Hip Dysplasia in Dogs

What is hip dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia is a condition in which one or both hip joints develop abnormally. The hip is a ball-and-socket joint, with the head of the thigh bone fitting into a socket in the pelvis.

In a dog with hip dysplasia, the joint may be too loose and the ball and socket may not fit together correctly. This abnormal movement can damage the cartilage and lead to pain, inflammation and osteoarthritis.

Some dogs develop symptoms while still young, whereas others may not show noticeable signs until osteoarthritis develops later in life. The severity of changes seen on an X-ray does not always correspond with the severity of the dog’s symptoms.

What causes hip dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia is a complex condition influenced by several genes as well as environmental factors. It is not caused by one single gene, and there is currently no simple DNA test that can determine whether a dog will develop it.

A puppy can develop hip dysplasia even when both parents have good hip scores. Similarly, a puppy born to affected parents will not necessarily develop the condition. Screening breeding dogs helps reduce the risk but cannot completely remove it.

Environmental influences can affect how the condition develops and how severely a dog is affected. These may include:

• Rapid growth and excessive weight gain
• Being overweight or obese
• Inappropriate nutrition during growth
• The type and amount of exercise
• Repeated slipping or loss of traction
• Injury or excessive strain on developing joints

Hip development in puppies

A young puppy’s skeleton is still developing. Areas of cartilage do not show clearly on an X-ray, which can make the bones appear more widely separated than they actually are.

Puppies are not born with fully developed adult hip joints. Their bones, cartilage, muscles, tendons and ligaments continue to develop as they grow.

Appropriate exercise is important for healthy physical and mental development. Puppies should be allowed to play and explore, but repetitive high-impact exercise, forced running, excessive jumping and activities that cause exhaustion should be avoided while they are growing.

Slippery floors may make it difficult for a puppy to maintain its footing. Rugs or non-slip mats can provide better traction in frequently used areas.

There is no need to keep a healthy puppy inactive unless advised by a veterinary surgeon. The appropriate amount and type of exercise will depend on the puppy’s age, size, breed and individual development.

Nutrition and weight

Puppies should be fed a complete and balanced diet appropriate for their age and expected adult size. Excessive calories can encourage overly rapid growth and weight gain, placing additional strain on developing joints.

Research reviewed and highlighted by Dr Conor Brady has suggested that feeding raw food during early life may have a protective association against canine hip dysplasia. An exploratory study involving German Shepherd Dogs found that puppies given raw food were less likely to develop hip dysplasia than those fed mainly processed dry food.

Because this was an observational study based on owners’ feeding histories, it cannot prove that raw feeding alone prevents hip dysplasia. Genetics, body weight, growth rate, exercise and other environmental factors may also influence whether the condition develops.

A raw diet must be correctly balanced, particularly for a growing puppy. Owners considering raw feeding should ensure that the diet provides the correct levels of calcium, phosphorus, energy and other essential nutrients.

You can read more about Dr Conor Brady’s review of the evidence on the Raw Versus Dry Food page.

Which dogs are at risk?

Hip dysplasia can affect dogs of any breed or size, although it is more frequently diagnosed in medium, large and giant breeds.

Breeds often associated with an increased risk include:

• German Shepherd Dog
• Rottweiler
• Great Dane
• Saint Bernard
• Newfoundland
• Golden Retriever
• Labrador Retriever
• Old English Sheepdog

Being a member of an at-risk breed does not mean that a dog will necessarily develop hip dysplasia. Equally, dogs from breeds not usually associated with the condition can still be affected.

Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending on the degree of joint looseness, inflammation, pain and osteoarthritis. Possible signs include:

• Reduced activity or reluctance to exercise
• Difficulty getting up after resting
• Reluctance to run, jump or climb stairs
• Hind-leg stiffness or lameness
• A swaying or “bunny-hopping” gait
• Pain or sensitivity around the hips
• Reduced movement in the hip joints
• Loss of muscle from the hindquarters
• Transferring more weight onto the front legs

Some dogs with changes visible on X-rays show few or no obvious symptoms. Any persistent stiffness, pain or change in movement should be assessed by a veterinary surgeon.

Diagnosis

Your veterinary surgeon will ask about your dog’s symptoms, exercise, medical history and family history. They will watch the dog move and examine the hips for pain, reduced movement or abnormal looseness.

X-rays are used to examine the shape and fit of the hip joints and to look for signs of osteoarthritis. Sedation or a general anaesthetic is usually required so that the dog can be positioned correctly.

The BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme

Each hip is scored separately and the two figures are added together to give the dog’s total hip score. A lower score indicates fewer signs of hip dysplasia.

A good hip score reduces the risk of producing affected puppies but cannot guarantee that every puppy will have healthy hips. When available, estimated breeding values can provide additional information by considering results from the dog and its relatives.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the dog’s age, symptoms, degree of joint damage, lifestyle and general health. Not every dog with hip dysplasia requires surgery.

Non-surgical treatment may include:

• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Controlled, appropriate exercise
• Physiotherapy or hydrotherapy under professional guidance
• Veterinary-prescribed pain relief or anti-inflammatory medication
• Changes within the home, such as non-slip flooring or a ramp

Exercise plans should be tailored to the individual dog. Regular controlled exercise can help maintain muscle strength and joint movement, but activities involving repeated jumping, sharp turns or sudden impact may worsen discomfort.

Surgical treatment

Surgery may be considered when a dog is in significant pain, when non-surgical treatment is insufficient or when an early corrective procedure may be appropriate for a young dog.

Possible procedures include:

• Juvenile pubic symphysiodesis for carefully selected young puppies
• Double or triple pelvic osteotomy for selected young dogs without established arthritis
• Femoral head and neck excision
• Total hip replacement

The most appropriate procedure depends on the dog’s age, size, joint changes and individual circumstances. A veterinary orthopaedic surgeon will explain the likely benefits, limitations and potential complications.

Outlook

Many dogs with hip dysplasia can enjoy a good quality of life with suitable weight management, controlled exercise, pain relief and veterinary monitoring. Some dogs benefit from surgery, particularly when pain cannot be managed adequately by other means.