HIP DYSPLASIA

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What Is Hip Dysplasia?	Hip dysplasia is a malformation of the hip joint where the "ball" (head of the femur) doesn't fit properly into the "socket" (acetabulum). ...Until the dog is six months old, the joint is made up of soft cartilage. The key to developing the disease appears to be laxity or looseness of the ligaments and muscles that hold the joint together. If the joint becomes loose or "subluxed," the "ball" will slip in and out of the "socket" during play, while running and even walking. Since the joint is made of soft cartilage until six months of age, it causes the ball and socket to flatten out. "The most critical time in the development of the coxofemoral joint is from birth to 60 days of age . . . At 6 months of age, function, tissue strength, and ossification have progressed sufficiently to prevent the disease under usual circumstances."(1) Once flattened, it will harden that way, and the joint will never fit properly again. The improper fit will cause the joint to wear unevenly, which damages the smooth cartilage lining of the joint which allows smooth movement. When this natural lubricating surface is worn away, scar tissue builds up. Sooner or later calcium deposits and even bony spurs (arthritis) develop, depending on the severity.
Is Hip Dysplasia Hereditay?	Studies of several breeds in Europe, where hips are required to be graded, indicate the problem is approximately 70% hereditary and 30% environmental. Hereditary traits include breadth and slope of the pelvis, angulation of the hip joint, ligamentation, and muscle mass. Dogs with a slightly sloped, broad pelvis, normal angulation, tight ligamentation, and good muscle mass seem to have the best hips. Dogs bred to have exaggerated angulation in the hindquarters, extreme pelvic slope, or are poorly muscled, poorly angulated, and narrow in the hips seem more predisposed. (2)
Nutrition And Hip Dysplasia	Many conscientious dog breeders and pet owners may be bringing on some of the bone and joint problems seen today by overnutrition. "More recently studies with dogs have clearly demonstrated the adverse effects of high or unrestricted levels of nutrient intake on growth rate and on the development of degenerative skeletal diseases such as hip dysplasia and osteochondritis." (3)
What Can I Do To Help Prevent Hip Dysplasia?	1. Feed a good quality food, we recommend a "large breed" formula which helps maintain a healthy growth rate. Keep in mind too much of a "good thing" is a bad thing.  Calcium: The ideal calcium content, on a dry weight basis is 0.7%-1.2%-. AAFCO Dietary Fat: should be no less than 9% (AAFCO recommendation) to maximum of 12% on a dry weight basis. Protein: As a percent of diet on a dry weight basis should range between 15%- 27% (AAFCO recommends minumum of 22%  2. follow vet guidelines for healthy weight.  Not only does obesity increase the risk of developing hip dysplasia  it also puts your companion at risk of many other health related problems. Avoid obesity, in young dogs avoid providing "free choice" feeding and thus reduce the rate of growth. Feeding a fixed meal 2-3 times daily may help reduce the rate of growth.   If your puppy is under 6 months old, feed three times daily and allow him to ingest as much as he wants but for a limited time (e.g.only ten minutes)! If your puppy is between 6 months and maturity, feed only two times daily, and allow him to ingest as much as he wants, but again, for only a limited time.. 3. Plenty of evidence exists to show that there is a genetic predisposition for hip dysplasia.  Adopt your puppy from a breeder with health certifications and an awareness of the Golden Retriever Breed.

(1)  W.H. Riser "The dog as a model for study of Hip Dysplasia," Journ of Vet Path vol 12, pp. 234-334

(2)  Joseph P. Weigel DVM and Jack F. Wasserman Ph.D. Vet Clin: Sm Anim Pract Vol 22, no. 3, pp. 513-528

(3)  G. Lust, P. Farrell, and B. Sheff, "The Development of degnerative hip joint disease in young dogs: Models        for Osteoarthritis, Pitman Medical  Books, London,