Our dogs love to run and play around, especially when they're breeds with high energy levels. These breeds are generally larger than most dogs, which means they'll have problems that the smaller dogs won't typically have.
One of these is hip dysplasia. In essence, it's a problem that involves the misalignment of the ball and socket of the hip joint as the dog grows.
In a healthy and normal hip, the ball of the hip joint fits well into the socket. In canine hip dysplasia, the fit is not perfect, which can be loose or poorly formed. As a result, the bones grind against each other.
This constant friction causes significant wear and tear, eventually leading to pain, inflammation, and mobility problems. In serious cases, it can also lead to other orthopedic issues, such as canine arthritis.
With that said, let’s learn more about dogs and hip dysplasia, including what it’s all about.
What Causes Hip Dysplasia in Dogs?
Now that we have discussed what hip dysplasia in dogs is, let’s discover the main causes of this orthopedic problem.
Genetics
The main cause of hip dysplasia in dogs is genetics. This means that dogs can inherit this condition from one or both of their parents. Since hip dysplasia is caused and influenced by several genes, the cause can be difficult to narrow down.
Some dog breeds are more prone to this condition, which are mostly large to giant ones. This includes:
Labrador Retriever
Rottweiler
Mastiff
While large breeds are the ones more commonly affected, hip dysplasia in small dogs such as Pugs and French Bulldogs is also possible. This is due to their unique skeletal structures.
Poor Nutrition and Rapid Growth
Puppies that grow too quickly are at a higher risk of this orthopedic problem. Rapid growth can sometimes result in unequal growth of bones and joints. This causes the ball and socket of the hip joint to not fit properly together.
This leads to instability and mobility issues. Hip dysplasia in dogs from rapid growth often stems from overfeeding and excessive calorie intake. This puts dogs at risk of abnormal bone and joint development.
Excessive or Improper Exercise
While exercise is important for a puppy’s overall health, too much can be counterproductive. As a result, the joints will experience strain and stress, possibly causing a misalignment. This is especially common for young and old dogs alike.
They can also increase the risk of malformation in breeds predisposed to hip dysplasia. These high-impact activities include:
Jumping on and off furniture
Running on hard surfaces
Excessively climbing stairs
Exercising for more than the recommended amount
High-intensity training without rest
Obesity
A dog’s weight is also a significant factor that increases the risk of canine hip dysplasia. The heavier the dogs get, the more strain the joints experience. As this goes on, the joints can deteriorate, becoming weaker and increasing the risk of other hip problems in dogs.
How Can You Tell if Your Dog Has Hip Dysplasia?
Some dogs may start showing signs as early as puppyhood, while others may not develop noticeable symptoms until later. Here are the common symptoms of hip dysplasia in dogs:
Decreased activity. Your dog may become less enthusiastic about exercise and prefer resting over playing or going for walks.
Difficulty getting up. Movements that require strong hind-leg support become difficult due to hip problems in dogs.
Limping or lameness in the hind legs. Your dog may favor one leg over the other or seem stiff after resting.
Bunny hopping gait. Dogs with hip dysplasia develop a "bunny hopping" gait. This is shown when they use both back legs together when moving.
Wobbly or swaying walk. Your dog's hindquarters can appear wobbly, shaky, and unstable as the hip joint deteriorates.
Loss of muscle in the hind legs. As hip dysplasia progresses, dogs use their hind legs less, leading to muscle shrinkage.
Enlarged shoulder muscles. To compensate for hind leg weakness, dogs with hip dysplasia shift their weight forward, causing the front leg muscles to develop more than normal.
Pain or sensitivity around the hips. Your dog may flinch, whimper, or avoid being touched near the hip area.
Early Signs of Hip Dysplasia in Dogs
The earliest signs of hip problems in dogs can often be seen in their energy levels. If they seem to be less energetic or have difficulty during exercise, then it’s a giveaway. Anything that shows they have difficulty moving is basically a sign.
Since this condition is a progressive type, you may not notice the signs immediately during a dog’s early years. Hip dysplasia in older dogs is much more common.
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