A fairly common degenerative disease in dogs, canine hip dysplasia, is often misunderstood. Many mistakenly think that the ailment is a form of arthritis, but that is simply not the case. Often, dogs that suffer from hip dysplasia will develop arthritis, but this condition is a result of hip dysplasia and not the disease itself.

The condition is most common in mid to large size dogs that grow rapidly and can be a source of severe pain and limited mobility for the animal. Even when detected early, there is no “cure” for hip dysplasia; it must be treated with medication to reduce the amount of pain that the dog suffers or be corrected as much as possible with surgery.

Hip Dysplasia Explained

Hip dysplasia is essentially an abnormal formation of the hip joint. This formation causes looseness in the joint that causes an array of problems for the dog. The most common results of hip dysplasia include pain and lack of mobility. Dogs that are severely affected can not move their hindquarters at all. There are many degrees of dysplasia; they range from only the slightest abnormalities in the connection of the joint to complete dislocation of the femur from the hip socket.

Causes Hip Dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia is primarily caused by genetics. If one or both parent animals carry a genetic trait for hip dysplasia, it will be passed on to their offspring. Genetic conditions and their likelihood of being passed on are measured in terms of “heritability factoring.” Something that is determined completely by genetics, like eye color or gender, is considered to have a heritability factor of 1, indicating that the condition is 100% genetic. A condition that has absolutely nothing to do with genetics, like a sprained ankle, has a heritability factor of 0.

Scientists have determined that hip dysplasia carries a heritability factor between .25 and .85, meaning that there is a 25% to 85% chance that the condition is genetic in origin. While injuries to a young pup - incurred before or after birth - can cause the condition, almost all hip dysplasia is passed on genetically.

How is Hip Dysplasia Treated?

As stated earlier, there is no “cure” for hip dysplasia. Medication can be given to control the pain and reduce inflammation of the joint, but the only way to treat the condition on any permanent basis is through surgery. The best way to combat hip dysplasia is through selective breeding. If the either of the potential parent animals show traits of hip dysplasia, they should not be bred and should be spayed or neutered to ensure they do not pass on the trait.

All breeding dogs should be X-Rayed at a young age to check for signs of the condition. Many times a dog that appears perfectly healthy and has no signs of the condition can actually have hip dysplasia.

Gas prices are higher than ever, so you’re likely to see more advertising for “gas-saving” products. Yes, we want to improve on fuel efficiency, but are these products really helping? Or are they just taking an extra bite out of our already shrinking car budget?

The truth is, you should be suspicious of any gas-saving claims for certain devices or oil and gas additives. Even for the few gas-saving products that have been found to work, the savings have been miniscule.

You’ll see all sorts of claims and testimonies. “This gas-saving product improves fuel economy by 20 percent.” Yeah, yeah. Actually, the EPA has tested over 100 of these supposed gas saving products, and none of them were found to do the job well.

Some products can even damage your car. So much for cost savings! Please be skeptical of advertising claims for gas saving devices.

Here’s another quote you might read. “This gas-saving device is approved by the Federal government.” Actually, no government agency endorses gas-saving products for cars. If the seller claims the EPA has evaluated its product, ask for a copy of the report, or check www.epa.gov for information. Ah, I love the power of the internet.

If you want to save money at the pump, try these tips. They’ll serve you much better than some snake oil product.

Buy only the octane level of gas recommended by your owner’s manual.

The faster you drive, the more fuel you use. It’s a fact. So, slow down.

Use overdrive gears during highway driving. This also saves wear on your engine.

Use cruise control on highway trips.

Avoid unnecessary braking and acceleration. That means no tailgating! This tip alone can improve your fuel economy by 5 to 10 percent. Sudden starts and sudden stops are wasteful and can use a lot of gas.

Avoid long periods of idling.

Avoid carrying excess weight in your trunk.

Keep your engine tuned. Engine troubles can increase fuel consumption by as much as 10 to 20 percent.

Make sure your tires are properly inflated and aligned. Check them once a month. Under-inflated tires increases fuel consumption by six percent.

Change your oil at recommended intervals.

Check and replace air filters regularly. Clogged filters can cause up to a 10 percent increase in fuel consumption.

Buy your gas in the early morning when the temperature is cooler. You will actually receive more gas for your money.

Pump your gas slowly. This equates to more liquid and less air bubbles and fumes in your tank.

There’s no need to buy products that cost you more money than they save. These little fuel saving tips can add up to an extra hundred bucks or so in your pocket each year!