Last month we introduced you to Lenno. He had recently been diagnosed with dry eye and had commenced on some eye medication to help improve his tear production. We are pleased to say that he has responded well to the medication and his eyes are improving. He will need regular tear tests and ongoing medication but things are looking good.
This month we’d like to discuss Lenno’s arthritis. He suffers from osteoarthritis of the hip caused by a hip joint deformity, also known as hip dysplasia. The ball of his hip joint doesn’t sit in the socket very well allowing the hip to luxate (jump in and out of the socket) leading to abnormal wear and tear of the joint. As the joint wears down, the cartilage grinds away leading to osteoarthritis, that can effect dogs as young as 12 months old in severe cases.
Hip dysplasia is a genetic problem and can affect certain breeds of dogs (mostly large breed dogs) but many small breeds are also effected. Whilst genetics is the leading cause, there can also be many contributing factors that can speed up or slow down the progression of the problem. These can include environmental factors such as diet and obesity.
Diagnosis was made with a thorough veterinary examination and was confirmed with x-rays. Many dogs with osteoarthritis of the hip display symptoms such as
- difficulty jumping
- slowing down on walks
- trouble sitting easily
- stiff gait
Lenno’s arthritis is managed with monthly arthritis injections and strict weight management. Lenno loves food so this might sound like a challenge but thankfully it’s not so bad as he is on a prescription diet to keep his weight in a healthy range avoiding extra stress on his joints. It also helps to preserve joint cartilage and slow the progression of his arthritis.
If you would like more information about arthritis and the treatments available we encourage you to stay tuned as we have plenty of ‘gems’ to share this month.
