Q:  My six month old Golden Retriever has a limp.  He has been limping on and off for a few weeks, but never seems completely better.  Could he have hip dysplasia?

                A:  He certainly could, but there are also other problems that could cause the symptoms you are noticing.  Some are serious and may be permanent or progressive.  Others are more minor and will resolve as your puppy grows. 

                Puppies are usually extremely active.  They also frequently fall down and run into things.  Probably the most common cause of intermittent lameness in puppies is repeated injuries.  A twisted wrist or sprained ankle can take a while to heal.  Overanxious puppies frequently try to bear full weight on injuries that have not fully recovered.  Sometimes puppies can injure or even fracture their growth plates.  These injuries are much more serious than minor sprains or strains.  Your veterinarian can help you determine if your puppy’s lameness is from injury and how best to treat him.

                When not caused by injury, chronic lameness in a growing dog is frequently caused by one of three primary joint diseases.  Most people have heard of hip dysplasia.  Many are not aware of osteochondrosis dissecans or hypertrophic osteodystrophy.  All three can cause significant pain and lameness. 

                Malformation of a joint is called dysplasia.  Dogs commonly get dysplasia of the hips or elbows.  Normally a hip joint has a smooth ball that fits tightly into a round socket.  In dysplastic hips, the socket is too shallow for the ball to fit properly.  In addition, the ball usually has a flat or rough surface.  Instead of moving smoothly, the connection between bones is rough and choppy.  Eventually the roughness wears out the cartilage allowing one bone to rub directly on the other.  Ouch!

                Hip and elbow dysplasia have two primary causes.  The first is genetic.  Certain breeds and certain lines have a propensity for hip dysplasia.  Owners should select puppies from lineage clear of hip dysplasia.  At a minimum, all four grandparents and both parents should be certified by OFA or PennHip to be free of dysplasia.  At risk breeds should also be screened for elbow dysplasia.    

The second cause of joint dysplasia is environment, primarily the puppy’s rate of growth.  Even a genetically sound puppy can develop dysplasia if allowed to get too fat or grow too rapidly.  A lean puppy that grows at a normal rate is less likely to develop joint problems.  Large breed puppies should be given a premium large breed growth formula with carefully formulated calorie density and calcium to phosphorous ratios.

Mild dysplasia can be treated with joint supplements and anti-inflammatory medications.  More serious malformation of the joint may require surgical correction.  Some severe cases cannot be repaired and veterinarians need to resort to salvage procedures to alleviate the pet’s pain.  As with most diseases, the earlier dysplasia is accurately diagnosed, the better the treatment outcome is likely to be.

Proper growth and nutrition can also minimize the risk for osteochondrosis dissecans, or OCD.  This disease is caused by a flap of cartilage coming loose from the underlying bone.  The cartilage flap interferes with proper motion of the joint.  Generally the cartilage flap must be removed to alleviate the animal’s pain.

Hypertrophic osteodystrophy, or HOD, can also be caused by too rapid growth.  It has also been linked to sudden stimulation of the immune system at critical points in the puppy’s growth.  HOD is a type of inflammation of the growth plates.  It can involve a single or multiple joints.  Generally it resolves as the puppy grows, so we usually just treat with anti-inflammatory medication and rest.

Any lameness that does not respond to a day or two of rest should be evaluated by a veterinarian.  He can help you determine the cause of your puppy’s pain and the best way to treat him.  Remember, never give any medication to your pet without first checking with your family veterinarian.