Dogs of all breeds, ages, and sizes can be affected by hip dysplasia. This condition can cause pain, stiffness, and inflammation that limits a dog’s mobility and impedes their quality of life. However, there are ways to mitigate these negative effects and help improve your dog’s overall wellbeing. Here’s what to know as a responsible pet owner.
1. Hip Dysplasia Is a Degenerative Disease
A dog’s hips have ball and socket joints, like ours. The head of the femur (the ball) fits inside of the hip socket and should move freely, allowing a full range of motion. But in a dog with hip dysplasia, there’s an abnormality of the hip joint, causing the ball and socket to grind against each other rather than rotate smoothly. This grinding of the joint causes the pain and loss of mobility that are characteristic of the disease. Severe cases can even lead to bone spurs and degenerative joint disease.
Hip dysplasia is primarily a genetic condition, with larger breed dogs being most at risk. However, all breeds can be affected. A dog’s weight, exercise, nutrition, and growth rate can also be contributing factors. Though hip dysplasia is often thought of as a disease only affecting senior dogs, puppies as young as 15 days can show signs of abnormal hip joint formation.
2. Symptoms Include Issues with Mobility
Each dog’s symptoms will present differently depending on their age, breed standard, and condition’s severity If your dog or puppy displays any of the following, schedule an appointment with their veterinarian:
- An abnormal or stiff gait
- Being slow to stand or lay down
- Being unable to get up unassisted
- New, unexplained behavioral changes, such as aggression
- Lethargy
- Loss of interest in activities
- Refuse to climb stairs
Though a physical examination may indicate an issue with the hip joint, a diagnosis of hip dysplasia requires an x-ray. The veterinarian needs to see the shape of the coxofemoral joint to be sure there isn’t a different or separate issue causing the dog’s lameness or discomfort. From there, they’ll offer a course of treatment, which will be largely dependent on your dog’s overall health and quality of life.
3. Treatment Can Mitigate Your Dog’s Symptoms
To help your dog cope with hip dysplasia, your goal should be to reduce pain and slow the progression of joint damage as much as possible. The following are some of the more common ways to help manage your pet’s disease:
- Maintaining a healthy weight (obesity puts pressure on a dog’s joints)
- Taking painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs
- Adding supplements to their meals
- Switching to a joint-focused diet
- Undergoing acupuncture therapy, laser therapy, and/or hydrotherapy
While the damage to the hip joint cannot be reversed, surgery can be done to remove the affected hip–– or in the case of bilateral hip dysplasia, both hips. The two most common procedures are the femoral head ostectomy and the total hip replacement.
In a femoral head ostectomy, or FHO procedure, the head and neck of the femur (the “ball” of the joint) are completely removed. This leaves the socket empty, so that there’s nothing left to painfully grind against the hip. The remainder of the femur is held in place by muscles. Scar tissue eventually forms between the hip socket and femur, creating a pseudo-joint.
Femoral head ostectomy is a cost-effective surgical option. However, not all dogs will be good candidates for this procedure. The success of an FHO depends on the dog’s size and muscle mass. Smaller dogs, typically below 50 pounds, are more likely to regain mobility as there’s less weight for the pseudo-joint to bear. Additionally, a dog with strong, well-built muscles will have a much more stable joint and faster recovery than a dog with weak, inactive muscles.
The second option is a complete replacement of one or both hip joints. This is the gold standard of treatment for hip dysplasia, and the most expensive. In a total hip replacement surgery, both the femoral head and the hip socket are removed and replaced with a prosthetic joint. The prosthetic joint is typically made from metal and synthetic materials.
Total hip replacement is a viable option for dogs over 40 pounds with no other existing health issues. They must also have a fully matured skeleton, which is typically around nine months old, depending on their breed and size. The procedure has a high success rate, with many dogs regaining complete, pain-free mobility.
With all the treatments listed above, don’t forget that the easiest way to help your furry friend cope is by showing love and providing for their basic needs. Be sure to supply soft, comfortable bedding. Ensure any hard floors are kept slip-proof with rugs or mats. And don’t be afraid to give them a helping hand when they struggle to get up. Carry them up and down the stairs, and perhaps even purchase a mobility harness or wheelchair to make both of your lives easier.
Hip dysplasia is an unfortunately common struggle many pet parents will have to face in their dog’s lifetime. But know that it’s not a death sentence. There are options, and there is hope! Don’t hesitate to speak with your veterinarian about how you can help your dog live their best, most comfortable life.
