What is hip dysplasia?
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Quick answer
Hip dysplasia is an abnormal development of the hip joint that leaves it loose, leading over time to wear, arthritis and pain. It is most common in large breeds such as the Labrador and German Shepherd, and depends on genes, growth rate, diet and exercise. Many dogs are managed without surgery through weight control and suitable exercise.
Also called canine hip dysplasia, CHD, hip laxity.
Key facts
- Hip dysplasia is a multifactorial abnormal development of the hip joint that leads to looseness, joint degeneration and osteoarthritis. Merck Veterinary Manual
- It is most common in large-breed dogs, but small breeds and cats can be affected. Merck Veterinary Manual
- Heredity, rapid growth, exercise and nutrition all affect whether it develops. Merck Veterinary Manual
- Severity can be affected by calorie intake and level of exercise; weight control is key to managing it. Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
- Most dogs with hip dysplasia do not need surgery. Merck Veterinary Manual
What are the signs of hip dysplasia?
Signs vary widely, and they do not always match what the X-ray shows.
- Lameness in one or both back legs, often worse after exercise. Merck Veterinary Manual
- Stiffness after rest once arthritis has developed, for example on getting up in the morning. Merck Veterinary Manual
- A bunny-hopping gait, moving both back legs together when running. Merck Veterinary Manual
- Pain when the hips are moved, and a smaller range of movement. Merck Veterinary Manual
- As cartilage breaks down, pain with any joint movement; some badly affected dogs still look normal, and some with mild X-rays limp. Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
Which dogs get hip dysplasia?
Large and giant breeds are most often affected, which takes in many of the dogs popular in India, such as the Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever and Rottweiler. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals publishes hip statistics breed by breed. Small breeds and cats can have it too.
The underlying problem, as the Merck Veterinary Manual puts it, is a mismatch between the hip muscles and fast bone growth. Genes set the risk, and what happens while the puppy grows changes how bad it becomes: too many calories, fast growth and the wrong amount of exercise all play a part.
How is hip dysplasia diagnosed and screened?
A vet examines the hips and takes X-rays, which show the shape of the joint and any arthritis. Two main screening methods exist. The OFA grades a standard hip X-ray, and offers preliminary screening for dogs between 4 and 23 months old. PennHIP uses special stress views to measure how loose the hip is, which estimates the future risk of dysplasia and arthritis.
Merck notes that no screening programme has been agreed as the gold standard. If you are buying a puppy of a large breed, ask the breeder whether the parents' hips were screened and by which method.
How is hip dysplasia treated?
Most dogs are managed without surgery. Keeping the dog lean is the single most useful step, because extra weight loads the hip joints. Your vet may add controlled exercise, physiotherapy, supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids and pain relief chosen for dogs. Never give a dog a painkiller meant for people.
Surgery helps dogs that are badly affected or do not improve. Some procedures must be done early in a growing puppy, before arthritis develops; others, such as hip replacement, are for adult dogs. A vet orthopaedic surgeon advises which suits.
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Questions owners ask
At what age does hip dysplasia show in dogs?
- It varies. Some dogs show lameness while young, others only years later as arthritis develops, and signs do not always match the X-ray. The OFA offers preliminary hip screening from 4 months old, and some surgical options must be done early in a growing dog, so ask your vet early if you notice signs.
Can a dog with hip dysplasia live a normal life?
- Many can. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that most dogs with hip dysplasia do not need surgery, and are managed with weight control, suitable exercise, physiotherapy and pain relief from the vet. Keeping the dog lean is the most useful single step.
Does walking help or harm hip dysplasia?
- The right amount helps. Merck lists activity changes and physiotherapy among the ways vets manage it, and notes that lameness is often worse after exercise. OFA notes that the level of exercise affects severity. Ask your vet to set the right walk length and type for your dog and keep to it.
Can hip dysplasia be prevented?
- Not entirely, because genes play a part. Choosing a puppy whose parents' hips were screened helps, and so does keeping a growing large-breed puppy lean, without too many calories, and exercising it sensibly. The OFA notes that calorie intake and exercise affect severity.
Keep reading
Related terms
More in health conditions
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Sources
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