Canine Hip Dysplasia Vs. Degenerative Joint Disease

Dogs can have problems with their hips that are due to genetic factors, injury or both. Your veterinarian may take X-rays to determine what is wrong with your dog.

  1. Dysplasia

    • Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) is a genetic condition that causes the ball and socket of the hip joining to form incorrectly. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and PennHip can evaluate X-rays of a pup as young as five months old for CHD, long before there are symptoms.

    Degeneration

    • Degenerative joint disease (DJD) is described by Chris Smith, writer for WebVet.com, as a general term for various noninfectious painful joint conditions due to joint-cartilage damage.

    Relationship

    • The Kansas Sate University College of Veterinary Medicine says that CHD causes abnormal joint movements that rub the ball and socket so that the surfaces are changed. Therefore CHD is one of the causes of DJD.

    Injuries

    • Dogs who are very active may injure their hip joints and develop DJD without having CHD.

    Treatment

    • Obesity puts strain on the joints.

      Your veterinarian may recommend different treatments including supplements, prescriptions and surgeries to help your dog. Keeping your dog thin will help prevent further injury.