Hip dysplasia is the abnormal formation and degeneration of the coxofemoral joint.

The acetabulum is the pelvis cavity in which the head of the femur is supposed to articulate smoothly. With dysplasia, the acetbulum is not deep enough and as a result there is uneven and abnormal pressure on the joint and all kinds of lesions develop (deformation of the acetabulum and the head of the femur, microfractures of the cartilage).

This defect in the development of the hip articulation begins by a genetic predisposition but environmental factors also play a role. It is one of the most frequent bone diseases in dogs.

The major dog breeds which are particularly at risk are St-Bernards, German Shepherds, Labradors Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers and Bouviers Bernois.

The following symptoms will manifest themselves when the dog is between 4 months and 2 years old: reduction in activity level, difficulty getting up, reluctance to run, jump or climb stairs, limping in one of the hind limbs. The dog may also seem to run like a rabbit (the two hind limbs come forward at the same time) or its hindquarters may look unstable when the dog is walking.

To diagnose this condition, an x-ray of the hips is taken under anesthesia.

Treatment will vary greatly depending on the dog’s size and age, his level of activity and the severity of the disease.
Treatment can be done by surgery. Many types of surgeries are available, for example triple pelvis osteotomy, full hip prosthesis and excision of the femoral head. The most appropriate surgery depends upon the x-ray results, the dog’s condition and your budget. Treatment can also be medical but this is a palliative treatment only since the instability of articulation is not corrected. Glucosamine and chondroitine supplements, anti-arthritis injections, a diet especially designed for articulation problems and painkillers at will to keep the dog as comfortable as possible are all recommended. In this instance, regular but moderate exercise such as walking or swimming are the most appropriate.  

In both cases, it is important to have a discussion with a veterinarian to make an educated decision. Also in both cases, keeping your dog at his health weight is an integral part of the treatment.

Prevention can take place in various ways. First, it is very important to never breed a dog suffering from hip dysplasia and secondly, you should wait until the dog is two years old before breeding since by that age an x-ray of the hips will establish his health status. It is also important not to breed two dogs whose litter included one or more puppies affected by this disease. Growth diets for large breed puppies and “teenage” diets seem to help reduce the chances of developing this disease.

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