Last Updated on January 2, 2022 by Griselda M.
Hip dysplasia is one of the most common Yorkie hip problems, and if untreated, it can drastically lower the life quality of your Yorkie.
In many cases, Yorkies have problems that associate with their bone structures. That’s the case because they are very energetic dogs and are genetically prone to these types of diseases.
Even though hip problems are more often in larger dogs, tiny dog breeds such as the Yorkie, are not excluded. Throughout this article, you will learn and get the knowledge on how to spot the most common symptoms and react accordingly toward these issues.
Table of Contents
Hip Problems In Yorkies – Explanation
Owners must first grasp the fundamental anatomy of the hip joint to comprehend how this disease operates.
The hip joint has developed from two parts, spheric looking bone part and the pocket joint. If the spheric bone and socket do not fit or grow properly in dogs with hip dysplasia, they rub and grind instead of moving smoothly. That causes the joint to deteriorate over time and eventually lose its function.
Hip joint health issues can cause further problems, such as arthritis of the joints and lameness. When the canine is growing, the head of the femur and the socket in the pelvis need to grow at the same rate to prevent hip dysplasia dog disease.
Otherwise, there is a chance of developing laxative joint, followed by diseases such as DJD (degenerative joint disease) and osteoarthritis (OA).
Another disease that needs our focus is the Legg Calve Perthes. This disease usually develops because of genetics. So, what is Legg-Calve-Perthes? It is a condition that happens in the femoral head of the dog’s hip. The bone starts to rot down and deteriorate because of lowered blood inflow.
There is a chance that the body on itself automatically fixes this problem. Over an extended period, scar tissue can stabilize the bone, but on the other hand, arthritis might develop because of changes in the bone structure.
These are the two major hip diseases in Yorkie. We will focus more on hip dysplasia throughout this article. However, they are pretty much the same disease in the aspect of symptoms, medication, and examination.
Hip Dysplasia In Small Dogs – Yorkies Included
This disease can be active in all canines, even though it mainly targets larger canine breeds. In Yorkies, the symptoms are the same as in other breeds of dogs.
It is a process that does not occur at once. It is a cycle that happens over an extended period.
The body responds in a variety of ways to this. To begin with, the joint is constantly healing itself and forming new tissue.
However, because tissue healing is a delayed process due to the tissue’s avascular nature, the joint may degrade due to abnormal wear and strain or fail to sustain the bodyweight as planned. A cycle of cartilage loss, inflammation, and pain begin when the joint becomes inflamed.
That is a self-feeding process, in which the more the joint is destroyed, the more harm it causes to the tissues and bones around it. Inflammations that envoke by this disease can harm the body of the dog.
The bones of the joint in the hip can develop osteoarthritis, which appears on a radiograph as little outcrops of bone and degrades the joint further. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that causes painful bone-on-bone contact due to the loss of cartilage between joints.
Dysplasia in Yorkies – causes and symptoms
It’s a polygenic genetic trait affecting many dog breeds, especially the bigger ones, and is the most prevalent cause of hip arthritis in dogs.
Some Yorkie can intake nutritional food, precisely implemented in the diet to limit excessive bone growth. In other words, that can prevent hip dysplasia and other joint conditions.
Another cause can be the amount of exercise your Yorkie gets. However, balance is necessary because over-weight Yorkies can have significant hip problems. Always ask your veterinarian what is best for your beloved Yorkie.
You have to appoint veterinarian appointments regularly in a period of a few months to deeply check the health of your Yorkie.
Symptoms Of Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia can manifest in dogs as early as four months old. Others get it as they become older, along with osteoarthritis.
There are a few indications that owners should be aware of in both circumstances. The harshness of the condition, the degree of looseness in the joint, and the length of time the dog has had hip dysplasia can all affect the symptoms.
Lameness (limping), reluctance to rise or leap, transfer of weight to the forelimbs, loss of muscle mass in the rear limbs, and hip discomfort are all indications of CHD. In general, categorize dogs with CHD into two groups based on their symptoms:
- Group 1: Younger dogs with substantial hip laxity but no arthritis.
- Group 2: Older dogs that have acquired hip arthritis as a result of CHD.
Although many dogs with CHD do not have any evident symptoms, symptoms can appear at any stage of the disease’s progression.
Yorkie hip dysplasia – medication and examination
A variety of ways can help with the treatment of hip dysplasia, ranging from lifestyle changes to surgery. Your veterinarian may propose a nonsurgical option if your dog’s hip dysplasia is not severe, or if your dog is not a surgical candidate for medical or economical reasons.
You should consider the following, depending on your dog’s situation:
- Weight loss to relieve stress on the hips
- Limited exercise should be taken into consideration
- Supplements for the joints
- Medications that reduce inflammation (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids)
- Modifiers of joint fluid
There are alternatives for your dog if it is a suitable candidate for surgery. While there are several surgical methods available for treating hip dysplasia in dogs, the ones listed further are the main which need consideration:
- DPO/TPO stands for double or triple pelvic osteotomy.
- osteotomy of the femoral head (FHO)
- Replacement of the whole hip joint (THR)
Surgery is not always mandatory, but it will help your Yorkie feel better and live a healthy and joyful lifestyle.
When To Consider Surgery For Yorkie Hip Dysplasia
You should consider appointing surgery if the disease is at late stages and the suffering of your Yorkie is at a high level. Always consult with a veterinarian about the type of surgery you want to approach.
Often, the type of surgery depends on the severity of the injuries produced by the disease. Your veterinarian can do a detailed check and examine the health of your Yorkie and offer you the best surgery for your it.
Limiting the exercise should always be considered after surgery, maintenance of minimal body weight as well.
Final Thoughts On Yorkie Hip Problems
Yorkie hip problems are a serious issue and can change the lifestyle of your Yorkie. In other words, it can make them feel sad and get a painful experience when doing activities around the house.
Always consider taking your Yorkie to a veterinarian appointment if you see some of the symptoms we mentioned. Weight loss and limited exercises can always help with this issue.
If you have any other thoughts on this topic, feel free to comment below and open a discussion.
Read more about Yorkie Back Leg Problems.