Hip Dysplasia in Dogs: An Owner’s Guide to Early Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment

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If your dog is diagnosed with hip dysplasia, it's natural to be upset and frightened. But every dog's experience with this joint condition is different. Plus, there are many treatment options available.

Your vet can help you determine which treatment is best for your dog. And in many cases, you can reduce or relieve your dog's symptoms.

What is hip dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia occurs when a dog's hip joint develops and grows abnormally. The development can cause the hip joint to be too loose. This results in stretching of the ligaments, muscles around the hip, and joint capsule.

The stretching can make the hip joint unstable. It can also lead to pain and permanent damage to the joint, including the development of arthritis.

Hip dysplasia often occurs in large-breed dogs. Breeds prone to the condition include:

• Labrador retrievers

• Rottweilers

• Golden retrievers

• German shepherds

However, dogs of any breed and size can have hip dysplasia.

Symptoms and signs of hip dysplasia in dogs

Hip dysplasia can cause multiple symptoms. Symptoms will vary depending on how severe the condition is.

Symptoms of hip dysplasia include:

• Lameness (where the dog walks funny due to pain/injury) ranging from mild to severe, which will often be worse after the dog has exercised

• A gait that resembles a bunny hop, where the dog moves with both hind legs together

• Limited range of motion in their legs

• A stiff hip joint, possibly with an audible grating sound when your dog fully extends and bends their hip

What are the first signs of hip dysplasia in dogs?

Some of the first signs of hip dysplasia can be pretty mild or hard to detect. Amber Vibert, DVM, a veterinarian at Bluegrass Veterinary Hospital, said some of the first signs of hip dysplasia may include:

• Becoming reluctant to go up stairs

• Tiring easily during exercise

• Sleeping more than usual

"Sometimes pet parents don't see any signs at all, especially early on in their dog's life or when the dysplasia is mild or moderate," Vibert said. "The family veterinarian, however, is trained to detect physical and behavioral abnormalities that may suggest the presence of hip dysplasia."

What causes hip dysplasia in dogs?

Canine hip dysplasia has several causes. Vibert said that dogs can be born with a malformation on one or both hips. But in mild cases, it might not be possible to spot the issue until the dog is an adult.

Hip dysplasia can also be hereditary and passed down from parents to puppies.

"However, this doesn't mean that parents without hip dysplasia guarantee offspring with perfect hips," Vibert cautioned. "But it sure does increase the chances that the pups will come out with normal joints if the parents are free of the disease."

Several other factors can also contribute to hip dysplasia. These can include:

• Nutrition

• Exercise

• Rapid growth

Treatment for hip dysplasia in dogs

There are several hip dysplasia treatments available, including multiple surgeries:

Juvenile pubic symphysiodesis (JPS)

Suitable for puppies who are diagnosed with hip dysplasia, this minimally invasive surgery closes a growth plate within the pelvis. This can help slow growth and change the pelvis's shape to reduce the joint's looseness.

Double or triple pelvic osteotomy (DPO/TPO)

Ideal for dogs who are younger than 8 to 10 months old, this procedure involves cutting the pelvic bone and rotating the segments to reduce looseness in the joint.

Total hip replacement (THR)

Best for young dogs who are at least 1 year old and whose skeletons are fully grown, this procedure replaces the ball and socket of the hip joint with metal and plastic implants, creating a more secure fit to relieve pain.

Femoral head ostectomy (FHO)

This procedure can be performed on dogs of any age. It involves removing the ball of the hip joint to reduce pain caused when that ball rubs against and wears on the joint cartilage.

Each of these surgeries has different aftercare requirements, and the right procedure depends on the dog. Your vet can help you determine which surgery may be best for your dog.

How much does it cost to fix hip dysplasia in dogs?

The cost for hip dysplasia surgery will depend on where you live and what type of surgery your dog needs. On average, you're looking at:

• $800-$1,000 per hip for juvenile pubic symphysiodesis

• $1,200-$2,500 per hip for femoral head ostectomy

• $3,000-$6,000 per hip for double or triple pelvic osteotomy

• $3,500-$7,000 per hip for total hip replacement

You should also factor in post-surgery care, such as physiotherapy, which can cost around $100 per visit.

Lower-cost hip dysplasia treatments

If you can't afford surgery or aren't ready for your dog to have surgery, you may have other options. Other types of treatments may help control pain caused by hip dysplasia.

Your vet might recommend several nonsurgical treatments, such as:

• Joint supplements

• Pain medication

• Weight loss

• Rehabilitation therapies, such as laser therapy or acupuncture

Even with these other treatments, it is likely that your dog's condition will gradually worsen. As that happens, your vet may again recommend surgery.

How long can a dog live with hip dysplasia?

Your dog's prognosis will depend on their breed, size, and the severity of their hip dysplasia. Let's take a closer look.

• Mild dysplasia: Vibert said that many dogs with mild hip dysplasia can live a relatively normal and long life.

• Severe cases: Hip dysplasia will cause more and more pain. As a result, your dog will also become less mobile over time.

• Large breeds: For larger dogs, their size can complicate how you manage the condition. "Bigger dogs are much more difficult for a person to manage when they can no longer walk compared to little dogs that can easily be carried around," Vibert said.

• End-stage: As dogs enter end-stage hip dysplasia, managing their condition can become challenging. And the cost of treating your dog can become a strain, too. In this case, it may be time to consider euthanasia.

How to prevent hip dysplasia in dogs

There are several things you can do to help prevent hip dysplasia or slow its progression.

Early screening for breeders

It's important for breeders to have their dogs evaluated by a veterinarian prior to breeding. The dogs should have their hips X-rayed, and those X-rays should be submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) or PennHIP.

These organizations can provide official screening information that can help reduce the risk of passing on hip dysplasia from parents to puppies.

Diet

If you adopt a dog, work with your vet to identify a dog food that will help your puppy grow at a normal rate, rather than getting too big too quickly.

Regular checkups

"Routine exams for all dogs and X-ray screening in high-risk breeds can detect hip dysplasia early enough so that we may be able to intervene and improve the length and quality of life for our beloved canine companions," Vibert said.

Frequently asked questions

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