Canine Hip Dysplasia

Canine Hip Dysplasia: Help and Hope

Your dog’s hips are a source of power. They propel your dog onto your lap, launch them forward into a run, and fold neatly when you cue your dog to sit. But canine hip dysplasia changes all that, for both you and your pet.

If your dog has canine hip dysplasia, that power source is compromised. Instability and pain turn powerful leaps into meager hops. Graceful running becomes a clumsy plod. And that tidy sit behavior becomes sloppy and sideways—if it happens at all.

Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) affects roughly 15% of all dogs. Among high-risk breeds, incidence numbers soar as high as 75%. So, what is hip dysplasia and what makes it such a dreaded, common, and seemingly inescapable threat to our dog’s comfort and health? Is there anything to be done about it? 

Let’s take a closer look.

Canine hip dysplasia explained

Hip dysplasia is an inherited condition where the hip joint components—the acetabulum (i.e., pelvic socket) and the femoral head (i.e., thigh bone)—don’t fit together. This misalignment causes bony changes, joint laxity, and instability. Over time, the body compensates by thickening and stiffening the surrounding joint capsule to stabilize the weakened joint. Dogs with hip dysplasia experience a progressively reduced range of motion, chronic pain, arthritis, and muscle atrophy.

In addition to its genetic component, CHD is influenced by environmental factors, especially during early puppy development. Slippery floors, excessive weight gain, rapid growth, stair climbing, and inappropriate physical exercise may worsen existing laxity and degrade the hip joint. 

Does my dog have canine hip dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia signs will vary based on the severity of the condition and the dog’s size, body condition, and age. The best way to confirm hip dysplasia is with X-rays at your veterinarian.

Common signs include:

• Bunny hopping (i.e., simultaneously advancing both hind limbs)
• Thigh muscle loss
• Weakness or wobbling
• Reluctance to exercise
• Changes in how your dog walks, stands, or runs
• Stiffness or soreness
• Hip-swaying gait while walking
• Limping (generally in the later stages)

Pain, inflammation, weakness: Breaking the cycle

To avoid discomfort, dogs with chronic pain and inflammation form maladaptive or compensatory behaviors, which affect how they stand, move, and transition from one position to another. These changes only worsen things in the long run, as dogs lose critical muscle mass and range of motion, leading to more stiffness, pain, and inflammation, and a greater reluctance to exercise.

Fortunately, dogs with hip dysplasia can be successfully managed by prioritizing pain control, limiting unnecessary and harmful joint forces, promoting low-impact movement and strength building, and supporting overall health. Here are my recommendations for breaking the cycle and helping your dog live comfortably—for as long as possible—with CHD.

Consider surgical intervention

Surgery may be an option depending on your dog’s age and severity. While surgery won’t cure hip dysplasia, it can eliminate or minimize lifelong pain and improve mobility. Available surgical procedures include:

• Juvenile pelvic symphysiodesis (JPS) — JPS is used in puppies with CHD under 16 weeks old and works by fusing an area of the pelvis to promote proper hip development.
• Triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO) — This is a surgery performed on young dogs that involves cutting and realigning the pelvis.  
• Femoral head ostectomy or femoral head and neck excision (FHO or FHNE) — Considered “salvage procedures,” FHO and FHNE involve removing the femoral head and allowing the body to create a false, nonpainful joint with scar tissue.
• Total hip replacement (THR) — The mother of all hip surgeries, THR is expensive and requires a lengthy and dedicated recovery to minimize complications.

Surgery is not without risk. Your veterinarian or a veterinary orthopedic surgeon can help you understand the costs and benefits of each procedure and determine what’s best for you and your dog.

Use a multi-modal approach to pain management

Addressing hip pain with multi-modal management improves efficacy by targeting different points in the pain pathway—from the local nerves in the joint to the spinal cord to the brain—and providing more comprehensive relief. This approach combines daily medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes to reduce inflammation, improve joint function, and enhance overall well-being. 

Decrease the inflammation of Canine Hip Dysplasia from within

In addition to popular non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), there are many other ways to decrease inflammation in your dog’s hips and body. My recommendations include:

• Rapamycin — RAPAMYCIN is a prescription medication with anti-inflammatory, immune-enhancing, and cancer-fighting properties.
• Curcumin — Curcumin is the most powerful anti-inflammatory for many pain types, including orthopedic pain. LONGEVITY PLUS  contains highly bioavailable curcumin plus boswellia for potent pain relief.
• TRANSCEND — proven the single most effective natural supplement in reducing joint inflammation today.

• Photobiomodulation (laser therapy) — Targeted energy stimulates your dog’s body to accelerate cellular processes such as oxygenation and waste removal, helping to decrease inflammation.

• Stem cell therapy injections — Joint injections using your dog’s stem cells trigger a beneficial anti-inflammatory response and stimulate cellular repair.

Keep your dog at a lean body weight

Excess weight places additional stress on your dog’s unstable hip joints, worsening pain and inflammation. Keeping your dog lean and fit reduces the load on the joints which will slow the progression of arthritis and improve comfortable mobility. The next time your dog begs for food, remember each morsel you give them only feeds their pain. Go for a walk instead.  

Get your dog moving, safely, every day

You can’t undo your dog’s joint damage, but you can stop contributing to it by changing how you exercise. While your dog may love jumping to catch a disc or running after their tennis ball for an hour, these activities place enormous stress on their hips. Your dog’s adrenaline and love for you are likely masking their pain. 

Love them back by switching to a suitable activity that promotes mobility, flexibility, healthy cartilage, and full-body fitness. Work with a certified canine rehabilitation specialist or your veterinarian to determine what exercises are best for your dog. Safe options include leash walks, swimming, and core strengthening exercises such as balance training. Be mindful about where you exercise your dog and avoid slick surfaces that may cause your dog to slip or fall.

Canine hip dysplasia can set limits on your dog’s life, but with diligent, dedicated care, appropriate pain control, and a great veterinary support team you can help them live life to the fullest with comfort, joy, and health.

Are you interested in learning more about how to support your pet’s joint health and overall well-being? Find that and more by downloading our free ebook, browsing our online store, or scheduling a concierge consultation to unlock the secrets of Helping Pets Live Longer.