Joint health is about a lot more than hip dysplasia â and orthopedic disease doesnât only affect senior dogs.
In this Wellness Wednesday deep dive, weâre breaking down the joint and bone conditions every sporting, working, and performance dog owner should know about, from puppyhood through the senior years.
Weâll cover hip and elbow dysplasia, osteoarthritis, cruciate ligament disease, OCD, patellar luxation, growth plate injuries, angular limb deformities, panosteitis, HOD, fractures, septic arthritis, immune-mediated joint disease, osteosarcoma, and more.
Weâll also dig into the options available when orthopedic problems occur â including veterinary diagnostics, surgery, rehabilitation, pain management, nutrition, weight management, conditioning, environmental modifications, and supportive therapies.
Most importantly, weâll talk about what you can do before thereâs a problem: choosing genetics thoughtfully, supporting appropriate puppy growth, keeping your dog lean, building muscle, progressing workload gradually, prioritizing recovery, and learning to recognize subtle changes in movement and performance.
Because a dog doesnât have to stop working to be hurting â especially when drive tells them to keep going.
We canât prevent every orthopedic disease or injury. But we can reduce the risks we can control, recognize problems earlier, and make informed decisions that support comfortable movement for the long haul.
The goal isnât just building a dog that can perform today. Itâs building an athlete that can still comfortably do what they love years from now.
đď¸ Wellness Wednesday | Dog Driven
Joint & Bone Health in Performance Dogs: Disease, Treatment, Prevention & Longevity