Hip dysplasia in Golden Retrievers is a disorder that can range from mildly uncomfortable to totally debilitating.
Active sporting dogs, such as Goldens, are more prone to this disease than smaller, less active dogs. It's actually one of the most common inherited conditions in large breed dogs.
The word dysplasia means abnormal development, and was first diagnosed in the 1930s.
Hip dysplasia is caused by looseness in the hip joint that prevents the ball at the top of the thighbone from fitting tightly into the socket in the hip.
The loose fit of the ball-and-socket joint causes the ball to move in and out of the socket, which is a form of trauma.
This trauma causes inflammation and further damage to the joint.
Because the hip joint doesn't work correctly, it's prone to develop arthritis.
It also tends to worsen with age and excessive weight gain.
Hip dysplasia in Golden Retrievers can affect one or both sides of a dog.
It can be aggravated by rapid growth, excessive nutritional supplementation, and obesity.
Extra stress on the joints during a dog's developmental stages (often caused by lots of jumping and running on slick floors or concrete) can also worsen the problem.
The condition covers a broad range of severity that includes mild, moderate, and severe dysplasia.
A severe case can make it difficult for a dog just to get outside to relieve himself.
Even mild hip dysplasia can cause painful arthritis in a sedentary companion animal, although some dysplastic dogs manage to live normal, active lives.
You can't always spot hip dysplasia in Golden Retrievers by watching them walk. In fact, some affected dogs don't show any symptoms until they're several years old.Signs of the disorder don't generally appear at all until a dog is at least five months old.
Some common symptoms of hip dysplasia in dogs are: Difficulty walking Difficulty getting up from lying down or sitting Difficulty going up and down stairs Looks like he's swaying when he runs Difficulty jumping Doesn't like having his rear legs and hip area touched Tends to sit with both legs together on one side of his body Moves both rear legs together in the characteristic "bunny hop" when running (to keep the pressure off the weak joint)
Hip dysplasia can only be properly diagnosed by x-ray. The best age for a definite diagnosis is between 12 and 18 months.
If x-rays do confirm hip dysplasia, there are several options you can discuss with your veterinarian.
The treatment he'll recommend will depend on the severity of the symptoms.
In mild cases, weight control, moderate exercise, and pain relievers as needed may be enough to keep symptoms under control.
In more severe cases, surgery to correct hip dysplasia can be performed, which will repair some of the damage. And in very serious cases, the hips can actually be replaced with Teflon hips.
Most mild and moderate hip dysplasia in Golden Retrievers can be properly managed to allow the affected dogs to lead relatively normal lives. Here are some ways to make a dysplastic dog more comfortable:
Keep your dog at a healthy weight to avoid putting stress and strain on a joint that's already compromised. Avoid rapid growth spurts during adolescence by working with your vet to monitor your young dog's size and weight. Help your dog get reasonable amounts of moderate exercise--especially swimming--to help keep him mobile and limber. Don't be afraid to ask your vet for pain relievers if your dog is in obvious discomfort. It's all about quality of life, after all.Avoid extreme physical stress from sports involving lots of jumping or jarring, like disk catching or flyball.
Those workouts wouldn't be a problem for a dog with normal hips, but hip dysplasia in Golden Retrievers can sideline an athletic-minded dog in a hurry.
It's always a good idea to have your dog checked out by a vet before starting any new sport or activity, anyway.
And if your Golden Retriever is diagnosed with hip dysplasia, you'll want to switch gears to pursue more gentle activities, like walking and swimming.
Our Goldens are precious--treat them with lots of tender, loving care!
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