Pet Hip Dysplasia

  
     Pet Nutrition, Growth and Hip Dysplasia 

The early stages of a pet's life require specific diet ingredients to be enhanced. This is especially true of such things as protein and minerals like calcium. Pretty much all puppy foods have these levels researched and adjusted accordingly. In the past, many breeders would suggest the addition of high calcium foods like cottage cheese to the diets of puppies that were a breed prone to hip dysplasia. Some would even add directly supplemental calcium and vitamin D (a vitamin needed for absorption of calcium by the intestinal tract).

Recent diet trials in breeds prone to hip dysplasia (the mishapened socket of the hip joint-usually too shallow and therefore unstable which leads to arthritis and pain later) have been done. Surprisingly enough what was found is that if these puppies of the larger breed variety that are likely to develop dysplasia are made to grow slower, they are less likey to have bad hip formation.

If you go to the stores, you will notice "Puppy Formula for Large Breed Dogs" from most major manufacturers. All these diets have been adjusted in calories, protein, and calcium levels to slow the growth of larger dogs to help with hip formation. These formulations often contain supplements such as glucosamine as well that help with the lubrication of the joints.

In older dogs that have unfortunately already developed hip arthritis and pain glucosamine and chondriotin sulfate are often recomended to help. There are many products on the shelves for these supplements. Most the time people under supplement their dogs so get little to no results. If your pet has these troubles consult with your veterinarian for a proper weight based dose.

If you are breeding or getting a new puppy, once the pups are weaned, be sure to feed the correct diet,especially if a larger breed (all retrievers,Great Danes, dobermans, etc.. pretty much any breed that grows to be 50 or so pounds or more when full grown.). You will be glad later as will your dog when the hips form slower and therefore correctly and less, if no trouble in older age occurs.

ENTERTAINMENT RECOMMENDATION

Walt Disneys' "Oliver and Company". For anyone that knows anything about dog breeds and their typical personalities this will be a great joy. It is an animated take on the broadway musical "Oliver" where the characters are mostly dogs (and two cats). The music is fun and the story heartwarming. Enjoy.

CUTE PET OBSERVATIONS

Did you ever notice that cats are always on the wrong side of any door? It has become customary in our house of three cats that we never shut any door fully. This is especially true of the bathroom. God help us when we have company. We have come to call the bathroom, the "petting room" as once either of us sits on the "throne' at least one cat comes in and demands to be pet. We figure it is because they have a captive audience at that point. The trick is to pet the cat or cats as they weave between legs and still get the intended project of the visit to the "petting room" completed. This is especially interesting at the 3 AM visit to the "petting room" when one is hardly awake and yet, the cat or cats, being nocturnal, are wide awake and seem to move faster than if it were a 3PM visit to the same location.

We love our cats and therefore never lock them out of the "petting room". I have trouble sleeping away from home as I don't have my purring buddies to lull me to sleep. Here's hoping I don't develop the same problem for this other special room when away from home. If you have any cute pet stories or observations,please send them to me at contact@petnutritioninfo.com. Thanks for your interest in our site. Until next month, I wish you and your furr people the best.

Dr. Jan