Hip dysplasia in dogs

  • Up to £15,000 vet fees
  • No compulsory excess or bill share, even as your pet ages
  • No upper age limit
  • Free 24/7 access to FirstVet video consultations
  • All pre-existing conditions considered*

Why choose Petgevity pet cover for hip dysplasia in dogs?

Up to £15,000 vet fees

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Choose vet fee cover from £1,000 to £15,000 to suit your pet’s needs. Your limit resets each year you renew.

Tailored pet insurance

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Your pet is unique. Chose your limits, excess and optional extras to create a policy that fits them like a collar.

Switch with continuous cover

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Switch to Petgevity on a like for like basis, with no gap in cover, and your cover could start immediately**.

What is hip dysplasia in dogs?

Hip dysplasia is a painful condition with symptoms that occur during the growth stage in puppies. The condition is commonly seen in medium to large breeds and is believed to be hereditary. 

It happens when the ball and socket joint in a dog’s hip either doesn’t fit or doesn’t develop properly. This causes unnecessary rubbing and friction which, over time, results in the joint getting worse. The hip joints can gradually deteriorate from wear and tear, causing pain and discomfort. 

What Causes What Causes
What causes hip dysplasia in dogs?

Hip dysplasia is mainly caused by a dog’s anatomy and genes but is also affected by diet and exercise. 

Hip dysplasia is often inherited from one or both of the puppy’s parents. The severity of hip dysplasia can be affected by how your puppy’s bones develop, along with how much they’re exercised. Overweight dogs have extra pressure on their joints which can worsen symptoms. Any imbalance in your dog’s nutrition, especially when they are developing, can also worsen the condition. 

What Causes What Causes
Which breeds are most affected?

Although any dog can develop hip dysplasia, medium to large sized breeds are often most affected by the condition. Breeds commonly prone to the condition include: 

  • German Shepherds 
  • Golden Retrievers 
  • Labradors 
  • Newfoundlands 
  • Rottweilers 
  • Bernese Mountain Dogs 
What Causes What Causes
What are the signs and symptoms of mild hip dysplasia?

Mild hip dysplasia is where a small distance has formed between the hip ball and socket. 

Early signs of hip dysplasia are often subtle. Symptoms can include: 

  • hip pain 
  • decreased activity 
  • decreased range of motion 
  • bunny hopping (hind legs together as one when running) 
  • trying to avoid exercise 
  • wobbling/swaying 
  • trouble standing up, lying down, or going up and down stairs 
  • stiffness 
  • weak back-end muscles 
  • enlarged shoulder muscles (due to overcompensation for hindlimbs) 

Some dogs may not actually show signs of the condition until they’re older and have developed arthritis in their hips. 

Diagnosis 

If your dog is showing any of the symptoms of hip dysplasia, speak to your vet. Diagnosing the condition involves putting your dog under general anaesthetic to manipulate the hips and take x-rays of the hips and pelvis.  

What Causes What Causes
Treatment of mild hip dysplasia

Controlling your dog’s weight is hugely important for managing their hip dysplasia. This can be done through:

  • giving them a controlled diet
  • low impact exercise (appropriate to their breed)
  • minimising jumping on and off objects (such as the sofa and cars)

Your vet may also recommend other options such as anti-inflammatory medication, joint support supplements, physiotherapy, and complementary treatments (such as hydrotherapy).

Prognosis

Hip dysplasia is an incurable condition and needs lifelong management. It’s possible for your dog to live a happy and active life without needing surgery if they respond well to treatment.

What Causes What Causes
Symptoms of moderate to severe hip dysplasia?

With moderate to severe hip dysplasia, the ball of the hip is barely fitting or completely dislocated from the socket.

As more severe hip dysplasia sets in, your dog can experience:

  • osteoarthritis
  • greater pain levels
  • deteriorating joints
  • difficulty or the inability to walk

Diagnosis

Diagnosing more severe forms of hip dysplasia involves sedating your dog and running x-rays to assess the condition of their hips and pelvis.

What Causes What Causes
Treatment of moderate to severe hip dysplasia

If your dog isn’t responding well to non-surgical options, your vet can suggest different types of surgery depending on their age.

  • A joint salvage procedure, performed on dogs under 18 weeks of age.
  • Reshaping the joint, performed in dogs less than 10 months old.
  • Total hip replacement surgery, often performed on larger dogs. The damaged ball and socket are removed and replaced. This keeps good movement and flexibility.
  • A salvage procedure to remove the damaged ball, often performed on smaller dogs and used when total hip replacement surgery isn’t possible. Can lead to limited flexibility.

Prognosis

Many dogs who have hip surgery for their dysplasia go on to lead happy and active lives. But be aware that, as with any surgery, there can be complications. And your dog could have restricted flexibility in their hips depending on which surgery is chosen.

What Causes What Causes
Can dog insurance cover hip dysplasia?

Let us know about your dog’s hip dysplasia when getting a quote from us and we’ll see if we can cover them.  

It’s important to tell us about all the conditions they’ve had in the last two years. 

Find out more about our dog insurance for pre-existing medical conditions. 

What Causes What Causes

What’s included in your pet cover

Choosing Petgevity to protect your pets gives you more than just vet fee cover. Here's what you get from our policy.

Dental accident

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If your pets have a dental accident or injury, you’re covered up to your chosen vet fee limit. Just make sure you’re taking them for annual check-ups and following vet dental advice.

Behavioural treatment

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Get expert help with your pets’ emotional and mental well-being, as advised by a vet. Covers up to your chosen vet fee limit (maximum 12 sessions, combined with complementary therapy).

Complementary therapy

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This includes alternative treatments like hydrotherapy or acupuncture, as advised by a vet. Cover up to your chosen vet fee limit (maximum 12 sessions combined with behavioural treatment).

Emergency care

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If you have an emergency (like an unplanned hospital visit) and can’t look after your pets, you get up to £1,500 towards pet minding costs.

Third-party liability for dogs

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This is when your dog causes injury to someone or their pet, or causes loss or damage to another person’s property. Cover for up to £2,000,000 for legal action made against you or your dog.

Choice of optional extras

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Choose from a range of optional extras to suit your pet’s needs, such as dental illness and cover if your pets get lost or stolen.

Award-winning pet insurance provider

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Defaqto 5 star rating when you choose vet fees over £4,000 with all optional add-ons included.

Basic cover alone has 3 star rating

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Three-time winner National Insurance Awards Pet Insurance Award 2022, 2023 & 2024.

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Awarded Best Pet Insurance Provider at the Insurance Choice Awards 2022.

Compare our multi-pet cover

petgevity-logo-white p-only-petgevitylogo ManyPets Petplan Agria
Maximum vet fees £15k per year £15k per year £12k per year £20k per year
Cover for pre-existing conditions?
No compulsory excess?
No compulsory co-payments for older pets? 20% (from age 9) 20% (from age 7) Min. 10% (from any age)
Tailor limits per pet on a multi-pet policy
Dental treatment for accidents?
Behavioural treatment and complementary therapy?

†For Lifetime policies only – details correct as of 10 September 2024 via competitor websites. Competitor products are subject to their own T&Cs and can have different limits and requirements for cats versus dogs at different ages. For full details, please check the relevant policy wording.
For full details of Petgevity pet insurance, please read our policy wording.

Frequently asked questions about hip dysplasia

  • Can you prevent hip dysplasia in dogs? 

    The only way to prevent hip dysplasia is to not breed dogs who suffer from the condition.  Screening both parents (even if they seem healthy with no signs) can check if the condition could be passed on to their puppies. 

    Your vet can arrange for your dog to be x-rayed under the Canine Health Schemes Hip Dysplasia Scheme. They’ll then send the x-rays and other relevant information to be scored by a BVA veterinary surgeon. 

  • What’s the best age to hip score a dog? 

    Dogs must be at least 12 months old and microchipped to be eligible for the CHS Hip Dysplasia Scheme. There’s no upper age limit to the scheme. 

  • How much does hip scoring cost? 

    The cost of submission to the BVA Hip and Elbow Scheme starts from £73.50 (with discounts available for Kennel Club registered breeders). 

    This is on top of your vet’s costs for the x-rays and sedation. 

  • Is there any hip support for dogs?  

    A hip brace may be able to support your dog’s movement and help ease their hip pain. Speak to your vet to see if this is an option that will work for your pup. 

  • Can I walk my dog with hip dysplasia? 

    Always check with a vet before exercising a dog with hip dysplasia. Normally it’s fine to take your dog on frequent shorter walks to help their recovery and with weight management. 

*Cover for pre-existing medical conditions is subject to acceptance. They will not be covered unless you have declared them and they are shown on your Confirmation of Cover.

**Illnesses and symptoms won’t be covered in the first 14 days and accidents won’t be covered in the first 2 days of the policy. This is unless you are switching from another lifetime pet insurance product with no break in cover and the claim you want to make would have been covered by your previous policy. Other exclusions may apply to other sections.