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What is hip dysplasia in dogs?
Hip dysplasia is the abnormal development of the hip joint. Usually, it’s a hereditary condition that dogs inherit from their parents, but it can be caused by trauma.
It can cause a lot of pain and difficulty while walking and some dog breeds are particularly susceptible.
Treatments and therapies are available, so don’t despair if your dog’s showing signs of hip pain.
Why do some dogs develop hip dysplasia?
“The hip joint consists of a ball called the ‘femoral head’ and a socket, the ‘acetabulum’,” explains Veterinary surgeon Dr. Sophie Bell. “Both the ball and socket should grow at the same rate, but with hip dysplasia, they grow at different rates. That leads to a lax joint where the head doesn’t sit snugly inside the socket.”
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Because of this, you might not notice hip dysplasia in a puppy. But, as they grow, “the body tries to compensate and as a result, osteoarthritis and degenerative disease kick in, leading to lifelong pain of varying degrees,” explains Dr. Bell.
That might sound quite frightening, but with management and treatment, dogs can still live a long and full life. “They can have a normal life expectancy if managed correctly,” Dr. Bell adds.
Sadly, some owners will have to make the difficult decision to euthanize their dog earlier because hip replacement isn’t an option and pain relief isn’t keeping the dog comfortable.
Which dog breeds get hip dysplasia?
Hip dysplasia is more common in these large breeds:
Bulldogs (mainly large and giant breeds)
Some small breeds are also affected, especially:
Symptoms of hip dysplasia
Dogs usually show signs of hip dysplasia when they're nearing their full size. It’s usually after 12 months old, but some puppies show signs of hip dysplasia at six months old.
Symptoms include:
Hind leg lameness
Bunny hopping
Hip joint grating (due to bones rubbing against each other)
Lack of movement
Poor muscle mass
Reluctance to sit
Can you prevent hip dysplasia in dogs?
Because it’s usually genetic, the most reliable way to help prevent hip dysplasia is to never breed dogs that have the condition. Breeds that are prone to it can be hip tested to help avoid producing affected puppies.
In a sense, this is more the breeder's concern than yours. However, there's plenty you can do to identify responsible breeders so you can avoid puppy mills or backyard breeders. If you're in the market for a purebred dog, The American Kennel Club's list of of registered breeders is a great place to start.
Still, choosing an ethical breeder isn't a cure-all for hip dysplasia. If you have a breed of dog that’s prone to the condition, there are a few things you can do to help them avoid it. “Even though it’s a genetic condition, environment, exercise, diet, growth, and hormones can all play a role in the development of hip dysplasia” says Dr. Bell. “Obesity in puppyhood hugely increases the risk."
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Some more tips from Dr. Bell:
Avoid high-impact exercise for the first 12 months of life (agility training, for example)
No excessive walking during puppyhood. A good rule of thumb is five minutes per month of age, twice daily, for the first six months for smaller breeds — and for the first 12 months for larger ones
No stairs
Choose swimming for exercise (if it's a breed that takes to water)
Delay neutering until a bit later into adulthood; neutering dogs when they're too young eliminates hormones that are important for joint support and muscle
“One minute of swimming is equivalent to four minutes of running and takes the pressure off the joints,” says Dr. Bell. “However, swimming in cold water can lower pain receptors and cause dogs to overdo it.”
Not enough exercise can also increase the risk, so it’s a balancing act.
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Diagnosing hip dysplasia
Your vet will first spot hip dysplasia based on your dog’s gait and signs of pain.
X-rays can then be used to confirm the diagnosis and to see if just one or both hips are affected, and how badly.
Another condition, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, causes similar symptoms in young dogs and affects small breeds like toy and terriers. Although it’s a different condition, it can be treated in a similar way with hip replacement or removal of the femoral head.
Treating hip dysplasia
“Conservative management is based on a multi-pronged approach, says Dr. Bell.
Hip dysplasia can be managed with a combination of:
Pain medication
It can also be treated surgically.
The cost of treatment depends on the severity. “Plus, the larger the dog the more expensive the medication,” says Dr. Bell.
Supplements containing omega-three and omega-six fatty acids, and hyaluronic acid for joint support, can help. “Even if symptoms are mild all dogs should receive monthly supplements,” says Dr. Bell.
“There should be an emphasis on keeping weight down, using ramps to get in and out of the car, avoiding the stairs and putting anti-slip mats (like yoga mats) down in the house to stop slipping on the floor,” Dr. Bell adds.
Hip dysplasia surgery for dogs
The cost of hip dysplasia surgery in dogs can be very high – often more than $4,000 per hip. Even so, 10-12 years of treatment for pain relief could well exceed this one-off cost.
Dogs with severe cases that aren’t treated surgically will sadly have a dramatically shortened lifespan.
There are three main types of hip dysplasia surgery:
Total hip replacement
Excision arthroplasty/femoral head ostectomy
Double or triple osteotomy
Total hip replacement
This is a surgical option where an artificial hip is fitted. It’s the best choice for a "forever fix" and can mean your dog has a normal quality of life, pain-free.
It’s also the most expensive option. Often, each hip is operated on individually with a four-six month gap between the surgeries. The cost of total hip replacement in dogs can be as much as $3,500-$7,000 per hip.
Because of the cost, Dr. Bell estimates that only around 5% of owners opt for a total hip replacement.
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Excision arthroplasty/femoral head ostectomy
This involves cutting the femoral head/ball part of the joint. This creates a false joint. Hip function will never be normal, but the pain will be hugely reduced.
Double or triple osteotomy
For dogs under 10 months of age, the pelvis can be cut in two or three places to rotate and manipulate the bones to form a good ball-and-socket hip joint. They can lead a very good life post-surgery. The dog is often neutered at the same time to prevent breeding.
With excision arthroplasty and double/triple osteotomy, there is a greater chance of arthritic changes over time, so your dog would still need lifelong management for pain.
Preventive measures
Hip dysplasia isn't always preventable. However, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk and help your pup maintain better joint health throughout their life.
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Breeding practices and genetic screening
Responsible breeding practices, including genetic testing of breeding dogs for hip dysplasia, can help reduce the prevalence of the condition in future generations. Breeders should focus on selecting dogs with certified healthy hips to minimize the risk of passing on the genetic predisposition for hip dysplasia."
Nutritional considerations
Proper nutrition plays a vital role in skeletal development and joint health, especially in large and giant breed dogs prone to hip dysplasia. Pet owners should provide balanced diets formulated to support healthy bone and joint development, including appropriate levels of calcium, phosphorus, and essential nutrients. Avoiding rapid growth and maintaining a healthy weight can also help reduce the risk of hip dysplasia.
Monitoring and managing weight
Again, maintaining a healthy weight is incredibly important. It reduces on the joints and minimizes the progression of hip dysplasia. Pet owners should monitor their dog's body condition regularly and adjust their diet and exercise regimen as needed to prevent obesity. Low-impact exercises such as swimming and controlled walking, can help maintain muscle tone and joint flexibility without placing excessive strain on the hips.
Does pet insurance cover hip dysplasia?
As long as you took out pet insurance before your dog showed any signs of hip dysplasia, most pet insurance policies (including ManyPets policies) should cover both the pain relief and surgical options. A major issue is simply that many policies simply won’t have a high enough reimbursement limit to cover the cost of surgery for both hips, which could easily exceed $10,000.
Fortunately, ManyPets policies don't place any annual or lifetime limits on reimbursement. As a result, ManyPets pet insurance is ideal for hip dysplasia, not to mention other high-cost conditions like cancer.
Most pet insurers will treat hip dysplasia as a bilateral condition. In other words, once one hip has been diagnosed, the second hip will be classed as the same pre-existing condition, even if it was healthy when the first hip was diagnosed. Likewise, ManyPets does consider hip dysplasia to be a pre-existing bilateral condition, which is one reason why it's so important to get your dog insured when they're young, before any health conditions arise.
Hip dysplasia in cats
Hip dysplasia is usually associated with large dog breeds, but some cat breeds can get it too, especially:
Again, it’s generally caused by a genetic predisposition, with weight and nutrition playing a role. Like dogs, cats can have a hip replacement or femoral head ostectomy, or the condition can be managed conservatively with pain relief.
“We do not see so many cases compared with dogs, but joint problems in cats are hugely under-diagnosed, especially arthritis,” says Dr. Bell.
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Pet insurance can provide financial support for veterinary expenses associated with hip dysplasia diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management. By investing in pet insurance, pet parents can help their furry friends get the care they need without letting treatment costs hold them back.
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