Hip dysplasia in dogs

In hip dysplasia, the hip joint is deformed. The head of the hip joint and pelvis do not fit together properly. The head of the femur will rub over the bowl of the hip joint with the result that it will wear out. The following causes can cause hip dysplasia.

  • Too much or wrong movement in puppies
  • Too fast growth
  • Wrong diet or overweight
  • Hereditary provision

Symptoms of hip dysplasia

  • Pijn, difficulty walking and wear in the cartilage near the joints.
  • Dog hindquarters at the back of the development
  • Rocking walking
  • The hip joint becomes stiffer, has fewer movement possibilities and is more sensitive or painful.
  • Less desire to play
  • Difficulty jumping or climbing stairs

Hip dysplasia is common in German Shepherds, Labradors and the Bernese Sennen. It shall be determined by the veterinarian with a general examination; he starts by watching the dog walk and then he examines him further on the table. By bending and stretching the hip joints, the veterinarian can determine how much pain the dog is in. In the end, everything is definitively determined with X-rays.

Treatment hip dysplasia

If hip dysplasia is treated, the focus is on strengthening the muscles by letting the dog walk in a straight line, such as through swimming. It is best to spread short walks throughout the day and not once long. Furthermore, you need to make sure that your dog no longer walks stairs and does not jump too much. Also make sure that your dog does not gain supremacy. If this does happen, make sure he gets back to good weight as soon as possible. This is so that the joints are taxed as little as possible. The veterinarian can also prescribe painkillers and anti-inflammatories. If an operation is chosen, the veterinarian can choose from several techniques:

  1. Artificial hip
  2. Pelvic tilt: For better connection between the hip head and bowl, the pelvis is tilted in three places.
  3. Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis: only possible in youngdogs. This changes the growth of the pelvis, so that the joint develops better.
  4. Hip head resection: the  hip head is removed so that there is more stabilization. This operation is not recommended