Sit Down Dog Wheelchairs
Addressing Hip Subluxation in Dogs
Hip subluxation is incredibly debilitating. It occurs when the ball of the hip joint pops partially out of the socket. It can be equally as painful as a full dislocation or luxation. Finding relief for your four-legged friend is easier than ever with the proper equipment for disabled dogs. The Walkin' Hip-EEZ harness paired with additional support wear will bring comfort to your dog with a little assistance.
What is Hip Subluxation?
Subluxation is the partial dislocation of a joint, the bone partially separates from the socket. Hip subluxation is one of the main symptoms in diagnosing hip dysplasia.
Signs of Hip Subluxation
- sudden onset of limping
- reluctance to walk or jump
- pain when touching or moving the joint
- swelling or warmth of the joint
- decreased appetite
- decreased activity
How to Treat Subluxated Hips
Strength Building
Once you have identified hip subluxation as the problem, it’s best to begin using equipment specifically designed to relieve this pain. Often, chronic pain will cause a dog to find ways to avoid using his body parts to their full potential, putting added stress on other areas. They do this to avoid straining or causing further pain during movement. This behavior could cause a loss of strength and muscle.
Once your dog's strength has diminished, it is harder to build it back up again, as they will likely be unwilling to put their full effort or weight into building up the area again.
Surgery vs. Rehabilitation Therapy
Hip Subluxation Surgery
Should a closed reduction approach be unsuccessful, your Vet will recommend an open reduction surgery. This procedure will be done under general anesthetic and the surgeon will reduce the size of the femoral head to allow it to connect with the pelvis. The surgeon will stabilize the joint with pins or screws so the joint will not come out of place.
Post-op care after open reduction surgery is very important to regain full mobility for your dog. Be sure to follow your vets instructions.
Benefits of Physical Therapy
It's hard to determine how hard to push your dog after a hip replacement surgery. Addressing hip subluxation in dogs and understanding the healing process is essential. Additionally, understanding the most efficient ways to work the hip area during this time will help tremendously. This understanding is paramount during the healing and restoration of the recently injured zone.
Rehab therapy can be used in place of surgery if recommended by a veterinary professional. In this case, the same benefits and practices of having the surgery and recovering still apply. Supportive equipment for disabled dogs allows the pet owner to use these tools to expedite the recovery process. A veterinarian can help lay out a plan of attack to work and strengthen the hip area and avoid hip subluxation occurring again.
Non-Surgical Solutions for Hip Subluxation
Conservative management of a dog's hip subluxation can be used as an alternative to hip surgery. Most conservative treatments will include a combination of rehab exercise, hip joint supplements, and canine mobility aids. A dog hip brace can easily be worn during structured exercises to keep a dog's hip joint aligned and minimize joint pain. The Hip-EEZ hip system allows a rehab specialist to attach a foam hip bridge directly over the dog's femoral head. This keeps the dogs hip joint in proper position as they work to strength the muscles around the hip joint to prevent it from popping out.
Supportive Attachments
Walkin' Pets provides a lot of supportive equipment for handicapped pets. A hip support harness may be able to meet your pet's needs. There is an attachment for amputation support, as well as a donut attachment for pressure sores. For hip subluxation, you'll want to use the hip bridge support attachment to ensure progress and stability.
Having a full comprehension of what is ailing your pet leads to a real understanding of what type of support you need to offer your pet. Staying vigilant and ensuring you are doing everything you can to manage your pet's pain levels and provide the necessary assistance is essential.
When addressing hip subluxation in dogs, using equipment specifically designed to provide comfort and stability on their journey to recovery is a must. Proper use, fitting, placement, and application of the products is significant in the recovery of your pet and the duration of the healing process.
