nutrition: unbalanced diet (the predominance of meat or its complete absence, poor-quality dry food); the introduction of a large number of phosphorus-calcium supplements; constant overeating and resulting obesity.
2. Movement disorders: excessive training; immobility; injuries, bruises, other injuries of the limbs.

The risk of developing dysplasia is highest in dogs with a large body weight, significantly exceeding the norm, which are subjected to increased training.

Signs of dysplasia in dogs

It is possible to recognize pathological processes in the joints by an x-ray already in six-month-old puppies. But it is almost impossible to notice any external disturbances during this period. Only with close attention do the primary symptoms of dysplasia in dogs become visible:

• slight lameness that appears at the beginning of a run or after exertion;
• stiffness upon awakening, the desire to "stretch" or "disperse" after prolonged lying;
• refusal to move up the stairs in both or one direction;
• occasional desire to relax during a walk.

It is extremely important to notice the disease in a timely manner and start treatment as early as possible. If you have at least one of the signs, you should immediately contact your veterinarian, since it will be much more difficult to cure the pathology with age. Moreover, the visible symptoms of dysplasia in dogs usually appear only by 1–1.5 years, when the musculoskeletal system is fully formed. At the same time, injuries of different joints have several distinguishing features.

hip dysplasia

Negative processes in the hip joint cause a violation of the physiological position of the femoral head in relation to the articular cavity. characteristic features The behavior of the dog with such injuries becomes constant leaning on the forelimbs, unwillingness to go up the stairs, lowered croup, wagging the back while walking.

The appearance of signs of the disease is determined by the severity of such violations:

• with a slight mismatch, symptoms of dysplasia hip joints in dogs, they usually do not appear at all or appear only in old age;
• with a significant discrepancy between the indicated parts of the joint, the signs of the disease will quickly become noticeable even if the puppy is kept in the right conditions.

Elbow dysplasia

If the disease affects the elbow joints, other symptoms are observed:

• limping on the forelimbs;
• refusal to give a paw on command;
• the appearance of thickening or additional fragments on the elbow joints;
• jerking of the paw when feeling the neoplasm;
• reluctance to go down the stairs.

Some signs of this type of dysplasia depend on the specific pathology, since the bones of the joint can flatten, creating increased friction, or, conversely, decrease, forming an excessive gap.

knee dysplasia

Changes in the knee joint in dogs are rare and are usually caused by trauma or excessive load on the hind limbs. In such cases, the position of the articular bones changes according to the type of subluxation. This can be determined by the following features:

• the appearance of visible deformation of the knee joints;
• painful sensations when feeling these places;
• noticeable lameness in the hind legs.

To prevent this from happening, a large breed puppy needs to be provided right conditions contents that prevent injury.

Diagnostic methods

During the initial examination of the dog for the presence of dysplasia, the veterinarian performs several manipulations:

• evaluates the correctness of general movements;
• palpates the joint to detect deformity;
• performs flexion-extension of the limbs to determine how the joint moves, as well as to see the reaction of the animal.

Then an x-ray is ordered. When performing it, the dog must be under general anesthesia, which allows you to determine the location of the articular bones without muscle support. If the x-ray does not give a complete picture of the damage, arthroscopy is performed - the introduction of a microscopic camera through a tissue puncture. Such an examination is the most informative, but expensive and is not performed in all clinics.

Treatment of dysplasia in dogs

Dysplasia in dogs is treated medically or surgically. The choice of method of treatment depends on the characteristics of the course of the disease, the individual characteristics of the organism and the state of health of the animal. In most cases, the treatment of elbow dysplasia in dogs can be performed both conservatively and surgically. Pathologies of the hip joints are usually eliminated only surgically.

Conservative therapy

With dysplasia in dogs, drug treatment includes the appointment of drugs from several groups with different effects:

• chondroprotective - for the regeneration of joints;
• antispasmodic - to reduce pain;
• anti-inflammatory - to relieve inflammation of surrounding tissues.

Dietary supplements with glucosamine and chondroitin are also used to accelerate the recovery processes in the joints. Along with taking medicines and dietary supplements, the animal is prescribed a special diet for weight loss with the simultaneous use of vitamin-mineral complexes.

A good effect is given by additional physiotherapy procedures. The most requested are:

• paraffin therapy or ozokerite;
• magnetic and laser therapy;
• massage of the injured joint.

During the treatment period, physical activity is not excluded for the dog, but it should be moderate - swimming, light jogging, walking.

It should be borne in mind that conservative treatment of hip dysplasia in dogs gives only a temporary improvement - the pain syndrome is removed and lameness is eliminated, but the destroyed articular joints are not restored. Therefore, experts recommend immediately performing an operational correction.

Surgical operations

Surgical treatment of dysplasia in dogs is aimed at changing the shape of the femoral head so that it fits the parameters of the glenoid cavity. The complexity of the operation depends on the degree of the disease. For minor violations, the procedure may consist only in the removal of a small fragment of cartilage. In more severe cases, the following operations are performed:

1. Endoprosthetics is a complete replacement of the hip joint with a titanium prosthesis. After the rehabilitation period, the dog will move normally without any discomfort.
2. Osteotomy - changing the location of the articular notch and giving the joint the correct physiological shape. The operation can be performed only in the absence of aggravation of dysplasia by arthritis.
3. Removal of the neck and head of the femur - the technique does not involve the implantation of any implants, but is associated with a very long recovery period. But after recovery, the dog will not have any signs of the disease, it will be able to run and jump without restrictions.

The decision on the method of surgical treatment is made by the doctor based on the diagnosis and condition of the animal. Any operation for dysplasia is a very delicate work that only a surgeon with extensive experience and deep knowledge of anatomy can perform with high quality. Therefore, it is extremely important to find just such a specialist.

Disease prevention

The essence of preventive measures to prevent dysplasia in dogs depends on the stage at which they are required. It is necessary to think about the absence of a disease in a puppy even before acquiring it. When choosing a large breed dog, it is necessary to ensure that its parents have been tested for dysplasia and have shown negative results (Grade A). A certificate of this is provided by the breeder along with other documents. Although even this will not give a full guarantee that the disease will not manifest itself in the future.

It is simply impossible to determine dysplasia in a puppy under the age of 6 months (and sometimes older). But if the dog has a predisposition, the disease will definitely declare itself later. Therefore, further prevention is to minimize the risk of its occurrence or development of consequences. Preventive measures include balanced diet and adequate loads. With this approach, it is quite possible to stop the development of the disease, even if a pathological process has begun in the puppy's joints.

If a large breed dog is fed from childhood, which leads to speed dial weight, and at the same time subjected to excessive training, all this together significantly increases the load on diseased joints and can cause irreparable harm to the animal. Any dog ​​requires attention and care, especially if it is a representative of a large breed that is at risk for joint diseases. However, you need to know that dysplasia is not a sentence. You can save your pet if you notice the problem in a timely manner and provide him with the right treatment.

You can also ask a question to our website staff veterinarian, who will answer them as soon as possible in the comments box below.

Dysplasia is a hip deformity that occurs during growth. Sometimes it is called underdevelopment of the articular cavity, previously the disease was called congenital subluxation or displacement.

The hip joint is a "hinged joint". During the development of the individual, both the head of the femur and the acetabulum must grow at the same rate. When hip dysplasia develops in dogs, there is no such uniformity in the growth rate of the constituent parts, the head, the cavity, or both components are deformed. The result is joint weakness followed by degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis, which is the body's attempt to stabilize the weakened hip joint.

The manifestation of symptoms depends on the severity of these arthritic changes. Some animals with significant signs of hip dysplasia or osteoarthritis on x-ray show no clinical signs, while others with minimal changes show severe lameness and complain of pain in the affected area.

Reasons for development

There are two main causes of hip dysplasia, genetics and malnutrition. Most often, the development of the disease occurs precisely because of a genetic predisposition. Ecology plays a significant role, that is, the state environment under which the individual develops.

Advances in nutritional research have shown that diet also plays an important role in the development of hip dysplasia. Puppies of large breeds should develop gradually, it is better if there is not enough weight for their age than there will be at least a slight overabundance. You should not overfeed them, accelerating growth, because this will ultimately lead to excessive pressure on the joints.

First of all, it is necessary to properly feed puppies and young dogs, because the body's need for calcium and phosphorus increases during growth. It is necessary to remember about the correct ratio of calcium-phosphorus. When both minerals are present in the diet, bones can develop soft and unstable. Conflict often occurs in commercial foods, i.e. an overabundance of minerals, and the addition of calcium-rich supplementary food in the form of bones or special vitamins leads to the fact that the puppy absorbs more calcium and phosphorus than he needs.. In this case, an excessive amount of minerals enters the body and the bones become brittle.

In adulthood and older age, extra pounds can further increase pressure on the joints. A study of puppies at risk for hip dysplasia found that two-thirds of the puppies were affected with unrestricted feeding and one third with normalized feeding.

A study of German Shepherds found that overweight puppies were almost twice as likely to develop hip dysplasia than normal weight dogs.

Excessive stress on the joints during walking, training or its lack can also lead to dysplasia. Mechanical impact or impact often leads to the development of pathology.

Predisposed Dog Breeds

Although any dog ​​can suffer from joint disease, it is predominantly found in more than large dogs. Almost every such dog can develop joint disease under certain conditions. The most susceptible breeds are:

• German and other shepherds;
• labradors;
• golden retrievers;
• great danes;
• bulldogs, etc.

Large mixed breed dogs are also at risk of developing hip dysplasia and should be fed a special diet designed for growing large breed dogs in their first year.

Symptoms

Weakness and pain in the hind legs are typical symptoms of dysplasia. The dog appears wobbly and is reluctant to rise from a sitting or lying position. Some dogs may limp when walking or be reluctant to climb stairs. Sometimes dogs cannot walk for a long time. They constantly have a desire to return home or sit down for a rest. The path may be short, and the dog will sit down several times during this time.

These signs are visible in puppies as early as the first few months of life, but are most common in dogs between one and two years of age. Although dog hip dysplasia begins in infancy, most dogs do not show clinical signs until they are older.

Therefore, minimal arthritis without evidence of dysplasia can be detected on x-ray. Small puppies suffering from pathology may lie with their hind limbs spread out, and also tire quickly when walking at a fast pace.

In the case of advanced pathology, deviations are visible even to a non-specialist. When examining the dog, asymmetry may be detected. The forelimbs become more powerful, while the hind limbs begin to atrophy.

Sometimes individuals with pathology, to alleviate their condition, run at a horse gallop, that is, they push off with pairs of paws, and do not touch each limb in turn. Often, bone degeneration occurs gradually until the dog begins to show visible symptoms through its behavior.

Diagnostics

Before starting treatment, a complete diagnosis of the state of the body is made. In this case, five degrees of development of pathology are revealed:

1. there are no deviations in the development of the joint;
2. there is a predisposition to pathology;
3. mild degree of dysplastic osteoarthritis;
4. moderate dysplasia;
5. severe form of dysplasia.

To detect inflammation, blood and urine are taken for analysis. The preferred method for diagnosing hip dysplasia is an x-ray of the hip under a general anesthetic. Without anesthesia, the animal can keep the muscles in tension, which interferes with the determination of the clinical picture. Desirable this procedure appoint individuals at the age of one year and visit a cardiologist before her, take a blood test, to exclude severe consequences from anesthesia.

Visible signs and palpable joint weakness can also indicate hip dysplasia. During the examination, the doctor pays attention to the correct setting of the limbs, the absence of body movements that are atypical for a healthy individual. To assess the condition of the joints, the specialist will bend the joint, observe the reaction of the dog, note the presence of atypical cracking and crunching. Any pet suspected of having hip dysplasia should be examined by a specialist as soon as possible.

Sometimes examination and x-rays do not give a complete picture of the changes taking place, then arthroscopy helps. The joint is examined through a puncture. A mini-camera is placed in the puncture area, through which the pathological area is viewed and the tissue structure is visible. During this procedure, the condition of the animal may worsen, since the reaction of the body to the puncture may be different. This service will result in a considerable amount, if at all, will be provided in the selected clinic.

Treatment of dysplasia

Depends on the clinical signs found in the pet, the discomfort caused to him, body weight, age and the presence of other concomitant diseases. Dysplasia is treated conservatively (medication, physiotherapy) and surgically (operable).

This disease is incurable, all therapy is aimed at reducing discomfort, discomfort in the dog, and stopping the development of pathology.

Conservative method of treatment

There are very effective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), with minimal side effects. The choice of medicine is made individually, and various medicines may be tried before the most effective drug is found.

NSAIDs are able to relieve inflammation and pain, but their use not only does not stop, but continues to develop dysplasia. The dog will feel better, lameness will go away, but when using drugs for 5 – 28 days may have a negative effect on the stomach. Even when the drug enters through the blood, it spreads through the body with it and enters the mucous membrane gastrointestinal tract, which suffers. In case of indigestion and vomiting, the administration of the drug should be suspended or a blocker (ranitidine) should be prescribed.

NSAIDs cannot be used for abnormalities in the kidneys or liver of the animal, which is detected by a complete analysis of urine and blood. These drugs in small doses, agreed with the veterinarian, may not have side effects and a negative effect on the articular cartilage, then their use in order to relieve symptoms is advisable. Most often, such drugs are prescribed: ketofen, movalis, quadrisol. They are administered orally, not more than 1 time per day, the dosage is determined by the doctor, in accordance with age and weight category.

The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is possible in the period after surgery. They relieve inflammation and swelling, but when used for more than three days, they lead to divergence of the seams, which leads to healing by secondary intention. NSAIDs reduce the production of collagen, which allows tissue to fuse.

Most dogs with hip dysplasia need veterinarian-approved glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and omega-3 fatty acids to help improve joint health and strengthen cartilage. In addition, injections of glycosaminoglycan are required, which starts the regenerating process in the joints.. In some cases, doctors recommend the use of homeopathic remedies.

High-quality treatment of hip dysplasia in dogs is facilitated by moderate daily exercise that does not require high activity. They support the mobility of the patient, strengthen the organs. Specialists tend to believe that physical activity is very effective in improving the quality of life of an affected dog and should be an integral part of any treatment.

Because being overweight puts undue stress on the hip joints, weight loss measures are highly recommended for excess weight. To determine the need for weight loss, it is enough to feel the dog in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe ribs. If there is no excess, then they are well palpable, and in dogs with short hair they are clearly visible while walking.

If you lose weight, pressure on the pelvis will decrease, which can lead to improvement and discontinuation of injections with anti-inflammatory drugs.

Sick individuals are shown physiotherapy. The affected joint is warmed up using paraffin, or the sore spot is exposed to electromagnetic radiation. This type of therapy gives good results, especially when combined with other methods of treatment.

Sick dogs or with a predisposition to pathology, in the growth stage, it is worth limiting motor activity so as not to provoke the development of dysplastic osteoarthritis. If after walking the dog is weak on its feet or limps, then the load on the limbs was excessive and should be reduced next time.

At home, the individual must move on a rough surface so as not to additionally deform the thigh. The dog's home should be warm and dry, otherwise pain may worsen, lameness may increase. It is better not to walk sick dogs on paved areas, but to give preference to lawns. Sick dogs benefit from swimming, as it does not burden the joints, but strengthens the periarticular muscles.

Surgery

An alternative to conservative therapy is surgery. There are several surgical procedures designed to treat pet hip dysplasia. A few of the main ones stand out:

1. juvenile pubic symphysiodesis often used to treat and prevent the development of pathology in dogs. During this operation, some growth zones of the pubic bones are excised, which helps to slow down the growth of bone tissues and close the head of the femoral neck with the acetabulum.

The operation is indicated for young puppies under 16 weeks of age. It allows you to remove lameness for up to several years, is indicated for the ineffectiveness of drugs;

1. Rsectional arthroplasty is aimed at reducing pain in a patient at the contact of the glenoid cavity and the head of the femoral neck. For this, they are resected. The procedure is indicated for individuals weighing less than 22 kg, but even larger dogs showed good results.

This operation is performed when other surgical methods of treatment cannot be applied, and in the absence of a positive result from drug therapy. Specialists tend to carry out this procedure not only with severe pain, but also with severe lameness;

1. tpelvic rhinoplasty involves artificial breaking of the pubic, ischium and ilium, followed by the imposition of an implant on the ilium and fixation of the ischium with a wire suture.

This operation is performed with lameness, fatigue, subluxation of the head of the femoral neck. Age does not play any role in choosing this type of treatment, unlike the state of bone tissue. Thanks to the operation, the femoral neck is closed by the articular cavity, the pressure on the joints is evenly distributed, which relieves pain;

1. dinnervation of the joint capsule also applies to dysplasia. During this operation, the pain syndrome is removed, which has a positive effect on the state of the joint, which begins to strengthen, building up muscle mass during painless walking.

At the same time, the gait of the animal does not return to normal, but the advantage of this procedure is its relative ease, which allows resorting to more radical interventions in the future;

1. total arthroplasty applicable in the most difficult situations, when none of the methods showed the desired result or no longer makes sense. Then, both the articular cavity and the head of the femoral neck are replaced with stainless steel prostheses.

This operation allows the dog to live a full life, without experiencing such terrible torment as in the preoperative period.

Prevention

To avoid transmission of hip dysplasia to offspring, the necessary measures are taken by breeders. Thus, individuals with pathological changes are excluded from breeding.

In addition, under light anesthesia, an X-ray examination can be performed in dogs from the age of one year to assess the general condition and the presence of abnormalities in the joints.

Thanks to breeders, breeders can get a healthy puppy, but, according to scientific data, diet in early age also provides big influence on joint health.

However, positive results can also be achieved with a special diet even in already ill dogs. Therefore, at the stage of development of the body, a balanced intake of vitamins and proteins is necessary for health.

In addition, puppy food should contain adjusted levels of phosphorus and calcium. Depending on specific requirements, a calcium content in dry food of 0.9 to 1.6 percent and phosphorus of about 1.3 to 1.9 is recommended. These indicators should be reduced with age, and food again adapted to a particular individual.

Prevention of dysplasia in dogs provides for certain norms of stress on the joints of both a healthy and a predisposed animal. With signs of severe fatigue, the dog must be protected from stress and monitor its condition.

Dogs with overweight it needs to be reduced to reduce the pressure on the joints. It is important to reduce the energy content of the feed, but make sure that there is no shortage of it. Also, when calculating the diet, the level of activity of the individual should be taken into account, since less active dogs are prone to obesity. Losing weight may not eliminate the disease, but it will reduce joint pain and associated symptoms.

Special ingredients in dog food can have a positive effect on joints. The addition of antioxidants, in particular vitamin E and C, as well as unsaturated fatty acids, can stop joint inflammation. Nettle extract as natural medicinal plant also has a positive effect on the joints due to its anti-inflammatory nature.

All of the above components must be ingested by the individual along with the food. If it is not possible to create a balanced diet focused on the needs of the canine body on your own, you can contact your veterinarian for its implementation.

Hip dysplasia in dogs is a pathology of the musculoskeletal system, which is characterized by underdevelopment of the acetabulum of the hip joint. Large dog breeds are especially susceptible to the disease. The disease is dangerous because it provokes partial and sometimes complete destruction of joints and cartilaginous tissues, and threatens with loss of motor functions. Diagnosis and timely treatment of dysplasia will help stop the degenerative processes in the animal's body.

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What is hip dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a defect in the development of the joint in the region of the articular cavity. Initially, the disease was called subluxation of the articular head due to the increase in the gap between the cavity and the head of the bone (it does not adhere to the joint, which leads to friction and wear of the head). The result is hardening and deformity of the joint.

Causes and risk group

Most often, dysplasia is diagnosed in German Shepherds, Retrievers, Great Danes, Bullmastiffs and St. Bernards.

The main causes of DTBS:

• heredity;
• overfeeding, unbalanced nutrition (lack of phosphorus, calcium in the diet, excess protein leads to the development of the disease);
• excessive physical exertion (pets under 18 months of age are prohibited from heavy exertion, especially large and heavy breeds);
• lack of movement (puppies need a gentle load so that the bone and muscle developed properly)
• rapid growth of bone and joint tissues in the first 6 months of life;
• injury.

Symptoms

A veterinarian can determine the disease at the 12th month of a puppy's life, but dysplasia begins to appear only at 2-2.5 years.




Signs of hip dysplasia in dogs:

• lameness that occurs spontaneously (when examining the limbs, no changes in integrity are observed);
• even with a small load, the dog gets tired quickly;
• hind legs shaking;
• while walking the dog sways;
• on palpation of the upper thigh, the pet whines and tries to bite;
• hind legs are spread to the side.

Puppies with dysplasia during rest take a frog pose to unload the hind limbs. Also, in young individuals, asymmetry of the body is observed: powerful forelegs, weak hind legs and a developed chest.

Symptoms of DTS may be partially manifested, so diagnosing the disease at home is difficult. For example, a pet may place its paws differently due to fatigue, and limp due to damage to its paw during a walk.



Diagnostics

Diagnosis of diseases associated with bones is carried out using x-rays. Based on the picture, the veterinarian can determine not only the presence or absence of pathology, but also the degree of joint deformity.

X-rays are taken under general anesthesia so that the results are good quality. In some cases, arthroscopy is done. During this procedure, an incision is made into which an arthroscope is inserted to examine the joint. The mini-camera shows the state of the desired area and the surrounding tissue.

The study helps the specialist determine the severity of the animal's disease:

• A - no deviations;
• B - there is a predisposition to joint deformity;
• C - initial form;
• D - middle stage;
• E - severe dysplasia.

Conservative therapy

Treatment of hip dysplasia is effective in the early stages of the disease. Therapy is based on the elimination of pain, swelling, restoration of cartilage tissue.

Conservative treatment includes the use of:

1. 1. Chondroprotectors- medicines that restore articular and cartilaginous tissue (Glucosamine, Adequan, Khionat, Teraflex, Mukosat, Chondrolon). Medicines are prescribed in the form of intravenous droppers, injections into the joints, intramuscular injections. The drugs can be taken alone or in combination.
2. 2. Antispasmodics- eliminate pain syndrome (Analgin, No-shpa, Baralgin).
3. 3. Anti-inflammatory drugs- Rimadyl, Nimesulide.
4. 4. Mineral complexes based on glucosamine and chondroitins- Omega-6, Omega-3.

Veterinarians prescribe corticosteroids, which are hormonal drugs that are injected under the skin (small breeds) or directly into the joint. However, this therapy may have a number of undesirable side effects.

Conservative treatment is supplemented with physiotherapy. In veterinary clinics, electromagnetic radiation or laser therapy can be performed. These procedures are aimed at warming up the joints, but they are not always effective, because they have many contraindications.

Operational technique

Conservative therapy is not always effective for hip dysplasia. In the later stages of the disease, surgical intervention is necessary. The complexity and duration of the operation depends on the degree of joint deformity.

Types of surgical intervention:

• Excision of the femoral head and neck This is a major operation that involves a long recovery period. After excision, the joint is restored, and the pet can move independently without prostheses. Due to the narrowing of the pelvic cavity, there is sometimes a malfunction of the abdominal organs.
• osteotomy- dissection of the bone and a change in the position of the articular fossa, contributes to correct location joint. The procedure can be performed with a non-aggravated form of the disease.
• Myoectomy- excision of the pectineal muscle during the growth of the puppy. This procedure does not lead to a complete recovery, but reduces lameness, restores the motor function of the joint. The operation is carried out with the ineffectiveness of conservative therapy. Myectomy is performed on puppies between the ages of 6 and 12 months.
• Resection arthroplasty– resection of the joint to reduce pain. The procedure eliminates the friction of the head of the joint on the cavity, resulting in reduced pain. The operation is indicated for small breeds of dogs weighing up to 20 kg. Arthroplasty can be performed even on older dogs.
• Endoprosthetics- prescribed at the last stage of the disease. The joint is replaced with an artificial one made of titanium alloy. After the procedure, the dog moves without pain, leads a normal life. The operation is prohibited for muscle atrophy. From a functional point of view, it is recommended to install a prosthesis for dogs weighing more than 30 kg.

Massage

Massage is a mandatory procedure, which is carried out in combination with conservative and surgical therapy. It relieves pain, relaxes muscles, improves blood circulation. You can perform massage exercises at home:

• warm up the muscles with confident, slow movements;
• perform pressure;
• initially it is necessary to massage the longitudinal dorsal muscles on both sides, and then move on to the hind limbs;
• You can work out only the muscles, it is strictly forbidden to press on the bones.

Care and Nutrition

For a quick rehabilitation of a pet after treatment, it is necessary to provide appropriate conditions. Vitamins, proteins, minerals, trace elements should be present in the diet, at the same time, the weight of the pet should be monitored to prevent the occurrence of obesity.

The dog should not be transferred to a rigid diet, as this will lead to a deterioration in the condition. From the diet you need to remove foods containing a large amount of fat.

After the operation, it is necessary to force the pet to move in order to provide additional blood flow to the limbs, this will help the muscles not to atrophy. The dog should be examined regularly. Due to the weakening of the body, diseases associated with nervous system, abdominal organs, infection penetration.

You need to walk a pet with dysplasia on the lawn, minimizing walking on asphalt. Swimming is useful, as in the water the load on the joints is reduced, and the rest of the muscle group receives the necessary load.

What to do is prohibited

When hip dysplasia in dogs is strictly prohibited:

• exclude meat products from the diet;
• treat the disease with painkillers;
• independently try to insert the bone into place;
• cool or warm the pelvic part;
• self-administer intramuscularly or intravenously drugs.

Also, sick dogs are contraindicated physical exercise and long walks, during which there is a tension of the hind limbs.

Prevention

Preventive measures include proper nutrition with plenty of micronutrients. At an early age in puppies, food should be nutritious and healthy. They also need to avoid heavy loads, as microcracks can occur in underdeveloped limbs.

If an animal has been diagnosed with dysplasia, it must be spayed or castrated so that the disease is not passed on to offspring.

Although dysplasia affects the dog's physical performance, and, alas, for the worse, it is still far from always possible, looking at the movements of the dog, even to assume that she has this defect. It happens that well-developed, trained muscles can hide the external manifestations of even a severe degree of dysplasia. Therefore, the diagnosis is made only by x-ray.

But here is the picture. We look at it - and what? - Yeah, this is the spine, but this looks like a pelvis, and here is the femur, and here is the head of this bone ... and some other dark and light spots. Everything seems to be in place, everything is fine.

But it’s actually normal or not, only a specially trained specialist can say. On the one hand, as one of the leading experts in the field of dog genetics, M.B. Willis, an Englishman who happily combines a veterinary geneticist, a cynologist and a dog breeder: "In order to read a picture, you do not need to study five years at a veterinary school." But "not all veterinarians know how to do it right."

Of course, if the acetabulum has the shape of a saucer, and instead of a rounded femoral head, some kind of stub sticks out, then you can immediately see - dysplasia. But dysplasia, as the name implies, is an malformed joint. And a manifestation of dysplasia is considered not only severe, but also any deviation from the norm.

What is a norm?

This problem was, in particular, devoted to the doctoral dissertation of the German researcher Victoria Richter. The results of her analysis of the structure of the pelvis in German shepherds, boxers, cocker spaniels, miniature poodles and dachshunds of all varieties (i.e. four breeds + dachshunds of three height categories) clearly demonstrate that in addition all these breeds differ from each other not only outwardly, but also from within.

Dogs are neither mice nor rats, and therefore, as an object of mass laboratory research, fortunately, are expensive. (Although there was a fact - at the dawn of the study of the problem of dysplasia, the American organization Fidelko, which trains dogs for the service of guides for the blind and the police, gave a group of live dogs "for experiments." There were no "Greens" on them then). So, due to the inability to conduct detailed studies, scientists have been offering their schemes and approaches for detecting DTS for a long time.

In the end, we settled on two options for performing (there is also a 3rd additional option), and for establishing a diagnosis from a picture - on six criteria for assessing the hip joint. The names of these criteria sound intimidating, and I will not intimidate the reader with them, I will only say that there are several angles determined by a complex method, indices, characteristics of certain surfaces of the joint.

Gone are the days when a veterinarian squinted at a picture against the light and immediately made a diagnosis. Now a specialist veterinarian draws a picture using a special protractor, determines the angles. Using special tables, determines the scores for each of the criteria. And according to the sum of points, according to the number of signs deviating from the norm, he makes a diagnosis: the degree of dysplasia = A, B, C, D or E.

A is no dysplasia, B is a borderline case, suspected dysplasia, "almost normal", C is mild dysplasia, in some countries it is called "still allowed", D, E is moderate or severe dysplasia, respectively.

This is where you can breathe a sigh of relief. Finally, when making a diagnosis, accurate and completely objective parameters appear. Here we get the conclusion in our hands and read: the Norberg angle is 105 degrees, the penetration index of the head is 1.005, the tangential angle is ... Involuntarily you feel trust. But, unlike a dog, you don't have to relax. The fact is that in order to measure all these angles and indices using the protractor, you must first plot these angles on an x-ray. The starting point for this is the center of the femoral head.

But it has a spherical shape only theoretically. "In life" its form, even if it is rounded, is still very, very irregular. And it is not so easy to determine the geometric center of this sometimes intricate figure. It is necessary to draw axes of various bones of the pelvis and thigh, it is necessary to draw straight lines, which are continuations of various (curved!) lines of the contour of the joint. If there is an error in the definition of some point, then all further constructions will be distorted. Believe me, it's not all that easy.

This is where special training, extensive experience, and the ability to "see" are needed. A doctor, like any expert, needs it no less than an artist. Therefore, the diagnosis is entrusted to a few. In the RKF system, the final and officially recognized diagnosis is a diagnosis made by a doctor with the appropriate license, and we have few of them in Russia. To obtain such a conclusion, an x-ray is sent through the club to the Central Club in Moscow, and the owner of the dog will receive a response from the RKF with a doctor's opinion by mail.

But even the best doctor-expert can make a mistake if he receives an incorrectly taken picture for evaluation. I remember how ten years ago, looking at a picture of my dog ​​and remembering my modest institute knowledge in drawing and geometry, I pestered a radiologist: “Look how asymmetrical everything is here. Couldn’t this affect the diagnosis?” He looked at me like I was stupid. "No, it couldn't."

Alas, it could. The current Internet is full of examples of x-rays of the same dog taken on the same day. According to one picture, dysplasia appears, and according to the other, it is healthy. Or "suspicion of dysplasia" and then another diagnosis - a mild or moderate form of dysplasia. The difference between these shots is only in how the dog lies when shooting. Roughly speaking, the position of the pelvis and hind limbs is symmetrical or not. There are pictures like this on many websites.

One of best articles devoted to this issue, belongs to the famous American dog handler Ed Frawley and is called "The importance of correct positioning when performing x-rays of the hip joint." Despite the scary-sounding title, the article is written in a very simple and accessible way, because it is addressed to ordinary dog ​​breeders, that is, to you and me. It is beautifully illustrated and provided with explanations on how to determine whether the picture was taken correctly or not.

Apparently, getting a high-quality image is a worldwide problem. Many researchers believe that most of the errors in the diagnosis are due precisely to incorrectly performed dog laying. Moreover, the wrong position of the pelvis during the shooting worsens the diagnosis. Ed Frawley writes that they now have the Veterinary Orthopedic Organization (OFA) in the US starting to send back images due to poor positioning. Our experts also began to return pictures without evaluation, but with a recommendation to reshoot.

But even with experts, the situation is not so simple. Not only the incorrect position of the dog during the shooting, not only the shooting "without anesthesia", but also the mistake in reading the picture - this is one of the most serious problems in diagnosing dysplasia. At the Institute of Animal Husbandry and Genetics of the Justus Liebig University of Giessen (Germany), a series of X-ray images were selected, three sets of copies of these images were made and sent to three highly qualified experts.

The results once again confirmed that the diagnosis of "dysplasia" even on x-rays, although, I repeat, this method is still considered the most accurate, is a very subjective matter. It would be nice if there were still discrepancies at the boundaries of the assessments: one expert says - "norm", another - "border case", or "light degree" - "average degree". But there were also discrepancies of the type: "mild degree of dysplasia" - "free from dysplasia." High agreement was only in the assessment of severe dysplasia.

In general, everything turned out in accordance with the theory of expert assessments. There is also this: in order to get the most accurate estimate, for example, the estimated time for completion of some complex work, they take the forecast of an optimistic expert, the forecast of a pessimistic expert. The most realistic term will be in the middle (of course, provided that both of these experts were quite competent).

In the Giessen University experiment, it was similar: a pessimistic expert and an optimistic expert, and also a moderate expert. His assessments have the most coincidences with colleagues. And besides, his diagnoses most of all "resonated" with the symptoms indicated by the owners of the dogs whose pictures were submitted for this experiment.

Here, it seems, is the solution to the problem. Testing Expert Advisors, choosing "moderate" and... go ahead. But it was not there. And some assessments of the "moderate" expert were more optimistic than those of the "optimist", and some were more negative than those of the "pessimist". What does it say? First of all, that when it comes to dysplasia, everything is not simple and everything is not unambiguous.

E. Alexandrova

Dysplasia is a pathology of joint development. Unlike humans, dysplasia in dogs is not a congenital disease, but is directly related to heredity. This disease is considered the scourge of all large breeds, and almost every puppy who has to grow into a dog of heavy build and / or above average height is at risk. How and why does dysplasia develop? Can this disease be defeated?

A large breed puppy quickly gains weight, especially if the owners want to raise a real giant or a strong man - they stuff the baby with calcium supplements, feed them with meat and cereals, and various growth stimulants. Muscles grow, but the bones do not keep up with them - the load on the joints becomes excessive. Add to this the slippery floor, exorbitant physical activity (early exhausting workouts) and we get a joint that is deformed to one degree or another.

There are 4 degrees of dysplasia in dogs, from mild changes to a serious pathology, due to which the pet loses the ability to move normally. Grade "A" is the norm, from B to E - various violations, depending on the severity.

Such a development of events is possible if the dog's genotype contains "harmful" genes that make the puppy at risk. In Russia, these are almost all puppies of large breeds, since they began to breed dogs with dysplasia relatively recently. The heavier (more muscular) the dog, the higher the risk. And, unfortunately, dysplasia in predisposed puppies develops even when the owners properly raise the baby, control the load, do not overfeed and do not try to artificially slow down or speed up weight gain.

The point of preventing dysplasia in dogs is to minimize the consequences. If the joints of a puppy receiving adequate loads and growing on a balanced diet are formed with pathology, it is highly likely that it will be possible to maintain motor function and stop the development of the disease. And if an already sick puppy is overweight, gaining weight too quickly, or is subjected to exorbitant stress, dysplasia will cause more tangible harm to the baby.

When choosing a large breed puppy, it is important that both parents are tested for dysplasia. Documents with negative results (grade A) are provided by the breeder. This will not give a 100% guarantee that the baby will grow up healthy, but no more measures can be taken in advance. All babies are born with a normal skeleton and normal joints, with no signs of pathology. Problems appear only as they grow older. That is, at the time of purchase (when the puppy is 2-4 months old) it is impossible to predict whether the baby will have dysplasia or not.

Signs of dysplasia

At an early age, the flexible skeleton of a puppy grows rapidly, and the bones and joints gradually harden. And only by about six months, and sometimes even earlier, the first alarming "bells" appear. Lameness and pain are the only obvious signs of dysplasia in dogs, but sometimes they are difficult to notice. Therefore, the owner of a large breed puppy should specifically look for these symptoms, paying special attention to the baby:

• slight limping, stiffness after sleep;

• the habit of "pacing". The puppy does not jump towards it, but at first tries to walk gently, as if deliberately stretching the stiff muscles (this is from the outside, in fact, the puppy needs time to develop a sore joint);

• “starting” lameness (at the beginning of the run, the dog limps, then it seems to move normally);

• lameness after exertion, intermittent lameness (sometimes it appears, sometimes it recedes without a trace for days or weeks);

• the habit of "resting" in the middle of the journey, although the distance traveled cannot be called great. The puppy flops down on his ass and sits for a while, not wanting to go any further;

• refusal to go up and/or down stairs. Many breeders recommend taking babies for a walk on their hands, and only when the puppies are 4 months old do they gradually master the ascent and descent of the stairs.

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It is important to understand that the sooner treatment begins, the more chances a dog has for a full life. “Yes, he just twisted his paw / hit himself / slept uncomfortable, etc.” Don't get your hopes up, even if you're right. If you notice at least one of the symptoms, you should immediately contact your veterinarian! Dysplasia, detected after reaching the age of one, is extremely difficult to overcome, especially if the pathology is serious.

Weak spots

Elbow dysplasia- lameness on the front paws (or paw, but both joints are often deformed), pain when bending the front paws in dogs, refusal to obey the “give paw” command, whining when trying to feel or examine the paws. Sometimes seals, thickenings are noticeable in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe joints. If the pain is severe, the puppy is hesitantly descending the stairs or refuses to go downstairs at all, since in this position the load on the elbow joints increases.

Part of the joint may be stratified, an extra fragment may form on the joint. Bones can rub against each other as a result of flattening of the joint, or dangle in the joint like a spoon in a mug. There are many options for pathologies, and each individual case has its own characteristics of the anatomy of the joint.

hip dysplasia for a long time in dogs may not cause any external signs of illness at all. In severe cases, puppies wag their backs when walking, cannot or have difficulty climbing stairs (it hurts to push off with their hind legs when jerking forward and up), walk with a lowered croup. Often dogs try to lean on their front paws to relieve the load on the affected area.

With DTBS, the head of the femur does not fit correctly to the articular cavity. If the discrepancy is minimal, signs of the disease may appear only in adulthood or not at all. If the discrepancy is significant, the disease will manifest itself, even if the puppy is raised correctly.

knee dysplasia is rare in dogs and is usually associated with trauma. As a result of injury or improper maintenance (slippery floor, excessive loads), the joint partially comes out of the articular bag (subluxation). Due to the wrong position, the joint beats and rubs against the edges of the bowl - deformation, pain, lameness. Such a nuisance can happen with any joint, so it is better to raise a large breed puppy with the support of an experienced dog handler or breeder.

Diagnostics

First of all, the veterinarian will evaluate the correctness and ease of movement of the dog. Then palpation is an attempt to detect the deformation by touch. The doctor will bend and unbend the joint several times to assess the reaction (whether there is pain, crunches, friction, etc.). Pictures for dysplasia are quite informative, but X-rays are done only under anesthesia. This is necessary in order to be able to assess the position of a joint not supported by muscles (an awake dog tenses and twists, even if it completely trusts the owner and the doctor).

To avoid the unpleasant consequences of anesthesia, it is recommended to first take a blood test for biochemistry and visit a cardiologist.

In some cases, even in a high-quality photo it is not possible to see the whole problem. Then it is desirable to carry out arthroscopy - a visual examination of the joint through a puncture. A miniature camera and auxiliary instruments will allow you to examine the diseased area to the smallest detail and evaluate the structure of tissues. Unfortunately, this is expensive and this service is not available in every clinic.