Hip dysplasia is an abnormal formation of one or both of your dog's hips, which leads to pain or discomfort whenever your pup is exercising or simply changes position. Today, our Rochester vets discuss how hip replacement surgery is used to treat hip dysplasia in dogs.
Canine Hip Dysplasia
Your dog’s hip joint works as a ball and socket, but when hip dysplasia strikes the ball and socket fail to function normally. Rather than smoothly working together to facilitate comfortable movement, the ball, and socket grind and rub against each other, leading to further hip deterioration and eventual loss of function.
Left untreated hip dysplasia can drastically reduce your dog's mobility. Hip dysplasia is very painful for dogs but can also be very difficult for pet parents to deal with since it can be very upsetting to watch an otherwise healthy dog deal with the symptoms of this condition.
Causes of Hip Dysplasia in Dogs
Hip dysplasia is typically a hereditary condition. While often seen in large and giant breed dogs such as mastiffs, St. Bernards, Rottweilers, retrievers, and bulldogs, it can affect several smaller breeds such as French bulldogs and pugs.
When hip dysplasia is not treated while in the early stages, it tends to become increasingly severe over time and goes on to affect both hips (bilateral). Hip dysplasia may be compounded by other painful conditions such as osteoarthritis in senior dogs.
While hip dysplasia is an inherited condition, other factors can exacerbate the genetic predisposition. Obesity, accelerated growth rate, and some types of exercise can all play a role in the development of this condition. The excess weight of obese dogs puts abnormal stress on the hip joints and may aggravate pre-existing hip dysplasia or even cause the condition.
Signs of Hip Dysplasia in Dogs
Although hip dysplasia typically begins to develop when the puppy is as young as five months old, your pet may not show signs of the condition until they reach their middle or senior years. As your puppy grows into adulthood watch for the following symptoms of hip dysplasia:
- Signs of discomfort or pain while exercising
- Reluctance to exercise, or climb stairs
- Back legs are stiff when he walks
- Stiffness when running
- Difficulties rising from a resting position
- Loss of muscle tone in back legs or thighs
- Grinding of the joint when moving
- Lameness in hind end
- Decreased range of motion
- Running with a 'bunny hop'
Diagnosing Hip Dysplasia in Dogs
Hip dysplasia is one of the main conditions that veterinarians watch for each time a dog comes in for an routine examination. During your dog’s yearly wellness exams, your vet will check on their physical health and the condition of all your dog's joints.
During an examination, your vet may move your dog’s hind legs to check for any grinding sounds, signs of pain, or reduced range of motion. If your vet suspects that your dog may have hip dysplasia, blood tests that help detect signs of inflammation may be recommended.
Your vet will also thoroughly examine the health and medical history of your dog including a rundown of specific symptoms, or previous injuries. Knowing your pet’s lineage can offer insights into your dog's likelihood of developing hip dysplasia, although it isn't essential. Standard x-rays can also be very helpful in diagnosing the severity of your dog's hip dysplasia, and to help determine the best treatment for your pup.
Hip Replacement Surgery
Total hip replacement (THR) surgery is typically the first choice for the surgical treatment of hip dysplasia in dogs. THR is the most effective surgery and involves using plastic and metal implants to replace the entire hip joint. THR returns your dog's hip function to a more normal range and eliminates most hip dysplasia-related discomfort.
A total hip replacement is a drastic treatment option for hip dysplasia and is also the most expensive. This surgery is usually recommended if the dog is in considerable pain or close to completely immobile. The artificial hip components used in THR must be custom-made for your dog, and the surgery is performed by certified veterinary surgeons.
THR surgery usually takes about two to three hours, and your dog may need to be hospitalized for one to three days following surgery. Expect a 12-week recovery period to allow time for proper healing to occur. If your dog is suffering from hip dysplasia in both hips, surgery may only be performed on one hip at a time, with a three-to-six-month gap between procedures.