Published: October 2020 | Updated: December 2022

In dogs, the hip joint is a ball and socket joint; essentially, the thigh bone has a spherical head that fits into a spherical socket in the pelvis.

The wrong shape of this ball and socket joint is what causes hip dysplasia in dogs. Rather than the normal, smooth gliding of these bones against one another at the joint, the two joints grind together. 

Over time, this will lead to degeneration of the bones and can also damage the articular cartilage, leading to osteoarthritis. 

What Causes Hip Dysplasia in Dogs? 

Hip dysplasia is a skeletal disorder that can affect any size or breed of dog; however, it is more common in large breed dogs such as Great Danes, Labrador Retrievers, and German Shepherds. This is due, in part, to the rapid growth rate of large breeds, which makes the uniform development of joints challenging. 

These breeds should be fed a diet specifically formulated for large dogs in order to promote proper bone and joint development. 

There are several things that can make it more likely that your dog is prone to hip dysplasia, such as:

• Genetics – If one or both of your dog’s parents have hip dysplasia, there is a higher chance that they will develop it as well. 

• Age – Hip dysplasia usually develops between three months and two years old but it can also occur later in life due to injury or disease. 

• Weight – Overweight dogs are more likely to develop hip dysplasia than those who are underweight or at a healthy weight range for their breed. 

• Activity level – Dogs with low activity levels or sedentary lifestyles are more likely to develop hip dysplasia than those who are active outdoors all day long!

Furthermore, a fracture of the bone near the joint can also lead to hip dysplasia.

What Are the Signs of Hip Dysplasia in Dogs? 

Common symptoms of hip dysplasia in dogs include: 

• Difficulty standing up from a sitting or lying position
• Reluctancy to run/jump/climb
• Lower range of motion
• Wobbly movement or a “bunny hopping gait”
• Pain and stiffness 

The more the condition progresses, the more painful and difficult it is for your dog to move around. If you notice your dog having difficulty standing up or sitting down, or if he seems to favor one leg more than another, you should schedule an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible. 

Your vet will do a thorough physical exam to find out if your pet has hip dysplasia. During this exam, they will check the level of pain and the health of the joint. 

Diagnosing Hip Dysplasia in Dogs

The first symptoms of hip dysplasia usually appear between 4 and 10 months of age. The most common symptom is pain on one or both sides of the hips that gets worse with activity or exercise. Your dog may limp or be reluctant to run or jump up on furniture or beds.

To diagnose hip dysplasia, your veterinarian will perform a physical examination of your dog's hips by manipulating them while watching for signs of pain or discomfort. In addition to a physical examination, your veterinarian may perform bloodwork to assess systemic inflammation. 

However, radiographic imaging, or x-rays, are the best way to figure out if a dog has hip dysplasia. By taking an image of the joints, the vet can assess the conformation of the joints. 

There are different stages of hip dysplasia as well. The following are the most commonly referred to: 

• Mild hip dysplasia: If your dog has mild hip dysplasia, he will not experience any pain and his quality of life will be unaffected. However, it is important to pay attention to his movement and make sure that he does not develop severe hip dysplasia later on. This could lead to arthritis in his joints as he ages if the condition is not treated properly.

• Moderate hip dysplasia: Moderate hip dysplasia in dogs is characterized by moderate hip joint degeneration. The hip joint is the place where the femur (thigh bone) meets the pelvis and connects to the hind leg. In dogs with moderate hip dysplasia, there is some damage to the hip joint but not enough to cause severe pain or lameness.

• Severe hip dysplasia: In cases of severe hip dysplasia, the dog is very lame experiencing trouble walking. They may have trouble getting up or lying down. Simple joys of life may not be desired any longer. What your dog once enjoyed is now being overcome with pain. 

Can Hip Dysplasia in Dogs Be Cured?

The treatment for this condition varies from dog to dog depending upon the severity of the disease as well as the level of pain the animal is experiencing. 

Often, dogs with hip dysplasia can be managed properly to live a long and happy life. A key factor in this is ensuring the maintenance of a proper weight to remove any undue stress from the joints. 

Controlled exercise and physical therapy can help reduce the inflammation levels in the joint, as well as the loss of muscle mass. Maintaining muscle integrity to stabilize the diseased joint in the dog is critical. 

Daily exercise helps maintain muscle strength around the hips and increases blood flow to these areas which helps prevent stiffness. Swimming is an excellent form of exercise for dogs with hip dysplasia because they don't need to bear weight on their legs while swimming but still receive cardiovascular benefits.

Non-surgical treatments include anti-inflammatory drugs, known as NSAIDs, such as Rimadyl (carprofen), aspirin, or Adequan (fluorohydrocortisone acetate). The goal is to reduce pain and swelling while avoiding surgery as long as possible. These drugs are generally effective at relieving symptoms such as lameness and pain in dogs with mild to moderate hip dysplasia. 

However, they aren't very helpful if your dog has severe OA or if he needs to have his hips replaced later down the road because they don't replace lost cartilage effectively enough to allow a full range of motion in most cases.

In the worst-case scenario, there are surgical options to assess the joint abnormality, but those would be recommended by your vet only if necessary. 

How to Help a Dog With Hip Dysplasia Naturally

A major preventative measure and treatment available is to provide dogs with glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. Providing these compounds in the form of chewable tablets, promotes and maintains joint health in dogs. 

Canine Cush provides a natural source of both ingredients, which is better absorbed than the synthetic alternatives found in many dog supplements. 

In addition, Canine Cush provides hyaluronic acid and serves as an anti-inflammatory, without the negative side effects of NSAIDs. So, if you have a dog with hip dysplasia or a dog that may be predisposed to the condition, you have now found the best hip and joint supplement for dogs to help your companion have a long, healthy, and comfortable quality of life!

Always Talk To Your Vet

Hip dysplasia is a condition that affects many dogs. It’s believed to be genetic, but there are other factors that can make it worse. The more the condition progresses, the more painful and difficult it is for your dog to move around. If you do notice something wrong, take your pup to see a vet right away who specializes in treating animals with hip dysplasia.

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