Most dog lovers confuse hip dysplasia with arthritis of the hips. In a normal dog, the ball and socket of the hip fit together well and the ball stays in the socket where it belongs. When a dog has hip dysplasia, the ball and socket of the hips have an abnormal relationship to each other.This can range from mild incongruity (a “poor fit”) to the ball being partially out of the socket (subluxation of the hip). This abnormal relationship between the bones will then eventually result in arthritis — and in pain for the pet.

Detecting hip dysplasia

The only way to diagnose hip dysplasia is with radiographs (xrays) of the hips. Unfortunately, there can be a poor correlation between how the hips look on film and how the dog feels and behaves. Some dogs with mild hip dysplasia can be severely lame, while other dogs with very bad hips act perfectly comfortable. Inevitably, all dysplastic hips will result in arthritis at some point — we just can’t tell when. How and when a dog develops pain in the hips determines what treatment options are available.

Treating hip dysplasia

While only a veterinarian can best determine how a particular dog should be treated, some general rules apply. For some dogs, discomfort can be controlled with medications. Oral anti-inflammatory pain relievers and supplements to improve cartilage and joint health can keep many pets comfortable for years. For dogs that are less than ten months old and who show no evidence of arthritis, a surgical procedure called Triple Pelvic Osteotomy can be performed. This procedure involves making three cuts in the pelvis and repositioning the pelvis to improve the fit of the hip joints. In older dogs, or those who already have evidence of arthritis, two surgical options are available. The Femoral Head Osteotomy simply removes the ball part of the joint and fills the socket with muscle, creating a pseudo-joint. The more complex Total Hip Replacement involves implanting an artificial joint of stainless steel and high-impact plastic. This procedure gives the dog an artificial hip that is mechanically sound and can withstand the rigors of a high activity lifestyle.

Picking a dysplasia-free puppy

Unfortunately, when acquiring a young pup there is no way to guarantee your new friend will grow up to have normal hips. However, there are ways to limit the risk. While a dog of any breed might become dysplastic, certain breeds are more likely to have problems. Large, rapidly growing breeds, such as Retrievers, Saint Bernards, Newfoundlands and Bulldogs, are genetically prone to dysplasia. When evaluating a puppy from an at-risk breed, it’s best to look to the parents. Breeding dogs that are certified to have acceptable hips by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals or the University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program are more likely to pass on the genes for good hips to their puppies. Good breeders are happy to discuss their dog’s hip certification and often will include a hip guarantee in the purchase contract.

Keeping dysplasia-free

Once you have chosen your pup, how you feed it can have a huge impact on the way he grows and develops. Improper diet during the rapid growth phase can make a dog that is genetically prone to hip dysplasia develop bad hip conformation. Fortunately, the emergence of diets specifically for large breed puppies has removed much of the risk of feeding your growing pup.

If you are concerned that your pup is at risk, x-rays will reveal if your pet has already inherited the condition. Treatment is based more on the pup’s comfort and function than the radiographs themselves, but these films can give you an idea of your dog’s potential for future problems.