How Can We Treat Hip Dysplasia?
Many dog caregivers are frustrated with how hip dysplasia ravages the quality of their dogs' lives. The experts at Cesar's Way magazine discuss the merits of various treatment options to slow the progressive disease.
Question: My eight-year-old German Shepherd mix is suffering from hip dysplasia. She's moving very slowly and has difficulty standing up. Is there anything you can recommend that will help her regain mobility, or at least stop it from becoming worse?
Answer: Hip dysplasia in dogs leads to degenerative joint disease (also referred to as osteoarthritis), which is painful and, unfortunately, progressive. Here are the most common options.
1. Hip replacement surgery in dogs. It's expensive but offers the best chance of regaining mobility and getting rid of the pain.
2. Anti-inflammatory/pain medication for dogs. There are several good prescription medications available. Your veterinarian will typically check a blood chemistry panel to make sure the liver and kidneys are functioning properly before starting these medications.
3. Supplements for dogs. Omega-3 fatty acids (Nordic naturals Omega-3 pet), glucosamine-chondroitin-ASU (Dasuquin), and Duralactin can be used alone or in combination to help reduce the pain and slow the disease.
4. Therapy laser for dogs. (Low-level light therapy) Therapy lasers are becoming more common; they emit specific wavelengths of light that have been shown to reduce pain and inflammation. In our practice, we commonly use laser therapy on patients with arthritis and pain.
