Hip Dysplasia and Early Intervention
Submitted by drshuf on July 29, 2010 - 1:18pmBulldogs are almost universally affected by canine hip dysplasia. Here is a link to a presentation explaining hip dysplasia, how to diagnose it using the PennHip System and how to improve the hips in young dogs using the JPS surgery (Juvenile Pubic Symphisiodesis Surgery. Click the link below to see the presentation.
http://altaranchopet.com/Information_library/presentations/dysplasia%20p...
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Reid Shufer
I believe most of us here prefer natural intervention
For any type of hip or knee issues when pups are young, rather than rushing to surgery to repair what generally fixes itself in this breed as they age. I, for one, have a female Bulldog that was diagnosed with severe Hip Dysplasia and Luxating Patellas, and was a "candidate for surgery" at the age of 4 months. I declined the surgery and immediately put her on a regimen of 1000 mg Glucosamine Sulfate daily, along with plain, fat free yogurt for her calcium. At the age of 4.5 years now, she has shown absolutely NO symptoms of the previously dire diagnosis of extreme surgical candidate. Now, I understand not all will respond to this method of treatment and prevention, but I am willing to wager that a majority would do well to refrain from surgery until they have grown into their bodies some and they outgrow those puppyhood loose bones they are famous for.
Not trying to argue with you, if it sounds that way I apologize. This is breed is a hard enough breed health wise without having them undergo surgeries at such young ages, when they most likely will outgrow the issues with good nutrition and good supplements to their diet..
Amy and Sophia
Hip Surgery is not necessary
on most bulldogs. They do not have the typical K-9 hip. Not that hip dysplasia shouldn't be of concern with all breeders and good hips are important.
Unfortuantely there are way to many surgeons/vets that encourage unnecessary surgeries on bulldogs just because they are bulldogs. Helps to support their businesses I guess.
great presenation in
explaining what hd is..how to look at a x ray.....how vets determine hd.....the novice person should watch this and gain some knowledge....
the only surgery i would recommend and not untill after a year....is to have the pectoral muscles cut .....all that other stuff is to to me a guilt trip...
also i think that people need to understand that dogs are judged against thier own breed,,,,,not the general population...rotty vs rotty shepard vs shepard ect....
ct
all info is important you can never never have enough knowledge.....you can never stop learning....
Most vets that don't know bullys all think they need their hips
knees and everything else done. If you don't use a vet who knows this breed of dog you will run into this issue.
When we took Rocky to the vet that we used to use before we got smart and took him to a bully vet. We were told his hips were bad his knees were popping and they had us so upset. I called the breeder the next day and was told who to take him to and that all this was common in bullys until they grow up. If you buy from a good breeder who breeds for quailty and not a back yard breeder who breeds for the wrong reason then you shouldn't have this issue.
Oh the other issue we had was a slight heart sound which went away as he grew up in a couple of weeks. These dogs are like not other breed the have their set issues and you need a goo bully vet to keep them healthy.
Jo Ann