The word "dysplasia" refers to abnormal growth, so the term "hip dysplasia" literally means an abnormal development or growth pattern of the hips. Hip dysplasia is commonly found in larger breeds of dogs but can also occur in medium-sized breeds. It rarely presents itself in smaller breeds of dogs, however, the possibility is still there. Hip dysplasia is often confused with arthritis and old age, which leads to many dogs going without proper diagnosis or treatment.
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Symptoms of Hip Dysplasia
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The symptoms of hip dysplasia can be similar to the signs of arthritis. Dogs who are affected by hip dysplasia often have an abnormal pattern when walking or running. Some dogs may appear to have a "hop" similar to a rabbit, rather than an actual run.
Other symptoms of hip dysplasia include a stiffness or obvious pain in the dog's hind legs. This can occur in the morning, after a long nap or following exercise. Dogs with hip dysplasia may also have difficulty climbing stairs or walking long distances.
Genetics
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Unfortunately, genetics is the main cause for a dog to develop hip dysplasia. For the most part, dogs who are not genetic carriers of the condition generally will not develop it unless other factors are present. When a dog has been identified as a carrier hip dysplasia, it is generally not used for breeding, so as to prevent the disease from continuing in new generations. However, this is difficult to do because not all dogs who are carriers will develop the disease or ever show signs during their life.
Exercise
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Exercise is a contributing factor to dogs who are genetically predisposed to hip dysplasia. This most often occurs in dogs who are still relatively young and requires a large amount of excess exercise to trigger the disease early. Larger breeds of dogs are not as prone to this factor compared to smaller dogs.
However, exercise can also be used to combat the disease. Dogs who are regularly exercised (but not overly exercised) may decrease their chances of developing the disease because of their healthy muscle mass. If your dog has hip dysplasia or is prone to hip dysplasia, keep exercise that involves jumping to a minimum.
Diet
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Dogs who are severely overweight can also develop hip dysplasia. The same is true for dogs who are only mildly overweight but are predisposed to the disease. As a general rule of thumb, you should keep a steady eye on your dog's weight. Most veterinarians will recommend a food intake level that is appropriate for your dog's breed or size. Avoid excessive table scraps, snacks and treats. Dogs who are overweight should work with their owners or a trainer to slowly lose their excess weight. Healthier dogs who maintain an ideal weight can limit the progression of the disease.
Treatments for Hip Dysplasia
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Hip dysplasia can be frustrating; however, there are a wide range of treatments available today. For younger dogs, a procedure exists in which the bones are surgically broken and realigned. This procedure, called triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO,) allows the bones to regrow correctly, relieving the dog of future development of hip dysplasia. Similar to TPO, juvenile pubic symphysiodesis fuses two of the pelvic bones, changing their angle and thus giving the other pelvic bones an opportunity to develop correctly.
For older dogs, one of the more common treatment options available is total hip replacement. Replacement eliminates any further degeneration of the joints, allowing the dog to live out his full life without the pain of hip dysplasia.
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