hip dysplasia in dog

Your pet’s health is important to you. After all, they are part of your family! Sadly, dogs of all ages are subject to hip dysplasia; however, in most cases, the symptoms do not begin to show until the middle or later years in a dog's life. This disease primarily affects large and giant bred dogs, such as German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Rottweilers, Great Danes, Golden Retrievers, Saint Bernards, although it can occur in medium-sized breeds as well.
Hip dysplasia is caused by a laxity of the muscles, connective tissue, and ligaments that normally support the joint. Most dysplastic dogs are born with normal hips, but due to their genetic make-up (and possibly other contributing factors) the soft tissues that surround the joint develop abnormally causing the subluxation (a partial dislocation of bones that leaves them misaligned but still in some contact with each other.) This “dislocation” and the subsequent “reshaping” of the hip leads to the symptoms associated with this disease, which may or may affect both the right and/or left hip.

Symptoms of hip dysplasia in your pet can include:

Walking/running with an altered gait; Resisting movements requiring full extension of their rear legs; “Bunny Hopping” gait; Showing stiffness, pain in their rear legs after exercise, or first thing in the morning; Difficulty climbing stairs; Limping; Unwillingness to participate in normal daily activities;
Many pet parents attribute these changes to normal aging, but once treatment has begun, they are pleasantly surprised to see a more normal, pain-free gait return.
While researchers agree that hip dysplasia is a genetic disease, they also believe obesity can increase the severity of the disease in genetically-susceptible animals. Lack of consistent, muscle-building exercise can be another risk factor.

Veterinarians typically diagnosis canine hip dysplasia by combining:

Clinical signs of arthritis and pain; Complete physical exam; X-rays
If your pet is showing outward signs of arthritis, there are usually easily-recognized changes in the joint (visible on x-rays.) Additionally, your veterinarian may be able to feel looseness in the joint, or may detect pain when they fully-extend your pet’s rear leg(s).

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