Hip Dysplasia In German Shepherds: Preventions, Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment!!!

“Health is wealth” is a well-known proverb and as dog owners we always want our pets to remain healthy all the time and get a lot of love from them. The majority of you might be more concerned about German Shepherds’ hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia, these two words generally make afraid most large breed dog owners but you should know the fact any dog breed can be affected by this disease no matter their size or what size have.

Hip dysplasia causes excruciating discomfort and significantly shortens the lifespan of all dog breeds, including German Shepherds. Despite affecting smaller dog breeds as well, it is a prevalent skeletal issue that is especially common among larger breeds.

Being a dog owner it is very painful to see our pets suffering from such a painful disease. However, it is also true that “learning is the best policy” and that you should be aware of hip dysplasia.

It will be a great educational post for animal lovers to learn how German Shepherds become susceptible to this illness as well as many others.

This article will educate you on hip dysplasia, including its causes, signs, symptoms, available treatments, and preventative steps you can take to ensure the German Shepherd dog lives a healthy and happy life.

Let’s explore the current hot topic of German Shepherd hip dysplasia.

Table of Contents

What Is Hip Dysplasia In German Shepherds?

German Shepherds are known for many good reasons, they are full of energy, and athletic good companions but you should also consider the health issues they face and make them unhealthy. Here, we’re referring hip dysplasia, which primarily affects large breeds of dogs. But the major query on your mind must be, “What is German Shepherd hip dysplasia?”

Hip dysplasia, or faulty hip socket development, is a condition that affects German Shepherds and other dog breeds and eventually leads to lameness and joint arthritis. Hip dysplasia among German Shepherds or other large breeds generally occurs during growth. During the growth period, both the ball i.e thighbone, and the socket in the pelvis don’t grow equally, as they face laxity of the joint followed by degenerative joint disease.

Due to a deformed socket that may cause instability, pain, discomfort, or any other symptoms that we will describe later in this piece, your dog may not be able to sit deeply within due to hip dysplasia.

Many researchers claim that hip dysplasia appears highly common in large dog breeds, it can also afflict smaller breeds, and German Shepherds frequently hobble because of problems with their hind legs.

What Are The Causes Of Hip Dysplasia In German Shepherds?

Dog’s hip dysplasia is hereditary and usually comes from their parents, as is the case with a German Shepherd. Though it is very common in large dogs it affects smaller breeds also. Being a German Shepherd owner you should know the actual causes behind hip dysplasia among German Shepherd dogs.

Hip dysplasia among German Shepherds or other dog breeds is generally caused by a femur that does not fit properly into the socket or maybe poorly developed muscles in the pelvic area. It is also considered a genetic disease that comes from parents to their children. Inadequate nutrition or weight, inappropriate exercise, an abnormal growth rate, and other factors can all contribute to hip dysplasia.

Improper nutrition is also one of the significant reasons for getting hip dysplasia in your canine. Hip dysplasia can develop in an obese German Shepherd dog because of the excessive stress placed on its joints. Various environmental factors may be the other causes behind hip dysplasia in which German Shepherd puppies grow up.

Let’s quickly review these environmental elements that can make German Shepherds more susceptible to hip dysplasia:

Wrong Or Excessive Exercise
Joint Laxity
Weight

Wrong or Excessive Exercise:

The wrong or excessive exercise undertaken by our GSD pups is one of the environmental factors that can lead to hip dysplasia. The best time for the growth and development of hip joints in GSD pups is from their birth to 8 weeks old.

Exercise make our German Shepherds more active as it strengthens the leg and pelvis muscles which increases the stability of the hip joint. At the same time, you need to be very careful in providing them with the relevant exercises for which their muscles or body parts will become strong as there are different exercises for strengthening different parts of their muscles.

You should also provide them with a great surface that provides them a grip to hold their paws to exercise as providing their exercises on slippery or hard surfaces will lead to a greater chance to develop hip dysplasia in them.

Joint Laxity:

The main environmental element causing hip dysplasia in German Shepherds is joint laxity. The femur may not fit into the hip socket properly due to damaged or destroyed ligaments, resulting in joint laxity.

Additionally, trauma, obesity, quick growth, or weakened muscles can all contribute to the development of these joint disorders.

As we all know German Shepherds come under the category of highly energetic breeds and want to play most of the time, no doubt they will face injury more often.

Slipping on uneven ground, jumping off walls, climbing stairs, or engaging in any excessive physical activity that puts pressure on joints can all result in injury.

Weight:

Numerous studies indicate that weight is a significant contributing factor to your dog’s hip dysplasia. German Shepherds are more likely to develop hip dysplasia due to obesity, which is the primary cause. GSD puppies that are bigger at birth and those that grow quickly may end up becoming overweight.

To avoid canine hip dysplasia, the owners should avoid excessive eating and follow strict diet plans especially when they are in the growing stage. Feeding high-quality meals is always beneficial for them but excessive eating can cause some serious problems. At the same time, you should also know human foods that our German Shepherd can eat.

To get more information about this, you can go through our trending post: 20 Human foods can German shepherd eat and what to avoid? A Complete Guide:

One of the trending topics related to the feeding of the 20 Fruits A German Shepherd Can Eat and 6 To Avoid which you will find very helpful to you. oh yeah!! feeding fruits is always a great idea but there are some of them that you should not feed them.

Symptoms Of Hip Dysplasia In German Shepherd

A good German Shepherd owner spends a lot of time with their pets so as do you. If any German Shepherd is not comfortable walking or sitting due to some reason maybe they might have hip issues as they show some signs which you have to observe.

German Shepherds with hip dysplasia will display signs like limping, favoring one leg, lameness in the back limb, wobbling, weakness, and pain. They may also lose interest in playing and jumping.

The sign for hip dysplasia can be seen when our German Shepherd is as young as four months of age while the rest develop it as they become older.

If you are the owner of a GSD then you must know the common symptoms however these symptoms may vary depending on the severity of the disease and how long a German Shepherd suffers from hip dysplasia.

Here are some other hip dysplasia symptoms that may also relate to German Shepherd hip problems :

Unwillingness to stand up, leap, run, or climb stairs: Our German Shepherd will not want to jump or rise from its sitting position or even face problems in climbing the stairs.
The back end is lame: In such conditions, German Shepherds may be limping with their hind leg and may favor their other leg most of the time.
Joint incoherence: Our German Shepherd may feel pain while standing up due to looseness in their joints.
Reduction in thigh muscle mass: There will be a loss of muscle in the thigh muscle of a dog as a result their body tone will look weaker.
Loss of interest in Play: Our German Shepherd will face loss of doing any activities like playing with you or others.
Pain: They can go through a lot of pain as result they will show some irritation or even bark at you.
Soreness while getting out of bed: If they are in a rest position and wanna get up all of a sudden there will be confusion in their mind as they will be uncomfortable getting up.
Bunny hopping gait: Our German Shepherd is in a lot of pain, and their lower half is losing strength, therefore this will provide you a clear sign.
Aggression: Because of the pain our German Shepherd is facing they will be irritated and will show aggression most of the time by excessive barking or in the worst case they can bite also.
Decreased range of motion: There will be decreased range of motion in our German Shepherd as they would prefer short running, they may feel energy less and deny running.

It is well said “prevention is better than cure”, so we must look at the preventive measure we can take to avoid hip dysplasia in our German Shepherd.

How To Prevent Hip Dysplasia In Your German Shepherd?

Every breed is affected by the illness known as hip dysplasia. We are all aware that hip dysplasia among German Shepherds can be of two types: genetic and environmental. So it’s better to take preventive measures for preventing hip dysplasia among dogs. As it is a genetic problem we should first try to prevent these hereditary causes.

Let’s quickly examine how we might stop their inherited cause.

Preventing From Bad Breeding Techniques:

Stopping bad breeding methods is the main step in preventing hip dysplasia. The breeding must not be done with dogs that are suffering from genetic predisposition as they can transmit genetic defects which can not be shown as symptoms at earlier stages. You must be sure of proper screening before the breeding of a German Shepherd.

Since hip dysplasia would be a genetic disorder, the problem with it begins with the breeder. Consult reputable and experienced dog breeders, such as national kennel associations, to choose a reputable breeder.

“Always seek advice from a trustworthy breeder who can check both parents’ hips for health, and never buy puppies from a breeder who won’t confirm such information”.
thepetsandcage

Prevention From Environmental Causes:

You must be aware of environmental factors that are responsible for hip dysplasia among German Shepherds. Let’s talk about how environmental influences can be avoided in GSD pups very early on.

Hip dysplasia can be easily prevented in German Shepherds by keeping their bones and joints healthy and of course maintaining their good weight. By feeding them high-quality food without any added calcium, they can prevent them from growing rapidly.

However, you may also follow the other preventative measures to avoid hip dysplasia in your GSD.

Avoid excessive exercise as it should be done in a short period.
Avoid slippery or hard surfaces and stairs.
German Shepherds can avoid growing too quickly by eating a diet high in protein and low in fat.
With no additional calcium or phosphorus in their diets, their hips can grow abnormally.
Play should be done for short intervals as continuous play will affect the joints of your developing pups.
Playing rough must be avoided because it could result in catastrophic damage.
Provide German Shepherd pups with comfortable bedding.
If you see any lameness in your GSD, you must allow a proper screening and an x-ray for hip dysplasia.

Since not all hip dysplasia can be prevented, the best course of action for German Shepherds is to take preventive measures. You must conduct thorough research as a responsible German Shepherd owner to welcome healthy puppies into your home.

How To Treat Hip Dysplasia In Your German Shepherd?

Hip dysplasia affects the majority of dogs, however, in this case, we’re talking about our German Shepherd. If your GSD suffers from hip dysplasia even after taking the preventive measures then you do have not to worry anymore. It’s very fortunate to treat this issue in many ways reducing the pain they face during this period.

Treatment options for German Shepherds with hip dysplasia include anti-inflammatory drugs and joint supplements like glucosamine. Additionally, physiotherapy, weight loss, and hydrotherapy can be used to treat it. Surgery may be used to treat them in more severe cases.

Your vets may not recommend surgery if your canine friend is not serious rather they will prefer a non-surgical approach and medication. Let’s go through their non-surgical approach.

Weight Reduction Approach:

Your veterinarians will prefer to get a German Shepherd to its ideal weight and size in this method to prevent stress on the hips after weight loss.

Exercise Restriction Method:

This very method prefers you to provide limited exercise to your dog as you will be told to avoid hard and slippery surfaces. Exercise is always meant to let them fit and not get injured.

Physical therapy:

Physical therapy is another non-surgical technique your vets would recommend as it all the joints to function smoothly and it also works as relief in pain.

Anti-inflammatory medications:

This kind of medication is used to assist relieve swelling, stiffness, and joint problems since it is quite beneficial to German Shepherds and provides them with immediate relief.

Joint fluid modifiers:

These anti-inflammatory drugs have been proven scientifically to reduce pain and inflammation in the joint. If our German Shepherd does not tolerate one medication, your vets easily prescribe another. Joint fluid modifiers have a variable rate of efficiency and are helpful.

Joint supplements:

Joint supplements are among the safe treatments that reduce inflammation and pain. It also improves function and slows the progression of joint damage. Joint supplements include glucosamine and chondroitin, and Parnell’s Glyde Mobility Chews are also popular.

Surgical Option:

When a German Shepherd may be gravely damaged and cannot be treated non-surgically, surgical alternatives are the last resort. If German Shepherds are appropriate surgical candidates, your veterinarians may employ a few surgical procedures to treat hip dysplasia in those animals.

Here are some of the surgical strategies your vets may prefer:

DPO/TPO, or Double Or Triple Pelvic Osteotomy:

Generally, a young GSD that is less than 10 months older is the victim of this surgery. During DPO/TPO surgery, a specific area of the pelvic bone is cut to improve the way the ball and socket joints work. This surgery technique brings instant relief to German Shepherds.

Femoral head ostectomy (FHO):

Femoral head ostectomy (FHO) can be done on younger as well as matured German Shepherds. This procedure removes the pelvic bone or ball from the hip joint, creating an artificial joint that lessens pain in German Shepherd Dogs caused by hip dysplasia. FHO is particularly effective at easing the pain that German Shepherds with hip dysplasia endure.

Total hip replacement (THR):

The most effective method utilized by vets is THR. Your veterinarian or surgeon replaces the entire joint during this procedure with metal or plastic grafts. This very technique allows a German Shepherd to bring back to the normal functionality of its hip joints as it also reduces all the discomforts that your dog suffers from hip dysplasia.

Hip dysplasia can’t be ignored and you should meet your vet as soon as possible. They will start their treatment by performing a physical examination and trying to know the reason behind the discomfort your canine is facing due to hip dysplasia. Being a professional they do the needful for your GSD to bring normal life but as a good dog owner, you should also take care of them physically and mentally.

Final Thoughts:

Dogs can develop hip dysplasia at any stage of their lives, making it one of the more prevalent health issues they face. Taking good care of German Shepherds allows them to be fit and avoid hip dysplasia. It can be treated depending on the situation and severity.

Here is a quick review of this post:

Hip dysplasia among German Shepherds is treatable by non-surgical technique or surgical techniques, depending on the seriousness of the injury.
Always provide your dog with nutritional meals that are appropriate for its growth.
Avoid their overweight as you may take suggestions from the professional.
Avoid excessive exercise so that extra strain on their muscle is prohibited.
Always buy GSD pups after proper screening is done by a genuine professional.
Use genuine supplements passed by FCA.
Meet your vets at regular intervals of time.