Is my dog suffering from hip dysplasia?
Hip dysplasia is a fairly common problem in dogs, especially in larger or more muscular breeds such as the German Shepherd, St Bernard, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Old English Sheepdog and Bulldog. The problem starts as early as 4 months of age, when the thigh bone and the hip socket don't grow at the same rate, causing the joint to loosen and leading to degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis. If you're not fully familiar with the term "dysplasia", you can read more about the condition in our previous article at the following link.
Although hip dysplasia is a genetic condition, several factors can affect its severity, such as:
- Diet
- Environment
- Level of physical activity
- Growth rate
- Muscle mass
- Hormones
Some dogs show signs of hip dysplasia early in life, while others may show no signs of the condition at all, despite X-rays proving the disease is present. It's very important for dogs to eat a healthy diet and get plenty of exercise throughout their life, to reduce the problematic effects of hip dysplasia.
Signs that your dog has hip dysplasia
Because hip dysplasia is fairly common, it's crucial to be able to recognise the signs early, so you can give your dog the best possible intervention and pain management.
Some common signs that your dog may be developing canine hip dysplasia include:
1. Reduced activity
If your dog has become noticeably less active, spends more time resting, or doesn't seem particularly keen on their regular walks, this could be their way of coping with pain. While many people put their dog's more sedentary nature down to ageing, it's possible they're suffering from dysplasia.
2. Difficulty jumping or climbing stairs
Your dog's back legs play an important role in their ability to climb stairs and jump.
When hip dysplasia develops, inflammation sets in, causing your dog to have a smaller range of motion than they would otherwise have. On top of that, inflammation and pain in the hip can make using stairs a real challenge for a dog with hip dysplasia.
3. Difficulty standing up
If you notice your dog getting up more slowly than usual, or struggling a lot to stand up from a lying position, this could be down to pain. Providing a comfortable bed or a carpeted resting area will make standing up easier and reduce pain more than harder floors, such as tiles, lino or wood.
4. Changes in gait
This is sometimes called "bunny hopping" and refers to unusual changes in the way your dog walks. It's called this because the dog lifts both back legs at once, as though hopping like a rabbit. This is thought to reduce the pain they feel in their back legs and the amount of weight those legs are carrying.
5. Numbness in the limbs
If your dog's hip dysplasia is severe, you may notice lameness in the back legs. This may come and go, or be constant, as the wear on your dog's hip joints increases. The resulting inflammation and pain can leave your dog unable to walk on their back legs at all.
6. Hip pain and sensitivity
If your dog shows signs of discomfort when you touch their hips, this could be linked to hip dysplasia. As the cushioning cartilage around the hip joint and socket wears down, the skin around the area becomes tender to the touch.
While these are some common symptoms of hip dysplasia, an X-ray from your vet can pinpoint the true cause. The condition is clearly visible on X-rays, as you can see how the thigh bone and hip socket deteriorate over time.
If your furry friend has any of the symptoms above, we recommend booking a dysplasia diagnostic appointment straight away. You can buy a voucher through HAPPY PET NET for early diagnosis of hip and elbow dysplasia with Dr Kiril Georgiev and save 20% on the price of the service!
BUY AN EARLY DIAGNOSIS VOUCHERWhat should you do if your dog is showing signs of hip dysplasia?
When caring for your furry best friend, it's never too early to take action to prevent painful hip dysplasia. There are three important steps you can take to reduce your dog's chances of suffering from this debilitating condition:
- Avoid overfeeding: Extra weight puts extra pressure on the hips and joints, so overfeeding is a bad idea.
- Don't overdo exercise: While exercise is great for a growing dog, excessive physical activity will reduce the chances of preventing dysplasia. Also, don't let your puppy play on slippery surfaces or jump from excessive heights, as this can cause lasting damage to their hips.
- Give your dog joint supplements: There are a number of high-quality supplements that can help reduce your dog's risk of developing hip dysplasia, with glucosamine and chondroitin being the most common ingredients. They'll support your dog's joint health and reduce the chances of them developing canine hip dysplasia. If you're not sure which supplements are right for your dog, you can have a quick online consultation with a vet through HAPPY PET NET!
