Some dog foods state that they are for PUPPIES. What do you think of a dog food that states it is for puppies and adults? I always thought puppy food had additional vitamins, etc. Until my six-month-old Yellow Lab puppy is at least one year old, I’m going to keep her on puppy food. Do you agree?

Diane
Rehoboth, Delaware

Commercial puppy foods often have more calories, protein, and vitamins than adult formulas. The proportions of nutrients in puppy formulas also may differ from those in regular formulas. The added nutrients and altered proportions are designed to promote healthy growth.

Paradoxically, large breed puppy formulas are designed to slow growth slightly (although not affect final adult size)–this helps to prevent symptoms of hip dysplasia later in life.

It is my opinion that many companies use puppy formulas mostly for marketing purposes. Plenty of evidence shows that most adult formulas also can provide ample nutrition for the growth of puppies. Although puppy formulas may be tailored for young dogs, many dog foods are appropriate for multiple life stages.

I generally recommend that large breed puppies (such as Labrador Retrievers) stay on large breed puppy food until they are 12 – 18 months old. I recommend this because of the hip dysplasia-reducing effects of these diets.

However, that benefit may be marginal. Most puppies can in fact do fine eating regular high quality dog food.

I have said many, many times on this blog that in my opinion there is no one “right” food for any dog, cat, or human. We can thrive by eating almost any food that is adequately nutritious. This is true for puppies as well as adult dogs.

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Everywhere I read about hip dysplasia suggests exercise, but nowhere does it list what exercises to do except for swimming. Please list what exercises and for what time period one should proceed with the dog’s excerise. [My vet did not have any info on this.]

K
Youngstown,OH

The type, intensity, and quantity of exercise that is beneficial for hip dysplasia depends upon your dog’s age, condition, and weight.

Hip dysplasia is a syndrome that most often occurs in large breeds of dogs such as Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds. The hips of dogs with the syndrome do not develop properly. This leads to early onset of arthritis. Hip dysplasia should not be confused with natural pelvic arthritis that commonly occurs in older dogs. True hip dysplasia has the potential to cause mobility problems in young dogs.

Hip dysplasia has a strong genetic link. Careful breeding has reduced the incidence of the syndrome in recent years.

All activity helps keep weight down. Obesity is a leading contributor to complications from hip dysplasia. In dogs that are not suffering from symptoms of arthritis or mobility problems, any exercises that are enjoyable for pet and owner will build strength and keep weight down.

Dogs with mobility problems due to hip dysplasia should engage in moderate, low contact activities. Swimming is one such activity. So are leashed walks on level surfaces. I recommend that dogs engage in the maximum amount of activity that does not lead to exacerbation of symptoms during the following 24 hours. In other words, activities that don’t make your dog sore generally are good ones.

Dogs with severe mobility problems will benefit from forms of physical therapy that help to strengthen the muscles of the hind legs and the back (these muscles help support the hips). Examples include sit-to-stand exercises (have the dog sit, then have him rise–this is similar to a human being performing squats) and walking under obstacles such as chairs that require the dog to lower and raise his body. Other forms of physical therapy include tissue massage and range of motion exercises that help to keep the joints in the legs fluid.

Severely disabled dogs should undergo physical therapy regimens only under the supervision of a qualified veterinarian or animal rehabilitation expert. The field of animal rehabilitation is growing, and special rehabilitation centers are now available for dogs and cats with all types of disabilities. In addition to specially trained staff, the centers have special equipment such as underwater tredmills that help improve mobility and function in disabled animals.

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Dear Dr. Barchas,

David
Gilbert, Az.

There are a few reasons why two-year-old dogs undergo hip surgery. Developmental problems such as hip dysplasia sometimes require surgery at two years. Trauma to the hip may lead to broken bones in or near the joint. Dislocation of the hip may occur when dogs are injured, and may require corrective surgery.

All of the problems that can lead to hip surgery have one thing in common. In many cases they also lead to arthritis in the affected joint.

Arthritis of the hips can lead to limping, difficulty rising, and reluctance to walk, run or play. I suspect that your dog has a hard time getting up because of arthritis in his hip.

There are several treatments for canine arthritis. The simplest, and most effective, do no require medications. I recommend that you keep your pet thin, provide regular mild or moderate exercise, and perform basic physical therapy to maintain flexibility and strengthen the muscles in his legs. Talk to your vet for tips on physical therapy.

Dietary supplements containing glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and omega-3 fatty acids may help ease the symptoms and progression of arthritis. These sorts of supplements are available over the counter.

Aspirin is the only canine arthritis medicine that is available over the counter. It belongs to a class of drugs called non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs). Although aspirin is very helpful for some dogs, you should be aware that all NSAIDs, including aspirin, can cause serious side effects. Prescription NSAIDs may be safer and more effective. Do not administer aspirin to your dog without first talking to your vet.

Finally, before you resort to medications, I recommend that you talk to your vet about advanced non-drug treatments for your dog. Such treatments include professional physical therapy (available through special facilities), extracorporeal shockwave therapy, therapeutic laser treatments and stem cell therapies. Your dog may not yet be a candidate for such cutting-edge protocols, but it never hurts to ask.

For more information on arthritis in dogs, check out my website:

http://drbarchas.com/canine_arthritis

Photo credit. Photo license.

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My Rotweiler is 8 months old and someone pointed
out to me at the doggy park that he was running
funny. He trots normally (using all four legs) and
“jogs” the same but when he picks up the pace to
go run he picks his back legs up at the same time
(almost like a bunny). He has always done this
and I figured it was a puppy thing but I am not so
sure now.

Maritza
Browns Mills, NJ

An eight-month-old Rottweiler is roughly equivalent to a 14-year-old human. Both individuals will generally be in the process of rapidly growing and adapting to their new bodies. And, as anyone who can remember being 14 will attest, that process can be awkward.

Therefore, it does not surprise me that your pet might look awkward as he runs. It is a very common phenomenon in dogs that age. There is a very good chance that he will outgrow it as he matures.

However, keep in mind that Rottweilers are predisposed to problems such as hip dysplasia that also can cause abnormal ambulation or running.

Although I suspect that there is nothing wrong with your dog, I’d still recommend a veterinary checkup to make sure everything is OK.

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What are some of the things we as dog owners can
do to help a dog with hip dysplasia?

Rosie
Humble, TX

Hip dysplasia is a syndrome in which a dog’s (or less often, a cat’s) hip joints do not develop properly. This causes premature arthritis in the hips. Hip dysplasia is most common in large breeds of dogs. It has a hereditary component. Careful breeding has reduced the incidence of hip dysplasia over the last several years.

Hip dysplasia is sometimes confused with age-related arthritis. Many older animals suffer arthritis in their hips that is not related to abnormal development of the joints. However, in either instance the outcome is the same–arthritis that causes pain, stiffness, decreased mobility and a lower quality of life.

There are several techniques (some old, some new) for managing hip displasia and arthritis in pets.

Preventing hip dysplasia is by far the best option. Careful breeding is the most important aspect of hip dysplasia prevention. Less effective, but still important, is to feed at-risk puppies (Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers and other large breeds) a diet that promotes slower growth. Talk to your vet about this.

For pets diagnosed with hip dysplasia by a veterinarian, several techniques may delay the onset of arthritis. The most effective of these is weight management. Carrying extra weight puts tremendous strain on the hip joints.

Other techniques that can delay the onset of arthritis (or help to ameliorate the symptoms of arthritis after it develops) include administration of oral or injectable glucosamine, oral omega-3 supplementation, and physical therapy (mild exercise, swimming, hydrotherapy, and range of motion exercises). Young dogs diagnosed with severe hip dysplasia may benefit from a surgical technique known as triple pelvic osteotomy.

For the unfortunate individuals that are suffering from arthritis, all of the techniques listed in the preceding two paragraphs (except for triple pelvic osteotomy) can be beneficial. Additionally, treatment with the much maligned NSAID medicines can lead to a dramatic improvement in quality of life. Other, newer pain medicines such as amantadine are emerging as well that may be highly beneficial when used in conjunction with NSAIDs. Some prescription diets may lead to clinical improvement in arthritic pets.

A new generation of treatments for arthritis in the hips is also entering use in clinical practice. These treatments include stem cell injections, stimulation with certain types of lasers, and a technique known as extracorporeal shock wave therapy (it sounds scary, but it’s quite benign).

The treatment of last resort for arthritis of the hips is surgical hip replacement. Recent clinical advances have made this option more attractive than it was in the past.

The long and short of it is that there is a wide array of treatments for hip dysplasia and arthritis in pets. Many of them are new and not widely known. Your best bet is to find a vet who is passionate about comprehensive management of the syndromes. Sit down with this vet and develop a treatment plan that is right for you and your pet.

Image credit: Joel Mills. Licensing information: CC.

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