Canine Hip Dysplasia 101

Hip dysplasia, a condition caused by an abnormally developed hip joint or trauma to the hip area, is common in dogs, especially large and giant breeds. If left untreated, hip dysplasia can lead to osteoarthritis, causing significant joint pain and decreased mobility. Read our Santa Monica Pet Medical Center team's educational blog about hip dysplasia to learn about the condition and potential treatment strategies.

Canine hip dysplasia basics

The normal canine hip is a ball-and-socket joint. The femoral head is the ball, and the pelvic acetabulum is the socket. In canine hip dysplasia (CHD), the joint experiences progressive structural changes, including:

  • Hip joint laxity
  • Femoral head subluxation
  • Swelling, stretching, fraying, and eventual rupture of the ligament that connects the femoral head to the acetabulum
  • Shallow flattened acetabular socket
  • Femoral head deformity

Hip laxity and incongruity lead to abnormal cartilage wear and tear, and deterioration, resulting in osteoarthritis. Many issues, such as being genetically predisposed to the condition, can cause CHD. In addition, a young puppy who eats an excessive amount, causing rapid weight gain and growth, one who exercises intensely, or who sustains hip trauma has a high CHD development risk. This condition can affect any dog, but large and giant breeds, such as German shepherd dogs, Great Danes, Saint Bernards, and Labrador retrievers, have an increased disease development risk. When small-breed dogs are affected, they are less likely to exhibit signs.

Canine hip dysplasia signs

In many cases, affected dogs don’t exhibit signs until osteoarthritis has progressed to the point of causing inflammation and pain. CHD signs may include:

  • Chronic or intermittent hind-end lameness
  • Abnormal resting positions
  • Stiffness after resting
  • An awkward gait or difficulty when navigating stairs
  • Reluctance or refusal to jump on or off elevated surfaces
  • Decreased activity level
  • Bunny-hopping gait when running

Some dogs are extremely stoic, and their signs may be subtle. However, CHD is a painful condition that our Santa Monica Pet Medical Center team should address as soon as possible to help alleviate your pet’s discomfort and potentially slow their disease’s progression.

Canine hip dysplasia diagnosis

We will perform several diagnostic tests when diagnosing this disorder. To determine whether your dog has CHD, we will do the following tests:

  • Gait evaluation — Our team will evaluate your dog’s movement as they walk and as they rise from a resting position. We will also assess their sitting position.
  • Palpation — We will palpate your dog’s hips, checking for hip laxity (i.e., the Ortolani sign). We can perform this palpation technique in puppies as young as 10 to 16 weeks to determine if they have CHD. To perform this procedure, we will provide your dog with light sedation.
  • X-rays — To diagnose CHD and determine how extensively osteoarthritis has affected a dog’s joint, we will perform specially positioned X-rays.
  • Blood work — Our team may also recommend blood work to ensure any medications we may prescribe are appropriate for your dog.

Canine hip dysplasia treatment

CHD treatment depends on your dog’s age and their condition’s severity. CHD treatment options include:

  • Weight management — Excess weight strains dysplastic joints, and dogs affected by CHD should be kept at a lean body weight. Our Santa Monica Pet Medical Center team will devise a safe weight-loss strategy if your dog is overweight.
  • Medications — Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) are often necessary to help manage CHD’s pain, especially if your dog’s osteoarthritis is advanced.
  • Physical therapy — Controlled exercises can help strengthen and maintain muscle tone to support the hip joint.
  • Exercise restriction — An affected dog’s exercise may need to be restricted. We may recommend that you prevent your dog from excessive running and jumping, which may exacerbate their condition.
  • Acupuncture — Acupuncture is a safe, noninvasive therapy that can be used in conjunction with other treatments to help alleviate joint pain.
  • Joint supplements — Joint supplements, such as chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine, and omega-3 fatty acids, may help promote joint health.
  • Surgery — In some cases, surgery is the most effective CHD treatment option. Surgical procedures include:
  • Juvenile pubic symphysiodesis (JPS) — JPS is a procedure that we can perform on puppies between 10 and 18 weeks of age. The surgery involves closing the growth plate at the bottom of the pelvis so the acetabular socket increasingly covers the femoral head as the puppy grows. 
  • Double or triple pelvic osteotomy — This procedure is most appropriate for dogs younger than 8 to 10 months of age who have no arthritis evident on X-rays. The surgeon cuts the pelvic bone in two or three places and rotates the segments to improve femoral head coverage.
  • Total hip replacement — Dogs must be at least 1 year of age to undergo this procedure, which involves replacing the femoral head and acetabular socket with implants.
  • Femoral head ostectomy — This procedure can be performed on a dog of any age. However, femoral head ostectomy is typically reserved for dogs weighing less than 60 pounds. The surgeon removes the femoral head to allow a false joint to develop. 

Canine hip dysplasia prevention

You can’t prevent your dog from developing CHD. However, to decrease your dog’s CHD risk, follow these tips:

  • Researching before adopting — Before you adopt a puppy, ask the breeder if the parents have been screened for hip dysplasia.
  • Screening your puppy — When you bring in your puppy for their initial vaccinations, ask to have them screened for CHD. If our team determines that your puppy has CHD, we can begin managing their condition as early as possible, slowing the disease’s progress.
  • Feeding the appropriate diet — To prevent their rapid growth and development, ensure you feed your puppy an appropriate food for their breed and age.
  • Maintaining a healthy weight — Calculate your dog’s daily caloric needs and feed them an appropriate amount to keep them at a healthy weight.

If you suspect your dog has CHD, contact our Santa Monica Pet Medical Center team. We can evaluate your dog’s condition and determine an effective disease management strategy.