Treating Hip Dysplasia In Dogs

Hip dysplasia is a very common condition in most breeds of dogs. Often larger dogs are more prone to hip dysplasia but it can also occur even in the small and toy breeds. Hip dysplasia is a degenerative condition that usually affects dogs as they age, although some breeds can start showing the symptoms of hip dysplasia at young ages as well.

The hip of the dog works the same as the hip joint in a human. It is a ball and socket joint with the socket attached to the pelvis and the ball part of the joint attached to the femur or thigh bone. Normally the ball and socket fit together properly and there is movement in all directions. There is a ligament and other protective tissues that hold the ball and socket together and keep the joint strong and healthy.

Dogs that develop hip dysplasia have an abnormal growth of the soft tissues around the joint and within the ball and socket mechanism of the hip. This starts when the dogs are very young. The result is that the bones of the hip joint are not in close contact with each other; rather they are separated by the layer of abnormal tissue that has developed in the joint. The constant outward pressure of the joint by this tissue then further leads to a stretching of the ligament that holds the joint together. The result is a separation of the joint known as a subluxation.

Hip dysplasia is a hereditary condition that means that it can only be passed down through breeding. With conscientious breeders having their dogs tested for hip dysplasia before breeding the condition can be controlled. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) has collected data on various breeds and lines since 1966. This database is the largest in the world and is used by reputable breeders to ensure that the lines that they are crossing have little chance of carrying this genetic condition.

Treatment

Hip dysplasia in dogs is usually first noticed by stiffness and pain with walking. This will often result in dogs having trouble sitting or standing as the joint is flexed and extended. Many owners think that their pet has arthritis when this occurs. A vet can verify hip dysplasia with a physical exam, which will manipulate the joint. The vet can tell be the tension or lack thereof in the muscle and connective tissue around the hip. An X-ray can also be used to verify the condition.

There are several ways to treat hip dysplasia and usually the treatment method will depend on the age of the dog and the cost of the procedure. All the methods that involve surgery are very costly and may not completely cure the problem, depending on the amount of damage that has been done to the bones. Usually younger dogs are more effectively treated with the surgical procedures. Total hip replacements as well as altering of the pelvic bones and even removal of part of the joint or connective tissue are all options.

Non-surgical methods include anti-inflammatory, arthritis medications as well as controlled diet and non-strenuous exercise. Since it is a hereditary condition there is no medication that can control the disease but the damage to the joint and the pain that the dog may be experiencing can be effectively managed for many years.

Kelly Marshall is a popular contributor at http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com - where you can find dog beds, dog steps, pet ramps, and more unique dog gear that you'll never find at your local pet store.

Let Go of Total Control

If you find yourself constantly griping about having too much to do and never enough hours in the day to do it all, you may be the cause of the problem. As working mothers we are used to taking charge and getting things done. For many of us, time is limited for decision-making and negotiation and it doesnt take long to get to the point where we think, Its just easier to do everything myself. But is it? At home and at work, we need to consider how much control is necessary and how much is unnecessary.

Even though you may complain about shouldering most of the responsibility, and want others to do more, do you have difficulty sharing tasks with your colleagues? Do you seek ultimate authority over everything that happens at the office? If you answered yes, you just might be a workplace control addict.

It often seems like the more control women demand over their careers, co-workers and workloads, the more insane their life feels. Trying to be in charge of everything often leads to bedlam. To gain balance in your life, you must be prepared to relinquish total control. (Theres a big difference, of course, between totally relinquishing control, and relinquishing total control!)

You may be in a situation where you are working long hours, juggling endless family responsibilities and finishing the night off with extra work youve brought home from the office. And on weekends, between soccer practice and ballet lessons, you might even find yourself back at the office catching up on the work that you were unable to complete during the week. Inevitably, the need to be in control at work will leave you on the edge of burnout. Oftentimes, this type of burnout stems form a defeating belief that tells you that you are the only person who can do the job right and there is no point in delegating it to anyone else because youll just have to re-do it yourself anyway. In this situation, total control is on the way to total chaos. By being over-worked and over-stressed, mistakes happen and business can be lostnot to mention your sense of work-life balance.

Trying to control all aspects of your work may have the opposite effect. It may be time to figure out how to let go and lighten up. Making an inventory of the clients and projects you have on the go, and determining which tasks you absolutely love to do, and which tasks you would be prepared to let go, is a great starting point. It may be difficult at first to ask for support from your colleagues for fear that you may appear vulnerable or needy. Asking for help will also demand that you show a considerable amount of trust in others. But doing so will create a sense of teamwork, responsibility, and involvement, and by learning to lighten up, you may realize that it is not as necessary to take everything as seriously as you may have in the past.

With more support on the work front, you can choose to gradually shed those weekend office hours and put more balance into your life. Ironically, by letting go of total control at the office you can gain more choice and ultimately more control in your life.

© Copyright 2006. Lisa Martin. All rights reserved.

Lisa Martin is a certified coach who inspires working mothers to achieve success thats balanced.

Whats Better Residual Income Or Passive Income?

Most of us have been taught to go to school and get an education. Ideally you graduate from high school and further your education through college or a trade school. Some go on to achieve their Masters or PHD allowing them to command more money for their time. Ultimately, one must choose what they intend to do for a career, earn a living and be productive in society. Not that you or anyone else needs a diploma in order to be successful but some would consider it to be a marker of discipline, as to whether one may finish the task or do the job required.

Residual income is known as money that is received on a regular basis from efforts already sown. Could be thought of as money that is left over from an initial purchase or ongoing installment. Its nickname or also known as (AKA) mailbox money and can be obtained by anyone, graduate or non graduate.

Usually to keep receiving residual income, one must still be active within the company or organization. Should they leave or break policy, you can expect to stop receiving any further residual money. Replacing the mailbox money with a final termination letter and ceasing any more paychecks as the residual return comes to an end.

Passive income is similar to residual income but with one major difference. With passive income you can now be an inactive party. Qualifying you to retire from your venture an yet still keep on receiving your expected paycheck. Not to be confused with a pension but giving you the freedom to maintain your preexisting standard of living, while NOT having to work for it (the paycheck) any longer.

You hear a great deal of individuals giving testimony to having a residual income, which is what most people strive to obtain and rightly so. This is to be expected when working within a home based business environment or any other self-earned income opportunity. However, if you can build your residual earnings into an ongoing passive income, you will be better off once you choose to STOP acting (or working) to get the paycheck.

Whether it be residual income or passive income, once you get a taste of either one you will most likely want to continue in this manor and grow it to unlimited heights. Allowing you to experience a lifestyle unlike others they may need to report to workplace at a certain time each day, week after week and year after year.

If you are currently representing a company or thinking of joining a company that offers residual income as a form of payment. You should check into their company policies and learn how your earned paycheck may be treated, should you choose to move on to another business opportunity. Losing a residual income after spending your time and energy creating it, could be devastating if you are not aware of its tenure ahead of time.

Aubrey Richardson is the founder of http://www.logofax.com - logos & clipart site. Find out how you can tap into earning money online http://www.internet-based-business-opportunity.com