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Genetics is the foremost causative factor of
canine hip dysplasia. Without the genes
necessary to transmit this degenerative disease,
there is no disease. Hip dysplasia is not
something a dog gets; it either is dysplastic or it is not. Hip
dysplasia is genetically inherited.
While environmental effects, to
include nutrition and exercise, may
play a large part in mitigating or
delaying the onset of clinical signs
and clinical symptoms, hip dysplasia
remains a genetically transmitted
disease.
Other diseases, infections or trauma
can produce clinical signs
suggestive of hip dysplasia. In the
older dog, trauma from younger years
may manifest itself as arthritic
deterioration. A little bit more
unusual is to have viral penetration
of the joint capsule with resultant
damage to articular cartilage, or
the epiphyseal surfaces of the
femur.
There is some evidence that
preventing rapid growth reduces the
extent to which the adult dog will
manifest hip dysplasia. Decreasing
the dogs food consumption during its
growth period seems to correlate
well with normal hips.
Many researchers conclude that early
fusion may lead to bone and
cartilage deviations which then
could predispose the animal to
future dysplasia. Given that joint
laxity is at least one of the
factors governing the onset of hip
dysplasia, then any process that
retards this condition could
possibly minimize the severity of
the disease. It also is conceivable
that retardation of joint laxity
could delay the onset of the
physical appearance of the disease.
Remember, loose joints and hip
dysplasia are found together.
To reach a definitive diagnosis your
veterinarian will have to take
radiographs (x-rays).
Currently the methods used are:
O.F.A.
(Orthopedic Foundation for Animals)
PennHIP, O.V.C. (Ontario Veterinary
Collage). I use O.V.C. they only
certify if there is no signs of hip
dysplasia.
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