Hip dysplasia is the most common developmental orthopedic disease in dogs, and while the condition most often affects large- and giant-breed dogs, small breeds are not immune. Our Boca Midtowne Animal Hospital team is committed to improving all our patients’ quality of life. To determine whether your dog is at risk for developing this disorder and learn about their treatment options, read our guide to hip dysplasia. 

What is canine hip dysplasia?

If your dog’s hip joint grows and develops abnormally, they can develop hip dysplasia. The hip joint’s femoral head (i.e., ball) and acetabulum (i.e., socket) normally grow at a similar rate, which helps ensure that the femoral head fits tightly in the acetabulum. Hip dysplasia results in abnormal joint growth, resulting in a shallow acetabulum, which causes joint instability, and eventually to arthritic changes in and around the joint. 

What causes canine hip dysplasia?

Your dog can develop hip dysplasia because of many factors. Your dog’s hip dysplasia risk depends on one or more of these attributes:

  • Genetics — Genetics is the most significant hip dysplasia risk factor. Breeds such as German shepherds, Saint Bernards, Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, Old English sheepdogs, and bulldogs, have an increased risk for developing this disorder.
  • Improper nutrition — Large- and giant-breed puppies who are fed a diet that is not specifically formulated for their breed have an increased hip dysplasia risk.
  • Obesity — When a dog carries extra pounds, their hip dysplasia complications tend to increase.
  • Excessive exercise — During the first 60 days of life, a puppy’s nerves and muscles are functionally limited. If weight-bearing and activity stresses exceed the tissues’ elastic limit, joint laxity results. 

What are canine hip dysplasia signs?

Many dogs, especially young puppies, exhibit no hip dysplasia signs. However, once hip laxity causes arthritis, an affected dog’s signs may include the following:

  • Chronic or intermittent hind-end lameness
  • Bunny-hopping gait when running
  • Hind-end stiffness, especially after resting
  • Difficulty rising from a resting or sitting position
  • Difficulty or reluctance to jump on or off an elevated area
  • Difficulty or reluctance to go up or down stairs
  • Abnormal sitting posture
  • Decreased activity
  • Muscle wasting over the hind end

How is canine hip dysplasia diagnosed?

To definitively diagnose whether your dog has this disorder, our Boca Midtowne Animal Hospital team must perform a thorough examination. We will do the following:

  • History — Our team will ask you detailed questions about the signs your pet has been exhibiting at home. If you know your dog’s breeding, this information is also helpful.
  • Gait evaluation — We observe your pet walking, sitting, and rising from a sitting position.
  • Joint palpation — Our team uses specific palpation techniques to assess your dog’s joint for abnormalities and laxity. We may need to sedate your dog for this procedure.
  • X-rays — X-rays are necessary to definitively diagnose hip dysplasia and determine the arthritic changes that have occurred.

How is canine hip dysplasia treated?

Treatment depends on your dog’s age and their condition’s severity. Canine hip dysplasia treatment options include:

  • Juvenile pubic symphysiodesis (JPS) — For puppies 10 to 18 weeks of age, a veterinary surgeon can perform a minimally invasive surgery to close the pubic growth plate. This procedure causes the developing hip sockets to rotate and provide good coverage for the femoral head. If we detect hip laxity in your puppy, we may recommend this preventive procedure.
  • Double or triple pelvic osteotomy (DPO/TPO) — This procedure is appropriate for dogs 8 to 18 months of age who have not developed arthritic changes. The surgery involves cutting the pelvic bone in two to three places and rotating the pieces to provide better coverage for the femoral head, decreasing hip laxity. 
  • Femoral head ostectomy (FHO) — This procedure is best for dogs who are small (i.e., 50 pounds or fewer) or extremely active. The surgery involves removing the acetabulum so the joint heals as a false joint, preventing bone-on-bone contact. The false joint is strong enough for small dogs.
  • Total hip replacement (TRH) — This procedure is often the best surgical treatment option for a dog who is a year or older and whose joints are showing arthritic changes. To help alleviate your dog’s pain and increase their mobility, a veterinary surgeon will replace your pet’s femoral head and acetabulum with prosthetics. 

Can canine hip dysplasia be treated without surgery?

Surgery is not your dog’s only hip dysplasia treatment alternative. If surgery is not an option or the disorder is not severely affecting your dog, the following medical management strategies can be effective:

  • Weight management — All dogs with hip dysplasia should be kept at a lean body weight. Our Boca Midtowne Animal Hospital team can devise a safe weight-loss program if your dog is overweight.
  • Exercise — Restricted exercise, such as leash walking, is best for dogs with hip dysplasia. Excessive running and jumping can cause arthritis to progress.
  • Supplements — Our team may recommend joint-protective supplements such as chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine, and omega 3-fatty acids.
  • Pain medications — Pain medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), may be necessary to help control your dog’s discomfort.
  • Physical therapy — Physical therapy can help improve your dog’s joint function and mobility.

How can I prevent my dog from developing hip dysplasia?

In many cases, canine hip dysplasia is unavoidable. However, you can help decrease your dog’s risk for developing this disorder by doing the following:

  • Checking your dog’s breeding — When adopting a puppy, ask the breeder if they had the parents screened for hip dysplasia.
  • Providing appropriate nutrition — Provide an appropriate diet that is specific to your large- or giant-breed puppy’s needs.
  • Keeping your dog lean — To help maintain your dog at a lean body condition, calculate their daily energy requirements and feed them the appropriate amount. 
  • Screening your puppy — If your puppy has a high hip dysplasia risk, our team should screen them at 10 weeks of age. 

Detecting hip dysplasia in the early stages is the best way to help ensure your dog maintains a good quality of life. To have your puppy screened for hip dysplasia, contact our American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)-accredited Boca Midtowne Animal Hospital team.