Joint Diseases of Dogs

Hip dysplasia is the best know joint defect of dogs. It is a deformation of the hip socket that occurs more often in large dogs, but is also prevalent in dogs with long backs. It can be diagnosed via x-ray. It is considered an inherited defect, dog breeds prone to dysplasia should not be bred before they have been tested.

Knees can also have issues. Small dogs can have luxating patella where the knee slips out of place. Large dogs can tear their cruciate ligament. A slipped knee cap can show up when the dog reaches one year of age. It can be mild to severe. If it is mild, the knee cap can be slid back in place. If it is severe, it can require surgery. This problem is also believed to be inherited.

Hip dysplasia and knee cap problems are issues that affect the rear legs of a dog. Front legs have their own set of issues.
Elbow dysplasia occurs when the elbow bone does not meat the leg bone or ulna correctly. The result is a loose piece of bone in the elbow that causes arthritis. This can be corrected with surgery. Osteochondrosis also know as OCD is often caused by growth spurts. The bone ulcerates causing small fragments of cartilage to break off the ball joint at the shoulder. The fragments float freely in the joint fluid causing pain. If sever enough, OCD can be cured with surgery.

When possible, prevention is the best cure for bone problems in dogs. Dogs that carry too much weight are more prone to joint problems. It pays to keep your dog in good health just the same as it pays to keep yourself in good health.