Common Signs of Canine Hip Conditions
Typical clinical signs your dog has a hip condition include hind end weakness or signs of joint pain when your pet walks. Hip dysplasia and arthritis are most common in geriatric dogs, but it’s not uncommon for the signs of dysplasia to show in young puppies as well.
Puppies at risk for developing hip dysplasia will be routinely monitored during their annual checkup for signs that the condition is worsening. But, how do you spot the signs of hip problems in an older dog? Here are a few signs that your dog’s hips are hurting:
Some of the most common hip problems in dogs include: hip dysplasia, arthritis, hip dislocation, and hip fractures. Read on to learn more about these common canine hip conditions:
Hip dysplasia is an inherited condition and puppies are born with hip dysplasia. Often confused with arthritis, the two conditions are different. Hip dysplasia occurs when the femur head does not fit properly into the hip joint. The severity of the dysplasia varies and may worsen over time. Your veterinarian will identify the signs of dysplasia during regular checkups and advise you on the right treatment plan for your pet. Proper exercise and diet are important to keep hips healthy. The addition of a dog hip brace may be recommended to support the joint and alleviate hip pain as the dog stays active.
The most common form of arthritis in dogs is age-related and degenerative in nature. Degenerative joint disease (DJD) or osteoarthritis occurs as dogs age and the natural wear and tear on their body from constant activity. As dogs get older, the cartilage in their joints becomes thin and cells die which causes inflammation in the hip joint. In severe cases, the cartilage deteriorates making it harder for the joint to function as normal. This ongoing joint inflammation leads to painful hips, swelling in the joint, and loss of strength. If an arthritic dog becomes less active, their muscles may begin to atrophy making it harder for them to move. Canine arthritis can be medically managed with joint supplements, physical therapy, and even massage.
A dog’s hip is typically dislocated following a traumatic injury, most often occurring after being hit by a car or taking a big fall. The dislocation occurs when the trauma displaces the femur head out of the hip socket, causing it to pop out of place. A dislocated hip will result in sudden lameness and a great deal of pain. Hip dislocations are painful. Pain will be relieved only when the hip can be returned into its proper position and the joint is reduced. In extreme dislocation cases, the hip will need to be repositioned during surgery. Although most hip dislocations do not require surgery and are treated manually by a veterinary professional.
Similar to a dislocated hip, a hip subluxation occurs when the femoral head pops out of the hip joint in a partial separation of the joint. The main difference between a dislocation and a subluxation is that when a dog’s hip subluxates it pops back into place. Often a popping or clicking sound can be heard each time the dog takes a step. Surgical treatment is an option, however a multi-modal approach of therapy, exercise, when combined with a hip bridge and hip support have also proven effective for managing joint subluxation.
Joint fractures can lead to lameness, pain, swelling at the hip joint. In young dogs, fractures most commonly occur at the growth plate during development. Since the growth plate is typically weaker than the rest of the bone, making it more apt to break. Proper hip alignment is key to the injury healing correctly. During hip surgery, pins and screws are placed inside the joint to stabilize the fracture.
In addition to the medication, your vet may prescribe, there are a handful of non-surgical treatments and practices every pet owner can take advantage of.
Possibly one of the best things you can do for your dog is to give their body the nutrients they need to build a healthy body, cell by cell. Food can do some of the work, but it’s often not enough. That’s why owners across the country are turning to high-quality supplements to keep their dogs functioning at their best. Supplements support your dog’s joint health using natural ingredients. Here are some of our favorite supplements:
One of the most important foods is whole meat. Your dog is an omnivore, but their carnivorous instincts are still strong. Meat provides important amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats to keep your dog energized and their joints nourished. And don’t forget the organ meats, which are loaded in micronutrients.
MSM: Short for methylsulfonylmethane (you can see why we shorten it), this naturally occurring sulphuric nutrient has a long list of benefits. When it comes to reducing hip discomfort in dogs, it works by minimizing discomfort signals in your dog’s nerve centers and promoting a normal inflammatory response throughout the body. Plus, it has plenty of antioxidant and detoxifying benefits!
Popping or cracking signs coming from joints: If you’re noticing any of the signs or symptoms above, try listening closely as they walk or move around the house. While joint popping or cracking isn’t always present with hip discomfort, it’s one more sign that your dog may be struggling.
Surgery can eliminate pain that sometimes even life-long medical management cannot. It may decrease the risk and cost of lifelong medications, and sometimes, in the long run, it can end up being the more affordable option.
Talk to your primary care veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary surgeon to determine the best options for your pet.
German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, and Labrador Retrievers are the most commonly affected breeds, but any large and giant breed dogs are at risk for canine hip dysplasia.
Depending on your dog’s pain level, prescription pain medications (such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are commonly used to decrease inflammation, which is major cause of pain.
Medical management consists of following a multimodal approach to pain management while maintaining joint and muscle health.
Dog Arthritis Back Legs – How to Check Their Hips
Pet parents of large-breed dogs fear the words “hip dysplasia,” but it can happen to dogs of any size.
So, what exactly is hip dysplasia, and why is it such a concern for pet parents? Here’s everything you need to know about hip dysplasia in dogs—from signs and symptoms to treatments and care.
Hip dysplasia is a condition that occurs during the growth stage in dogs. It results in the loosening of the hip joint, which causes dysfunction and pain.
As the dog grows, the cartilage and bone of the hip begin to wear down. Over time, this causes arthritis, muscle atrophy, and limited mobility.
Dogs can be very stoic and may not show all of these clinical symptoms. However, this condition is very painful, regardless of whether your dog has symptoms.
German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, and Labrador Retrievers are the most commonly affected breeds, but any large and giant breed dogs are at risk for canine hip dysplasia.
If you have a large or giant-breed dog, set up monthly checkups between 8 weeks and 10 months of age to help determine if surgical options are needed.
Early diagnosis of the disease can decrease or even prevent the long-term arthritis that is caused by hip dysplasia in dogs. There are several options for treating canine hip dysplasia, including a few surgical options as well as managing the condition through medications.
Your vet will consider many factors before recommending the proper treatment for your dog. Your pet should have a complete orthopedic evaluation before determining if surgery or medical management is right for you.
There are many factors to consider before choosing a surgical option. In many cases, surgical intervention has a good prognosis and can return dogs to normal function for a normal life.
Prior to 18 weeks of age, dogs can have a joint-saving procedure called juvenile pubic symphysiodesis. Dogs younger than 10 months can have a procedure called a triple pelvic osteotomy.
For adult dogs that are skeletally mature and have increased joint pain and limited mobility, the most common procedures are total hip replacements and femoral head osteotomies.
Talk to your primary care veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary surgeon to determine the best options for your pet.
Surgery can eliminate pain that sometimes even life-long medical management cannot. It may decrease the risk and cost of lifelong medications, and sometimes, in the long run, it can end up being the more affordable option.
To give an example of how much variation there is in cost, some insurance claims for total hip replacements can range from $1,500 to $7,000.
But if you compare this to the cost of medical management, which includes pain medications and joint supplements, surgery can end up being much less expensive over time, and could be more effective.
For example, for a dog that lives 10 years that shows signs at age 2, you might spend $4,800 to $19,200 over their lifetime for medications to manage the condition:
Medical management consists of following a multimodal approach to pain management while maintaining joint and muscle health.
You can also speak with your primary care veterinarian about a prescription dog food for joint health that can replace daily joint health supplements. Some of these options include:
Depending on your dog’s pain level, prescription pain medications (such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are commonly used to decrease inflammation, which is major cause of pain.
Physical therapy and low- to moderate-impact daily exercise encourage joint health and mobility, muscle health, and weight loss.
Regardless of surgical or medical management, any dog suffering from joint pain should be kept at an ideal weight. Keeping your dog at an ideal body condition will ensure that your dog does not have excess weight on his or her joints.
Speak to your primary care veterinarian about a weight-management plan. A healthy weight prevents the joint pain caused by increased weight.
With proper surgical and medical management, a dog with hip dysplasia can live a normal, healthy life.
Your dog should see your veterinarian every six months for a physical examination to ensure joint health and promote muscle strength and mobility.
At this time, there is no known way to prevent hip dysplasia in dogs. It appears to be a hereditary condition, and many dogs, especially large and giant breeds, are born with it.
It’s recommended to start joint supplements for high-risk dogs as early as 3 months of age to ensure good joint health and protect the cartilage of the joints.
You should also work with your vet to make sure that you keep your dog at a healthy weight. Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the amount of stress on a dog’s joints.
Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox.