The dog’s joint is made up of at least two ends of bones that fit together perfectly. When these two bones do not fit together in a normal way because one of the two bones is badly formed, fractured or the ligaments that hold them are too loose (this is called ligament laxity) there is a joint incongruence also called dysplasia. articular because this joint defect results from a problem with the development of the joint during the growth of the dog.

Dog dysplasia is generally localized in three joints in particular:

• Hip, between the head of the femur and the acetabulum of the pelvis.
• L’épaule between the scapula (or scapula) and the head of the humerus
• The elbow between the humerus and the radius and the ulna

Typical abnormalities in these bones create an incongruence. Bones that do not fit together will rub together and damage their cartilages. Inflammation develops and osteoarthritis of the dog ensues.

This dog dysplasia mainly affects puppies of large breeds and giant breeds, which grow rapidly.e such as the Labrador, the Golden Retriever, the German Shepherd or the Bernese Mountain Dog.

It manifests itself by intermittent lameness at first or a swaying gait when it reaches the dogs hindquarters. The painful dog compensates with his other legs may develop atrophy (decrease in size) of the muscles in the painful limbs with dysplasia and hypertrophy (increase in size) in the healthy limbs. So dogs with hip dysplasia will often have very developed chest muscles.

In dogs belonging to breeds predisposed to dysplasia, x-rays of the joints concerned will be taken from an early age. If these radiographs are intended for an official screening scoring (in order to declare the dog suitable or not for reproduction), they can be carried out under general anesthesia, in order to have a perfect position for official measurements, at from the age of 12 months. These radios are read by a specialist veterinary radiologist approved by the breed club.

Dogs that obtain a bad mark cannot be registered in the Book of French Origins, the LOF and should be sterilized so as not to transmit the disease to their offspring. They will declare the symptoms of the disease in time. And protective treatments for the joints can already be implemented.

Dog dysplasias detected early can be corrected by surgery to reduce joint incongruence. These are heavy surgeries that involve cutting the bones to change their orientation. They then involve a long period of rehabilitation and recovery with physiotherapy. Some dysplasias can also be relieved by arthroscopy. A camera and forceps are slid into the joint through small holes drilled in the skin and the synovial capsule that surrounds the joint. Seek advice from a veterinary orthopedic surgeon.

Pain in the joint is treated with anti-inflammatory drugs.

Over time dysplasia will lead to osteoarthritis in the dog. We must therefore prevent the appearance of osteoarthritis as much as possible and fight against the risk factors for the appearance of osteoarthritis.

• Ensure that the dysplastic dog is not overweight.
• Make doregular exercise. Exercise helps prevent overweight and promotes muscle development. These are the muscles that ensure better stability of the incongruous joint.
• Distribute food supplements containing chondroprotectors (protectors of cartilage). There are kibbles that contain these chondroprotectors. They can be given to dysplastic dogs continuously and from an early age to better protect their joints from osteoarthritis.
• The swimming. Avoiding the dog to undergo gravity and therefore weigh on his joints while swimming allows the dog to develop effective muscles without pain.
• La physiotherapy and osteopathy : these are two alternative methods to fight against pain related to osteoarthritis but also to the incongruence of the joint.