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The Leonberger Club of the United States Membership Application |
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 Hip Dysplasia (HD) is an inherited problem that careful and selective breeding can minimize. HD is not specific to Leonbergers, rather it is common in a number of large and giant breed dogs. Responsible breeders will not breed Leos with HD problems. There are other factors which can contribute to HD which are early rapid growth, fast weight gain, overfeeding (overweight), and too much of protein, calories, vitamins, and minerals. As with anything, too much or an excess of anything is not desirable. Visible signs of HD are a dog that limps or a dog that appears weak, clumsy, or stiff in the hips. The only way to be sure that your dog has HD is to have X-Rays done and examined by your Vet. Official diagnosis is not normally done prior to 12 months of age. Treatment ranges from pain medication or anti inflammatory drugs along with a proper diet and moderated exercise to surgery (hip replacement). Your Vet will make recommendations based on the severity of the condition. HD statistics are tracked for all breeds. The Leonberger has an average score. The scoring is adjusted continually as scores are taken into account. Your Vet should be able to provide you with a copy of the all breeds scoring so that you can compare the Leonberger. Back to General Health |
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