| Allergies
DYSPLASIA:
COMING TO GRIPS WITH BAD HIPS
by Steve Marsden,
DVM, ND, MSOM, LAc, Dipl. CH
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Interestingly, there
was no significant difference in pain
relief between these dogs and 19 others
who were needled around the hip at sites
not known to be acupuncture points. Many
veterinarians think of acupuncture as
a short-term method of relieving pain,
but the fact that this second group of
CHD dogs improved so much in the six months
following a single treatment suggests
a more fundamental improvement must be
occurring.
When ligaments are damaged, blood flow
must be significantly increased for them
to heal. A recent study in Calgary, Alberta
revealed that ample blood supply to a
damaged ligament is heavily dependent
upon neural input. It’s possible
that acupuncture may increase neural input
to the hip joint and the damaged round
ligament, promoting healing and stabilization.
While this is conjecture, it is certainly
true that one of the main effects of acupuncture
point stimulus is to increase blood flow
to the area of the point. Once an adequate
blood supply has been established, ligament
repair will probably require at least
six wees.
Chiropractic seems to act synergistically
with acupuncture by releasing nerve root
impingement caused by an inflexible back.
Once the vertebrae are released, pressure
on the nerve roots is eased, allowing
nerves to function better. Increased neural
activity may lead to enhanced blood flow
to the hip joint and increased tone in
the muscles stabilizing the joint. Chiropractic
also relieves any back pain that may be
compounding the pain and weakness arising
from CHD.
LIGHTEN
UP
One of the earliest discoveries about
canine hip dysplasia was that it is aggravated
by excessive caloric intake. In one study
by Purina, 48 eight-week-old Labrador
retrievers were divided into two groups.
One group was fed as much as they wanted
while the other was given 25 percent less.
Almost 70 percent of the dogs on the ad
lib diet became dysplastic, compared to
half that number on the restricted diet.
Other articles advised limiting the food
intake of susceptible dogs so their ribs
and spine are palpable, but not visible.
An article by Hill’s Pet Nutrition
in a 1992 edition of Veterinary Clinics
of North America confidently asserts that
“dietary deficiencies are of minimal
concern in this age of commercial foods
specifically prepared for young, growing
dogs” and that dogs with CHD are
more likely to have been over-nourished.
It’s ironic that so many of these
articles were contributed by commercial
pet food companies, since their foods
appear to be a big part of the problem.
A 1992 review article noted that excess
energy consumption increases the frequency
and severity of hip dysplasia in genetically
predisposed dogs. A 1993 article observed
that foods high in carbohydrates promote
degenerative joint disease, and cited
low protein diets as a direct cause of
hip dysplasia. Human medical research
has shown that excessive carbohydrates
lead to the production of free radicals
that can inflame and damage the joints.
Unfortunately, diets low in protein and
high in carbohydrates are the main strategy
for geriatric dogs, in which lameness
is often a major concern. So-called “high
protein foods” also contain as much
as 30 to 40 percent carbohydrates. Overall,
the research suggests that high protein
and low carbohydrate diets may be best
for preventing hip dysplasia, while diets
containing excessive calcium and vitamin
D should be avoided.
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Published in
the February/March 2004 issue of Animal
Wellness
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