Did you know the words “Hip Dysplasia” loosely translate to “bad hip formation?” Hip dysplasia is a common condition in pets and thanks to advancements in modern medicine, it does not have to be a life-altering condition. Surgical, medicinal and holistic treatments can help relieve your pet’s pain and cure them. In fact, Cannabis Leaf Extract Oil can help many pets with Hip Dysplasia live long, full and happy lives.
What is Hip Dysplasia?
Hip Dysplasia is a common condition of the skeletal frame, particularly of the hip joint. The hip joint is known as the ball and socket joint. The acetabulum forms a cup-like structure known as a socket and the head of the femur works as a ball, forming the hip joint which gives movement and stability to bear the body weight.
This joint needs to glide smoothly for proper functioning, but due to skeletal deformity instead of gliding, they slide roughly, resulting in deterioration of the hip joint. This rubbing and grinding affect its function, resulting in the condition of Hip Dysplasia.
What causes Hip Dysplasia in dogs and cats?
Multiple factors are responsible for Hip Dysplasia in pets. The most common cause is genetics followed by nutritional factors, excessive and improper exercise, body weight, and excessive growth rate of hormones. Large breed dogs are hereditarily at higher risk of Hip Dysplasia, where the above factors intensify the predisposition of the hip dysplasia condition. Arthritis in dogs can be another cause of Hip Dysplasia.
Your pet’s nutritional requirements vary according to their age, size and physical activity. Hip Dysplasia can occur in puppies and kittens too, hence, during puppy/kitten and growing stages, they need special food formulated for them for proper growth. A balanced ratio of calcium and phosphorus is recommended to avoid the condition. Pets having an excessive growth rate of hormones result in uneven growth of bones hence disrupting the normal ball and socket joint.
Being overweight or obese can affect the pet’s weight-bearing capacity. It puts extra pressure on the hip joints, disturbing the body conformation of the pet. Similarly, over-exercise or exercise on hard pavement also magnifies the condition.
What are the symptoms of Hip Dysplasia?
Symptoms of ‘Hip Dysplasia’ in dogs and cats vary according to the severity of the condition. Following are the main symptoms one can observe in cases of Hip Dysplasia:
- Limping
- Straining while walking
- Reluctance to sit or stand
- Bunny hopping gait
- Reluctance to climb the stairs
- Difficulty to stand if the pet is in a lying position
- Sudden reluctance to use the litter box
Sometimes, cats won’t even show any symptoms of Hip Dysplasia because cats tend to hide their ailments. That is why it is important to get regular checkups from your veterinarian especially if you have a senior cat.
Remember that Hip Dysplasia can be treated and cured if it’s detected in the early stages, so always check with your vet at the earliest signs of Hip Dysplasia.
Breeds of cats and dogs prone to Hip Dysplasia:
Although hip dysplasia in dogs is more common than in cats, some breeds of cats too can suffer from Hip Dysplasia.
Dogs mostly affected with Hip Dysplasia:
Large breed dogs are mostly affected with canine hip dysplasia for example breeds like German Shepherd, Great Dane, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Saint Bernard, etc. are most prone to the condition. Small breeds of dogs that are affected by it are Pugs, French Bulldogs.
Cats mostly affected with Hip Dysplasia:
- Hip dysplasia can affect any breed of cat but it is more commonly seen in breeds like Maine Coon, Persian, Himalayan, Siamese, Bengal, Devon Rex and Abyssinian cats.
Hip Dysplasia Treatment for Dogs and Cats:
- There are multiple ways of treatment and the treatment will vary according to the severity of your pet’s condition, their age, diet and several other factors.
- The treatment could involve a simple change in diet, a new exercise routine or a complex surgery. Surgical intervention is only applicable in severe cases.
Always speak to your vet regarding the treatment options for Hip Dysplasia, your vet may prescribe a single treatment method or a combination of different treatment methods depending on your pet’s condition.
Pain Management for Pets with Hip Dysplasia:
Despite your best efforts and treatment, Hip Dysplasia can cause acute pain to your pets and they might need additional support to manage this pain. There are several ways you can manage your pet’s pain. Here are some of them:
Non-steroidal AntiInflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
While these drugs are effective and your vet may prescribe them to manage the inflammation in the hip joint, these medications come with their own set of unpleasant side effects.
Joint Supplements
Supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin have shown positive results for pets with Hip Dysplasia. They help in managing arthritis in dogs and cats and promote healthy cartilage.
Alternative Therapies
Therapies like acupuncture, laser therapy, stem cell treatments, hemp seed oil, cannabis leaf extract oil are some alternative therapies that can help relieve your pet’s pain. Topical Cannabis Leaf Extract Oil and Hemp Seed Oil can also be used for home treatment of hip dysplasia in dogs and cats.
Here’s more information on pain medication and therapies for pets.
How can CannaPaw™ help to relieve Hip Dysplasia in your pet?
CannaPaw™ contains Cannabis Leaf Extract Oil that is derived from the Cannabis Sativa plant. It works by interacting with your pet’s endocannabinoid system which is responsible for causing the sensations of pain. It does this by binding to cell receptors in muscle tissue, skin and nerves. This, in turn, can alleviate both pain and inflammation. Cannabis Leaf Extract Oil is known to alleviate chronic pain, inflammation, skin issues and other related concerns.
*Wiggles.in is India’s first pet care brand to receive proprietary veterinary license under the AYUSH ministry (The Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homeopathy). It is our constant endeavor to aim higher and do better to keep animals healthy and happy all over India.
CannaPaw™ can help Hip Dysplasia in dogs and cats in the following ways:
- Reduces inflammation:
Hip dysplasia is a condition that causes inflammation in the hip joint. Cannabis Leaf Extract Oil is 100% natural, has anti-inflammatory and therapeutic properties that work to reduce inflammation naturally without any side effects.
- Helps manage pain:
As mentioned earlier, Cannabis Leaf Extract Oil interacts with the pain receptors in your pet’s brain to manage the way your pet processes pain signals in turn helping to alleviate the pain.
- Reduces pain medications:
If your pet is suffering from Hip Dysplasia, it is likely that they are being administered some NSAIDs. The prolonged use of these medicines can have severe side effects but oil derived from Cannabis Leaf Extract can help reduce the dose of these medicines and help avoid health complications in the future.
- Improves mobility:
With Hip Dysplasia, comes the complications of mobility. Because Cannabis Leaf Extract Oil is anti-inflammatory and helps manage pain, it also helps to improve your dog’s mobility issues.
Despite the many benefits of Cannabis Leaf Extract Oil for pets, pet parents are apprehensive to try this wonder medicine because of some common myths. Here are the most common questions pet parents have regarding the use of Cannabis Leaf Extract Oil on their pets:
Is Cannabis Leaf Extract Oil safe for my pets?
Oil derived from Cannabis Leaf Extract is safe for cats and dogs alike because it has 100% natural ingredients and it is naturally derived from the Cannabis Sativa plant.
Will Cannabis Leaf Extract Oil cause any side effects?
NSAIDs are usually prescribed to your pet to relieve their pain and have many side effects but unlike NSAIDs, Topical Cannabis Leaf Extract Oil does not cause any side effects and is completely safe for cats and dogs.
Will Cannabis Leaf Extract Oil get my pet high?
No, oil infused with Cannabis Leaf Extract is non-psychoactive and devoid of the compound responsible for causing hallucinations, hence it will not get your pet high.
Will my pet get addicted to Cannabis Leaf Extract Oil?
Cannabis Leaf Extract Oil for pets is non-addictive.
How to pick the right Topical Cannabis Leaf Extract Oil for pets?
Picking the right Cannabis Leaf Extract Oil for your pets can be difficult. Before using any Topical Oil infused with Cannabis Leaf Extract, remember to:
- Read the label- it must have the words- cannabis or hemp.
- Check if there are any additives in the oil, the oil should be additive-free and non-psychoactive.
- Check if there are any preservatives, a preservative-free oil is recommended.
Every pet requires a different amount of dosage, so check with your veterinarian about the right amount.
CannaPaw™ is the perfect Topical Cannabis Leaf Extract Oil for dogs and cats that checks off every box of safety-measures, quality, love and care.
Get your paws on it today!
For anything else, do reach out to us on +91 8431620000 and our team of experts will help you and your pet out!
Dr. Dilip Sonune is our Director – Veterinary Services at Wiggles.in with over 8+ years of experience. He has completed his B.V.Sc & A.H. and is one of our most dedicated doctors on the team who takes that extra care of his pet patients.
