Hip dysplasia in dogs: treatment, surgery and symptoms

Hip dysplasia is a disease characterized by underdevelopment of the acetabulum and mismatch of articular surfaces. Due to the inability to cope with the load, the function of the limb on the affected side is impaired. Over time, the joint deteriorates. Large dogs are predisposed to the pathology.

Stages of hip dysplasia in dogs

The stages of dysplasia can be classified in several ways; for example, there is a method for assessing the degree of dysplasia according to Mitin, where the following radiological signs are taken into account to determine the stage:

The Norberg angle is the angle between two straight lines: the one that connects the centers of the heads of both femoral bones, and the second tangent line that runs from the center of the femoral head along the anterior-outer edge of the acetabulum. Under normal conditions, this angle will be less than 105 degrees.
The condition of the joint space should be narrow and uniform.
Changes in the neck-shaft angle of more than 145 degrees are abnormal and lead to pathologies.
The tangential angle is the angle between two straight lines: the first horizontal line goes through the anterior-outer edge of the articular cavity, the second straight line is a tangent, which seems to continue the cranial contour of the joint space. In the normal state, the second line runs below the first horizontal line, thus resulting in either a negative angle or zero when the lines coincide. If a positive angle is formed, then pathological processes occur.
The index of insertion of the femoral head into the socket, that is, the amount covered by the part of the femoral head with the outer edge of the acetabulum, in relation to the radius of the femoral head. In normal condition, the index is smaller.

According to Mitin, there are six stages:

A healthy joint with index a0 and a1, that is, ideal or no signs of dysplasia, is a “reserve”
The stage of predisposition to hip dysplasia with index a2, that is, a still normal joint. In this case, one of the above five radiological signs was detected.
Stage of predysplasia, that is, within acceptable limits with index b. Characterized by the detection of two radiological signs.
The initial first stage of destructive changes is mild dysplasia with index c. Characterized by the detection of three radiological signs.
The middle stage of pronounced destructive changes is moderate dysplasia with index d. Characterized by the detection of four radiological signs of joint subluxation.
The last severe stage of destructive changes is severe dysplasia, index - e, characterized by the detection of four radiological signs, subluxation or dislocation of the joint, and the Norberg angle is less than 90 degrees.

Degrees of hip dysplasia in dogs

In Russia, a generally accepted international system is used, which distinguishes the following assessment:

Grade A is a healthy joint without signs of dysplasia.
Grade B - the joints are almost normal, there is no significant deviation.
Grade C - mild degree of hip dysplasia.
Grade D is an average level of dysplasia within acceptable limits.
Grade E is a severe level of significant destruction.

Differential diagnosis

To make an accurate diagnosis, an integrated approach to diagnosis is required. The research boils down to the following activities:

examination of the animal, collection of anamnesis;
performing a test for dysplasia;
radiography;
computed tomography (CT).

During the examination, the veterinarian evaluates joint mobility, the presence or absence of pain, lameness and muscle atrophy in the hind legs.

Next, the Orlani test is performed, which allows you to determine abnormal mobility. Manipulations are carried out under sedation, i.e. after introducing the animal into a state of medicated sleep.

The doctor places the dog on its side and puts pressure on the affected limb, which causes subluxation. The presence of a click in the joint when it is placed in place indicates the presence of pathology.

This test is not very informative when determining hip dysplasia in pets older than one year; in 50% of cases it may be negative.

Left - normal, right - pathology

There is no point in performing an X-ray for dysplasia in dogs under the age of 7 months. It is almost impossible to make an accurate diagnosis in young animals using this method. The most reliable indicators are obtained from images of animals older than one year.

At the age of 4 to 7 months, only computed tomography is informative.

It is much easier to diagnose dysplasia in adult animals than in young animals, but it is much more difficult to treat.

How to Identify Hip Dysplasia in Dogs

Diagnosis of hip dysplasia is possible only when the puppy gets older, because as the joints develop, manifestations of dysplasia become noticeable.

It is impossible to determine diseases at an early age, although the predisposition is already written in the dog’s genes. Dysplasia can be diagnosed after the first year of life, and for large breeds even after one and a half years of life. However, if the problems have obvious external manifestations, then it is worth showing the puppy to specialists even at an early age of 4 months.

You can identify dysplasia by the following most obvious external symptoms:

Incorrect positioning of the limbs, swaying and instability are observed while walking
Lameness.
Apathy and reluctance to get up, it is easier for the dog to crawl to the goal.
Rapid fatigue from active activities.
Problems walking and standing on slippery surfaces.
Rabbit running is when the limbs push off simultaneously, rather than one after another.
Hypertrophy of the muscles of the forelimbs and pectoral muscles is possible, because most of the load falls on the front legs, as the animal tries to strain the hind pelvic muscles less

The most noticeable symptom that immediately catches your eye is the lameness of the animal. It can occur either due to pain in the joints or when it is difficult to move a limb forward. More often you can notice an initial lameness, which intensifies after a long period of sleep or lying at rest, but during a long period of activity the lameness completely disappears.

Monitor your pet closely in the first six months to a year of life, as timely treatment will help maintain your pet’s mobility and activity!

How does one prepare in old age?

Preparation for superficial endoprosthetics or total arthroplasty begins with a visit to a therapist, who will refer you to specialized specialists and tell you what to do. The mandatory minimum is biochemical and clinical blood tests, ECG. Any deviations in indicators are a reason to undergo a more in-depth examination, and possibly correction of the body’s condition. In this age group, such a scenario is not at all uncommon.

Did the tests show high blood sugar? An endocrinologist must give the go-ahead for endoprosthetics

Causes of hip dysplasia in dogs

Often the cause of the development of the disease is a genetic predisposition. Errors in breeding work lead to the spread of pathology.

The main factors that contribute to the development of the disease:

Overweight. Increased load on the articular components leads to disruption of normal functioning, and subsequently to dysplasia.
Frequent injuries. Constant damage causes chronic inflammation and triggers destructive processes in the joint, ultimately leading to dysplasia.
Unbalanced diet, use of low-quality dry food. The onset of the disease can be observed a short time after changing the diet. The key points are: excessive consumption of meat, which upsets the balance of calcium and phosphorus in the body, lack or excess of vitamin D in food.

As a result, a discrepancy between the sizes of the acetabulum and the articular part of the femur is formed. Over time, osteoarthritis develops, leading to joint destruction and dysfunction.

Features of nutrition of a sick animal

Most pets with dysplasia suffer from obesity, so they must be put on a low-calorie diet with a weekly fasting day. When reviewing your current diet, you must:

Give up economy-class dry food or improve the quality of natural products.
Exclude prohibited foods from the menu (sweets, smoked foods, pickles, canned food, flour).
Make sure you have adequate protein intake.
Reduce your usual portions of food to smaller amounts that allow you to lose excess weight.

With natural feeding, it is recommended to introduce dietary supplements into the diet, and with dry feeding, choose veterinary food with chondroprotectors.

Signs of hip dysplasia in dogs

The first manifestations of the disease can be noticed in animals at the age of 5-6 months.

These include:

Frequently adopting a position lying on the stomach with the pelvic limbs spread to the sides. This sign occurs as a result of the puppy’s attempts to reduce stress and reduce pain.
Rapid fatigue during physical activity. The animals are inactive; during long walks, they often take breaks and lie down. Shortness of breath may develop.
"Rabbit Run". Due to impaired joint function, normal movement causes discomfort for animals. To reduce it, puppies push off simultaneously with both pelvic limbs when running.
Minor lameness.

Hip dysplasia in dogs is subject to surgical and medical correction. In most cases, early intervention allows the animal to return to a normal lifestyle, but the individual is excluded from further reproduction due to the genetic inheritance of the pathology.

Breed Predisposition

Any dog can develop dysplasia, but there is a certain predisposition. Some breeds get sick more often than others. Namely, large, massive and tall dogs, because their load on the musculoskeletal system is much more serious than that of medium or small dogs.

Dogs that have a lot of physical activity (work dogs, sled dogs) are also often affected. What kind of breeds are these? Great Danes, St. Bernards, Newfies, Shepherds, Rottweilers, Labradors and Golden Retrievers, Malamutes, divers and other representatives of the barking family.

Hip dysplasia in dogs symptoms

As the animal grows, the processes of joint destruction intensify and the symptoms of the disease increase.

Characteristic for adults:

Increasing lameness. Due to the discrepancy between the sizes of the articular surfaces, lameness on the affected side increases with age.
Difficulty getting up. After resting, it is difficult for the dog to get up, it tries to lean on something, and it is possible that it will fall when trying to stand on its paws.
Unsteadiness of limbs. A later symptom indicating the destruction of most of the articular surfaces.
X-shaped curvature of the pelvic limbs. The inability of the joints to cope with loads leads to curvature of the paws, which take the form of the letter X (closed in the center, spread apart around the periphery).

Hip dysplasia in dogs that appears after the age of 2 years is difficult to treat. Most often, dogs have problems with mobility for the rest of their lives.

Hip dysplasia in dogs treatment

There is no drug therapy with complete cure. After making a diagnosis, the veterinarian develops a treatment regimen with drugs that inhibit the development of the disease and relieve inflammation.

The treatment regimen includes:

Chondroprotectors. They are taken orally or injected directly into the joint capsule by a doctor. The action is aimed primarily at preventing tissue destruction or slowing it down; restoring the original structure is almost impossible.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Prescribed for severe persistent pain. The carprofen they contain is highly selective and rarely causes complications even with prolonged use.

If a dog is diagnosed with hip dysplasia, the treatment of which with conservative methods is inappropriate, the question of surgical intervention is raised.

How long can dogs with hip dysplasia live?

This question naturally arises among owners immediately after the discovery of this diagnosis. We hasten to reassure you that dysplasia is not a fatal disease, but it can significantly worsen the quality of life of a pet. The outcome will depend on the time of detection of the disease and treatment. Of course, life expectancy will be influenced by factors such as the stage and degree of dysplasia, and the severity of its course.

Life expectancy will depend on owners and treatment. If the disease was detected in time, the pet was given proper treatment, and in subsequent years the owners carried out supportive therapy and fed and cared for the dog correctly, then the life expectancy can be 12-13 years. Without therapy and care, the dog will be limited in movement and will live much shorter. Be attentive to your pet and do not neglect treatment!

Hip dysplasia in dogs surgery

Surgical intervention allows you to completely rid the animal of the manifestations of the disease. To do this, the affected joints are replaced with artificial ones. General endoprosthetics is indicated for severe forms of the disease. Widespread use of this type of intervention is hampered by its high cost.

Resection arthroplasty can reduce pain. During the operation, the head of the femur is removed. The result is no friction or pain. A side effect may be a change in joint mobility in advanced disease. This operation is a cheaper alternative to endoprosthetics.

Triple osteotomy surgery is also performed for hip dysplasia in dogs. During its course, the pelvic bones are dissected and special plates are placed at the sites of dissection, as a result of which the angle of the acetabulum changes and it more tightly covers the head of the femur. The pathological load on the joint is reduced, which leads to the disappearance of pain and restoration of function. This operation is not performed in severe forms of the disease, developed osteoarthritis or the presence of osteophytes.

What is this?

Joint dysplasia is the abnormal formation and development of joints, leading to impaired mobility and degenerative changes. In the initial stages, the disease entails deformation of the pet’s joint and then bone tissue.

An incorrectly formed or damaged joint, when rubbed, “erases” the cartilage tissue, causing severe pain. Gradually, the process affects the health and strength of the bones, preventing the dog from fully moving and leading an active lifestyle.

Note! According to statistics, dysplasia usually affects the hip joints. This is due to the fact that they bear the greatest load when running and jumping.

Drug treatment for hip dysplasia in dogs

As mentioned above, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used for treatment. They have a symptomatic effect, that is, they help relieve pain, but do not eliminate changes in the joints.

The disadvantage of this type is that the painkiller causes the animal to actively use the damaged limb, thereby causing the development of joint damage. The dog does not feel pain and tension, so it strains the joint, which is not recommended.

Antioxidants, herbal preparations, viscoelastic drugs and even steroid hormones are also used. However, their use must be strictly coordinated with a doctor, as it can lead to undesirable side effects. And most importantly, the effectiveness of using these funds has not yet been proven.

There is also advisability in the use of chondroprotectors.

Consequences of dysplasia

Without timely treatment, the consequences of dysplasia can even become such a severe symptom as immobility of the animal. Also, without treatment, the dog may permanently limp or have difficulty walking. Any movement will cause severe pain, which means the dog will stop using its hind legs.

As a result, if left untreated in a severe stage, the dog can become aggressive and hostile towards people, as it constantly feels pain.

Timely detection of the disease and quality treatment will help restore your pet’s motor activity, guaranteeing him a long, happy and fulfilling life. Be careful and check your pet's health regularly!

Photo gallery

Photo 1. Shepherd dog in a wheelchair plays with a stick

Photo 2. Labrador with paralyzed hind legs

Photo 3. Shepherd dog on a winter walk in a wheelchair

Photo 4. Wheels instead of hind legs