Veterinarians are not one hundred percent sure what causes a dog to develop hip dysplasia. Most researchers agree that genetics are part of the problem — if a parent has hip dysplasia, the offspring are at a higher risk to develop the disease. However, genetics are not the only factor! You can help your dog avoid this painful degenerative disease, or at least lessen the effects. Watch their weight. Carrying extra pounds — especially in the hip area — can cause join degeneration to happen faster. As a responsible pet owner, you need to control what your overweight dog eats. … Continue reading →

Hip dysplasia is a degenerative joint disease in dogs. It is a sadly common disease; you probably have known a dog who suffered from hip dysplasia. The disease is mostly seen in large breed dogs, but can also be found in small dogs, cats, and even humans. German Shepherds, Labs, Rotties, Golden Retrievers, and other large dogs seem to have a higher incidence of hip dysplasia than other breeds, and purebreds seem to be more likely to develop the disease than mixed breeds. What is hip dysplasia? A normal hip joint is a ball (at the head of the femur … Continue reading →