Hip Dysplasia in Dogs: What Every Dog Owner Should Know

Canine Hip Dysplasia: What Every Dog Owner Should Know. more common in larger dog breeds
Jan 7, 2025

Hip dysplasia is one of the most common orthopedic issues in dogs, especially among larger breeds. But what exactly is it, what causes it, and how can it be treated? In this blog, we’ll break down everything you need to know about hip dysplasia and how you can manage it to ensure your dog stays comfortable and active.

What is Hip Dysplasia in Dogs?

Hip dysplasia is a congenital condition where the hip joint doesn’t develop correctly. In a healthy dog, the femoral head (ball joint) fits snugly into the acetabulum (hip socket), allowing smooth movement. In dogs with hip dysplasia, the hip joint is loose and poorly formed, causing the ball and socket to slip out of place (subluxation). Over time, this leads to pain, degenerative joint disease (DJD), and arthritis.

Although hip dysplasia is more commonly seen in large breed dogs, it can also affect smaller breeds and even cats.

Side-by-side comparison of a healthy dog hip joint and a hip joint with dysplasia. On the left, the femoral head (ball) fits snugly into the acetabulum (socket), while on the right, the femoral head is misaligned, showing subluxation and joint laxity typical of hip dysplasia

What Causes Hip Dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia is primarily an inherited condition, but environmental factors can worsen the situation. Joint laxity (looseness) in the hip is a significant factor, causing abnormal bone development, remodeling, and eventually painful inflammation.

Risk Factors for Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a multifactorial disorder, meaning that no single cause can predict its onset. However, several risk factors are associated with the condition:

Genetics and Breed Predisposition: Larger breeds are more susceptible to hip dysplasia, but smaller dogs and cats can also be affected. Common breeds include:

  • German Shepherds
  • Golden Retrievers
  • Labradors
  • Rottweilers
  • Bulldogs (French, English, and American)
  • Mastiffs (Neapolitan and French)

Environmental Factors: Nutrition, exercise levels, and muscle mass during the developmental years can affect the severity of hip dysplasia. Some recommendations to help prevent or reduce risk include:

  • Avoiding stairs for puppies under 3 months
  • Encouraging off-leash exercise for puppies under 3 months
  • Controlled food intake during puppy growth to prevent rapid weight gain

Hormonal Factors: Delayed desexing (spaying or neutering) beyond 6 months of age can help reduce the risk of hip dysplasia, especially in predisposed breeds.

Diagnosis and Clinical Signs

Early diagnosis of hip dysplasia can prevent secondary arthritis and help slow the condition’s progression. The clinical signs can vary from mild to severe, depending on the stage of the condition. Common symptoms include:

  • Lameness or pain in the hindlimbs
  • Shortened stride or altered gait (e.g., “bunny hopping”)
  • Muscle wastage in the hindlimbs
  • Swaying pelvis or narrow hindlimb stance

In severe cases, dogs may exhibit abnormal leg postures, such as hyperextended ankles that buckle when walking (see below).

If you notice these signs in your dog, a veterinarian will typically recommend radiographs (X-rays) to assess the degree of joint laxity. X-rays help to identify bony changes, including joint subluxation, flattening of the femoral head, or arthritis.

Treatment Options for Hip Dysplasia

The treatment for hip dysplasia depends on the severity of the condition and your dog’s age and size.

Conservative Management

For mild to moderate cases, managing pain and slowing the progression of arthritis is the goal. Conservative treatment options include:

  • Weight management: Maintaining a healthy weight reduces strain on the hips.
  • Exercise: Low-impact activities like swimming and short, frequent walks help keep the muscles strong while minimizing joint stress.
  • Pain relief: Medications, such as anti-inflammatory drugs or nutraceuticals like glucosamine, can help alleviate pain and inflammation.

Surgical Interventions

In more severe cases or when conservative management isn’t enough, surgery may be necessary. Some common surgical options include:

  • Total Hip Replacement (THR): The damaged joint is replaced with an artificial one.
  • Femoral Head/Neck Osteotomy (FHNO): The femoral head is removed to relieve pain and improve movement.
  • Triple Pelvic Osteotomy (TPO): Performed on younger dogs (6-12 months old) to improve joint function.
  • Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis (JPS): A preventive surgery for puppies under 16 weeks to correct joint development before problems arise.

Weight loss is essential in overweight animals prior to surgical interventions.

Preventing Hip Dysplasia

While hip dysplasia can’t always be prevented, there are steps you can take to reduce your dog’s risk:

  • Keep them at a healthy weight to reduce joint strain.
  • Ensure proper nutrition during their growth phase to prevent rapid weight gain or poor bone development.
  • Avoid high-impact activities in young puppies, like running up stairs or jumping from heights.

Final Notes

Hip dysplasia is a serious condition that can affect your dog’s quality of life, but with early diagnosis and proper treatment, many dogs can live pain-free and active lives. If you suspect your dog may have hip dysplasia or if they’re showing signs of discomfort, contact The Village Vet for a thorough evaluation and treatment plan tailored to your pet’s needs.

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