Hip dysplasia in dogs

Hip Dysplasia in dogs is common, and dogs show symptoms from around 6-12 months of age. Some of the most popular breeds are more likely to develop it, including dog breeds prone to hip dysplasia like Labradors, German Shepherds and French Bulldogs.

The reassuring news? We’ve learned a lot about what causes hip dysplasia in dogs, how to treat hip dysplasia in dogs, and even how to prevent hip dysplasia in dogs – so there’s plenty you can do to help your dog stay comfortable and active.

What is hip dysplasia in dogs? 

Canine dysplasia is defined as abnormal development of a ball and socket joint. The hips are a ball and socket joint, so the condition is called Hip Dysplasia. In hip dysplasia, the joint does not sit tightly together, leading to excess wear and tear on its surfaces. Joint inflammation and pain follow and then we start to see the signs of hip dysplasia in dogs.

Signs of hip dysplasia in dogs 

You’ll often notice the signs of canine hip dysplasia because your dog starts to move differently – often due to pain in the joint. When the hip doesn’t sit properly in the socket, every step can become uncomfortable, so your dog may naturally avoid running, jumping or even getting up.

Common signs of hip pain include:

• Limping, read about why dogs limp
  
• Dog joint stiffness, especially after resting
  
• Reluctance to run, play or climb stairs
  
• Difficulty getting up or lying down

Other signs of hip dysplasia in dogs can develop gradually, such as:

• Behavioural changes – pain can make dogs more withdrawn or sensitive to touch
  
• Muscle atrophy – if your dog isn’t using their hips as much, the muscles around the joint can weaken over time 

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What are the first signs of hip dysplasia? 

The first signs of hip dysplasia in dogs are subtle, and may be overlooked as a ‘quirk’ unique to your puppy, but if you know what to look out for these are the very mild or early stages or hip dysplasia, and vet help is needed.

Keep an eye out for mild, early-stage signs like:

• Your dog sitting in an unusual way – for example, with one leg flopped out to the side or their bottom tucked underneath and both legs to one side
  
• Hesitation to jump up on the sofa or bed – it might seem like they’re just well behaved, but it could be that their hips are sore
  
• Bunny hopping – this is when dogs run with both back legs moving together in a sort of hop. It might look cute or quirky, but it’s not typical movement, and can be one of the first visible signs of hip dysplasia in dogs

End stage hip dysplasia 

If left untreated, hip dysplasia in dogs can progress to osteoarthritis in the hip joints. End stage hip displasia is painful, and is a condition that cannot be cured, only managed. Signs of advanced or end-stage hip dysplasia in dogs can include:

• Limping that doesn’t improve with rest
  
• Loss of muscle tone in the back legs
  
• Refusal to climb stairs, jump into the car or sit down during walks
  
• Wobbly back legs or slipping when moving around
  
• Mood changes – your dog might sleep more than usual, seem withdrawn or become snappy if their back end is touched unexpectedly
• Increased sleep levels, indicative of pain

Pain can make your dog feel miserable, so it's important to reach out to your vet for a health check. They can talk you through a range of options, including joint supplements, medication, tailored weight-loss plans or physiotherapy.

Your vet will be able to give you lots of small tips to help your dog cope with osteoarthritis at home, such as using non-slip mats, and ramps to get up steps in the garden. Your dog will spend most of their time at home, so it's key we do as many things as possible in their home environment to keep them comfortable. 

What causes hip dysplasia in dogs? 

The bulk of the risk of developing hip dysplasia is in the genes inherited from a puppies parents. However the severity at which signs are shown can be affected by a dogs weight, bone formation and amount of exercise they do as a puppy. Hip dysplasia is a complex condition and can be made worse if external factors such as controlled exercise are not put into place. 

Is hip dysplasia genetic in dogs? 

Hip dysplasia in dogs is a genetically inherited condition. To reduce the chances of buying a puppy with hip dysplasia, only purchase from a breeder who has no hip issues in their lineage, and uses testing such as Hip Scoring to ensure the parents hips are healthy before using them for breeding purposes. 

Dog breeds prone to hip dysplasia 

Some dog breeds prone to hip dysplasia include:

• Golden Retrievers
  
• Labradors
  
• French Bulldogs
  
• German Shepherds
  
• Rottweilers
  
• St Bernards
  
• Great Danes

How to help prevent hip dysplasia in dogs 

It is not always possible to prevent hip dysplasia in dogs, as it is a genetically inherited condition. Purchasing a puppy from parents who have been Hip Scored, or tested to reduce the chances of passing on this medical issue is advised. If you already have a puppy, make sure that they are fed the recommended feeding amounts, so as not to get overweight. Try not to over exercise a young puppy, as this can put extra pressure on loose hips, creating symptoms of pain and inflammation in the joints.

How to treat hip dysplasia in dogs

Hip dysplasia in dogs has multiple treatment options depending on how bad the dysplasia is. Mild cases can be managed by weight loss, joint supplements, physio or hydrotherapy for dogs. 

More severe cases will need surgical treatment, often followed by physio or hydrotherapy. If surgical treatment is cost prohibitive, the signs are treated with lifelong pain relief medications and supplements