German Shepherd Hip Problems

German Shepherds are great dogs not only for law enforcement work, personal protection and of course as that ever faithful family dog. However, they can be very prone to several health issues. We will discuss those issues here so hopefully the dog you purchase will be healthy and live a long happy life.

Probably one of the most common and debilitating health issue that can be found in the German Shepherd is hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is actually an abnormal joint structure in the hip.

Hip dysplasia can be found in many different breeds of dogs. Usually it affects larger breed dogs like the GSD, Labrador Retrievers, Rottweiler's and other similar size dogs.

The symptoms can include a dog that walks and runs with an unusual gait. Quite often you will see them run with what you would call a "bunny hopping" type gait. An effected dog will sometimes show stiffness and pain in the rear leg or legs after exercise. Some dogs will have a hard time climbing stairs or even limp as well. Another sign is a dog that sits very slowly.

One good question you may be thinking is what causes this ailment. There are several different factors that can cause hip dysplasia and even make it worse. These factors include genetics, nutrition and exercise.

If you think that your dog may possibly be suffering from this ailment it can be diagnosed by having your vet x-ray the hips. Your dog will have to be sedated and put to sleep so it can be positioned properly. Your vet can also send the x-rays to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals ( OFA ) for a full determination. However if you see symptoms your vet will be able to diagnose it without the help of OFA.

The next question is how can it be treated. Depending on the severity it can be treated surgically and also medically with various oral medications or injections. Of course weight management and the proper type of exercise is very important.

Liquid Glocosamine (Vegetarian)

So the last question is how can it be prevented in your dog? Veterinarian researchers agree that to prevent dysplasia selective breeding is a must. Your puppy should have parents that have both been OFA'd after the age of 24 months. I would never purchase a puppy from a breeder that does not OFA their breeding stock. Keep in mind that getting a puppy whose parents are OFA'd will greatly reduce the chance of hip dysplasia but will not guarantee that it never has it...

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?German-Shepherd-Hip-Problems&id=8633716

Dogs and Arthritis

Arthritis, or osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease, is a condition in which the smooth cartilage that covers and protects the ends of your dog's bones begins to wear away. When this happens it leaves the bones exposed and, on the ends of joints where the bones meet, they begin to rub against each other. This makes the condition very painful and causes inflammation. The condition often worsens as your dog gets older.

Arthritis can occur as a result of normal wear and tear on a joint and progresses as your dog ages. This is known as primary degenerative joint disease. It's not unusual for many older dogs to have some small amount of arthritis as they reach their senior years. They may move stiffly when they first get up. They may feel the cold a little more. They may have a little trouble getting up and down from their naps. Your dog will probably find it harder to use stairs.

Arthritis can also occur as the result of other conditions that affect your dog's joints such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. These conditions can show up even when your dog is quite young. This is called secondary degenerative joint disease. These problems can be the result of heredity, conformation, trauma, repetitive actions such as too much exercise on hard road surfaces, and so on.

Any dog who is born with a predisposition toward a joint problem will be more likely to develop arthritis at some point in his life. This would include dogs with poor conformation (such as poor hip joints), and dogs who come from families with other dogs who have had a lot of arthritis or hip dysplasia. Any dog who has had an injury to a joint will also be more likely to develop arthritis.

Symptoms of arthritis will vary depending on the dog, the dog's age, the joints involved and the severity of the disease. The first thing most owners will notice is a change in the dog's gait. Dogs will usually try to avoid putting weight on the affected joint. There may be some muscle atrophy in the affected limb since the dog won't be using it as much. For example, if your dog has hip dysplasia in both hind legs, your dog's hind legs may begin to look thinner. He may begin to rely more on his front legs and shoulders to pull himself along so he can avoid using his rear legs as much.

Your dog may also show some changes in appetite if he is experiencing any pain. He may be touchy and irritable with other dogs in the household. In most cases the joints will not be swollen. Instead, the pain will be dull and aching so your dog won't cry out or let you know that he's hurting. Many dogs will seek out warm, soft places to sleep.

These changes may come about gradually so you may not notice them or you may attribute them to advancing age. However, if you call them to your vet's attention he or she will likely be able to confirm that your dog does have arthritis with a few tests.

In extreme cases arthritis can be treated surgically. This would include hip replacement. In most cases dogs are treated with medication for pain management.

Arthritis is usually a progressive disease but it can be mild or severe, depending on the dog. Your dog may only experience mild arthritis or he may have moderate or severe problems. Watch him and consult with your vet about treatment.

Liquid Glucosamine (Vegetarian)

Liquid Glucosamine for small dogs

Painful Arthritis can be eased in many cases by giving a glucosamine supplement to your dog.

Source:https://ezinearticles.com/?Dogs-and-Arthritis&id=8150991