WHATS THE PROBLEM?

Hip or elbow dysplasia occurs when the hip or elbow joints fail to form properly in the growing dog. Large breeds, such as Labradors and Retrievers, Mastiffs, Great Danes and German Shepherd Dogs are commonly affected. Up to 40% of puppies may be affected in some breeds.

Because the joints are poorly formed, they suffer excessive wear and tear during the dog’s life and affected dogs develop osteoarthritis in middle age. Affected dogs commonly require treatment for their arthritis problems for the rest of their lives.

WHY DO JOINTS DEVELOP DYSPLASIA?

It is thought that these problems occur due to a combination of genetic risks, over-nutrition and, possibly, over-exertion.

GENETIC RISKS

Some families of dogs are very prone to joint problems. Hip and Elbow dysplasia often occur together suggesting a common cause for both conditions. The British Veterinary Association and the Kennel Club administer a scheme to x-ray dog’s hips or elbows and give them a “score” to assess their suitability for breeding. However, the genetic basis for these diseases is complex. A large number of genes involved with growth rate, skeletal development and body shape may interact to cause development of the disease.

OVER- NUTRITION: TOO MUCH TOO YOUNG

Slowing the growth rate of puppies has been shown to greatly decrease the risk of elbow and hip dysplasia. Over-nutrition results in increased body-weight, body fat content and muscle mass in the growing puppy. This results in overloading and distortion of the joints and may be a critical factor in the development of disease in those pups with an inherited predisposition.

THE ROLE OF EXERCISE

It is commonly recommended that puppies should have their exercise restricted in order to prevent joint problems. However, good evidence for this recommendation is lacking. Excessively restricting exercise has adverse effects on joint development. Normal body movements improve joint lubrication and nutrition and have positive benefits on cartilage metabolism.

SO HOW DO I PREVENT MY PUPPY GETTING DYSPLASIA?

CALORIE RESTRICTION – Standard puppy diets are formulated to be highly palatable with a high calorie content. Maximum calorie intake as a proportion of the puppy’s bodyweight occurs between 2-4 months of age and this period is thought to be critical for the development of joint problems. Although puppies can be fed less than recommended of a standard puppy diet, it is probably best to feed a special restricted calorie puppy diet.

We currently recommend feeding Hill’s Large Breed Growth Diet to all puppies at risk of developing the dysplasias. This diet is fed from the time of purchase through until one year of age. The diet is well accepted by puppies but is lower in calories and calcium than standard diets. It provides sufficient bulk to fill the puppy’s stomachs and prevent them being hungry. It is arguably the single best preventative measure that can be employed to protect your puppy developing hip or elbow dysplasia.

WEIGHT WATCHING – Watch the puppy’s weight. Although it is difficult to provide an estimate for what any puppy should weigh at any given age, all puppies should have a waist when viewed from above and you should be able to feel the ribs very easily. If you cannot, the puppy is overweight and it should be fed less.

Do not worry that the puppy won’t grow properly if fed less. Overfeeding causes an increases in bodyweight and body fat. Even with calorie restriction, the puppy’s skeleton will grow normally and the dog will grow to its full expected height and weight – it just takes longer.

EXERCISE RESTRICTION - Although there are no hard and fast rules as regarding the appropriate levels of exercise to give to growing pups, it may be best to limit strenuous exercise during the critical first four months of life. Gentle walks should be given to keep the puppy happy and stimulated and to help with socialisation. After four months of age, increasing amounts of low impact exercise, such as lead walking should be given. Exercise off the lead is a high impact exercise that may stress the joints. It is probably best to limit the amount of high impact exercise the puppy is given in the first year of life (one hour off the lead as a daily maximum ??). Exercise on sand or grass is lower impact than similar exercise on roads or tarmac. Ball games are particularly high impact and are probably best avoided in young, growing pups at risk of the dysplasias. If lameness occurs after any period of exercise this is a clear indicator that the puppy is over doing it.

CALCIUM - All commercially available diets are adequately supplied with calcium for normal bone growth. Feeding calcium to excess has been proven to increase the risk of developing bone and joint problems. Do not give vitamin or mineral supplements to growing puppies and do not feed milk beyond the baby puppy stage.

WHATS THE PROBLEM?

Hip or elbow dysplasia occurs when the hip or elbow joints fail to form properly in the growing dog. Large breeds, such as Labradors and Retrievers, Mastiffs, Great Danes and German Shepherd Dogs are commonly affected. Up to 40% of puppies may be affected in some breeds.

Because the joints are poorly formed, they suffer excessive wear and tear during the dog’s life and affected dogs develop osteoarthritis in middle age. Affected dogs commonly require treatment for their arthritis problems for the rest of their lives.

WHY DO JOINTS DEVELOP DYSPLASIA?

It is thought that these problems occur due to a combination of genetic risks, over-nutrition and, possibly, over-exertion.

GENETIC RISKS

Some families of dogs are very prone to joint problems. Hip and Elbow dysplasia often occur together suggesting a common cause for both conditions. The British Veterinary Association and the Kennel Club administer a scheme to x-ray dog’s hips or elbows and give them a “score” to assess their suitability for breeding. However, the genetic basis for these diseases is complex. A large number of genes involved with growth rate, skeletal development and body shape may interact to cause development of the disease.

OVER- NUTRITION: TOO MUCH TOO YOUNG

Slowing the growth rate of puppies has been shown to greatly decrease the risk of elbow and hip dysplasia. Over-nutrition results in increased body-weight, body fat content and muscle mass in the growing puppy. This results in overloading and distortion of the joints and may be a critical factor in the development of disease in those pups with an inherited predisposition.

THE ROLE OF EXERCISE

It is commonly recommended that puppies should have their exercise restricted in order to prevent joint problems. However, good evidence for this recommendation is lacking. Excessively restricting exercise has adverse effects on joint development. Normal body movements improve joint lubrication and nutrition and have positive benefits on cartilage metabolism.

SO HOW DO I PREVENT MY PUPPY GETTING DYSPLASIA?

CALORIE RESTRICTION – Standard puppy diets are formulated to be highly palatable with a high calorie content. Maximum calorie intake as a proportion of the puppy’s bodyweight occurs between 2-4 months of age and this period is thought to be critical for the development of joint problems. Although puppies can be fed less than recommended of a standard puppy diet, it is probably best to feed a special restricted calorie puppy diet.

We currently recommend feeding Hill’s Large Breed Growth Diet to all puppies at risk of developing the dysplasias. This diet is fed from the time of purchase through until one year of age. The diet is well accepted by puppies but is lower in calories and calcium than standard diets. It provides sufficient bulk to fill the puppy’s stomachs and prevent them being hungry. It is arguably the single best preventative measure that can be employed to protect your puppy developing hip or elbow dysplasia.

WEIGHT WATCHING – Watch the puppy’s weight. Although it is difficult to provide an estimate for what any puppy should weigh at any given age, all puppies should have a waist when viewed from above and you should be able to feel the ribs very easily. If you cannot, the puppy is overweight and it should be fed less.

Do not worry that the puppy won’t grow properly if fed less. Overfeeding causes an increases in bodyweight and body fat. Even with calorie restriction, the puppy’s skeleton will grow normally and the dog will grow to its full expected height and weight – it just takes longer.

EXERCISE RESTRICTION - Although there are no hard and fast rules as regarding the appropriate levels of exercise to give to growing pups, it may be best to limit strenuous exercise during the critical first four months of life. Gentle walks should be given to keep the puppy happy and stimulated and to help with socialisation. After four months of age, increasing amounts of low impact exercise, such as lead walking should be given. Exercise off the lead is a high impact exercise that may stress the joints. It is probably best to limit the amount of high impact exercise the puppy is given in the first year of life (one hour off the lead as a daily maximum ??). Exercise on sand or grass is lower impact than similar exercise on roads or tarmac. Ball games are particularly high impact and are probably best avoided in young, growing pups at risk of the dysplasias. If lameness occurs after any period of exercise this is a clear indicator that the puppy is over doing it.

CALCIUM - All commercially available diets are adequately supplied with calcium for normal bone growth. Feeding calcium to excess has been proven to increase the risk of developing bone and joint problems. Do not give vitamin or mineral supplements to growing puppies and do not feed milk beyond the baby puppy stage.