Hip Dysplasia in Dogs

For the unsuspecting dog lover/owner, the disease of hip dysplasia is quite common. This disease is usually found in large-breed dogs. Hip dysplasia is common in Newfoundlands, German Shepherd's, St. Bernard's, Rottweilers, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Bernese Mountain Dogs and Labrador Retrievers. Smaller breeds can also be affected but will less likely show symptoms like the larger breeds do.

How Hip Dysplasia is passed

Hip dysplasia has a strong inherited component whereby more than one gene can control the inheritance. Diet and other environmental factors can also involved. Many breed societies and veterinary authorities have set up certification schemes based on X-rays. Before buying a puppy, one should find out if there's a scheme for your selected breed and also ask to see the dogs parents' certificates (normally issued at one year of age). 
So What is Hip Dysplasia? In simple terms, hip dysplasia is a malformation of a dogs hip joint which means the ball and socket connection fits badly. In a hip that is dysplastic, the head of the femur does not fit properly into the developed shallow cup-shaped cavity at the base of the hipbone into which the ball-shaped head of the femur fits. As the development of the muscles lag behind the growth of the skeleton, the joints in the dog then become unstable. Due to the the stress of the weight from the dog on tissue and muscle that cannot withstand the pressure (or growth), the joint becomes wobbly and unsteady.

Can Hip Dysplasia be Prevented?

If your dog has an inherited condition, there is nothing you can do to prevent hip dysplasia from occurring. Since inherited bone and joint diseases have a genetic basis, despite the fact that only a certain number of offspring will be affected, breeding should not have taken place to begin with. If, after a careful veterinary examination, hip dysplasia is diagnosed in your dog, do not breed the animal (this is the besst way to prevent it)

Can the effects of Hip Dysplasia be Reduced?

Despite the inherited component to hip dysplasia, there are a few things you can do so as not to further exacerbate the problem in a dog who may be predisposed to the condition. A diet high in calories fed to a growing dog (predisposed) to hip dysplasia will only increase the stress on the hips due to its rapid weight gain; a dog that is carrying the hip dysplasia gene will not benefit from being overweight and will likely increase the onset of dysplasia. As well, a diet with an imbalance of calcium and phosphorous is bad for bone development.
The symptoms of hip dysplasia can also be brought on by too much exercise or inappropriate exercise when a dogs bones are at the stage of rapid growth. When dogs are young and run to catch a ball, then jump up and down at various heights and land on their back legs, it can place undo stress on bones that are still growing. Young dogs in particular should be strongly discouraged from doing this. Then there are dogs who want a better view (from out a window) and in order to get it, they will stand up on their back legs to do so – this, (and running on pavement) should not be permitted.

Is There a Hip Dysplasia Treatment?

Because hip dysplaia is inherited there is no simple treatment (surgery is an option discussed below) and their are medications available that are said to help with hip dysplasia.

Signs and Symptoms of Hip Dysplasia

When dogs are born their hips will look normal, but over a period of time, they will begin to show progressive and varied changes. Typically, onset of hip dysplasia is seen in dogs aged 4 to 12 months. Puppies that are affected may walk with a limp or have an odd gait where their hips look like they are sashaying from side-to-side, look like they are hopping when running, and when getting up, experience difficulty in their back legs.

How to Determine if a Dog has Hip Dysplasia

The standard test to determine whether a dog has hip dysplasia is an  X-ray of the hips and pelvis. To get the best pictures possible, anesthesia or heavy sedation is usually required prior to being X-rayed. Based on the severity of the X-ray findings, hip dysplasia is then graded accordingly. Hips can be rated from normal (rated as Excellent, Good, or Fair depending on how closely they match the ideal standard) to dysplastic (Mild, Moderate, or Severe). If the findings are not clear, the hips are rated Borderline.

Hip Dysplasia Surgery

Depending on the severity of the hip dysplasia found in a dog, surgery is an option. There are five types of surgery for a vet to choose from based on a variety of factors and they include a total hip replacement for the dog. Essentially, if this is the surgical option chosen, it means the dog will be left with an artificial hip. This procedure has proven to be very effective in dogs 9 months and older and in many cases, the joint will function as normal once again.

What can be done to stop Hip Dysplasia from getting worse?

How to reduce the severity of hip dysplasia. Preventing excessive weight gain in puppyhood and keeping your puppy from placing undue stress on their hips will delay the onset of hip dysplasia in many dogs already predisposed to the condition. It may also lead to a less severe form of the disease. Puppies should also be fed with a quality food in amounts appropriate for normal and not accelerated growth. Preventing hip dysplasia in a bloodline is based on very selective breeding practices. The disease is twice as common among littermates who have one dysplatic parent. Experience has shown that repeatedly using only dogs with normal hips for breeding will significantly reduce the incidence of hip dysplasia in susceptible bloodlines.