Hip Dysplasia in Dogs: What Every Dog Owner Should Know
Hip dysplasia is one of the most common joint conditions seen in dogs, particularly in larger and heavier breeds like Labradors, German Shepherds, and French Bulldogs. Dogs can start showing symptoms from around 6-12 months old
The good news is that a lot has been learnt about what causes hip dysplasia in dogs, how to trat hip dysplasia in dogs, and how to prevent hip dysplasia in dogs, so there’s plenty that can be done to help keep your dog comfortable and active.
What is hip dysplasia in dogs?
Canine hip dysplasia is defined as abnormal development of the ball and socket joint.
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint. The ball is the head of the femur (thigh bone), which sits inside the socket of the pelvis, known as the acetabulum. In a healthy hip, these structures fit together securely and allow the joint to move smoothly.
With hip dysplasia, the hip joint develops abnormally and becomes loose or unstable. Instead of the ball fitting securely within the socket, there can be excessive movement between the two surfaces. This abnormal movement places stress on the tissues within and around the joint.
Over time, the repeated movement can damage cartilage and lead to changes within the joint, including osteoarthritis.
This excess wear and tear on the joint surfaces causes joint pain and inflammation, which is when you start to see the symptoms of hip dysplasia in dogs.
Hip dysplasia is therefore not simply a problem with the shape of the hip. It is a developmental condition that can ultimately lead to painful degenerative changes in the joint.
What are the signs and symptoms of hip dysplasia?
You’ll often notice the signs of canine hip dysplasia because your dog will start to move differently, often due to pain in the joint. When the hip doesn’t move properly in the socket, every step can become uncomfortable, so your dog may naturally avoid running, jumping, or even struggle going from lying to standing.
Common signs of hip pain include:
- Limping
- Dog joint stiffness, especially after resting
- Reluctance to run, play, or climb stairs
- Difficulty getting up or lying down
Other signs of hip dysplasia can develop more gradually and include behavioural changes and muscle atrophy (wastage). If your dog isn’t moving through their full range of motion the muscles around the hip will weaken.
What are the first signs of hip dysplasia?
Signs can vary considerably between dogs and can be overlooked at a young age as just a “funny” trait. But if you know what to look out for these are the early stages of hip dysplasia and you should seek veterinary advice straight away.
Some of the things you might notice include:
A "bunny-hopping" gait - Some dogs with hip dysplasia run with both back legs moving together, creating a characteristic hopping motion.
Your dog sitting in an unusual position - For example with both legs flopped to one side, legs splayed at the back, or 1 leg flopping to the side.
Difficulty with stairs or jumping - You may notice your dog becoming reluctant to climb stairs, jump into the car or get onto furniture.
Advanced signs of hip dysplasia.
Difficulty getting up - Your dog may take longer to get up after sleeping or resting, particularly after exercise.
Reluctance to exercise - A dog that once loved long walks may start turning around sooner or appear less enthusiastic.
Stiffness - Stiffness may be more obvious after exercise or after resting.
Limping - Some dogs develop lameness, which can range from mild to severe.
Reduced muscle around the hind legs - Dogs with painful hips may reduce their use of the hind limbs, which can eventually result in muscle loss.
Pain can make your dog feel miserable, so it’s important to reach out to your vet if you notice any of these symptoms. They can talk you through a range of options including high strength joint supplements, medication, tailored weight loss programmes, hydrotherapy, and physiotherapy.
When does hip dysplasia start?
Hip dysplasia begins during growth and development.
It isn't something that suddenly appears when a dog becomes old.
The abnormal development and joint laxity can occur while a puppy is growing, although the age at which a dog actually develops noticeable symptoms can vary enormously.
Some puppies with significant hip laxity can show signs surprisingly early. The American College of Veterinary Surgeons reports that abnormal hip laxity can be identified in puppies as young as 10–16 weeks, using appropriate veterinary examination and diagnostic techniques.
Other dogs may have hip dysplasia but show few or no obvious signs for years.
This is why a young dog running around happily doesn't necessarily mean their hips are completely healthy.
Why don't all dogs with hip dysplasia show symptoms?
This is where hip dysplasia can become confusing.
The severity of the changes seen on an X-ray doesn't always correspond directly with how a dog behaves.
Some dogs can have significant hip changes but continue to run, jump and play apparently normally.
Others can show considerable pain despite relatively limited changes on imaging.
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals specifically notes that it isn't possible to predict exactly when, or even whether, an individual dog with hip dysplasia will develop obvious lameness.
This means that absence of symptoms doesn't necessarily mean absence of hip dysplasia.
Which dogs are most commonly affected?
Hip dysplasia can occur in any dog, including smaller breeds, but it is particularly associated with large and giant breeds.
Breeds commonly associated with an increased risk include:
- German Shepherd Dogs
- Labrador Retrievers
- Golden Retrievers
- Rottweilers
- Newfoundlands
- Great Danes
- Saint Bernards
- Bernese Mountain Dogs
- Mastiffs
- Bulldogs
What causes hip dysplasia?
The main risk in developing hip dysplasia is in the genes inherited from a puppies parents. However the severity of symptoms shown will vary depending on body weight, bone formation and amount of exercise they do as a puppy.
Is hip dysplasia genetic?
Hip dysplasia in dogs is a genetically inherited condition. To reduce the risk of buying a puppy with the condition you should only buy from a reputable breeder who has no hip issues in their lineage, and uses testing such as hip scoring to ensure the parents hips are healthy before they are considered for breeding.
Can you prevent hip dysplasia?
Because genetics play such an important role, you cannot completely prevent hip dysplasia in a puppy that has a significant inherited predisposition.
But there are things owners can do to help support healthy development.
Keep growing puppies at an appropriate body condition
Avoid overfeeding, particularly in large and giant breeds. Rapid growth and excess weight can place additional stress on developing joints.
Feed an appropriate diet
Growing puppies need a nutritionally complete diet formulated for their stage of development. Large breed puppies have particularly specific nutritional requirements, so feeding an appropriate puppy diet is important.
Provide sensible exercise
Puppies need exercise, but excessive or inappropriate high impact activity isn't necessary for healthy development. The aim should be age appropriate activity that allows the puppy to develop strength and coordination without unnecessarily overloading developing joints.
Consider joint support
For dogs genetically predisposed to joint problems, nutritional support can form part of a proactive approach to joint health. Ingredients such as Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Green Lipped Mussel, Omega-3 fatty acids and other evidence led joint support ingredients may be incorporated into a dog's diet to support normal joint health.
However, a joint supplement cannot correct an abnormally formed hip or prevent hip dysplasia on its own. It should be considered as part of a much broader approach to joint health.
How to treat hip dysplasia in dogs
Hip dysplasia is complex and there are multiple treatment options that can be used. Mild cases can be managed with weight loss, joint supplements, physio and hydrotherapy.
More severe cases will need surgical treatment, followed by physio and hydrotherapy. If surgery is not an option then symptoms can be treated with pain relief medications and high strength joint supplements.
