How to Identify Hip Dysplasia in Dogs

A friend of mine is thinking about adopting a puppy — “A Golden or a Lab. Something big and lovable.” I can't argue with the spectacular cuteness of a Golden Retriever puppy, but as a vet, I have to give the usual disclaimers: “Puppies are a lot of work. They need lots of vet visits and training. And if you’re getting a large breed, you should plan to check for hip dysplasia — it can be a bummer to deal with.”

“Yikes. How do I find out if a puppy has hip dysplasia?”

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What is canine hip dysplasia?

Canine hip dysplasia is an orthopedic condition that affects young, growing dogs and causes the coxofemoral (hip) joint to develop abnormally. Puppies are born with normal hip joints, but as they grow, the hip doesn’t develop properly, leading to increased laxity (looseness). This laxity prevents the ball and socket of the hip joint from fitting together smoothly, which causes degeneration of the bone and cartilage, resulting in early-onset osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease.

What causes canine hip dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia in canines is a genetic condition, but additional factors like nutrition and growth rate play a role in the severity of the disease. Dogs who are overfed and grow rapidly are more likely to develop hip dysplasia. Studies have shown that a restricted diet can reduce the progression and severity of degenerative joint disease. 

Environment, age of neutering, and body conformation are also risk factors. For example, puppies who have access to stairs early in life (before three months of age) are at higher risk of developing hip dysplasia. Large-breed dogs who are neutered (or spayed) early can also be at a higher risk of developing the disease (though pups who are rescued are often fixed early before adoption for understandable reasons). Hip dysplasia is more likely to occur in dogs who are large and stocky.

How is hip dysplasia diagnosed in dogs?

Hip dysplasia is typically diagnosed using a combination of physical exam findings and imaging. Your vet may check for excessive laxity by positioning your puppy’s hip joint a specific way, called the Ortolani test. Radiographs (x-rays) of the hip joint are the most common way to diagnose hip dysplasia in dogs. Both imaging and physical examination may require sedation or anesthesia so that the hips can be positioned properly, especially in dogs who are already experiencing pain. 

If your puppy is considered high-risk, your veterinarian may recommend looking for signs of hip dysplasia even if they aren’t having any issues. Signs and symptoms of hip dysplasia in dogs can vary and may not show up until the disease has progressed. Early diagnosis allows for early intervention.

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What dog breeds are prone to hip dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia is most common in large- and giant-breed dogs, but body shape is also a risk factor. For example, while Pugs aren’t large, their build makes them prone to hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is more likely to occur in dogs who are stocky and stout than those who are thin and lanky. So, Rottweilers are a classic example — Greyhounds, not so much.

Dog breeds that are most affected by hip dysplasia include:

• German Shepherd

• Labrador Retriever

• Golden Retriever

• Rottweiler

• Great Dane

• Newfoundland

• Saint Bernand

• Bulldogs (American, English, and French)

• American Bulldog 

• Mastiff

• Basset Hound

• Pug 

• Corgi

Early signs of hip dysplasia in dogs

Because it is a developmental condition, symptoms may not always be seen right away; however, the beginning signs of hip dysplasia in dogs can show up as early as two to three months of age. The warning signs of hip dysplasia in young dogs are typically detected as behavior changes stemming from hind-limb lameness. These signs can include: 

• Occasional hind limping (in one or both hind limbs)

• “Bunny hopping” with the hind limbs when running or playing

• Frequent sitting

• Reluctance to run or jump

• Being slow to rise

Common signs of hip dysplasia in dogs

Symptoms of hip dysplasia can range from moderate to severe. As the effects of joint degeneration progress, the clinical signs of hip dysplasia in dogs become more severe and more obvious. With time, the symptoms overlap with those of other dogs who have osteoarthritis in their hips. Common signs of canine hip dysplasia include:

• Hip pain

• Persistent hind limb lameness

• Difficulty rising or lying down

• Difficulty jumping or talking stairs

• Walking with a sway in their hips

• A “bunny hop” gait in their hind limbs

• Audible clicking sounds from their hip joints

• Leaning forward to reduce weight on their hind limbs

• Muscle atrophy in their hind limbs

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When to seek expert help for hip dysplasia

If you’re concerned that your dog is experiencing pain or seems to be walking funny, your vet may recommend diagnostics to rule out hip dysplasia, especially if your dog is young. If you adopt a high-risk dog, it’s a good idea to chat with your vet about early monitoring for hip dysplasia so that it can be caught before problems develop. Early diagnosis allows for early intervention — sometimes before arthritis develops — reducing pain and improving your pup’s quality of life.

There are medical and surgical treatment options for canine hip dysplasia. 

Medical management

Medical management often involves a combination of medications and lifestyle adjustments. Weight management is a key part of treatment and must be a priority for overweight dogs. Maintaining a lean body weight reduces pressure and stress on the hip joints. 

Appropriate exercise is also important to maintain strength without causing additional stress in the joints. Swimming is a popular, low-impact option. Dogs can also benefit from physical therapy exercises that maintain range of motion and muscle strength.

Joint supplements can help protect the cartilage and reduce pain associated with osteoarthritis. Oral products are popular, but your vet may recommend injectable joint protectants as well. Common oral joint supplement ingredients include glucosamine, chondroitin, omega-3 fatty acids, and green-lipped mussel extract. Even though many of these products are available over the counter, you should always check with your vet before starting them.

Prescription pain medications can help with the inflammation and discomfort associated with hip dysplasia. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a common first choice, but there are additional pain medication options if needed.

Some dog parents have seen success with supplemental treatments like acupuncture and stem-cell therapy.  

Surgical treatment

Surgical treatment options for canine hip dysplasia vary depending on the age of the dog and the severity of the disease. Some surgeries are performed to preserve the hip joint, while others are considered “salvage procedures” — performed to improve the dog’s quality of life. 

A juvenile pubic symphysiodesis (JPS) is a surgery performed to reduce the laxity of the hip joint in young dogs. The goal is to prevent or lessen future degenerative joint disease. JPS surgery must be done before a puppy is five months old, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis.

Double or triple pelvic osteotomy (DPO/TPO) surgery is also performed in young dogs who have hip dysplasia but have yet to develop osteoarthritis. The goal of this procedure is to correct the alignment of the hip joint (make the ball and socket smoother) to prevent or reduce the friction that leads to degeneration. This option is typically performed on puppies between the ages of five and 10 months. 

Total hip replacement surgery is considered a salvage procedure and is typically performed on dogs with severe degenerative joint disease and who are no longer responding to medical management. In this procedure, both the ball and socket of the hip joint are replaced with implants. 

Femoral head ostectomy (FHO) is a salvage procedure in which the ball of the ball and socket is removed. The goal of this procedure is to eliminate the pain caused by friction in the hip joint. An FHO is a less expensive surgery than a total hip replacement, but it is typically only recommended for dogs that weigh less than 45 pounds and have severe disease in only one hind limb. 

Spay or neuter surgery should also be part of the treatment plan for dogs with hip dysplasia. Although castration will not help with their disease, dogs with hip dysplasia should not be bred. 

Bottom line

Canine hip dysplasia is an orthopedic condition that causes laxity, and eventually, degeneration of the hip joint. Large and giant breed dogs are most commonly affected, but small, stocky dogs can be affected, too. Symptoms tend to overlap with those seen on dogs who have osteoarthritis in the hips, including hind-limb lameness and reluctance to run, jump, or even go for a walk. There are both medical and surgical treatment options. Early diagnosis is key to preventing severe joint degeneration. 

References

• ‌Cohn, Leah A, and Etienne Côté. Côté’s Clinical Veterinary Advisor. Dogs and Cats. 4th ed., St. Louis, Mo., Elsevier, 2020.

• “Hip Dysplasia.” OFA, ofa.org/diseases/hip-dysplasia/.

• Krontveit, Randi I., et al. “A Prospective Study on Canine Hip Dysplasia and Growth in a Cohort of Four Large Breeds in Norway (1998–2001).” Preventive Veterinary Medicine, vol. 97, no. 3-4, Dec. 2010, pp. 252–263, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2010.09.015.