Hip Dysplasia in Dogs: Symptoms and Treatment

Musculoskeletal disorders often occur in large breed dogs. Large, overweight animals, coupled with intense physical activity, often develop joint problems. One of the most common pathologies of this type is hip dysplasia. Unlike in humans, hip dysplasia in dogs is not a congenital condition, but develops in puppyhood and is caused by a hereditary predisposition. Serious complications of this condition, including complete immobilization, can only be prevented through timely treatment and proper preventative measures.

Features of the disease

Hip dysplasia is an incurable condition that can lead to partial or complete destruction of a dog's joints. The problem is a significant increase in the gap between the ball and socket of the joint, resulting in a weakened bone connection. Constant friction and excessive pressure lead to bone loss, delamination, or flattening of the joints.

Since the hip joints bear the greatest stress during dog movement, dysplasia most often affects them. Elbow joint damage is much less common, and in rare cases, the knee joint.

There are 5 degrees of dysplasia development in dogs:

• A – is the norm;
• B and C – some disturbances are observed, in which cases may occur dislocations;
• D and E – severe joint damage occurs.

The disease can develop if a puppy has a genetic predisposition. In Russia, all large breeds are at risk, as dogs with dysplasia have only recently been eliminated from breeding. The most concerning aspect is that if a predisposition exists, dysplasia can develop even if the puppy is properly fed and undergoes normal exercise.

Reasons for occurrence

The onset of the disease in the presence of a genetic predisposition can be triggered by many different factors, the most common of which are:

1. Improper nutrition: unbalanced diet (predominance of meat or its complete absence, poor-quality dry food); introduction of large quantities of phosphorus-calcium supplements; constant overeating and resulting obesity.
2. Movement disorders: excessive training; sedentary lifestyle; injuries, bruises, and other damage to the limbs.

The risk of developing dysplasia is highest in dogs with a large body weight, significantly exceeding the norm, which are also subject to intensive training.

Signs of dysplasia in dogs

Pathological processes in the joints can be detected by X-rays as early as six months of age in puppies. However, it is virtually impossible to notice any external abnormalities during this period. Only with close attention can the initial symptoms of dysplasia in dogs become apparent:

• insignificant lameness, which appears at the beginning of a run or after exercise;
• stiffness upon waking, a desire to “stretch” or “walk around” after lying down for a long time;
• refusal to move up or down stairs in either direction;
• a periodic desire to rest during a walk.

It's crucial to detect the disease promptly and begin treatment as early as possible. If you notice even one of these signs, consult a veterinarian immediately, as the condition becomes much more difficult to treat with age. Moreover, visible symptoms of dysplasia in dogs usually only appear at 1–1.5 years of age, when the musculoskeletal system is fully developed. Damage to different joints has several distinctive characteristics.

Hip dysplasia

Negative processes in the hip joint cause a disruption in the physiological position of the femoral head relative to the acetabulum. Characteristic behavioral traits in dogs with such injuries include constant leaning on the forelimbs, reluctance to climb stairs, a drooping croup, and a swaying hindquarters when walking.

The appearance of signs of the disease is determined by the severity of such disorders:

• with a minor mismatch, symptoms of hip dysplasia in dogs usually do not appear at all or only in old age;
• If there is a significant misalignment of the specified parts of the joint, signs of the disease will quickly become noticeable even if the puppy is kept in the correct conditions.

Elbow dysplasia

If the disease affects the elbow joints, other symptoms are observed:

• limping in the forelimbs;
• refusal to give a paw on command;
• the appearance of thickenings or additional fragments on the elbow joints;
• twitching of the paw when palpating the neoplasm;
• reluctance to go down the stairs.

Some signs of this type of dysplasia depend on the specific pathology, since the bones of the joint can flatten, creating increased friction, or, conversely, decrease, forming an excessive gap.

Knee dysplasia

Changes in the stifle joint in dogs are uncommon and are usually caused by injury or excessive load on the hind limbs. In such cases, the position of the articular bones changes, resulting in a subluxation. This can be determined by the following signs:

• the appearance of visible deformation of the knee joints;
• painful sensations when palpating these areas;
• noticeable lameness in the hind legs.

To prevent this from happening, a large breed puppy must be provided with the correct living conditions that eliminate the possibility of injury.

Diagnostic methods

During the initial examination of a dog for dysplasia, the veterinarian performs several procedures:

• evaluates the correctness of general movements;
• palpates the joint to detect deformity;
• performs flexion and extension of the limbs to determine how the joint moves and to see the animal’s reaction.

An X-ray is then ordered. The dog must be under general anesthesia, which allows the alignment of the joint bones to be determined without muscle support. If the X-ray does not provide a complete picture of the injury, an arthroscopy is performed—inserting a microscopic camera through a tissue puncture. This examination is the most informative, but it is expensive and not available in all clinics.

Treatment of dysplasia in dogs

Dysplasia in dogs is treated medically or surgically. The choice of treatment depends on the specific course of the disease, the individual characteristics of the animal, and its overall health. In most cases, elbow dysplasia in dogs can be treated with both conservative methods and surgery. Hip joint pathologies are usually treated only surgically.

Conservative therapy

For dysplasia in dogs, drug treatment involves the prescription of drugs from several groups with different effects:

• chondroprotective – for joint regeneration;
• antispasmodic – to reduce pain;
• anti-inflammatory – to relieve inflammation of surrounding tissues.

Dietary supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin are also used to accelerate joint recovery. Along with medications and dietary supplements, the animal is prescribed a special weight-loss diet while simultaneously consuming vitamin and mineral complexes.

Additional physiotherapy treatments provide good results. The most popular are:

• paraffin therapy or ozokerite;
• Magnetic and laser therapy;
• massage of the damaged joint.

During the treatment period, physical activity is not excluded for the dog, but it should be moderate – swimming, light jogging, walks.

It's important to note that conservative treatment of hip dysplasia in dogs only provides temporary relief—pain and lameness—but does not restore the damaged joints. Therefore, specialists recommend immediate surgical correction.

Surgical operations

Surgical treatment for hip dysplasia in dogs aims to reshape the femoral head so it fits within the acetabulum. The complexity of the surgery depends on the severity of the condition. For minor issues, the procedure may only involve removing a small fragment of cartilage. In more severe cases, the following surgeries are performed:

1. Hip replacement surgery is a total hip replacement with a titanium prosthesis. After the rehabilitation period, the dog will be able to move normally without any discomfort.
2. Osteotomy is a procedure that repositions the articular cavity and restores the joint to its proper physiological shape. This procedure is only performed if the dysplasia is not complicated by arthritis.
3. Femoral head and neck removal – this procedure does not require any implants, but it does require a very lengthy recovery period. However, after recovery, the dog will be free of any signs of the disease and will be able to run and jump without restrictions.

The decision on surgical treatment is made by the doctor based on the diagnosis and the animal's condition. Any surgery for dysplasia is a very delicate procedure that can only be performed efficiently by a surgeon with extensive experience and a deep understanding of anatomy. Therefore, it is crucial to find such a specialist.

Disease prevention

The nature of preventive measures for hip dysplasia in dogs depends on the stage at which they are needed. It's important to consider the absence of the disease in a puppy even before acquiring it. When choosing a large breed dog, it's important to ensure that its parents have been tested for hip dysplasia and have shown negative results (grade A). The breeder will provide a certificate of this along with other documentation. However, even this doesn't guarantee that the disease will not recur.

It's simply impossible to detect hip dysplasia in a puppy under 6 months of age (and sometimes even older). However, if a dog is predisposed to it, the disease will inevitably manifest itself later. Therefore, further prevention focuses on minimizing the risk of its occurrence or the development of its consequences. Preventative measures include a balanced diet and adequate exercise. With this approach, it's entirely possible to halt the progression of the disease, even if pathological changes have already begun in the puppy's joints.

If a large-breed dog is overfed from puppyhood, leading to rapid weight gain, and is subjected to excessive exercise, this significantly increases the stress on diseased joints and can cause irreparable harm. Any dog ​​requires attention and care, especially a large breed at risk for joint problems. However, it's important to know that hip dysplasia is not a death sentence. Your pet can be saved if the problem is detected early and treated properly.

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