Pit Bull Hip Dysplasia Symptoms & Treatment
Dogs with hip dysplasia will have difficulty climbing stairs, running, and face lameness in the hind legs. Hip surgery is not uncommon for hip dysplasia, but you can also manage the condition with a non-invasive approach.
Canine rehab therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic therapy, and hydrotherapy can help a pit bull dealing with arthritis and hip dysplasia. You can support your dog’s hips with a hip brace. Supporting the hip during exercise can relieve hip pain and promote activity and ease of movement during exercise.
Pit bulls are genetically predisposed to hip and hind leg problems. Early signs of hip pain in pit bulls include: a bunny hopping gait, hind leg lameness, and limping.
Compared to other dog breeds, Pit bulls are more prone to allergies. Pitbull allergy problems tend to be skin allergies that can cause dry and itchy patches of skin, hot spots, and hair loss. As a breed, pit bulls are more affected by pollen, grass, ticks, or flies than other dogs. They are also affected by food allergies, particularly grain or wheat components.
A pit bull with allergies will scratch, lick, drool, and shed abnormally. The scratching can cause wounds and bleeding. It would help if you treated your dog immediately to prevent skin infections.
Thyroid disease is another common problem for Pit bulls. Specifically, pit bulls are at high risk for hypothyroidism. Your pit bull will gain excessive weight and develop skin problems when thyroid glands aren’t producing adequate thyroid hormones.
In addition to the physical signs, thyroid disease can cause fearful aggression and other behavioral changes.
Your veterinarian will perform blood tests to diagnose thyroid disease. Your pitbull might require lifetime doses of thyroxine to counteract the disease.
While many pit bull owners dismiss this disease as mere bloating, it can be fatal within a few hours. After eating food, pitbulls with this condition will have excess gas in their tummies. Fermented food and “air eating’’ can worsen this condition.
If your dog exhibits signs like an enlarged tummy and anxiety, take him to the vet immediately. The doctor will find ways to decompress the air.
Pit bulls are prone to ichthyosis disorder. Ichthyosis is a condition that occurs at birth that can become painful if not treated. Sometimes, you might notice the thickening of your Pitbull’s skin and the footpads’ outer layer. This may indicate that your dog has ichthyosis. Your pit bull can inherit this problem from its parents, which is more common in terrier breeds.
It is a strange skin problem that shows signs similar to fish scales or human dandruff. If left untreated, the scales will worsen as the dog ages.
It would help if you always had the eyes of your pit bull checked. The Staffordshire Terrier is more prone to developing cataracts than other breeds. This condition can either be inherited or developed. Other health conditions such as hypocalcemia, diabetes, and uveitis can lead to the development of cataracts. If discovered earlier, pharmaceutical medications can help soothe cataracts; otherwise, surgery will be needed to remove the excess protein buildup. Young pit bull puppies are prone to juvenile cataracts as well. Juvenile cataracts develop at a much younger age, usually before the age of 6.
Other eye problems that impact the pit bull breed include corneal ulcers, leaving the eye inflamed and infected.
Cerebellar Ataxia is an inherited condition characterized by poor muscle coordination and imbalance, with signs often showing as dogs age and is a genetic condition that impacts 1 in 400 pit bulls. Pit bulls with this condition will exhibit tremors, uncoordinated movements, wobbly gait, and an inability to move in severe cases. Dogs with this condition may require the additional support of a wheelchair to maintain balance and help improve mobility.
The Full Support Walkin’ Wheels can help with balance, coordination and provide the support dog’s need to move.
Congenital heart disease is a common inherited condition affecting the pit bull breed. The most common heart disease affecting the breed is aortic stenosis. This disease rarely shows any symptoms, so you should have your dog checked regularly so that the condition can be spotted earlier.
Pitbull Quick Facts Sheet
Breed Group: Terrier
Average lifespan: 12- 14 years.
Height: 17 – 19 inches.
Weight: 30 – 90 Pounds.
Pitties seems to be particularly prone to allergies – both environmental and food-related. These are usually genetic, so it doesn’t hurt to ask the breeder if dogs in her lines have any allergies. However, some dogs just seem to develop allergies, even as they age. Depending on the severity and number of allergies, this can add quite a cost to your dog expenses, especially if your Pittie needs to be on a special diet or medication for their entire life.
Like many larger breeds, Pitties are prone to hip dysplasia, a genetic defect that can lead to costly surgeries and a lot of pain for your dog. Arthritis is a common side effect of dogs afflicted with dysplasia. If you are purchasing a puppy from a breeder, make sure they do OFA (Orthopedic Foundation For Animals) testing on all breeding animals. If not, have radiography done on your Pittie so you and your vet know if he has it, the severity, and what you should do to help your Pit Bull live a long, comfortable life.
Pit Bulls are also prone to heart disease. Like hip dysplasia, this is genetic and parents can be tested for heart disease through OFA prior to breeding. Again, if you are buying a puppy from a breeder, make sure they are responsible and performing these tests. It will save you vet bills as well as heartache as your dog grows up. If you are not, have your dog’s heart checked out regularly by your vet to make sure everything is fine.
Aside from being total love-bugs, Pitties have another great thing going for them: they are a fairly healthy breed compared to other larger dogs. However, this does not mean they are free from any issues. Prospective Pit adopters and those who already own one or two should be aware of the common problems that they can have. Knowing about them can lead to early detection, which can benefit both dog and owner. The following are 3 of the top health concerns for Pit Bulls.
6 concerning health problems in pit bulls you need to know about!
Aside from being total love-bugs, Pitties have another great thing going for them: they are a fairly healthy breed compared to other larger dogs. However, this does not mean they are free from any issues. Prospective Pit adopters and those who already own one or two should be aware of the common problems that they can have. Knowing about them can lead to early detection, which can benefit both dog and owner. The following are 3 of the top health concerns for Pit Bulls.
Like many larger breeds, Pitties are prone to hip dysplasia, a genetic defect that can lead to costly surgeries and a lot of pain for your dog. Arthritis is a common side effect of dogs afflicted with dysplasia. If you are purchasing a puppy from a breeder, make sure they do OFA (Orthopedic Foundation For Animals) testing on all breeding animals. If not, have radiography done on your Pittie so you and your vet know if he has it, the severity, and what you should do to help your Pit Bull live a long, comfortable life.
Pit Bulls are also prone to heart disease. Like hip dysplasia, this is genetic and parents can be tested for heart disease through OFA prior to breeding. Again, if you are buying a puppy from a breeder, make sure they are responsible and performing these tests. It will save you vet bills as well as heartache as your dog grows up. If you are not, have your dog’s heart checked out regularly by your vet to make sure everything is fine.
Pitties seems to be particularly prone to allergies – both environmental and food-related. These are usually genetic, so it doesn’t hurt to ask the breeder if dogs in her lines have any allergies. However, some dogs just seem to develop allergies, even as they age. Depending on the severity and number of allergies, this can add quite a cost to your dog expenses, especially if your Pittie needs to be on a special diet or medication for their entire life.