Curated by Maria Rita Insolera, Naturopath
Hip dysplasia in dogs is a very common disorder in large dogs that become incapacitating over time. It can have genetic, food or environmental causes, and unfortunately there is no cure, but natural remedies can be supportive. Let's find out better.
What is dysplasia
Dysplasia is a disease that affects the hip of dogs and is degenerative and debilitating.
It starts with a weakening of the dog's hip that degrades until severe arthritis develops, resulting in paralysis.
Dysplasia occurs very early in a dog's life (from 3 months to one year of age) and may depend on weight gain or excessive growth. In general, however, the causes can be genetic, environmental or food .
Dysplasia can also occur in older dogs, in some breeds with a greater frequency than others (for example German Shepherds, Golden Retriver and Labrador) and in males more than in females.
Symptoms of dysplasia
The hip dysplasia of the dog may present several symptoms . The most frequent and common are:
- Reduction of the mix mass for the hind legs.
- Staggering gait.
- Lameness that affects one and both hind legs. on one or both legs
- Serious difficulties in simple movements (such as getting up or lying down).
- Less resistance to physical effort and difficulty climbing stairs. Decreased resistance to physical exercise.
- Abnormal posture and pain.
Dog dysplasia: cures and natural remedies
Dysplasia is a disease that can be easily diagnosed by the veterinary doctor through a complete physical examination to assess the dog's gait, the presence of pain and the ability to move.
This is then confirmed by an X-ray to check the degree of dysplasia and whether arthritis is already present.
An early diagnosis is of fundamental importance to intervene in a timely manner with the treatments and to prevent the disease from progressing too quickly.
Hip dysplasia cannot be healed but only cured to avoid suffering and slow down its course.
Natural remedies for dog dysplasia aim to block the debilitating course . They are primarily based on providing the dog with proper nutrition. An incorrect diet can in fact aggravate the pathology. Incorrect feeding means table scraps, too-poor nutrition or super-fed dogs.
It is important to provide the dog with the right amount of vitamins, minerals and mainly calcium . The bones must be strong and robust, the joints healthy to face the passage of time with as few traumas as possible.
When a dog is diagnosed with hip dysplasia it is necessary for it to maintain its body weight . A useful way to do this, avoiding unnecessary efforts but keeping the muscular system active is the practice of swimming.
Dysplasia is a hereditary disease, therefore there is no valid prevention to avoid it. If one of the two parents has dysplasia it is very likely that even the puppies will be affected.