When diagnosing hip dysplasia in dogs, it is necessary to understand what affects joint function. Congruence is key. When skeletal growth is correct, a close match, and balance, of the joints form, which allows the joint to move smoothly and in a full range of motion. The dog is then capable of standing, walking, running, jumping, and turning effectively.
When a puppy’s growth is affected by hip dysplasia, an incongruence at the interface of the “ball and socket” develops, resulting in malformation of the joint and stretching of the soft tissues.
We always recommend consulting with veterinary professionals for a physical examination and to receive a professional diagnosis.
Above are three x-rays showing the progression of canine hip dysplasia.
The canine x-ray on the left shows the dog’s early signs of hip dysplasia. The femur head is egg-shaped, as typical in hip dysplasia. There are no signs of degeneration because a clear separation between the pelvis and femur head is visible.
In the middle x-ray, it shows how the malalignment of the joint surface has caused the degeneration to progress into osteoarthritis. Also, the separation between the femur head and pelvis is less distinguishable.
The right x-ray shows severe osteoarthritis with possible immobilization of the joint.
Untreated, canine hip dysplasia will lead to hip deterioration, causing cartilage erosion, irregular bone formation, joint laxity/dislocation, and osteoarthritis. The chronic lameness and pain a dog will experience from untreated hip dysplasia will have an impact on their quality of life.
If only one hip joint is affected, it is natural for a dog to start using their three other limbs to compensate for their one unhealthy hip joint.
Compensation allows a dog to hide their pain and lameness, prolonging a proper diagnosis. In the presence of other dogs, they become even better at hiding their discomfort and symptoms.
Of the 18 to 27 million dogs with hip dysplasia in the U.S, the majority will not be diagnosed with hip dysplasia until well after considerable damage is done.
Overtime compensation comes with a cost. As a dog starts shifting weight from four limbs to three, they increase their chances of acquiring compensation-related injuries in the elbow and shoulder.
Delaying treatment presents new challenges as well. Extreme changes in the “ball” of the femur and “socket” of the pelvis will make joint replacement more difficult- in some cases impossible.
If you suspect that your companion is suffering from hip dysplasia, contact your general practitioner to inquire about a proper physical and radiographic exam. Unique radiographs and evaluations of joint function will properly screen for disease.
Options for treatment vary by age, severity, arthritic change, degree of pain/discomfort, owner expectations, and financial ability.
For many, preventative measures like diet and weight control, activity restriction, physical rehabilitation, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or oral supplements can manage and mitigate the symptoms of the disease.
All dogs benefit from a healthy diet, especially diets that are specific to their breed and age. Puppies of large and giant breeds benefit from foods specially formulated to provide steady growth. Growth spurts result in the straining of bones and joints. Also, a healthy diet decreases obesity-related factors that affect your dog’s joints negatively.
Proper nutrition maintains bone strength and integrity while decreasing the likelihood of canine obesity and relating factors that affect your dog’s joints negatively.
Working with your veterinarian is the best thing to do when determining the best diet and food for your dog.
Just as it is for humans, exercise is beneficial for dogs. Too much physical exercise, especially for puppies, can lead to health problems that increase the progression of hip dysplasia. Understanding what types of exercise are needed to keep your dog healthy is important.
A combination of mental (brain games) and physical exercises is most beneficial.
Brain games encourage dogs to use their brain instead of using their impulses. As a result, a dog has to concentrate and use more effort to complete mental tasks than it does to perform physical tasks. Dogs that are known for having endless energy are finally exhausted from metal fatigue. Adding brain games is the perfect way to interact with your dog and minimize wear-and-tear on their body. Decreasing hip dysplasia related pain.
For physical exercise, try introducing swimming into your dog’s regime. Swimming is a low-impact full-body workout, which is great for their joints. For breeds that are notoriously bad swimmers, try using a doggie life vest. Your dog will still receive all the healthy benefits of swimming while wearing a doggie life vest, but now have independence in the water.
Dogs screened and diagnosed as puppies will have the most treatment options available. Recognized early, less invasive surgeries are an option to alter the development of the pelvis and better capture the femur. These procedures are Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis (JPS) and Double Pelvic Osteotomy (DPO).
For patients who miss this treatment window, and do not respond to conservative management, surgical treatments such as a Femoral Head Osteotomy (FHO), Total Hip Replacement (THR), or Partial Hip Replacement (PHR) are available.
Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis (JPS) seeks to improve the capture of the femur by the pelvis by inserting titanium staples into the growth plate of the pubis. This treatment is for very young dogs, whose growth plates are still open.
Custom designed titanium JPS staples are superior to the more commonly used steel wire bent into a staple shape.
A Double Pelvic Osteotomy (DPO) seeks the same objective as JPS but involves cutting and bending the pelvis to capture the femur. A
bone plate and screws are inserted to hold the position and facilitate healing.
The ALPS® DPO plate was developed with Dr. Aldo Vezzoni, med. vet., S.C.M.P.A., Dipl. ECVS, over several design iterations to best suit the canine pelvis. The Advanced Locking Plate System (ALPS®) technology offers less iatrogenic trauma, greater versatility, increased overall stability, and healing advantages for animals.
A Femoral Head Osteotomy (FHO) addresses the pain of hip dysplasia by removing the head of the femur and allowing fibrotic tissue to fill the void. The benefit of removing the painful contact between the ball and socket is at the cost of the limb function. Fortunately, dogs have three more limbs that can be used to compensate for the lack of function in the operated hip. However, large and active patients, compensation can lead to further injuries or worsening of lameness in the remaining intact limbs. If the outcome of the FHO is not satisfactory, a THR or PHR is possible but more difficult to perform.
A Canine Partial Hip Replacement (PHR) seeks to provide an option between FHO and THR for the management of canine hip dysplasia.
The Zurich Cementless “Cupless” partial hip replacement has been used as an experimental implant since 2010 and is now in a multi-center clinical study and continues to meet the expectations of the surgeon partners.
A Canine Total Hip Replacement (THR) surgery replaces a painful and dysfunctional hip joint with a prosthesis to provide a pain-free, fully
functional joint. Total hip replacement is also an option for dogs with pain and abnormal hips due to fracture, luxation (dislocation), or necrosis (severe degeneration) of the femoral head.
The Zurich Cementless Total Hip Replacement (THR) system is the most advanced canine hip replacement system available, in use for over 20 years and more than 18,000 patients.
With over 20 years in the market, we understand there is little room for mistakes when treating patients. We offer better solutions and best quality. Without compromise.
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