Hip Dysplasia

The hip is a very important joint as it is the articulation between the pelvis and the leg. Hip dysplasia literally means an abnormality in the development or growth of the hip joint.

It is a very common condition seen mainly in dogs especially in large breeds e.g. Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherd Dogs, Golden Retrievers, and Collies.  Males are more likely to be affected.  It is highly likely that affected dogs have a genetic predisposition to the condition and therefore any dog of a breed which has a medium to high risk of incidence should have their hips x-rayed before being bred from. This process is called hip scoring. If both parents have hip dysplasia then only 7% of the pups will have unaffected hips.

There are two groups of dogs with Hip Dysplasia;

Young dogs between 4-12months of age
Dogs over 15months of age with chronic disease
The following are the signs/symptoms of Hip Dysplasia
‘Bunny Hopping’ on back legs
Difficulty getting up
Hind leg lameness
Exercise intolerance
‘Clicking’ and ‘clunking’ of hips

Affected puppies are born with normal hip joints, but as they develop the capsule around the hip becomes too loose and the joint becomes unstable.  This allows the hip to partially dislocate which causes inflammation and pain. Over several months the laxity leads to permanent changes in the bone and the cartilage covering the bone.  This will lead to the development of arthritis.

Diagnosis 

If you are concerned your dog may be suffering form hip dysplasia you should contact your vet.  They will examine your dog and may recommend x-rays to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment

For young dogs 4-12 months of age;

Restrict exercise but do not stop it all together. It is very important that these dogs build up a lot of muscle around their hips, as it has been shown that hips with more muscle around them function more normally than those with less muscle. It is best to exercise 2-3 times daily.
Do not overfeed. If the dog is growing at a fast rate then it should be put on an adult dog diet. This should be discussed with your vet in more detail.
Sometimes pain killers designed for dogs will be necessary. Human painkillers MUST NOT be given as these are dangerous and can cause liver and kidney problems in dogs
Hydrotherapy can be useful to build up muscles in the thighs without causing damage to the hip joints

For older dogs;

Restricted exercise, but as above, ensure this is kept regular
Weight loss to decrease the load on the joints. This can dramatically help reduce lameness and discomfort.
Painkillers and Hydrotherapy as above.