When the ball and socket joint in a dog are impaired, it is affected with Hip Dysplasia. The ball and socket joint help in proper sliding, but in case of Hip Dysplasia, the joint starts to become drudgery and start rubbing with the other linked portions. Hip Dysplasia is also considered as a genetic disease, although it can be also developed due to some harsh environmental conditions. But when it comes to the genetic Hip Dysplasia in dogs, several genes are responsible for the malfunctioning of the hip joints. Hip Dysplasia slowly starts to appear and if it is not treated in time, it ruins all the functions of the hip joints consequently.
Hip Dysplasia in boxer dogs
The boxer dog breed is also prone to the hip dysplasia. It weakens the both sections held firmly by the ligaments and resultantly, the ball appears out of its genuine place in the socket. Ultimately if it is continued, the boxer dog experiences severe types of worst health conditions.
Hip Dysplasia was evaluated in a study as the common skeletal disease in the boxer dog breed. We can’t say exactly, are male boxer dogs more prone to the hip dysplasia than the female boxer dogs? The key role for hip dysplasia in a boxer dog is due to the genetic predisposition more commonly existing than other dog breeds. But as elaborated in the earlier lines, genetics are not the sole responsible as sometimes a severe injury might also lead to the development of hip dysplasia in a boxer dog.
Such injuries or fractures can be of such severe nature; those cannot be cured sometimes and can cause hip dysplasia in a boxer dog. In case of suffering from hip dysplasia, the boxer dog might behave in unusual manner, express the pain and stiffness and also it can be reluctant to its routine body movement and daily exercises.
Screening of Hip Dysplasia before boxer dog breeding
If someone is interested in the breeding of boxer dog, it is recommended for the proper screening of the each of the pair. It is better to have the knowledge about their family circumstances and medical history of such male or female boxer dog involved in such breeding. One important observation could be the finding of the hips of such boxer dog strong and muscular and also to have information about the hips of predecessors of such boxer.
The analysis of the hips of the siblings of such boxer dogs can also give a good idea, if such boxer dog is nice for passing it through the breeding plan. Sometimes, the sole analysis of stronger hips can’t give the exact idea about the advisable candidature for breeding plan. If there are historic traces of the existence of hip dysplasia of the blood relatives of such boxer dog breed, then the same are not considered safe for the breeding plan.
Screening report by OFA and its significance
When a serious boxer dog lover is planning to bring a young boxer dog at home, an OFA report can be demanded from the breeder. This report is issued after proper screening of the boxer dog. In the USA, OFA, which is actually the abbreviation of ‘Orthopedic Foundation for Animals’ issues an authentic report after screening the dogs. In the screening process, the radiography is done for the required boxer dog or puppy in which the analysis is complied in the report afterwards.
The board which is responsible for this radiography comprises of three eminent radiologists who give their analysis separately. After this, a combined recommendation is given in the OFA report of a boxer dog. The outstanding positioning and condition of hips in this report are declared as normal. Otherwise there could be borderline scoring which means a boxer dog is Normal-Fair or Dysplastic-Mild. Or in case of finding of the probability of hip dysplasia, such boxer dog might be declared as dysplastic.
Which factors cause to happen Hip Dysplasia in a boxer dog?
Overweighting is a major factor that causes hip dysplasia in a boxer dog. In this case, the overabundance of weight put pressure and ultimately it might cause hip dysplasia. Although, a boxer dog is a super athlete, but sometimes, the passionate boxer dog owners get their dog involved in extraordinary body exercises which damage the hip zone due to extreme accentuation on the hip area.
Similarly, if some injury is occurred around the ligaments and it is of serious nature, it can also lead towards hip dysplasia in a boxer dog. In some rare but reported cases, some boxer dogs have extraordinary growing characteristics which are beyond control for such boxer dogs and their owners and in such cases, hip dysplasia is also observed.
What is the recommended treatment of Hip Dysplasia in a boxer dog?
Obviously hip dysplasia is started with proper medication in which normally Corticosteroids are given to a boxer dog to minimize the joint’s swelling. In some severe cases, vets also suggest the dosage of Acetaminophen to be given to a suffering boxer dog. Some other forms of medication are also suggested to lower down the swelling and pain level. And even the injecting of Visco-supplementation can also be helpful in some cases. If the situation is not better and problem is continuing, then pertinent surgical methods are used.
The lower parts of body is cut and then relocated. It takes 5 to 8 weeks for such boxer god to heel up with the surgery and normally the boxer dog returns to its normal and happy life. With the massive development in the animal health studies, now it is also become possible for a veterinary surgeon to replace completely the hip joint with the insertion of a supportive element made with cobalt chrome stainless steel material. Normally this method is applied, when the ball completely appears out of the socket and the hip cannot be placed back to its real position. After the surgery, your boxer dog might also be suggested for intake of some pain killers and certain antibiotics.
