Helping your dog with
Hip Dysplasia

Did you know that all dogs with Hip Dysplasia (HD) were born with normal hip joints? We'll explain what happens in the section below..

Hip Dysplasia Overview

HD is a painful condition which affects one or both hip joints. The joint itself is a normal shape when the dog is born but becomes damaged over time. Sometimes this damage is seen very early on and other times it is seen a few years into the dog's life. Damage occurs because the tight ligaments holding the joint together are too loose. The greater degree of laxity within the joint allows the ball (of the ball and socket joint) come in and out of the socket. This abnormal movement causes roughening of the ball and socket creating a malformed joint. ALL dogs with HD will develop secondary osteoarthritis which is also very painful. There are different degrees of severity of HD, with the most extreme needing surgery to improve quality of life.

Signs of HD

Signs are vast and varied and can be different for each dog. The most common ones are;

Limping
Exercise intolerance (sitting / laying down on walks)
'Bunny hopping'
Difficulty jumping up or using stairs
Avoidance of being touched in their hip regions
Loss of muscle mass in hind limbs

Causes of HD

HD is a genetic condition affecting numerous breeds , such as Labradors, Rottweilers and Pugs. Although largely genetic, there are several risk factors that can affect how it develops. These are;

Diet
Exercise (type, intensity and duration)
Weight

HD Treatment

Treatment options vary according to clinical signs and level of pain the dog is experiencing. There are 2 avenues for treatment;

Surgery - this comes in 2 forms; one being a total hip replacement (THR) which is recommended for larger dogs, or a femoral head / neck osteotomy (FHO) which is possible for smaller, lighter breeds.

All dogs that undergo surgery will require rehabilitation to regain full use of the limb.

Conservative management - this is where pain relief, exercise modification, physiotherapy and hydrotherapy can help maintain their quality of life and comfort levels for as long as possible.

What can we do about it?

Plenty! We have numerous modalities in clinic that we have at our finger tips to help your dog. These include massage, soft tissue mobilisation, stretching, joint mobilisations, targeted exercises, laser therapy, hydrotherapy... shall we continue? These have all been shown to reduce pain, restore muscle function and strength, and improve your dog's quality of life. With each session they undergo constant review of their clinical signs and progression in order to gain maximum recovery at a pace that's comfortable for them.

For Post - Operative Patients, we have a comprehensive programme tailored for your dog's specific needs, depending on the type of surgery, how successful the surgery was and their recovery so far. For Conservative Management Patients, we will always assess their pain levels, degree of mobility, muscle strength, amongst more, to enable us to create the most successful treatment plan for them.

Alongside what we do with your beloved pooch, there are a number of things outside of the clinic that can help them manage their condition or rehabilitation. Please find information in the sections below!

Physical Therapies

Therapies are an important part of a comprehensive treatment plan - as you already know! For the best results, therapies should be implemented early on in their diagnosis to maintain the best possible joint mobility, muscle strength and comfort. Homework should be adhered to as much as possible to really gain maximum benefits.

Weight Management

Losing excess weight, and keeping your dog as lean as possible without compromising nutrition, will significantly improve their condition / recovery. Excess weight not only bears greater forces through their painful joints, but the fat tissue itself contains inflammatory mediators that amplify pain. Basically, the leaner they are the less pain they will be in!

Pain Relief & Supplements

Anti-inflammatory drugs such as Metacam are routinely prescribed by vets to manage inflammatory pain seen in HD patients. Most owners we have in clinic have some level of concern over the GI effects they can have when fed long term. For conservative management patients there is now a new drug on the market called Librela, which is injected once a month and has little known side effects. Many dogs so far have really benefited from this change! For those with mild HD we look to reduce pain with therapies and home changes which can allow a reduction or elimination of drug use. Supplements such as Omega 3, Boswellia Powder and Green Lipped Muscle are great to naturally reduce inflammation and are safe to feed long term.

Modified Exercise

(For post-operative patients please only exercise your dog according to the recovery plan we have set you - do NOT allow jumping up/down, playing with toys or other dogs, or any off-lead exercise until we advise it is safe to do so) Modifying your walk routines with your dog is a really huge part of managing their pain. We will direct you specifically according to your dog's assessment in clinic, but the general rules of thumb are; Little and often - multiple short walks per day are much better than one long one. Keep it consistent - suddenly going for a long walk on the weekend will set your dog back and often initiates a flare up with arthritic / HD dogs. Keep their daily activity the same each day. Dont let them fatigue - signs such as slowing down on walks, looking stiffer or limping are big red flags and should be avoided. Shorten the walk time so that they return home in the same state that they left home in. Sniffy walks are GREAT - if your dog benefits from more stimulation a fantastic way to do this without impacting their joints is to take them to super sniffy places and let their noses do the work. Let them sniff everything and everywhere. It also provides a little comfort break for their joints and allows them to be out for longer before fatiguing.

Home Modifications

Flooring

Wooden floors and stairs are a big slip hazard for your dog. Try using non-slip mats along the main routes of your house. Alternatively, some dogs may benefit from paw pads (please speak to us before trying this option in case of contraindication).

Feeding Stations

Raising their water and food bowls may seem like a insignificant change to us, but it can really help your dog to be in a more neutral position.

Access to Furniture

Jumping up and down from heights if often a cause of additional pain for your dog. If they enjoy a cuddle on the sofa or the bed, make it easier for them with dog-friendly steps or ramps onto furniture. This also applies to getting in / out of cars! You may also find a sling to be useful.

Keeping Warm

Especially important in the colder months, your dog will benefit from staying warmer. Keep them in a jumper and walk them out with coats. Stay dry too!

Sleeping / Resting Areas

Great quality sleep is essential. Ensure their sleeping area is free from any drafts and in a warm spot. Their bedding should be supportive and not restrictive. Memory foam mattresses without rigid or tall sides are best. Make sure your dog can access the bed and can change position / stretch out easily.

Be Wary of Terrain

Different types of terrain in the garden and on walks can be hazardous, such as steep slopes, loose or uneven surfaces. Be mindful to where they are going.

Helping your dog with Hip Dysplasia