What Type of Dog Can Get Hip Dysplasia and What Can Be Done to Help Them?

What Type of Dog Can Get Hip Dysplasia and What Can Be Done to Help Them? Hip dysplasia is an inherited condition that affects the development of the hip bone. As it doesn’t develop properly, it does not sit in the hip socket as it should, causing the bone to move around within the socket, therefore causing pain and excessive wear and tear of the joint. The condition is most common in larger breeds of dogs, such as Great Danes, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Retrievers and St. Bernards. 

What is important to know, is that hip dysplasia can vary in its severity, from very mild cases to debilitating pain. It can also present itself in dogs from when they are around 5 months old, up until they reach their senior years. It can present itself at any time during the dog’s life cycle. However it is most common during a dog’s middle years. 

It is very difficult for an owner to know if their dog has hip dysplasia. However common symptoms include difficulty in walking, limping and not wanting to exercise. If you do have any concerns regarding your dog’s mobility, then it is always best to make an appointment with your vet. As hip dysplasia is an inherited condition it cannot be cured, but only symptoms eased by surgical interventions, medication, diet and changes in lifestyle. These shall be further discussed below.

Surgical interventions can include a total hip replacement, but this is only really recommended when other treatments and interventions have failed. There are other surgical Interventions that are less invasive, that can help to relieve pain and your vet can further discuss these options with you.

There are various medications that your dog can take to help relieve pain, such as aspirin and an anti inflammatory, that may also be prescribed, but this will be in close collaboration with your vet. Joint supplements have also been known to help this condition. 

A change in diet has also shown to relieve symptoms. This is to control the dog’s weight. If a dog is overweight then this will obviously place more pressure on the hip joints, which will then lead to more pain and wear and tear. So it’s a good idea to put your dog on a calorie controlled diet, but with the help and knowledge of your vet. 

There are also other therapies and general changes in lifestyle that can help to relieve the painful symptoms of hip dysplasia. 
Massage can be of great benefit to dogs, as well as the use of hot water bottles in helping to reduce pain and inflammation. Moderate exercise, especially swimming can also help to improve muscle strength around the hip joint. Sleeping areas that are both warm and dry, will also help to relieve symptoms, as the damp and cold can make symptoms worse. It’s also a good idea to buy your dog an orthopaedic bed, if they are in a lot of pain. It is also a good idea to have carpeted floors at home rather than wooden or laminated floors. This is because any slippery surface is difficult for dogs to walk on when they suffer from hip dysplasia.

If you do believe that your dog has hip dysplasia, then do please seek medical advice before you start any treatment plan.

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