Hip dysplasia is a condition that causes abnormal formations in the ball- and socket-joint joints. This results in joints that grind against each other rather than joints that glide easily. This is a common skeletal disease in dogs and can occur at any time in a dog’s life. Hip dysplasia can be seen in some dogs as young as four months of age. Other dogs will develop the disease later in life due to osteoarthritis. Hip dysplasia is more common in larger breeds, with some breeds, such as the Labrador, Great Dane, and German Shepherd, being more susceptible than smaller breeds.
Hip dysplasia can be seen in dogs with the following symptoms: reduced range of motion, mild to medium lameness, reluctance or exercise, stiffness after rising from rest. A veterinarian is the best way to determine if your dog suffers from hip dysplasia. They will perform a complete physical exam and take an X-ray.
Depending on how severe the hip dysplasia is, you may need to make lifestyle changes and/or physiotherapy sessions for your dog. Hip dysplasia can be more powerful and require surgery. However, the type of surgery will depend on the dog’s size and age. For dogs under one year old, a socket rotation may be performed. If the dog is not responding to physical therapy, hip replacement surgery will be the best choice. Prescriptions can manage hip dysplasia for OTC medication such as pain medication and anti-inflammatory drugs.
It is not an easy job, and it is expensive. To monitor and treat your dog’s condition, you will need to schedule follow-up appointments and take more X-rays. If your dog has hip dysplasia, it is a smarter and cheaper decision to purchase health insurance for your pet. Even if your dog is healthy, it is smart to get health insurance for your pet.
Dog Hip Dysplasia Home Treatment
Many holistic treatments can be done at home for hip dysplasia. Here are some home remedies:
Put your dog on a fresh food diet.
Care for a dog suffering from hip dysplasia requires weight control. Your dog should not be overweight or put stress on its joints. Changes in your dog’s diet are one of the easiest ways to reduce hip dysplasia. You can start them on both a raw and cooked meat diet. Lean beef is a good choice because it contains protein. You can also add fresh vegetables such as carrots, kale, whole grain, bone broth (made from chicken bones), and Knox gelatin to your dog’s food list. Avoid vegetables from the nightshade family (peppers and potatoes, eggplants, etc.) as these can cause your dog to become sicker.
Add supplements and herbs to your dog’s diet.
Supplements for dogs’ diets can be very beneficial. The healing properties of colloidal silver and colloidal gold have been shown to help reduce pain and swelling. Omega-3 fatty acids can be used to relieve joint inflammation. You can also add herbs like ginger, alfalfa and rosemary to your dog’s food to reduce inflammation and improve blood circulation.
Give your dog a warm bath once in a while.
If your dog could speak, it would be. Your dog will be grateful that you filled up the bathtub with warm water and added Epsom salt. This bath routine can be used to relieve hip dysplasia pain that is triggered by cold weather and/or cold water.
Hydrotherapy is a great option.
A pool is a great place to take your dog swimming every day. It puts less stress on your joints. You can also buy an inflatable plastic pool from your local store if you don’t have one. It should still work. If you don’t have enough space, your dog can go to the beach with you and make a family trip.
Take your dog on walks (but stick to soft surfaces!).
Hip dysplasia doesn’t mean that your dog needs to be less active. Because hip dysplasia increases the likelihood of muscle atrophy, your dog will need to exercise more than ever. It is important to choose the right type of exercise. Even though hip dysplasia can cause a dog to walk with an abnormal gait or limp, it is still a great idea. It gives your dog a chance to exercise its legs and provides a great workout. Avoid concrete paths and stick to soft surfaces such as grass or sand. Hillsides also enhance muscle development.
Use a heat pack on your dog.
Heat packs (yes, the ones in your medicine cabinet) help relieve and soothe the pain caused by hip dysplasia. It should be placed as close as possible to your dog’s hips. It can be placed on the dog’s hips overnight, so they feel refreshed and better.
These are just a few of the many home remedies that can be used to help dogs with hip dysplasia. Although some of these home remedies might seem straightforward, you will see the benefits over time when your next vet visit is scheduled. Your dog depends on you to maintain or improve its quality of life. They owe you everything to ensure that they receive the best care. You still get the best deal: more years with your best friend.
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