A common growing disease, which affects dogs of almost every breed is hip dysplasia. This disease is characterized by the poor formation of the hip joints on younger, developing dogs. It is common place to find unsteady hip joints on larger adult dogs. However, hip dysplasia is a more serious ailment that may seriously hinder the physical activity of a Golden Retriever. Hip dysplasia is mostly an inherited disease, although this fact escapes most pet owners.
The evidence or symptoms of hip dysplasia are very difficult to uncover and detect on puppies of the Golden Retriever breed. However, the disease will become evident, if present, by the age of nine months. Regardless of your efforts to take your dog to the veterinarian and have him look for this disease on your puppy, he will probably recommend patience, since the puppy will need to grow and develop somewhat in order for him to be able to diagnose the presence of this disease.
The initial signs of hip dysplasia vary, although the most common are always crippling and the inability to walk straight. There is a possibility that the dog may improve, once being affected by this disease. He may be able to grow stronger muscles, stabilize the hip joints and the inflammation may come down as he becomes more mature. Be warned, however, that dogs who have suffered from hip dysplasia at some point in their growth and development, are more likely to suffer from arthritis when they are older.
Retriever dogs that have fallen victim of hip dysplasia are labeled unfit for breeding, but they can still live a full and happy life. Your veterinarian may be able to prescribe a number of drugs available in the market today, to help your dog with the disease. Treatment with these drugs consists in controlling the pet’s weight and easing the pain associated with hip dysplasia.
Most Golden Retrievers affected with hip dysplasia won’t show any signs of the disease until they are a few years old. It is only past a certain age, when their muscles and joints start to wear down and they begin to show the signs of the disease. Even if your dog is active, and behaves normally be playing his everyday dog games, the presence of this disease will begin to slow him down after a few years and make him look as he where a victim of arthritis.
In order to avoid the pain associated with this disease, pet owners have surgical options available to them. Typically, Golden Retrievers can withstand a great deal of pain, and won’t show signs of being in pain even if they actually are. X Ray results, limping and walking in slow motion are sure evidence that your dog is in pain, and that it is time for action. Speak to your veterinarian about this disease, and try to learn more about what your options are. Remember, your pet is not playing dog games, and won’t tell you it hurts, he is relying on you to know better and perform whatever action is necessary to ease the situation.
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