What Is Canine Hip Dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia is a painful and potentially debilitating condition affecting dogs, cats and other animals. This condition tends to affect older animals, though it can be seen in younger pets on occasion.

Canine hip dysplasia is especially prevalent, particularly in many large and giant breed dogs like Great Danes, Labrador Retrievers, Golder Retrievers, Rottweilers and German Shepherds.

“These large breeds are prone simply due to the weight that the joints have to support. This puts added strain on the joints, resulting in quicker degeneration. There also tends to be a hereditary aspect, and many larger breeds just happen to be among those who are predisposed to this ailment,” explained Dr. Michael Levine, DVM.

How Does Hip Dysplasia Occur in Dogs?

Hip dysplasia occurs due to laxity in the connective tissues surrounding the hip joint.

When a dog’s connective tissues are not properly functioning at the site of the hip joint, the bones that form the hip’s ball and socket joint pull apart and the joint operates abnormally. When the bones that comprise the hip joint pull apart, this is known as subluxation.

This improper alignment of the ball and socket joint of the hip leads to unnatural rubbing and grinding of the bones, and over time, this leads to arthritis and damage to the actual joint, making movement uncomfortable and painful.

Why Do Dogs Develop Hip Dysplasia?

Ligaments, muscles and other connective tissues often fail to properly develop in puppyhood due to several factors, including:

• Excessive Activity: Too much activity, strenuous exercise or rough play injures the growing and developing tissues surrounding the joint, leading to the formation of hip dysplasia.
• Obesity: An overweight dog’s joints will have to support more weight, thereby increasing the risk for damage and conditions like arthritis. Obesity in puppyhood can result in damage to the joint’s connective tissues during the growth and development period, resulting in lifelong problems.
• Diet: Some studies suggest that dogs who eat diets high in protein and calcium are more prone to developing hip dysplasia.
• Heredity: As previously mentioned, some dogs are genetically predisposed to developing a condition of laxity in the connective tissues surrounding the hip joints, and this leads to dysplasia. Dogs with muscular builds are also less prone to developing the condition, since the muscles provide support to the joint, and a dog’s build is largely determined by genetics.

What are the Symptoms of Hip Dysplasia in Dogs?

There is a constellation of symptoms associated with canine hip dysplasia. The condition is often mistaken for arthritis, as the symptoms are very similar, and many cases of hip dysplasia involve arthritis to some degree and many of the lifestyle changes recommended for arthritic dogs are helpful for dogs who suffer from hip dysplasia as well.

The signs of symptoms of hip dysplasia in dogs include:

• Stiffness after sleep or periods of rest
• Limping
• Abnormal gait
• Pain and difficulty walking after walks, runs and play
• Limited range of motion
• Difficulty climbing stairs or in/out of the car
• Difficulty rising to his/her feet from a laying down position
• Running with a “hopping” motion

How is Hip Dysplasia Treated and Diagnosed?

Hip dysplasia can be diagnosed through the use of x-rays, a physical exam and other diagnostic tests, such as MRIs.

Treatment for hip dysplasia varies depending on the severity of the condition. Some dogs ultimately lose all function in the hind legs, and therefore require a wheelchair to remain mobile.

More minor cases are treated with an array of supplements, including glucosamine chondrointin, creatine, omega fatty acids and vitamin C.

An array of pain and anti-inflammatory medications is also a common method of treatment for dogs suffering from the symptoms of hip dysplasia. Medications are often injected into the hip region, in addition to being administered orally.

In severe cases, surgical intervention is the only solution. There are many surgical procedures that can be performed on dogs suffering from hip dysplasia, including a full hip replacement, and replacement of the femoral head and neck.

Some lifestyle changes are also beneficial for canines suffering from hip pain. Daily heat compresses can help reduce stiffness, as can massage. Regular low-impact exercise is also vital when it comes to maintaining joint mobility, so walks and swimming are popular options for dogs with hip problems. Regular exercise also helps to keep the dog at a healthy weight, as obesity and excess weight only places additional undue strain on the hips, speeding the degenerative process in many cases.

Raised beds and orthopedics will help keep the dog’s spine and joints aligned, while also keeping the pet off the cold floor. It’s also easier for many dogs to rise to a standing position from a raised bed.

Physical therapy is also beneficial in many cases of dogs with hip dysplasia, particularly after surgery.

Jumping is hard for a dog with hip problems.

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