Conscientious breeding is vital to decrease the occurrence of this devastating disease. Ideally, dysplastic dogs should not be bred together to prevent the disease from staying in the gene pool. However, it is not always easy to avoid breeding dysplastic dogs, since it is so difficult to detect hip dysplasia in dogs that do not show signs of arthritis.
Careful breeding is of course the best measure of prevention, but for dogs born with the hip joint abnormality, the PennHIP x-ray technique shows promise in allowing an earlier and more sensitive detection of dysplasia.
A carefully planned diet is also a good measure of prevention. Feeding large breed puppies over-supplemented, high-protein food in order to force rapid growth has been shown to increase the incidence and severity of arthritis in dysplastic dogs. Dogs fed a calorie-limited diet will reach the same adult size as their overfed counterparts -- more slowly, of course, but with a considerably reduced likelihood of developing arthritis. Many pet food manufacturers are recognizing this and are producing diets that are tailored for large breed puppies. Consult with a veterinarian regarding specific diets and feeding schedules to minimize the risk of a dog developing arthritis from hip dysplasia.
Many veterinarians recommend x-rays of at-risk breeds at approximately six months of age to screen for early evidence of hip dysplasia, before the onset of arthritis. An ideal time to do this is when the animal is presented for spaying or neutering because then it will be already under general anesthesia, which usually is necessary for taking appropriate x-rays of the hips.
Male and female dogs at risk for hip dysplasia that are intended for breeding purposes should have their hips evaluated and certified by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) at approximately two years of age. A dog must be at least two years old before the OFA will certify the hips.
