Hip Dysplasia - Is Your Dog Predisposed?

Hip Dysplasia is frequently a painful crippling genetic developmental orthopedic disease. The sloppy breeding of two dysplastic parents is mainly the cause for the disease to be so rampant. Most often found in larger breeds, smaller breed dogs are also susceptible of receiving the defective genes.

What is Hip Dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia occurs in the "ball and socket" joint of the dog. When the "ball" does not fit tight in the "socket," it causes friction, inflammation, cartilage damage, and pain. It can and does often lead to arthritis so crippling, surgery or euthanasia are the only options.

There are two types of hip dysplasia: acute and chronic. Acute (early) is usually observed in young dogs, noted by severe pain in the hips and lameness. In the acute stage, symptoms can last from a few weeks to months.

Chronic (late) commonly appears in older dogs. However, it can appear in dogs less than a year old. The dog appears in pain, has less range of motion of their hips, plus, arthritis has usually set in, and is progressing.

What Signs Should I Watch For?

Lameness or limping after exercise or walks, waddling/swaying gait, difficulty standing up, stiffness especially on cold, damp days, moodiness, unenthusiastic to move, protective of hip area, and decreased range of motion around hips are a few signs to watch for.

How is Hip Dysplasia Diagnosed?

Your veterinarian can diagnose it through a physical examination, PennHIP x-ray, CT scans, and/or ultrasound.

The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends the hip-extended ventro-dorsal view x-ray. With that, your veterinarian can get a frontal view of the hip joints and pelvis. This procedure is most widely used by veterinarians as the view also allows for an judgment of if there is arthritis and the amount of present.

How Will My Dog Be Treated for Hip Dysplasia?

Depending on the degree of damage, there are a number of options. They include: weight loss, change of diet, physical therapy, limited exercise, anti-inflammatory medications, pain medication and surgery.

In severe cases, where the animal is severely crippled beyond hope, euthanasia is at times recommended.

How Do I Prevent My Dog From Hip Dysplasia?

Before purchasing a dog, make sure the breeder is reputable! Ask for a copy of all documentation that the parents are PennHIP x-rayed and OFA certified.

Feed large breed puppies, food customized to their needs. Feeding high protein, over supplemented food, can invite problems later on.

Do not over feed your dog.

Do not let them jump in and out of your vehicle, especially SUVs and trucks. Provide a ramp.

Limit excessive weight bearing exercise. Swimming is a great way to exercise any dog, especially at risk breeds.

Do not allow at risk breeds to jump on and off furniture, decks, porches, etc.

Do not allow at risk breeds to jump for balls, toys or Frisbees.

Have your puppy x-rayed when they are around six months old.

Breeds Genetically Predisposed to Hip Dysplasia include but are not limited to:

Afghan Hound
Airdale
Akita
Alaskan Malamute
American Eskimo Dog
American Staffordshire Terrier
Australian Cattle Dog
Australian Shepherd
Beagle
Bearded Collie
Belgian Malinois
Belgian Sheepdog
Belgian Tervuren
Bernese Mountain Dog
Black and Tan Coonhound
Bloodhound
Border Collie
Bouvier des Flandres
Briard
Bullmastiff
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Chinook
Clumberland Spaniel
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Curley Coated Retriever
Chow Chow
Doberman Pincher
Dalmatian
English Setter
English Springer Spaniel
English Shepherd
Finish Spitz
Flat Coated Retriever
Field Spaniel
German Shorthaired Pointer
German Wirehaired Pointer
Golden Retriever
Gordon Setter
Giant Schnauzer
Great Dane
Great Pyrenees
German Shepherd
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Irish Setter
Irish Water Spaniel
Irish Wolfhound
Keeshond
Komondor
Labrador Retriever
Mastiff
Newfoundland
Norwegian Elkhound
Norwegian Buhund
Norwegian Elkhound
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Old English Mastiff
Old English Sheepdog
Otterhound
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Pointer
Portuguese Water Dog
Puli
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Rottweiler
Saint Bernard
Samoyed
Shiba Inu
Siberian Husky
Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
Standard Poodle
Standard Schnauzer
Tibetian Terrier
Vizsla
Weimaraner
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

Bottom line: Hip Dysplasia is a painful, debilitating, disease. Do your homework, educate yourself on what to look for, take necessary precautions, use common sense but, most importantly; enjoy your dog!