Hip Dysplasia in Dogs

Hip dysplasia can often be asymptomatic. Dogs often mask their pain, which means a dog presenting with discomfort may have been using a dysplastic joint for some time, causing it to deteriorate further. A dog presenting symptoms of dysplasia requires veterinary attention.

Symptoms of hip dysplasia are caused by joint laxity and degenerative changes. Early indicators of pain or discomfort can be quite subtle. A dog may not be as sociable as before, or become irritable. They may not want to go on walks for as long, or otherwise move less than before.

Hip dysplasia is chronic and permanent. If left untreated, dysplasia will usually result in arthritis as the dog ages. Severe dysplasia leads to crippling arthritis and devastating loss of mobility even in very young dogs. Dysplasia will never reverse naturally. The goal of management is to minimize the impact on a dog’s life.

Hip dysplasia is a common condition, especially among predisposed breeds such as mastiffs, retrievers, and other large breeds. Dysplasia is a lifelong condition, with a highly variable prognosis depending on the severity.

Genetics is the most common cause of dysplasia. Rapid growth and weight gain commonly result in difficulties with the dog’s joints. Excessive exercise and improper nutrition can also affect the likelihood of developing the condition.

Dogs with hip dysplasia may ‘bunny-hop’ motion while navigating stairs. In severe cases a dog may bite or lick at a sore joint, or struggle to stand.

Diagnostic imaging determines whether a dog has hip dysplasia, and the degree to which degenerative changes have occurred.

Treatment either focuses on arthritis prevention and management, or efforts to stabilize and minimize wear and tear on affected joints.

Nutritional supplements and physical therapy may reduce the progression of dysplasia. Other symptomatic treatments such as lifestyle or exercise changes may make a dog with dysplasia more comfortable.

Otherwise, there are a variety of surgical operations which help secure a dysplastic joint so that it can function without degeneration.

Prognosis varies widely, and largely depends on the severity of the laxity. Early surgical stabilization of affected joints offers the best prognosis for minimizing arthritic changes. A dog’s size and health, as well as post-surgery rehabilitation, all play factors in long term outcomes.

Avoiding breeding dogs that are predisposed to the condition is the most effective way to prevent dysplasia. Neutering a dog susceptible to dysplasia will help prevent the gene from passing on to subsequent generations.

If an at-risk breed/mix cannot be avoided, the likelihood of contracting dysplasia can be reduced in a couple of different ways, though unreliably. Strategies include:

• Choosing a puppy from breeding stock with good ratings from X-ray evaluations - like PennHip and OFA (the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals).
• Careful management of nutrition during growth, with lighter, leaner dogs less likely to develop dysplasia.

Dysplasia is most common in large dogs, specific breeds that are genetically susceptible, and in older dogs.

• Pain medications
• Physical therapy
• Lifestyle changes
• Surgery