Hip dysplasia is an abnormal forming of the hip joint, also known as the ball and socket joint. The joint that connects the pelvis to the long bone of the back leg. This can cause arthritis in that joint and it can cause a dog to be stiff and to have pain and difficulty getting around.
Hip dysplasia is usually present from birth, but oftentimes, we don’t see the signs until later. In that case, it can seem that the dog was normal one day and abnormal the next. It can be scary when it happens, but many times a dog's hip can simply pop out of joint, or they subluxate their hip joint.
There are several things that you can do to try and prevent hip dysplasia in your dog, or any dog that you are considering adopting or bringing into your home, especially puppies. Learn about some of the things that you can do to prevent hip dysplasia.
Hip dysplasia does not necessarily cause any disease in front legs, so it does not cause any developmental problems in the formation of any of the joints in the front legs. However, with severe hip dysplasia, a dog does not want to use their hind legs at all because it hurts.
Swimming is an excellent exercise for dogs with hip dysplasia. It strengthens muscles and improves circulation. Click to learn more great exercises for your dog!
Did you know that dogs can have back problems just like humans? It’s true! Bulging discs cause pain and loss of neurological function in both dogs and people. Read about how you can ease your dog's Intervertebral Disc Disease.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is considered to be the number one cause of chronic pain in dogs. According to the literature, at least 20% of dogs suffer from OA. Maybe your dog has been diagnosed with OA, and you are wondering what to do, or where to get more information.
Regenerative medicine is one of the fastest growing areas of research and development in veterinary medicine for the treatment of osteoarthritis, and if you have a dog who is suffering from arthritis or joint pain, then you need to know about it!
A cancer diagnosis for your dog can be downright scary—especially when you don’t know what to expect. Big Barker’s consulting vet, Dr. Sarah Wooten, recently had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Sue Ettinger (aka Dr. Sue the Cancer Vet) about osteosarcoma and you could learn more about their conversation.
We understand how heartbreaking it is when your dog is diagnosed with arthritis. Your formerly happy, exuberant pup may be increasingly grumpy, hesitant to play or walk, or have trouble finding a comfortable sleeping position.
