Hip dysplasia (HD) is a condition where a dog’s hip socket becomes abnormal, later causing lameness or arthritis. This disease affects countless dogs in the U.S. and it is believed that environmental factors contribute to its development. These factors seem to be most influential during the time period from the puppies’ birth to their third month.
A research was done by Randi I. Krontveit concerning the causes of hip dysplasia among four breeds of dogs in Norway. Environmental factors that these dogs were exposed while growing up were taken into consideration to measure their impact on the chances of hip dysplasia.
The participants of the study were composed of 500 canines that belonged to four breeds, namely the Labrador retriever, the Newfoundland, the Leonberger, and the Irish Wolfhound. The study included questionnaires that the breeders and new owners had to answer. Essential questions included where the dogs were born and what was the type of environment where they grew up.
Based on previous studies from other countries, some of the factors that greatly influenced hip dysplasia were heavy body weight and quick body growth. However, Krontveit’s research showed that for the puppies’ first year, these were not factors that made hip dysplasia more likely to occur. Her findings showed that puppies with slow growth rates, especially the Newfoundland, were greatly at risk of HD at 36%. Also, the Irish Wolfhound, which has the fastest growth rate, had the lowest occurrence of HD at 10%.
The dogs that participated in the study were regularly monitored until the age of 10 through yearly questionnaires filled out by owners. Those affected with HD had to be put to sleep sooner and those with milder forms of HD did not need such a drastic measure.
Environmental factors that influence the living conditions increase the incidence of HD. For example, pups that spent their first three months walking on level terrains were less likely to develop hip dysplasia compared to those who would often climb steps or walk on uneven terrain. Also based on the research findings, daily exercises throughout a dog’s life (which include various terrain types after three months) is a great positive factor in decreasing the risk of hip dysplasia.
Although dogs are not born with the disease, puppies that are genetically prone to HD can still develop it later on in life. The severity of hip dysplasia can greatly affect the lifespan of a dog. Luckily, recommended preventative measures can be followed to give puppies a better chance of avoiding hip dysplasia as they grow up.
A research was done by Randi I. Krontveit concerning the causes of hip dysplasia among four breeds of dogs in Norway. Environmental factors that these dogs were exposed while growing up were taken into consideration to measure their impact on the chances of hip dysplasia.
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| Normal dog hips |
The participants of the study were composed of 500 canines that belonged to four breeds, namely the Labrador retriever, the Newfoundland, the Leonberger, and the Irish Wolfhound. The study included questionnaires that the breeders and new owners had to answer. Essential questions included where the dogs were born and what was the type of environment where they grew up.
Based on previous studies from other countries, some of the factors that greatly influenced hip dysplasia were heavy body weight and quick body growth. However, Krontveit’s research showed that for the puppies’ first year, these were not factors that made hip dysplasia more likely to occur. Her findings showed that puppies with slow growth rates, especially the Newfoundland, were greatly at risk of HD at 36%. Also, the Irish Wolfhound, which has the fastest growth rate, had the lowest occurrence of HD at 10%.
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| Hip Dysplasia in a labrador |
The dogs that participated in the study were regularly monitored until the age of 10 through yearly questionnaires filled out by owners. Those affected with HD had to be put to sleep sooner and those with milder forms of HD did not need such a drastic measure.
Environmental factors that influence the living conditions increase the incidence of HD. For example, pups that spent their first three months walking on level terrains were less likely to develop hip dysplasia compared to those who would often climb steps or walk on uneven terrain. Also based on the research findings, daily exercises throughout a dog’s life (which include various terrain types after three months) is a great positive factor in decreasing the risk of hip dysplasia.
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