| Shih Tzus are known as energetic, playful and has | | | | stand on hind limbs. The usual active and energetic |
| lively personality. Once you notice something strange | | | | Shih Tzu may now have less energy and movement. |
| with your Shih Tzu's behavior, you can be sure that he | | | | They oftentimes avoid activities that involve much |
| is feeling something different. Is he not as active as he | | | | movement and energy. This disease if left untreated |
| is used to be? | | | | can lead to arthritis. And as time goes by, the dog may |
| Check out because he might be suffering from hip | | | | even need assistance in getting up or worst, may |
| dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is a joint disease in animals, | | | | cripple the dog for life. |
| commonly found in dogs than in cats. Some says | | | | It has been said that dysplasia is an inherited disease. |
| dysplasia is a genetic disease; some describes it as a | | | | Yes, dysplasia is passed on through genes and |
| developmental disease. Whether a genetic or a | | | | develops over time. It may not be evident at once but |
| developmental disease, the fact remains that it is a | | | | it can be triggered by obesity, improper nutrition and |
| disease thus something must be done to treat it. | | | | other factors as well. Not all dogs with hip dysplasia |
| But before taking steps in treating this disease, it is | | | | show no signs of disease. The risk is that, these dogs |
| important to fully understand what hip dysplasia is. Hip | | | | may be included in a breeding program thus prevention |
| dysplasia is a condition wherein there is abnormality in | | | | of the disease can be impossible. |
| the hip joint of a dog. It could affect left, right or both | | | | This disease, as much as it can be prevented can also |
| legs. In a dysplastic hip, the ball and the socket do not | | | | be treated in many ways. These treatments include |
| fit together resulting to damaging and painful friction. | | | | pain medications, weight loss programs especially for |
| Most dogs with dysplasia are born with normal hips but | | | | obese dogs, controlled exercise, good nutrition and |
| because of genetics and other factors, the soft | | | | physical therapy. But if the prior mentioned treatments |
| tissues that surround the joint start to grow along with | | | | are found ineffective especially in worst cases, |
| the puppy. | | | | another option is surgical treatment. |
| So how will you know that a dog has dysplasia? | | | | Dysplasia is a disease of large breed of dogs |
| Some puppies, as young as five months old will may | | | | however, medium and small sized dogs such as Shih |
| experience symptoms such as difficulty in rising, | | | | Tzus, is not exempted from being affected with this |
| lameness in the back legs soreness after lying down | | | | disease of the joint. It can be passed on through genes |
| and after heavy exercise and reluctance to jump or | | | | so it is important take extra care in breeding programs. |