All dog breeds may be affected by Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) and unfortunately some dogs will show clear signs of hip dysplasia at a very young age. But for many dogs, the symptoms will not be obvious until severe, crippling arthritis has developed. At this point, the options for treatment are limited and complex.

Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) is a misunderstood but painful and crippling disease that results in a weakened hip joint in dogs that causes painful inflammation and decreased flexibility.

The word dysplasia means improper growth. Canine Hip Dysplasia literally means improper growth of the canine hip. This improper growth makes the hip loose and wobbly, leading to increased movement within the hip joint.

This will result over time in arthritis and lameness of the animal if left untreated. CHD is a condition that while progressive, is a disease that may manifest in vastly different levels of severity in different animals.

Large breeds are the most susceptible to Canine Hip Dysplasia, as up to 50% may have evidence of CHD but many small and medium sized animals go on to develop CHD. Cats are also at risk for a similar condition known as Feline Hip Dysplasia.

Many animals afflicted with hip dysplasia will likely have some or all of the listed problems:

Stiffness after resting, difficulty walking up or down stairs, lameness after exercise.

They may exhibit personality changes due to their ever present pain.

For smaller dogs, yowling or grumbling when being lifted or handled.

A reluctance to move or take exercise.

A painful or violent reaction to an extension of their rear legs.

Increased sensitivity to touch or a marked change of behaviour.

Whining or making noises for no other apparent reason.

Animals with hip dysplasia are at greater risk of injury through normal and especially through strenuous activity. It is entirely possible for a dog to have CHD but show no symptoms (yet) or a dog to have severe crippling symptoms. The only way to tell for sure that your pet has CHD is via an X-Ray examination.

The interaction between genes and the environment plays a large part in determining if a dog will develop hip dysplasia. While poor breeding does not always mean the animal will surely be afflicted with hip dysplasia, there is a genetic predisposition for hip dysplasia, especially in larger breeds.

If during puppy-hood, the animal is malnourished, excessively exercised or simply has the genetic precursors to hip dysplasia, there is a greater chance that he or she will go on to develop hip dysplasia later in life.

Canine Hip Dysplasia Facts:

Simply because the parents of the animal did not ever develop hip dysplasia, it does not mean that the animal cannot develop hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia can result from genetic mutations or simply from masked of hidden genes that can skip one or more generations.

Labs, Golden Retrievers, Bloodhounds, St. Bernards, Boxers and Rottweilers are some of the more common candidates for hip dysplasia but not every large breed dog is likely to get hip dysplasia. Siberian Huskies and Dobermans tend to be at a lower risk for CHD. It can also be seen in smaller breeds such as the Cocker Spaniel and the Springer Spaniel; mixed breeds may suffer from it as well.

Diet can also contribute to hip dysplasia. Feeding puppies a leaner diet during their formative years may help mitigate the risk of hip dysplasia and make them less susceptible to developing CHD later in life. By reducing the amount of food that has been given to puppies by 25%, it has been shown to reduce the rate that hip dysplasia occurs.

Treatment options:

There are a range of pharmaceutical options which include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s), prescribed by your vet, which are commonly used. NSAID’s can be very effective in reducing swelling and inflammation to affected joints, but like all drugs they carry risks of side effects. The risk of long term usage of NSAID’s is that they can actually contribute to additional joint damage and breakdown. Alternatives to NSAID’s:

A natural remedy for canine hip dysplasia that has received widespread support backed by scientific research is New Zealand Deer Velvet. Deer Velvet is the antler of male deer which is removed in the soft growth stage, dried and powdered before being included in a tablet or capsule.

Deer velvet has been used in Chinese medicine for over 2000 years, and has been extensively tested for human use. In the last few decades it has become an accepted part of Western health and wellbeing with a number of successful sportsmen becoming advocates for its daily use.

More recently scientific studies have shown conclusively that deer velvet has a positive effect on the mobility and agility of dogs, and cats. In the past, deer velvet was simply ground finely and either sprinkled on food or dissolved in warm water before being taken for human or animal use.

Now a patented process has been developed which substantially increases the bio-availability of deer velvet for both human and animal treatment. Bio-Active Deer Velvet is the major component of New Zealand Deer Velvet Agility, which is formulated especially for cats and kittens, puppies, adult dogs and an advanced formula for older dogs which are already suffering the effects of Hip Dysplasia or Arthritis.

We recommend that for a long and healthy life of your pet that you start him or her early with a deer velvet product to help prevent the onset of skeletal or arthritis problems later in life. New Zealand Deer Velvet Agility products are displayed below: