Embrace Pet Insurance Blog

Top 10 ways to prevent orthopedic issues in dogs

I've done a lot of talking about orthopedic issues after the fact. Today I turn my attention to preventing orthopedic issues in dogs (cats seem to have far fewer issues with their bones than dogs):

1. Keep your dog nice and trim:
   Starting with the most obvious approach, slim dogs have fewer orthopedic issues. Excess weight can wear on cartilage, causing limping, pain, and worn joints. Find out from your veterinarian what your dog's ideal weight is, how many calories your dog should eat to keep to that weight, how often you should feed your dog, and in what form (not too many treats now!)
2. Exercise your dog in water:
   Another way to keep a dog's weight down is to exercise. Running and walking are all good but one excellent way to reduce exercise's burden on your dog's joints is exercising in water. The water's buoyancy supports and lessens stress on the joints, encourages freer movement and provides a safe environment for exercise. If you have access to an ocean, lake or river, make sure your dog feels safe in the water and is a comfortable swimmer first. You might want to start off in a kiddie paddling pool so your dog is nicely comfortable in water before larger and deeper bodies of water.
3. Feed your dog daily supplements:
   Some supplements such as methylsulfonylmethane, glucosamine hydrochloride, glucosamine sulfate, and glucosamine hydroiodide are thought to help joint health and perhaps prevent arthritis, which often occurs alongside other orthopedic issues. They come in pill form or are now being added to some dog foods.
4. Use elevated dog bowls for your dog's food and water:
   Dog bowls that are raised off the ground keep the spine aligned in a more natural manner, putting less stress on the vertebrae, leading to less wear and tear
5. Preventative acupuncture:
   An veterinary acupuncturist can find the weakest spot in your dog's ‘system’ and treat that before it gives clinical symptoms.
6. Good behavioral training:
   A well behaved dog that listens to commands and behaves well in public and among other dogs is much less likely to be in the position to have an accident, whether it be overly aggressive play leading to a cruciate ligament rupture or a car accident with multiple broken bones. I don't know how many times we've seen a dog park accident cause a tramatic hip dysplasia incident leading to surgery.
7. Preventative tests and examinations:
   Get your veterinarian to perform PennHip or OFA tests, as well as a thorough orthopedic examination to spot hip dysplasia, cruciate ligament tears, luxating patellas before they becomes a serious problem. Knowledge is the best weapon against serious disease and once you know if your dog is likely to have problems in the future, you can really focus on weight reduction, arthritis prevention through supplements, and appropriate exercise regimes
8. Surgery:
   Correcting conditions such as patella luxation can help reduce the likelihood of related conditions such as a cruciate ligament tear
9. No breeding:
   Do not breed a dog with hereditary orthopedic conditions such as patella luxation, hip dysplasia or osteochondritis dissecans. These conditions can be passed down through genes to their progeny perpetuating these serious canine health conditions,
   ...and finally...
10. Neuter at 6-months old and onwards:
    Some studies have shown a higher incidence of hip dyslasia and cruciate ligament tears with early-age neutering. As your veterinarian about the right time to neuter or spay your dog

Related Posts:
November is Orthopedic Month At Embrace Pet Insurance
Guest post: A General Discussion of Orthopedic Issues in Dogs
Guest Post: Four Most Common Orthopedic Problems in Dogs   

See this video of Rottweiler Lula working on her hips and back in a hydrotherapy tank...

Embrace pet: Tahlula, a seven year old rescued Rottweiler

For some blogging fun, we're going to highlight some of our staff pets. Today, we’re here with Tahlula, a seven year old Rottweiler, to talk about her life as an Embrace pet.

Q: Hello, Tahlula. Tell us a bit about yourself.
A: Hi, My name is Tahlula, but everyone calls me “Wu”.

Q: So, Wu, what do you like to do for fun?
A: I like naps in my little bed near the space heater, but when it’s warm outside, I prefer lounging outside in the sun, watching the birds in the garden.

Q: So you’re pretty laid back then?
A: Yes, sometimes my body is sore, so I like to nap more than most. I had to have surgery in both of my knees a few years ago when I tore my cruciate ligaments, whatever those are! Mom said that her $50 shelter dog ended up getting $4,000 bionic knees, but I feel much better with them. They still have some arthritis and I also have hip dysplasia, but I take pain relievers for that now, and it doesn’t bother me much. I guess it’s just part of being a senior Rottie.

Q: So you think that these issues are because you’re a Rottweiler?
A: Well, probably. My back pain is also part of being a big dog.

Q: Ow, a back problem?
A: My mom says it’s called IVDD. It means one of my discs slip and put pressure on my spinal cord, which is not only painful, but scary. The first time it happened, I couldn’t walk so well. I would fall over like a baby deer, but I didn’t even realize my legs weren’t working.

Q: What do you do when that happens?
A: My people give steroids, and they drove me to a vet’s office that gave me physical therapy in the underwater treadmill to help me walk again. I got to go every week for a long time! Everyone said that was much better than another surgery, and I agree. It’s on youtube if you want to see.

Q: So you liked therapy?
A: Yes-it helped me pump up my big muscles. Rottweilers look funny with little scrawny legs. Plus, I liked it when they used the blow dryer on me afterwards.

Q: How did the back injury happen?
It flares up if I get too excited and put strain on my neck. Like, a couple of weeks ago I saw a cute puppy on our walk, and we played, but then I was paying for it the next day. Mom says I can’t wear collars anymore-only harnesses, so I don’t strain.

Q: But otherwise you’re life is pretty normal?
A: Yep, it’s good. I can do most everything I want, including visit my friends at the Embrace office. They’re nice, and some of them share their lunches with me. But, that’s off the record, because I’m not supposed to tell my mom.

Q: You like to eat? What is your favorite food?
A: Oh yes! I love fruits and vegetables. My favorites are bananas and apples but most of all green tomatoes! Speaking of which, I should be going. I think I need to remind my mom that it’s almost time for dinner...

Thank you Wu for joining us today. I've got some noms at my desk when you come to visit - we won't tell mom :)

Breed focus: German Shepherd Dog

A few months back, I was researching genetic conditions in various dog breeds and was shocked to find that the German Shepherd Dog had 146 hereditary conditions listed. Partly that includes all the one-off conditions that someone noticed in one dog but still, that's a lot of conditions. I had no idea.

Thank goodness then for the write up of the German Shepherd Dog over at the Embrace Pet Health Center that helps pull together all the features of the breed.

Rin Tin Tin, a pup found in a World War I battle zone, became the world’s first canine movie star, forever marking the German Shepherd Dog as one of the most recognized breeds. From his imposing size to his erect ears and dark, intelligent eyes, he has achieved legendary status as the ideal canine. A versatile, athletic and fearless working dog, the Shepherd has done just about every job a dog can do, from leading the blind and detecting drugs to dragging down fleeing criminals and serving in the armed forces. An energetic, loyal and devoted companion, the German Shepherd isn’t a breed but a lifestyle.

Apart from learning that a German Shepherd Dog is not for my household (2 energetic young children and a growing business is more than enough for us right now), there is a very informative table on the breed specific conditions a GSD can get:

As you can see, out of the top 10 listed conditions a German Shepher Dog can get, 5 are orthopedic and 3 of the 5 are listed as having high risk. That's a lot of expensive health care if you aren't careful.

The article also has 9 tips on how to get a healthy German Shepherd Dog:

1. Do not buy a puppy from a magazine ad or on the internet
2. Try to find someone local with a Shepherd of the kind you like (there are several variations ranging from show, obedience and working dogs to companions)
3. Ask to see written, independent documentation of tests of the breeder's dogs for the main health issues GSDs can get.
4. Ask about the new test for degenerative myelopathy
5. Don't fall for a breeder who tells you it's not necessary to do any of those tests
6. Ask about independent temperament testing of her dogs
7. Talk to local dog trainers to find the origins of any particularly nice German Shepherd dogs they've worked with
8. Make sure you have a good contract with the seller of your new dog
9. Take your new dog to your veterinarian soon after adoption.

More details can be found on the Embrace Pet Health Center webpage for German Shepherd Dogs

Guest Post: Four Most Common Orthopedic Problems in Dogs

Today, we have a guest post from Dr. Rex Riggs, a veterinarian, veterinary practice owner, and and Advisory Board member of Embrace Pet Insurance. Dr. Riggs writes about orthopedic issues from a small animal practioner's perspective.
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Orthopedic problems in dogs are commonly seen in a busy small animal veterinary practice. We are becoming a more active society and often include our dog friends in our athletic pursuits. Running, chasing a ball or catching a Frisbee are all great exercise for dogs but can also result in injuries. We are also seeing more purebred dogs with all their great attributes but we also see the less desirable traits that come with that breeding. Many breeds are genetically predisposed to muscular skeletal problems.

The four most common orthopedic problems seen in dogs are hip dysplasia, torn cruciate ligaments, patellar luxations, and disc problems.

1. Hip dysplasia:
   A genetic disease, hip dysplasia is influenced by a number of factors. It is a much more common in large breed dogs such as German Shepherd Dogs, Labrador and Golden Retrievers. Treatment often involves lifetime anti-inflammatory medications which can run $2 to $3 dollars a day. If the hips develop extensive arthritis, often titanium joint replacements need to be used costing between $2,000 to $3,000 per hip. Preventative measures are the key and weight plays a huge role in the expression of hip dysplasia. It has been shown keeping your dog lean can decrease dysplasia by up to 30%. Weight reduction is the number one pain reliever in dogs and people.
2. Cruciate Ligament Tears:
   How many times do you read in the paper about your favorite football player out for the season with an ACL tear? ACL stands for anterior cranial cruciate and it is the ligament that keeps the knee in working order. Well, instead of a big linebacker taking out your dog’s knee it is more likely a squirrel or rabbit that your dog took chase (which he never catches!). The squirrel zigs, the dog zags and there goes the knee! Torn cruciate ligaments, just like in people need to be surgically repaired to prevent crippling arthritis. There are many different types of surgical procedures and the type used depends on the size of the dog, and can range from $1,500 to $2,500.
3. Luxating Patellas:
   Knee cap problems are also commonly seen in many breeds of dogs. The kneecap, or patella, rests in a groove. Smaller dog’s patella’s tend to slip out of the groove to the inside or medially, and is known as medial patellar luxation. Medial patellar luxation in small dogs can often be repaired for $1,000 to $1,200. Larger dogs patellas, generally slips to the outside or laterally. These dogs often have other more involved problems with the bones of the leg as well and thus repair can be more complicated, costing as much as $3,500.
4. Disc Disease:
   Just as with many of us, our dogs also can have disc problems in their neck and backs. Cocker Spaniels, Poodles, Dachshunds and Lhasa Apsos are all breeds that can suffer from neck disc issues, whereas large breed dogs often have chronic lower back issues. Most of these cases can be treated conservatively with the same medications used to treat hip dysplasia. When discs become ruptured, they become surgical emergencies. The disc material can slip into the spinal canal or nerves causing intense pain or even paralysis. These surgeries need to be done often within hours in order to get good results. These emergency back surgeries can reach $3,000 to $5,000.

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Dr. Rex Riggs grew up in Wadsworth, Ohio, near Akron. Dr Riggs is co-owner of Best Friends Veterinary Hospital in Powell, Ohio. He is also on the board of the North Central Region of Canine Companions of Independence, a board member of The Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine Alumni Society and Small Animal Practitioner Advancement Board at The Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Riggs lives in Lewis Center with his wife Nancy, their two dogs Boo and Maggie, and two cats Franklin and Speeder. Outside of work, Dr. Riggs is an avid golfer and enjoys travel and photography.

PawNation talks pet insurance

AOL's Paw Nation blog recently ran an article on pet insurance, with a nice mention of Embrace.

Pet insurance covers your pet's accidents, injuries, and illnesses; sometimes it will even take care of chronic conditions, dental care or check-ups. Depending on the type of care your pet needs, pet health insurance can help your four-legged friend maintain a healthy lifestyle without the build up of vet bills.

It's not a bad little article but needs a little clarification in some areas:

Article: ...Unlike most human health insurance, many pet insurance plans let you keep your vet, so your pooch or kitty won't have to leave his or her favorite doctor.

Fact: currently, ALL pet insurance plans let you keep going to your veterinarian. Quite frankly, your veterinarian doesn't even have to know you have pet insurance because you pay your vet bill and then claim from the pet insurer directly. 

Article: ...On the other end of the spectrum, Embrace Pet Insurance covers cancer treatments and chronic illnesses, but not pre-existing conditions, like respiratory infections.

Fact: it's true, Embrace does not cover pre-existing conditions - but then, neither does any other pet insurer. Having said that, we do cover pre-existing conditions if the condition is curable, like a respiratory infection, after goes away for 12 months or more. And just to be absolutely clear, we cover respiratory infections if they aren't pre-existing conditions, just in case you were wondering :)

Article: Pet insurance isn't for everyone. Talk to your vet about what type of pet health insurance plan would be best for you and your furry companion.

Fact: there's no doubt that there are many veterinarians who understand pet insurance and  would be able and willing help you decide what plan is best for you - but not as many as you might think. Vets focus on loving care and veterinary medicine - that's their job. They may feel pet insurance comes under that purview; they may not.  Would you ask your own doctor which health insurance plan is right for you?

When looking into pet insurance, I recommend you research in many places to find the plan that works for you - by all means, ask your veterinarian what he or she thinks, but also...

• read pet blogs on the topic,
• talk to other pet parents about their pet insurance experience,
• read online reviews (www.petinsurancereview.com is a good place to start),
• go to the companies' websites and call them with your questions.

Then you'll be in a good place to make the right decision for you.