Hip Dysplasia-a Heart Breaking Disease.

Large breed dogs such as German Shepherds, Labrador and Golden Retrievers are all too often affected this potentially crippling disease. In the past, correction was costly and very surgically invasive. The School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, has perfected a technique that veterinarians and pet owners are warming up to - heating up the joint capsule surrounding the affected hip, and shrinking it.

The hip is a ball and socket joint. The ball of the leg bone is supposed to sit deeply in the socket. Hip dysplasia occurs when there is laxity in the joint and the ball is allowed to move abnormally. This movement eventually causes arthritic changes that can be so debilitating that a pet may need to be euthanized.

The new technique, called Juvenile Pubic Symphysidesis, uses radio frequency or heat to shrink the affected joint capsule. This causes the bone to rotate in a more normal position, and thereby greatly reduce the chances of degenerative joint changes in time. The procedure is performed on pups as young as 16 to 20 weeks of age.

Hip dysplasia is a congenital defect. Through careful breeding the incidence of this malady can be lessened. If you have a pup that is at risk, proper nutrition, and screening x-rays before the pet starts to show signs is recommended. See your veterinarian and find out what you can do to keep your dog as happy and healthy as possible. This is important because it is "Your Pet…Health Matters."