ABOUT CANINE HIP DYSPLASIA

Canine Hip Dysplasia is not your dog’s death sentence. Learn its symptoms and the treatments available in this article.

Hip dysplasia happens when the “ball” of the femoral bone does not fit snugly into the “socket” of the hip joint. Experts have not yet arrived at a single conclusion as to the cause of this, however, they have two schools of thoughts: genetic and environmental.

Genetic theory states that a dog may acquire hip dysplasia during his growth phase when his hip joint had a malformation. On the other hand, it is also believed that certain environmental factors may be the cause of hip dysplasia like over or under exercising a puppy during its development stage.

A puppy with a hip dysplasia may grow along with the problem. There are cases when a dog starts to show signs of this when he started to develop arthritis. Canine arthritis and Hip dysplasia sometimes exhibit the same symptoms because they are correlated. Here are some symptoms of hip dysplasia.

Bunny Hopping. The dog tends to use his hind legs together rather than one at a time when running.

Side Sit. The dog sits with its legs loose and off to one side or both legs may be straight out in front.

Sway Walk. Because of loose hip joint, the dog’s back end sways as he walks.

Unusual Laying Position. Dog’s legs are always straight out and off to sides or behind when he is laying in his stomach.

Limping. The dog is favoring one hind leg or the other or alternately.

Quiet Puppy. Puppies are in pain and don’t stray around as usual.

Underdeveloped Hind Quarters and Overdeveloped Chest. The hind legs fail to develop normally and shift the dog’s weight forward.

Canine hip dysplasia can only be diagnosed by x-rays. Most breeders and dog owners with dogs that show symptoms go to Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) or Pennsylvania Hip improvement Program (Penn-HIP) and other orthopedic groups. Surgeons will suggest variety of surgical options available for dogs.

1. Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis (JPS) – this surgery is performed on puppies under 20 weeks of age. This is a preventive measure of a possible hip dysplasia.
2. Dorsal Acetabular Rim (DAR) – bone grafts are taken from other areas of the pelvis to build up the rim on the hip socket to make it deeper for a better fit of the femoral head.
3. Triple Pelvic Osteotomy (TPO) – the bone around the hip socket is being cut, repositioned for a better fit of the femoral head and plated back together in correct alignment.
4. Total Hip replacement (THR) – dog’s hip joint is replaced. A new cup is attached and the femoral head is cut off and an implant is inserted. This is usually done on mature and larger dogs.
5. Femoral Head and Neck Osteotomy (FHO) – the femoral head is removed to relive the dog’s pain. His body will then develop a scar tissue to create an artificial hip joint.

Aside from surgical options, there are conservative methods for your dog. These include supplements, acupuncture, chiropractic care, good exercise and weight management. Some are able to manage their dog’s hip dysplasia with these conservative methods and they put the surgical method aside as their last option.