Hip dysplasia surgery in dogs: Costs and postoperative care

Disclaimer: This article, its content, and its related references do not constitute veterinary advice and should not be considered a substitute for veterinary care. If your pet is showing any symptoms that could indicate a medical emergency, please seek immediate emergency care.

Hip dysplasia is a common condition in dogs, especially in some large and giant breeds, in which the hip joints do not develop properly and are abnormally loose and unstable. The condition can lead to painful arthritis and mobility problems, even in young dogs. Hip dysplasia in dogs will not reverse naturally or with nonsurgical treatment. If you have a dog predisposed to or diagnosed with hip dysplasia, read on to learn:

• How hip dysplasia affects normal hip function
• Surgical options to treat canine hip dysplasia
• Costs of hip dysplasia surgery for dogs
• How to care for your dog after surgery

The goal of surgery to repair hip dysplasia is to restore stability to the hip before osteoarthritis sets in. Surgical options for dogs with severe osteoarthritis from hip dysplasia focus on removing or replacing the painful joint(s). The cost of hip dysplasia surgery varies based on surgical options, where the vet is located, and how complex the case is. Postsurgical care usually involves strict exercise limitations and physical therapy until the joint is healed. Lifelong osteoarthritis prevention strategies are still important even after a full recovery from a successful surgery.

Hip dysplasia occurs when a growing puppy’s hip joint develops abnormally loose, creating a chronically unstable hip joint. Severe hip dysplasia can lead to crippling arthritis and considerable pain at a young age, so early diagnosis and intervention are critical. The condition can be identified with X-rays while the puppy is still young and before symptoms of hip dysplasia become apparent. Sedation is usually required to hold the dog in a specific position when taking X-rays to look for hip dysplasia. These specially positioned radiographs are then sent for evaluation and certification to agencies that assess, catalog, and rate the severity of canine hip dysplasia, including those that use the PenHIPP method and the service provided by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.

The instability, or laxity, in the affected hip joint(s) can range from mild to severe. This affects how big of an impact the condition has as the puppy grows. In most cases, both hips are affected. Hip dysplasia is a hereditary condition and runs mostly in the bloodlines of large and giant breed dogs. However, any dog can be affected. Excessive exercise, improper nutrition, and obesity can also contribute to the development of hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is a common condition in dogs, especially in breeds with a history of carrying the inherited trait.

Signs of hip dysplasia in dogs

Hip dysplasia often doesn’t show severe symptoms until significant arthritic changes have occurred in the hips. Signs of hip dysplasia that are the result of joint laxity in one or both hips may include:

• Limping
• “Bunny hop,” or hopping with both hind legs at the same time when walking
• Difficulty standing, jumping, or climbing stairs
• Loss of muscle tone in the hind legs
• Shifting weight to the front legs

Symptoms are often difficult to detect before the onset of osteoarthritis. Because of this, screening X-rays are recommended for puppies who are genetically predisposed to hip dysplasia, even if symptoms aren’t showing. As the condition progresses, symptoms often become worse and more obvious as the hips become arthritic. The dog may:

• Have a more obvious limp or change in gait
• Hold up a rear leg, be reluctant to bear weight on a rear leg, or shift weight between back legs
• Have a lower activity level than normal
• Show difficulty or unwillingness to move or exercise
• Whimper or show other signs of pain when the hips are touched

Once the hips become arthritic, treatment options are more limited.

“Hip dysplasia in dogs will not reverse naturally or with nonsurgical management,” states Dr. Jo Myers, a veterinarian on the Vetster platform. “Surgical procedures to treat hip joint laxity are primarily an option for dogs who have not developed arthritic changes to their hips yet. Once arthritis sets in, the focus shifts to treating and managing that.”

There are different types of hip dysplasia surgery available for dogs. Some are used to stabilize the hip joint, essentially reducing or eliminating the laxity in the hips. These include juvenile pubic symphysiodesis (JPS) and double or triple pelvic osteotomy (DPO or TPO). Other procedures, such as total hip replacement or femoral head ostectomy (FHO), serve the purpose of removing or replacing the affected hip.

Though total hip replacement and FHO surgeries can be done in the early stages of hip dysplasia, they’re usually reserved for dogs who have arthritic changes to their hips and are not candidates for other surgical options.

Juvenile pubic symphysiodesis (JPS)

JPS procedures are only performed on dogs younger than around 18 weeks of age. This procedure closes the growth plate at the bottom of the pelvis, changing the way the hips and pelvis grow. JPS is minimally invasive and is usually performed as an outpatient procedure. The puppy’s weight and growth rate need to be closely managed as they grow older. JPS is a great option to fix the condition in puppies and prevent symptoms of hip dysplasia before they occur. However, most dogs are diagnosed with hip dysplasia much later than 18 weeks of age and are no longer candidates for this surgery.

Double or triple pelvic osteotomy (DPO or TPO)

Pelvic osteotomy surgeries are options for dogs less than eight to ten months of age with no visible arthritic changes to the hips. These hip surgeries involve cutting the pelvic bone and rotating the segments to more solidly secure the ball-and-socket hip joint. Pelvic osteotomy surgeries have been successfully used in dogs for decades. This treatment is not an option for dogs who have already developed osteoarthritis in their hips.

Total hip replacement surgery (THR)

THR is most often performed on dogs who don’t qualify for other surgical treatments for hip dysplasia. It can also be done after significant arthritic changes have developed in the hips. Dogs must be at least a year old to undergo a THR. However, it’s most often performed on older dogs with severe osteoarthritis of the hip. THR involves replacing the entire hip joint with plastic and metal implants, which are fixated with bone cement, metal pegs, or bone ingrowth (press fit) methods. The procedure eliminates hip pain due to osteoarthritis and provides a better range of motion.

Femoral head ostectomy (FHO)

FHO procedures can be performed at any age and after osteoarthritis has set in. It’s best for dogs who weigh less than 60 to 70 lb (27 to 32 kg). This type of surgery removes the femoral portion of the hip to reduce pain from bone-on-bone contact associated with osteoarthritis. Muscles and other soft tissues around the hip joint then transfer forces from the leg directly to the pelvis. The goal of an FHO is to relieve pain, not to maintain or restore normal hip function. A limited exercise program may be recommended after an FHO as well as preventing obesity to minimize wear and tear on the remaining structures providing support where the hip used to be. Many dogs who have had an FHO, particularly smaller breeds, move completely normally once they have fully recovered.

The cost of hip dysplasia surgery can vary depending on:

• Surgery type
• Location of vet
• Dog’s size
• Surgery complexity
• Hospitalization requirements
• Development of surgical complications

Examples of surgery fees include:

• Juvenile pubic symphysiodesis: $800 to $1,000 per hip
• Double or triple pelvic osteotomy: starts around $3,000 for both hips
• Total hip replacement: $3,500 to over $7,000 per hip
• Femoral head ostectomy: $1,200 to over $2,500 per hip

These costs may or may not include surgery-related fees, such as:

• Preanesthetic blood tests
• Anesthesia
• Medications to go home
• Hospitalization
• Follow-ups and recheck X-rays

The only way to know how much surgery will cost for your dog is to talk directly to a veterinarian. It’s standard practice for a vet to present a financial estimate with the surgical treatment plan before getting consent to perform surgery.

Postsurgical care varies depending on the type of surgery that’s been done. In general, physical activity needs to be strictly limited for multiple weeks or months after surgery. This usually involves only short trips outside to go to the bathroom on a leash, minimal walking around the house, and no running, jumping, or using the stairs. The exception is for puppies who have received a juvenile pubic symphysiodesis. Puppies often only require limited physical activity for less than two weeks after surgery.

Postsurgical aftercare may also involve:

• Incision care
• Oral medications and pain relief
• Physical therapy
• Assisted walking with a sling or carrying your dog outdoors

Follow-up visits with the veterinary surgeon will likely be recommended to check healing and hip function. Lifelong osteoarthritis prevention strategies are still important for dogs even after they have fully recovered from a successful surgery. If you would like to learn more about surgery for hip dysplasia in dogs or what to expect in the days after surgery, an online vet can answer your questions to help you prepare.

What is the average cost of hip dysplasia surgery for dogs?

The cost of surgery varies depending on the type of surgery, how big your dog is, the surgery’s complexity, and where you live. Costs may range from less than $1,000 per hip to several thousand dollars. Juvenile pubic symphysiodesis procedures in puppies are often the lowest in total cost due to being minimally invasive, but they are only an option before the puppy is more than a few months old. Total hip replacement surgeries are often the highest in total cost. Talk to a vet directly about their surgical costs and fees based on your individual dog’s needs.

Can you fix hip dysplasia in dogs without surgery?

Hip dysplasia cannot be successfully treated without surgical intervention. Dogs with hip dysplasia have abnormal laxity in their hips, creating an unstable joint that may quickly lead to painful arthritis. There are multiple surgical options available depending on your dog’s age, the severity of the condition, and whether they have developed arthritic changes to their hips.

How long does it take a dog to recover from hip dysplasia surgery?

Depending on the surgery, it can take weeks to months for a dog to fully recover. Juvenile pubic symphysiodesis procedures are less invasive and have a shorter recovery time of about two weeks. Other surgical procedures will require postoperative care during the healing process and strictly limiting physical activity for several weeks to months.