Hip dysplasia is a frequently disabling and painful genetic developmental orthopedic disease. The careless parenting of two dysplastic parents is primarily the cause of the disease being so widespread. Smaller breed dogs, which are more often found in larger breeds, are also susceptible to receiving the defective genes.
What is hip dysplasia?
Hip dysplasia occurs in the dog’s “ball and socket” joint. When the “ball” doesn’t quite fit into the “socket,” it causes friction, inflammation, cartilage damage, and pain. It can and often does lead to arthritis, so the only options are incapacitation, surgery, or euthanasia.
There are two types of hip dysplasia: acute and chronic. Acute (early) usually seen 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 to be in pain, has less range of motion of his hips, plus the arthritis has generally set in and is progressing.
What signs should I watch for?
Limping or lameness after exercise or walking, waddling/swaying walk, difficulty standing, stiffness especially on cold and wet days, moodiness, lack of enthusiasm to move, spacing of the hip area, and decreased range of motion around the hips are some of the signs to watch out for. .
How is hip dysplasia diagnosed?
Your veterinarian can diagnose it through a physical exam, PennHIP X-rays, CT scans, and/or ultrasound.
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends the extended ventrodorsal view radiograph of the hip. With that, your vet can get a front view of the hip and pelvic joints. This procedure is the most used by veterinarians since the view also allows to judge if there is arthritis and the amount 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, diet change, physical therapy, limited exercise, anti-inflammatory drugs, pain relievers, and surgery.
In severe cases, where the animal is severely crippled beyond hope, euthanasia is sometimes recommended.
How do I prevent my dog from getting hip dysplasia?
Before you buy a dog, make sure the breeder is reputable! Request a copy of all documentation that the parents have a PennHIP x-ray and are OFA certified.
Feed puppies of large breeds, food personalized to their needs. Feeding high-protein, rather than supplemented foods, can cause problems later on.
Don’t overfeed your dog.
Don’t let them jump in and out of your vehicle, especially SUVs and trucks. Provide a ramp.
Limit exercise with excessive weights. Swimming is a great way to exercise any dog, especially risky breeds.
Do not allow at-risk breeds to jump off furniture, decks, porches, etc.
Don’t let at-risk breeds jump for balls, toys, or Frisbees.
Have your puppy X-rayed when he is around six months old.
Breeds genetically predisposed to hip dysplasia include, but are not limited to, the following:
afghan hound
Airdale
akita
alaskan malamutes
american eskimo dog
american staffordshire terrier
australian cattle dog
Australian pastor
Beagle
bearded collie
belgian malinois
belgian shepherd dog
belgian tervuren
bernese mountain dog
black and tan coonhound
Hound
border collie
Bouvier des Flanders
Briard
bull mastiff
Welsh Corgi Cardigan
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Chinook
Clumberland Spaniel
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Curley Coated Retriever
chow chow
doberman pinscher
Dalmatian
english setter
english springer spaniel
english shepherd
Finish Spitz
flat haired 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 spaniel
irish wolfhound
Keeshond
Komondor
labrador retrievers
Mastiff
Newfoundland
norwegian elkhound
buhund in norwegian
norwegian elkhound
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
old english mastiff
Old english shepherd
hound
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Spot
portuguese water dog
Puli
rhodesian ridgeback
rottweiler
Saint Bernard
samoyed
Shiba Inu
Siberian Husky
Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
standard poodle
standard schnauzer
tibetan terrier
Vizslas
Weimaraner
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Bottom line: Hip dysplasia is a painful and debilitating disease. Do your homework, find out what to look for, take the necessary precautions, use common sense, but most importantly; Enjoy your dog!
