I received a question from one of our policyholders not long ago about their new puppy, Gunther. Gunther is a purebred German Shepherd. Like all purebred German Shepherds, the policyholder knew that Gunther would be at risk for hip dysplasia during his lifetime. She wanted to know if there was anything she could do to help prevent him from getting the disease.
German Shepherds, Golden and Labrador Retrievers, and Rottweilers are some of the many breeds prone to hip dysplasia. This painful and potentially crippling disorder affects approximately one-in-five large breed dogs, and is a frequent claim here at Petplan (and a great reason for pet parents of these breeds to carry Petplan pet insurance, since many other insurers, including some of the most popular and well-known, won’t cover hip dysplasia).
To help reduce the risk of Gunther developing hip dysplasia, I advised her to feed him a puppy food specially formulated for breeds at risk for dysplasia. This special diet should be fed for the first 12 to 18 months. At-risk dogs should also be started on glucosamine/chondroitin to promote health joints.
One of the most important, and easiest, steps she can take to protect Gunther’s joints is to keep him lean and lightweight. Obese dogs have a higher incidence of osteoarthritis, even when they’re young.
Dog lovers interested in acquiring a large-breed dog should make sure the parents are certified dysplasia-free by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFS) or the Penn-Hip system. Breeding from certified individuals will help to stomp out this genetic disease.
