For quite some time now we noticed Philippe has problems walking normally like any other 6 months old puppy dog. His front legs are typically stiff when walking for dogs with Elbow Dysplasia. His gait looks painful but nevertheless he enjoys playing, walking and rumbles with his fellow doggy friends. However, we decided to have Philippe checked thoroughly, hoping to get some answers about his stiff gait.
As it seems Philippe could suffer from what is known as Elbow Dysplasia.
What is Elbow Dysplasia?
Elbow dysplasia is a term used to describe a disorder in growing bone. Normal bone growth consists of the fusion of many bones into one bone. Many bones in a newborn puppy are not just one piece of bone, but several different pieces of bone with cartilage in-between. This is especially true of long bones of the limbs. As the puppy grows the cartilage changes into bone and the several pieces of a bone fuse together forming one entire bone. For instance, the ulna, a bone in the forearm starts out as 4 pieces of bone that eventually fuse into one.
In elbow dysplasia, the cartilage between the bony areas fails to turn into bone and often becomes thickened. The cause of this may include genetic factors, trauma and nutrition. The signs of this abnormal bone growth usually develop between 6 and 9 months of age, and generally appear as lameness. Elbow dysplasia is more common in rapidly growing, large breed puppies.
Dogs with elbow dysplasia will usually display an obvious limp, may hold the leg out from the body while walking, or even attempt to carry the front leg completely, putting no weight on it at all. Signs may be noted as early as four months of age. Many affected animals will go through a period between six and about twelve months of age, during which the clinical signs will be the worst. After this period, most will show some signs occasionally but they will not be as severe.
As these dogs continue to mature, there will probably be permanent arthritic changes occurring in the joint. This will cause many obvious problems and it may become necessary to utilize oral or injectable medications to make the animal more comfortable. Elbow dysplasia is therefore a life long problem for the affected animals. Some of these dogs can be helped with surgery. In some, surgery can even eliminate the problem totally.
Next week we need to take Philippe to a Orthopaedic doctor whom will examen him. I personally hope there is nothing wrong with Philippe, since both parents are ED negative.
To be continued.
As it seems Philippe could suffer from what is known as Elbow Dysplasia.
What is Elbow Dysplasia?
Elbow dysplasia is a term used to describe a disorder in growing bone. Normal bone growth consists of the fusion of many bones into one bone. Many bones in a newborn puppy are not just one piece of bone, but several different pieces of bone with cartilage in-between. This is especially true of long bones of the limbs. As the puppy grows the cartilage changes into bone and the several pieces of a bone fuse together forming one entire bone. For instance, the ulna, a bone in the forearm starts out as 4 pieces of bone that eventually fuse into one.
In elbow dysplasia, the cartilage between the bony areas fails to turn into bone and often becomes thickened. The cause of this may include genetic factors, trauma and nutrition. The signs of this abnormal bone growth usually develop between 6 and 9 months of age, and generally appear as lameness. Elbow dysplasia is more common in rapidly growing, large breed puppies.
Dogs with elbow dysplasia will usually display an obvious limp, may hold the leg out from the body while walking, or even attempt to carry the front leg completely, putting no weight on it at all. Signs may be noted as early as four months of age. Many affected animals will go through a period between six and about twelve months of age, during which the clinical signs will be the worst. After this period, most will show some signs occasionally but they will not be as severe.
As these dogs continue to mature, there will probably be permanent arthritic changes occurring in the joint. This will cause many obvious problems and it may become necessary to utilize oral or injectable medications to make the animal more comfortable. Elbow dysplasia is therefore a life long problem for the affected animals. Some of these dogs can be helped with surgery. In some, surgery can even eliminate the problem totally.
Next week we need to take Philippe to a Orthopaedic doctor whom will examen him. I personally hope there is nothing wrong with Philippe, since both parents are ED negative.
To be continued.
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