Gold Beads Implant for Dog Hip Dysplasia

by Leyda Abreu
(Miami, Fl.)

I have a seven year old yellow Labrador retriever. She had a cyst removed last month and the veterinarian did some x-rays while she was under anesthesia. She is a small female, active, and strong built but lightweight. She has never shown any signs of discomfort. The veterinarian said that she has beginning of dysplasia and that it would be beneficial to her to have gold beads implanted.

I want to know if this is a new procedure and if its really beneficial or needed in her case.

Thank you,

Leyda Abreu




Veterinarian Comment on Gold Beads Implant for Dog Hip Dysplasia


Hello Leyda,

I have not seen any reliable research that shows gold bead therapy is useful in treating dogs with hip dysplasia. If your dog has this condition, it has probably been caught before much arthritis has set in since she has not yet shown you any signs of discomfort.

In these cases, I usually start by recommending nutritional supplements and sometimes other interventions that have been shown to improve joint health. Interventions that have some scientific evidence to back them up include:

• a combination of chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride, and manganese ascorbate(Findley Reed Joint Supplement for Dogs
• Avocado/Soybean Unsaponifiables (ASU)
• Omega 3 Fatty Acids
• green-lipped mussel extracts
• polysulfatedglycosaminoglycans (these are injections, but owners can easily give them at home)
• P54FP (an extract of turmeric)
• injectablepentosanpolysulphate (available from compounding pharmacies)

If your dog’s condition were to worsen, I might recommend some combination of the above along with nonsteroidalantiinflamatory medications, other pain relievers, acupuncture, cold laser therapy, massage,physical therapy, and/or stem cell therapy. Surgery can help especially advanced cases when medical management fails.



Regards,

Jennifer Coates, DVM