Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia in dogs is a common orthopaedic condition where the hip joint does not develop properly. This leads to pain, lameness and arthritis of the affected joint. It is a genetic condition which develops from an early age but the signs may not appear until much later in life.

What is Hip Dysplasia?

Dysplasia (which means ‘abnormality of development) occurs when the "ball and socket" joint of the hip does not fit together correctly during the dog's growth period. This can be due to the ball (femoral head) not fitting snugly into the socket (acetabulum) or the socket being too shallow.

Although the problem arises from genes, development of the condition can also be affected by how much exercise your dog receives as a puppy, their weight and their general bone development.

Abnormal development can lead to:

Joint Instability: the looseness of the joint causes the bones to rub against each other more than they should.
Cartilage Wear: over time, the cartilage that cushions the joint wears down, leading to osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease).
Pain and Inflammation: the friction and arthritis cause pain, swelling, and stiffness.

Signs and Symptoms:

Stiffness (especially after rest or on waking up)
Limping or Lameness (difficulty or reluctance to walk, run, or jump)
Bunny-Hoping Gait (a swaying or hopping motion when running or climbing stairs).
Pain (Sensitivity to touch around the hips, or signs of pain during movement.)
Reluctance to Exercise (decreased activity levels and unwillingness to play)
Muscle Atrophy (Loss of muscle mass in the hind legs)

Dogs can show signs of hip dysplasia between 6 to 12 months old. This is because while this is a genetic condition controlled by multiple genes and passed from generation to generation, the hip joint is still developing in young dogs.

Diagnosis:

Physical Examination: Veterinarians can assess joint laxity and pain through palpation.
X-rays (Radiographs): X-rays are essential for diagnosing hip dysplasia and assessing the severity of the condition, including the presence of arthritis.

Treatment:

How is hip dysplasia treated:

Depending on the severity of the condition, your vet may suggest non-surgical treatment for your dog. This could include

Anti-inflammatories to help with the pain
If they are over-weight then a special diet may be recommended
A managed exercise programme including rest
Physiotherapy
Hydrotherapy

Surgery

In severe cases, if your dog does not improve and is still in pain, your vet may advise surgery. They will probably discuss a few different options with you and although these may vary they are all designed to stablise the hip to reduce pain.

IMPORTANT

Dogs are very good at hiding their signs of pain, especially when at home. They do not usually cry in pain so it is very important to keep an eye on them and take them to a vet if you see them displaying any of the above symptoms.

If you are considering buying a puppy it is important to choose a breeder who screens their dogs for hereditary problems. It is also important to screen your dog for health problems if you are considering breeding from them.