Miami Vet Office

Hip Dysplasia in Dogs

There are certain conditions that may affect specific breeds of dogs. Large dog breeds have a longer list of common ailments than smaller breeds of dogs do. One of the common ailments in larger dogs is hip dysplasia. A Miami veterinarian clinic can determine if you dog will need to undergo treatment for this condition or if it is mild enough to go without treatment.

Diagnosing Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is not something that a dog will acquire over time. It is generally a condition that a dog has from birth. A Miami veterinarian clinic can properly diagnose your dog with this condition and determine if h e needs treatments or not. The ball and socket of a dog's hip joint should fit together snugly. When the ball does not fit into the socket properly, the ligaments will become stretched and excessive rubbing may occur. The end result is arthritis in your dog's hip joint.

Surgery

If this condition is caught early in your dog's life, a Miami veterinarian clinic may recommend surgery to correct the problem. This surgery is generally only advisable if your dog is young and the condition is still mild. The surgery will realign the dog's hip joint and will work to prevent the development of arthritis as the dog ages. A pet owner will need to watch their dog closely during the recovery period for this surgery to make sure that the dog does not injure itself further.

Older Dogs

For older dogs, a Miami veterinarian clinic will likely prescribe medication to your dog to help alleviate the symptoms of the arthritis that has likely developed. This medication will reduce inflammation due to the excessive rubbing of the bones and will help to reduce the amount of pain your dog will feel in relation to the condition.

Dogs with hip dysplasia do not have to live in pain. A Miami veterinarian clinic can work with you to make sure that your pet is as comfortable as possible. Treating this condition early will help to avoid more problems in the future but even if it is not caught early, there are treatments that are available.