Hereditary Orthopedic Diseases in Dogs

Do you ever read about a dog breed and discover that a particular breed can be prone to a number of diseases - most of which you can’t understand? Are you in the process of choosing a dog and you want to know which breed-specific hereditary disease that the breeder should have screened out in the breeding stock?

Enlarge Image Most breeders spend a lot of time and resources trying to get rid of genetic diseases in their lines. However, some amateur breeders and puppy mills are breeding dogs without screening the parents and perpetuating poor genetic health.

This article is not exhaustive but will attempt to describe some common hereditary musculoskeletal diseases and indicate some of the dog breeds that have shown a tendency to inherit these diseases in the past. Since so many dogs have inherited orthopedic problems, these disorders are extremely well researched and studied. If you want to check on a particular dog breed you can go to my Directory of Breed of Dogs and search on a particular breed for its health issues.

There are a number of common inherited diseases for which reputable breeders screen their breeding stock. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) has specialists evaluate X-rays, DNA, thyroid, cardiac and other tests and register the results. A prospective pure-bred puppy buyer should ask to see the OFA results for the dog’s sire and dam.

Chondrodysplasia or dwarfism in the legs is a disease that causes malformation of the carpal and radius bones of the front legs resulting in a stunted and bowed look. Puppies born with this disease do not show any signs until they grow older. The disease can be painful and often the only choice is to euthanize the dog. This disease is most common in the Alaskan malamute and the Beagle.

Elbow dysplasia is a hereditary disease in which the elbow joints of the front legs are malformed. Lameness usually makes its appearance around 7 to 10 months of age and is treated by anti-inflammatories and also surgery. All breeds are susceptible to the disease but it is most common in large male breeds. These breeds include the: Basset hound, Bernese mountain dog, Bloodhound, Bouvier des Flandres, Chow Chow, German shepherd, Golden retriever, Great Pyrenees, Irish wolfhound, Labrador retriever, Mastiff, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard and Weimaraner.

Hip dysplasia is a disorder that results when there is a loose fit of the ‘ball and socket’ hip joint and the ball may continuously slide part way out of the socket. Over time this will cause osteoarthritis in the joint and the dog will become lame and weak in the hind end. Some relief can be found with the use of nutriceuticals such as glucosamine and chondroitin, and anti-inflammatories. Some cases are so bad that the dog must have surgery or be euthanized. Ensuring that your dog isn’t overfed and overweight can delay the onset of hip dysplasia. Larger breeds that grow fastest during the first four months seem to be more prone to this disease. Hip dysplasia is the most common inherited orthopedic disease in large and giant breeds and many medium-sized breeds as well.

Legg-Calve-Perthes is a disease of the hip joint where the ball or head of the femur deteriorates and causes pain and lameness in the hind leg. This disease usually affects young small dogs aged from 4 to 12 months. This condition is successfully treated by surgery. This disorder can affect all terriers, Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, Miniature pinscher, Miniature poodles, Pugs and Toy poodles.

Panosteitis or ‘pano’ is a common condition which suddenly causes lameness in a growing puppy or adolescent dog. The lameness is a result of inflammation of the long bones of the front and hind legs and can be mild to severe. A veterinarian will probably prescribe pain medication and ask you to restrict exercise. Affected puppies usually grow out of the condition as they mature. It is most common in male medium- to giant-sized dog breeds which include the: Afghan Hound, Basset hound, Doberman pinscher, German shepherd, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Labrador retriever and Rottweiler.

Luxating Patella (Patellar luxation) or slipped stifle is a hereditary condition where the knee cap slips out of its groove. In some cases, the kneecap will slip back into place while in other cases; a veterinarian may need to put it back in place. If it is not corrected through surgery, then osteoarthritis will usually result. The condition is quite prevalent in toy breeds. It is commonly seen in the Affenpinscher, Australian terrier, Basset hound, Boston terrier, Chihuahua, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, English Toy Spaniel, Maltese, Papillon, Pekingese, Pomeranian, Poodle (miniature and toy) and Lhasa Apso.

There are many more hereditary diseases that are prevalent in a number of dog breeds. Contact your breed’s national breed club for a list of the most common inherited genetic diseases.

By mike mathews Published: 2/24/2006

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The Art of Managing Joint Pain

How to manage your dog’s Arthritic condition

One day while playing with Brandy, my Akita-Sheppard age 12, I noticed that it was harder for her to run around and chase the ball. At the time I thought nothing of it, but the next day when I went to get her ready for her nightly walk I realized that she had a mild case of arthritis. She didn’t jump right up to greet me as she normally would she had a hard time getting up from her bed, but once she was up she was ready to go. Brandy like many dogs at her age has or are starting to experience this painful journey through Osteoarthritis.

What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the largest cause of pain in dogs. A study sponsored by Pfizer estimates about 20% of adult dogs may be affected by arthritis. According to Veterinarians, Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease involving one or more joints in a dog’s body. It often shows up in middle-aged or older dogs. OA isn’t just an old dog’s disease, nor is it mandatory that all dogs will have OA. OA is generally triggered by the excessive wear in one or more joints, but dogs that have joint irregularities are also likely to develop arthritis in the affected joint as well.

Does my dog have OA?
Osteoarthritis is often noticed when the animal is very stiff and finds movement difficult following rest or sleep but will improve once they start to move around. Sometimes the problem comes to light when a dog is less able to jump into the car or go up stairs, even their favorite chair may become a struggle to reach. Dogs do not often cry out in pain when affected with arthritis but they may become irritable, nervous and less active generally because they are in chronic pain. If your dog shows any of these signs or just seems to be slowing down and getting old, it is time to see your local vet for a checkup to verify if your dog does indeed has this condition.

Is there a cure for OA?
Currently there is no cure for Osteoarthritis. Although there is no cure there are ways to help ease the pain making it more comfortable for your pet.

Dietary Supplements
One of the ways to help slow the progression of OA is through supplements. Supplements that contain ingredients such as Glucosamine sulfate, Chondroitin sulfate, Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), DL-Phenylalanine (DLPA), Fish Oil , and Avocado/Soybean Unsaponifiables (ASU) are great to treat the pain of OA. These ingredients have been proven to better able fight off the damaging effect of OA. However, not all supplement manufacturers use the same quality ingredients. So to ensure you get your money’s worth, stick to recommended products such as Cosequin by Nutramax Labs. JointMax and ReMATRIX by Pet Health Solutions is another good manufacturer. Finally Glyco-Flex III from Vetri-Science Labs has had great success in this field.

Pharmaceuticals
Another way to help your dog’s OA is through Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAID). NSAID is nearly part of every veterinarian’s weapons to defend against pain when supplements are no longer an effective means. There are only a few NSAIDs approved by the FDA for the use in dog and only can be prescribed by your vet. These NSAIDs are Rimadyl, Metacam, Deramaxx, Previcox, and Zubrin. While NSAIDs are very effective they do carry side-effects, including damage to the gastrointestinal tract.

 
Looking beyond OA
Canine OA has long been a problem for most dogs since the beginning of time. The difference now is that vets are more knowledgeable about recognizing the sign. Everyday there is advancement in the research of OA and more options are available to us to help our dog live a longer better life with OA.

To find out which treatment may help call us 1-800-889-8967 or for more information on this subject or any additional pet health articles please visit www.entirelypets.com

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Arthritis in Dogs

There is no known cure for arthritis but it is possible to get considerable relief for your dog. Check out the possible dangers of some drugs which are available.

Arthritis in Dogs Arthritis is probably the most common serious condition affecting dogs (about one in four or five) and one of the most difficult to treat. Unfortunately, there is currently no known cure for arthritis - in dogs or humans! Numerous tests and clinical trials have been carried out but with no cure at present. So, beware anyone who claims to have a "Cure".

However, there are various remedies available which can give some relief, to a greater or lesser extent .. as can be seen by the large number of products on offer.
There is a problem in that many of the remedies available carry some sort of disadvantage, particularly regarding some of the anti-inflammatory drugs currently in use.

These are some of the Dangers:

Look at any forum or message board on this subject and Rimadyl and Carprofen are mentioned frequently, in a negative context. Serious side effects are worryingly frequent and in some cases can be fatal. The website of The US Food and Drug Administration states…

"Today, a new generation of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is bringing relief to millions of dogs with joint problems or with pain after surgery. "NSAIDs are extremely effective for controlling pain and inflammation in dogs," says Stephen F. Sundlof, D.V.M., Ph.D., director of the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM). "These are very valuable drugs that help many pets live to a ripe old age." But like any drugs, NSAIDs carry a risk of side effects, or adverse reactions. Most adverse reactions are mild, but some may be serious, especially if the drugs are not used according to labeled directions.

Some reactions result in permanent damage or even death

"It’s important for pet owners to be aware of the risks and benefits of all drugs, including NSAIDs, so that they can make informed decisions about their pets’ health care," says Sundlof. "Owners who give their dog NSAIDs need to know the side effects to watch for that indicate their pet needs medical attention."The most common side effects from NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) include vomiting, loss of appetite, depression, lethargy, and diarrhoea. Serious side effects include gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers, perforations, kidney damage, and liver problems."

"The side effects of NSAIDs are very well known and very well documented," says Michele Sharkey, D.V.M., in the CVM’s Office of New Animal Drug Evaluation. But this information is not always getting to the pet owner, she says. "If the pet owner can recognize a possible reaction, stop the medication, and get veterinary help, it could mean the difference between a good outcome and a disaster." There is some evidence that not all vets are aware of the potential problems with these drugs and are not able to recognize the symptoms of adverse reactions and side effects.

Treatments such as oils and creams, applied externally, which are sometimes effective with humans are much more difficult to apply to dogs, especially if the coat is thick. Various other alternatives to anti-inflammatory drugs are on the market, including drinks and "natural" ingredients. Glucosamine is a very popular ingredient, sometimes included with chondroitin. I know many aged golfers who swear by it!

A company called Maxavita claims that its product, called Pernamax, which comes in the form of caplets or gel, is 200 times stronger than glucosamine. It includes the powdered extract of the New Zealand Green Lipped mussel. None of these remedies are cheap and all involve a continuing cost, which over a year can be very substantial, especially if there is a need for the vet’s involvement.

Magnotherapy can be a simple and effective alternative. It has had continuing success with humans and animals and in the UK alone, over 2 million people have had relief, ranging from the mild to the "miraculous". In some quarters, this treatment is derided as being "all in the mind", possibly because people cannot believe that something as simple and easy as a special magnetic collar or sleeping pad can bring such relief to animals. However, there is considerable scientific proof that the beneficial effects of this Magnetic Therapy are not just due to a placebo effect. For more information, Click on Magnotherapy for Animals now.

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Facts About Dogs

We all know about the loyalty of dogs and their affection, which they shower upon us. Let us check out some of the fun facts about dogs, which we may not really be aware of.

The love and the affection that a dog can shower upon us is something that I don’t really need to talk about! Dogs make the most loyal and affectionate pets one could ever have and it’s no wonder that a dog is called a man’s best friend! For me, any kind of a dog proves to make a good pet, whether it’s tiny or huge in size or even a stray struggling to survive by the roadside. Their melting, droopy eyes can melt the hearts of all dog lovers in an instant! The relationship between humans and dogs is well known. If you love dogs and not a single day goes without a warm lick given by them in appreciation for the love that you shower on them, then you need to check out some interesting facts about dogs given below. This can brief you with many things you may not be aware about these lovable animals! Read on to know about interesting and funny facts about dogs.

Facts about Dogs:
The first fact about dogs that crops up in my mind is that these are one of the first animals to be domesticated by man. They were domesticated about 12,000 years ago.

The lifespan of a dog, on an average is between 8 to 15 years.

Have you always seen a dog curling up to sleep with its tail covering its nose? Well, this happens simply because of the cold weather. It wouldn’t hurt you to give it a thick cloth to sleep on.

The sweat glands of a dog are located between their paw pads.

Most dogs today would heave a sigh of relief for not being born earlier as in the ancient Roman times, mastiffs had to don a lightweight armor and follow the mounted knights!

The first ever dog show was held in Britain in the year 1859.

The smallest dog is the Chihuahua.

Did you know that the body of a dog contains 321 bones?

Yet another interesting fact about dogs is that they are direct descendants of the wolves. Perhaps this is the reason why one particular dog in my neighbor does resemble a wolf!

Have you checked out the color of the eyes whenever you spot a dog in the dark? Most dogs reflect a shade of green in their eyes but also show a shade of orange or red at times.

Dogs definitely have better vision at nighttime as compared to humans. This is because of a special layer that reflects the light, which is right behind their retinas.

When you speak about maturity, a dog that is merely one year old can have the physical maturity of a 15-year-old human being.

I have heard about the third eye, but have you ever heard about the third eyelid? Facts about dogs can get really as interesting as ever with the third eyelid that is located inside the first two eyelids. There is a function associated with it of course, the third eyelid or the haw, helps to protect the eye from the dust and the dirt.

Barking dogs seldom bite but what about the dog that never barks? The Basenji is one such dog that doesn’t bark.

How often have you used the phrase, ‘raining cats and dogs’? It is believed that this phrase has originated during the 17th century. This was because many cats and dogs were known to have drowned during a heavy downpour.

I have always felt sorry for dogs whenever people use firecrackers as a way of celebration. This is one fact about dogs, which you should be completely aware of because dogs can register the sounds differently from humans, which is around 35,000 vibrations within a second. Humans, on the other hand can hear 20,000 vibrations.

The St. Bernard is considered to the heaviest of all dogs.

Of all the breeds of dogs, the oldest known breed is the Saluki.

Have you loved the spots that are so distinctive of the Dalmatians? Dalmatian puppies are born without any spots on their body!

An adult dog always has 42 teeth.

When it comes to humans, fingerprints play a major role in identification. Did you know that a dog’s nose prints are as unique as a human’s fingerprint? These can also act as a substantial proof for identification.

You must have noted that puppies are born without teeth. It is only when they are around 3-4 weeks old, it can eat food due to the presence of 28 teeth in total!

Laika was the first dog to become the first space astronaut. Unfortunately, this dog did not survive the stress caused by the trip and died a few hours after launch.

A dog can take around ten to thirty breaths in a minute.

Pugs have been given their name due to their resemblance to a pug monkey.

Dogs have an amazing sense of smell but that is nothing new! They can even distinguish different ingredients.

Obesity is not the only problem faced by humans, today, dogs also face this health problem.

On an average, at least 70% people all over the world always sign their dog’s name on a greeting card along with the rest of the family names.

I sure do hope you have enjoyed reading about these fun and interesting facts about dogs. I could never have enough of these loyal and loving animals! Let’s hope humans also shower loads of love and care on them, always.

 

By Kashmira Lad Published: 3/19/2008

 

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