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. 

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. 

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 

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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.