Hip dysplasia is an inherited disorder in Doberman pinschers. The hip joint normally forms a ball and socket. Hip dysplasia is a disease where the hip joints have poor conformation to overt malformation allowing dislocation of the femoral head (top of the upper long bone of the rear leg of a dog) or ball from its seat in the pelvis (socket). This movement eventually leads to the degradation of the joint structure and appearance of arthritis as the body tries to compensate for loss of bone and supporting structures. The disease may be mild to severe and can be very painful. Symptoms are typical of arthritis, as the dog may walk or run with an altered gait, resist extension movement in back legs, arise stiff in the morning or be stiff and painful after vigorous exercise. Your veterinarian may diagnose hip dysplasia by physical exam and X-ray. Depending upon the severity of the disease and degree of debilitation of your dog, various treatments are available including, weight management, mild exercise, supplements, pain and inflammation treatment and in severe cases surgery.
Additional web resources:
http://www.offa.org/hiptreat.html
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1569&articleid=444
http://www.healthypet.com/library_view.aspx?ID=32&sid=1