Coxofemoral dysplasia in a disease that affects many dogs in the world. The first description of hip dysplasia in dogs was made by the American Schenelle in 1935, and it was this veterinarian who described them according to their severity. He explained that the origin of canine dysplasia was genetic, so he promoted programs and campaigns against this condition and the search to treat it in a less painful way. In this article we will show some clues to recognize if your dog suffers from this condition.
Hip dysplasia is a progressive and degenerative hereditary disease. The term dysplasia, as such, is related to an alteration in the shape of the anatomical structure, that is, a dysplasia can manifest in the elbow, in the hips, etc.
It is a militant disease that occurs in puppies or very old dogs and usually manifests in dogs of large and medium-sized breeds such as Dogo Argentino, San Bernardo, German Shepherd, Napolitan Mastiff or Basset hound.
As indicated by veterinarians, their origin is multifactorial; It can be genetic, overweight or environmental conditions.

What is canine dysplasia?

This pathology consists in that the head of the femur does not fit well in the acetabulum cavity (hollow of the hip). The lack of synchrony between muscle and skeletal development leads to microfractures, cartilage erosion, subluxation and, finally, phenomena of degenerative osteoarthritis.

How to know if our dog suffers from dysplasia?

It is always important before making any diagnosis, go to the veterinarian to perform the respective orthopedic exams and thus determine if you really suffer from dysplasia.
Here we will give you some clues about the common symptoms suffered by dogs with dysplasia:
If your dog belongs to any of the races mentioned above, you should be careful in its growth process to monitor if there is something out of the ordinary.
If your dog walks very slowly.
If you walk as if you used your hind legs to make slight jumps (like rabbits).
If standing keeps the legs very close.
If you show pain in the back of the body.
If you have morning stiffness.
If you have difficulty climbing to places where you normally did.
If you have alterations in your behavior.
It is important to emphasize that dogs that suffer from this condition should avoid reproducing because, as we mentioned before, it is a hereditary disease.

What treatments are there for dysplasia?

There are two types of treatment for dysplasia: medical and surgical.
Among the medical procedures are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and physiotherapeutic treatments, which consist of relaxing massages in the area of ​​the hips. Another of the medical treatments are the contrometabolics, which help the restoration of cartilage and stimulates the relief of pain.
Among the surgical treatments is the triple osteotomy, which consists in reorienting the acetabulum to fit the head of the femur; the arthroplasty by excision of the head of the femur, which is about amputating the head of the femur to eliminate the pain caused by friction, and the hip prosthesis, consists in suppressing the head of the femur and the acetabulum with the aim of replacing it with artificial devices.