What is hip dysplasia in dogs?
Hip dysplasia in dogs - symptoms, breeds, treatment and costs in Germany
What is hip dysplasia?
Max, a two-year-old Labrador, is limping after his morning walk. He gets up hesitantly and sways at the back end when he walks. After an X-ray, his vet has the diagnosis: hip dysplasia, moderate grade. What does that mean - and what now?
Hip dysplasia (HD) is a malformation of the hip joint. The head of the femur doesn't sit properly in the socket. This causes friction, inflammation and, over time, arthritis. HD can't be cured, but it can be managed well - conservatively or surgically, depending on how severe it is.
Affected breeds and risk factors
HD is primarily a genetic condition, but it's influenced by environmental factors. The breeds most often affected are: German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Rottweiler, Bernese Mountain Dog and Dogue de Bordeaux.
Risk factors for how strongly it develops: being overweight during the growth phase (which increases the load on the joint), too much exercise on hard surfaces as a puppy, and the wrong diet (growing too fast on too much energy).
Reputable breeders have their breeding dogs X-rayed for HD. When you buy or adopt, always ask about the parents' HD results.
Symptoms and diagnosis
Typical symptoms: limping or swaying at the hindquarters, difficulty getting up, reluctance to move, avoiding stairs, muscle loss in the hind legs, and pain when the hip is touched.
Diagnosis is made with X-rays of the pelvis in a standardised position, often under anaesthetic or sedation. The X-rays are graded on an internationally standardised scale (A to E).
Treatment and costs
Conservative treatment: for mild to moderate HD. Weight control, adapted exercise, physiotherapy, pain medication (NSAIDs) and supplements (omega-3, glucosamine). Cost: 200 to 800 euros a year.
Surgical treatment: for severe HD, or when conservative treatment isn't enough. Common operations: Triple Pelvic Osteotomy (TPO) for young dogs, a total hip replacement (THR) - an artificial hip joint - for older dogs, and Femoral Head and Neck Excision (FHE) as a cheaper alternative.
The cost of HD surgery: 3,000 to 6,000 euros per hip. With HD on both sides, the costs multiply. This is one of the main reasons why dog health insurance is especially worthwhile for predisposed breeds.
