Hip dysplasia in dogs - symptoms and treatment

Author: Peter Berry
Date Of Creation: 12 February 2021
Update Date: 3 November 2024
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Hip Dysplasia In Dogs (Symptoms & Treatment)
Video: Hip Dysplasia In Dogs (Symptoms & Treatment)

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THE hip dysplasia is a bone disease that affects many dogs around the world. It is hereditary and does not develop until 5-6 months of age, it only occurs in adulthood. It is a degenerative disease that can be so painful for the dog that in an advanced state it even incapacitates it.

It affects large or giant dog breeds, especially if they have not received the proper dose of calcium and minerals they need for rapid growth. Poor diet, extreme physical exercise, overweight and hormonal changes can favor the development of this disease. However, it can also occur from genetic and random causes.


If you suspect that your pet may be suffering from this disease, continue reading this PeritoAnimal article about hip dysplasia in dogs, along with your symptoms and treatment indicated for the disease.

What is hip dysplasia in dogs

The name of dysplasia has a Greek origin and its meaning is "difficulty to form", it is for this reason that hip dysplasia in dogs consists of a hip joint malformation, the one that joins the hip acetabulum and the femoral head.

During the puppy's growth, the hip does not adopt a harmonious and adequate shape, on the contrary, it moves slightly or excessively towards the sides, preventing a correct movement that worsens over time. As a result of this malformation, the dog suffers from pain and even limps causing difficulty in carrying out routine activities or sitting or climbing stairs.


Although many puppies can have this disease in their genes, in many cases it does not develop.

Dogs more likely to suffer from hip dysplasia

Hip dysplasia can affect all types of dogs, although it is more common to develop in large or giant breeds. We must try to prevent it by informing ourselves well of our pet's needs at each stage of its life.

Some dog breeds more likely to suffer from hip dysplasia are:

  • Bernese cattle breeder
  • Border Terrier
  • american bulldog
  • french bulldog
  • English bulldog
  • italian greyhound
  • Golden retriever
  • Siberian Husky
  • Mastiff
  • spanish mastiff
  • Neapolitan Mastiff
  • German Shepherd
  • Belgian Shepherd Malinois
  • Belgian Shepherd Tervuren
  • rottweiler
  • St Bernard
  • whippet

Causes and Risk Factors of Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a complex disease as it is caused by multiple factors, both genetic and environmental. Although it is hereditary, it is not congenital as it does not occur from birth but as the dog grows,


The factors that influence the appearance of hip dysplasia in dogs are:

  • genetic predisposition: although the genes involved in dysplasia have not yet been identified, there is strong evidence that it is a polygenic disease. That is, it is caused by two or more different genes.
  • Rapid growth and/or obesity: an inadequate diet can favor the development of the disease. Giving your dog high-calorie food can lead to rapid growth that leaves him susceptible to hip dysplasia. Obesity in dogs can also favor the development of the disease, whether in adult dogs or puppies.
  • Inappropriate exercises: Growing dogs should play and exercise to release energy, develop coordination and socialize. However, exercises that have the most impact on the joints can cause damage, especially during the growth phase. Therefore, heels are not recommended for puppies that have not yet completed their development. It's also the same with older dogs who need to exercise without breaking their bones. An excess of activity can result in the onset of this disease.

Despite rapid growth, obesity and inappropriate exercise can favor the development of the disease, the critical factor is the genetic.

Because of this, the disease is more common in some dog breeds, among which large and giant breeds are usually found, such as St. Bernard, Neapolitan Mastiff, German Shepherd, Labrador, Golden Retriever and Rottweiler. However, some medium and small size breeds are also more prone to this disease. Among these breeds are the English Bulldog (one of the breeds most likely to develop hip dysplasia), the Pug and the Spaniels. On the contrary, in Greyhounds the disease is almost non-existent.

Anyway, you should bear in mind that as it is a hereditary disease but influenced by the environment, its incidence can vary a lot. Therefore, hip dysplasia can also occur in stray dogs.

Symptoms of hip dysplasia

The symptoms of hip dysplasia are usually less evident when the disease starts to develop and become more intense and evident as the dog ages and its hips deteriorate. The symptoms are:

  • Inactivity
  • refuse to play
  • refuses to climb stairs
  • refuses to jump and run
  • lame
  • Difficulty moving the hind legs
  • "Bunny Jumping" Movements
  • balance sheets
  • hip pain
  • Pelvis pain
  • Atrophy
  • difficulty getting up
  • curved column
  • hip stiffness
  • Stiffness in the hind legs
  • Shoulder Muscle Increase

these symptoms can be constant or intermittent. In addition, they usually get worse after the dog plays or does physical exercise. If you detect any of these symptoms we recommend that consult the veterinarian to perform an ultrasound and make sure the dog has this disease.

Suffering from hip dysplasia does not mean the end of your dog's daily routines. It is true that you should follow some rules and advice that can change your life, but the truth is that, through your veterinarian's indications such as homeopathy, your dog can improve its quality of life and continue enjoying life for a long time. .

Diagnosis of hip dysplasia

If your dog has any of the symptoms described, you should take him to the veterinarian for the proper diagnosis to be made. During diagnosis, the veterinarian will feel and move the hips and pelvis, in addition to take an x-ray that zone. Also, you can order blood and urine tests. The result of this diagnosis will indicate whether the condition is hip dysplasia or another disease.

Keep in mind that pain and difficulty moving depends more on inflammation and joint damage than on the degree of dysplasia itself. Therefore, some dogs that in radiographic analysis have mild dysplasia may suffer a lot of pain, while others that have severe dysplasia may have less pain.

Hip dysplasia treatment

Although hip dysplasia is not curable, there are treatments that allow relieve pain and improve quality of life of the dog. These treatments can be medical or surgical. In deciding which treatment to take, you must consider the dog's age, size, general health and degree of damage to the hip. In addition, the veterinarian's preference and the cost of treatments also influence the decision:

  • O medical treatment it is generally advised for dogs with mild dysplasia and for those who cannot be operated on for different reasons. The administration of anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications, administration of chondroprotective drugs (medicines that protect the cartilage), exercise restriction, weight control and strict diet are usually necessary. It can also be complemented with physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and massage to relieve joint pain and strengthen muscles.

    Medical treatment has the disadvantage that it has to be followed throughout the dog's life and does not eliminate dysplasia, it simply delays its development. However, in many cases this is enough for the dog to have a good quality of life.
  • O surgical treatment it is recommended when medical treatment does not work or when the damage to the joint is very severe. One of the advantages of surgical treatment is that, once the post-operative care is over, it is not necessary to maintain strict treatment for the rest of the dog's life. However, it should also be taken into account that the surgery has its own risks and that some puppies may experience pain after it.

    The curative treatment par excellence is the triple pelvic osteotomy, which consists of the surgical remodeling of the bones, providing an artificial union with a plate that correctly holds the bones in place without allowing the femur to move.

    There are cases where this type of work cannot be done, we are talking about incurable cases. For them, we have palliative treatments such as arthroplasty, which consists of removing the head of the femur, thus allowing the artificial formation of a new joint. It avoids pain but reduces range of motion and can cause abnormalities when walking, although it gives the dog a dignified quality of life. In addition, there is also the option of replacing the hip joint with an artificial prosthesis.

Medical prognosis of hip dysplasia

If hip dysplasia is left untreated, the dog suffers a lifetime of pain and disability. For dogs with very advanced degrees of hip dysplasia, life becomes very agony.

However, the prognosis for dogs that receive treatment in time is usually very good. These puppies can live very happy and healthy lives, albeit with some food and exercise restrictions.

Care of a dog with dysplasia

Although your dog suffers from hip dysplasia, it may improve your quality of life considerably if you take care of him as he deserves and needs. In this way, and following some rules, your puppy will be able to continue carrying out his routine activities, of course more calmly than before.

  • One of the proposals that work best is swimming both on the beach and in the pool. In this way, the dog develops the muscles that surround the joints without wearing them down. A couple of times a week will do.
  • Be sure to take your dog for a walk because he suffers from dysplasia. Reduce walking time but increase the amount of time you take to the street, it is very important that between all walks together add up to at least 30 minutes of exercise.
  • If your dog suffers from obesity it is very important to solve this problem as soon as possible. Remember that the dog supports the weight on the hip and this problem can aggravate the dysplasia. Search for rations for sale light and avoid high-fat treats, look for ones that have a high protein content.
  • Take him to the veterinarian for regular appointments to check that his health does not worsen. Follow the advice the expert gives you.
  • If you feel a lot of pain, you can try to relieve the symptoms with massage or hot water bottles in winter.
  • There are ergonomic wheelchairs for dogs suffering from dysplasia. If your are following conservative treatment you could benefit from this system.

Prevention of hip dysplasia

Since hip dysplasia is a disease caused by the interaction of genes and the environment, the only real way to prevent and end it is preventing dogs with the disease from reproducing. This is why the pedigrees of dogs of certain breeds indicate whether the dog is free of the disease or the degree of dysplasia it has.

For example, the International Cynological Federation (FCI) uses the following letter-based classification from A to E:

  • A (Normal) - Free from hip dysplasia.
  • B (Transition) - There is little evidence on radiography, but not enough to confirm dysplasia.
  • C (Mild) - Mild hip dysplasia.
  • D (Medium) - Radiograph shows middle hip dysplasia.
  • E (Severe) - The dog has severe dysplasia.

Dogs that have dysplasia grades C, D and E should not be used for breeding, as it is very likely that they transmit the genes that carry the disease.

On the other hand, it must always have be careful with the exercise your pet's obesity. These two factors clearly influence the appearance of hip dysplasia.

This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.