How Can You Tell If Your Dog Has Hip Dysplasia? 10 Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

As a dog owner, there’s nothing more heart-wrenching than seeing your furry friend in pain. When my Golden Retriever started having trouble climbing the stairs last year, I knew something wasn’t right. After a vet visit, we got the diagnosis: hip dysplasia. This common condition affects many dogs, especially larger breeds, but catching it early can make all the difference in your pup’s quality of life.

What Exactly Is Hip Dysplasia in Dogs?

Hip dysplasia occurs during a dog’s growth stage and results in hip joints that don’t fit together properly. Instead of sliding smoothly, the ball and socket of the hip joint rub and grind against each other. This causes the joint to deteriorate over time, leading to painful arthritis, bone spurs, muscle atrophy, and limited mobility.

The condition develops when the ball and socket of the hip joint don’t develop properly or don’t fit correctly. Instead of sliding smoothly during movement, they grind and rub, causing progressive deterioration and eventual loss of function.

Common Signs Your Dog Might Have Hip Dysplasia

Dogs are masters at hiding pain, which makes detecting hip dysplasia challenging Here are the key warning signs to watch for

1. Decreased activity levels – Your once energetic pup may suddenly seem less interested in walks or playtime
2. Difficulty rising – Trouble getting up from a lying or sitting position
3. “Bunny hopping” gait – Especially noticeable when your dog climbs stairs
4. Limping or lameness in the hind legs with no obvious injury
5. Reluctance to jump – Hesitation to jump onto furniture or into the car
6. Decreased range of motion in the hips
7. Swaying movement when walking
8. Noticeable enlargement of shoulder muscles as they compensate for weak hind legs
9. Loss of thigh muscle mass
10. Stiffness, especially after exercise or when getting up in the morning

My dog showed several of these signs before his diagnosis He started avoiding the stairs and would sit in weird positions that I later learned were attempts to relieve his discomfort

Which Dogs Are Most At Risk?

While hip dysplasia can affect any dog. certain breeds have a higher genetic predisposition

• German Shepherds
• Labrador Retrievers
• Golden Retrievers
• Great Danes
• Saint Bernards
• Bulldogs
• Mastiffs
• Rottweilers
• Chesapeake Bay Retrievers
• Pit Bulls
• Chow Chows
• Newfoundlands
• Bloodhounds
• Bassett Hounds

But don’t assume your small-breed dog is immune! Even smaller dogs can develop this condition, though it’s less common.

Diagnosing Hip Dysplasia

If you notice any symptoms, it’s important to see your vet right away. Diagnosis typically involves:

1. Physical examination – Your vet will manipulate your dog’s hind legs to check for looseness, grinding, pain, or reduced range of motion
2. Medical history review – Information about your dog’s symptoms, possible injuries, and parentage
3. Blood work – Can indicate inflammation due to joint disease
4. X-rays or radiographs – The definitive way to diagnose hip dysplasia and determine its severity

Treatment Options for Hip Dysplasia

The good news is that several treatment options exist, ranging from lifestyle modifications to surgical interventions.

Non-Surgical Approaches:

• Weight management – Keeping your dog at an ideal weight reduces stress on painful joints
• Exercise modification – Low-impact activities like swimming rather than running on hard surfaces
• Physical therapy – Can strengthen muscles supporting the joint
• Joint supplements – Glucosamine and chondroitin may help maintain joint health
• Pain medications – NSAIDs or other medications to manage pain and inflammation
• Prescription dog food for joint health

Surgical Options:

For more severe cases, surgery might be recommended:

1. Double or Triple Pelvic Osteotomy (DPO/TPO) – Usually for young dogs under 10 months, involves cutting and rotating segments of the pelvic bone to improve joint function

2. Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO) – Involves removing the femoral head (the “ball” of the ball-and-socket joint) to create a “false joint” that reduces pain

3. Total Hip Replacement (THR) – The most effective but most expensive option, replacing the entire joint with artificial implants

The Cost Factor

Surgery costs vary widely based on procedure type, location, and your dog’s specific needs. Total hip replacements can range from $1,500 to $7,000 per hip.

But when you compare this to the lifetime cost of managing hip dysplasia with medications ($4,800–$19,200 over 8 years), surgery might actually be more economical in the long run – not to mention providing better quality of life for your pup.

Can Hip Dysplasia Be Prevented?

While not all cases can be prevented, you can reduce your dog’s risk:

1. Choose responsible breeders who screen breeding dogs for hip dysplasia
2. Feed appropriate diets – Large-breed puppies should eat food formulated specifically for them to prevent excessive growth
3. Maintain proper weight – Obesity significantly increases risk and worsens symptoms
4. Provide appropriate exercise – Regular, moderate exercise strengthens joint-supporting muscles without overexertion
5. Consider joint supplements early for high-risk breeds

Living With Hip Dysplasia

With proper management, dogs with hip dysplasia can live happy, active lives. My own dog has been thriving since starting treatment. Here are some tips for caring for a dog with this condition:

• Provide soft bedding to cushion joints
• Apply warm compresses to sore areas
• Install ramps for easier access to cars, furniture, or stairs
• Use harnesses for support when needed
• Maintain regular vet checkups (every six months is recommended)
• Watch for changes in symptoms or behavior that might indicate worsening condition

The Importance of Early Detection

The sooner hip dysplasia is diagnosed, the better the outcome. Early intervention can slow progression and even prevent long-term arthritis. If you notice any of the warning signs I’ve mentioned, don’t wait – schedule a vet appointment.

Final Thoughts

Hip dysplasia doesn’t have to mean the end of your dog’s happy, active life. With proper diagnosis and treatment, most dogs can maintain good quality of life despite this condition. Stay vigilant for the warning signs, maintain open communication with your vet, and remember that your furry friend depends on you to notice when something’s not right.

By understanding hip dysplasia and knowing what to look for, you’re already taking the first step toward protecting your dog’s joint health. After all, our four-legged family members deserve the best care we can give them!

Have you noticed any of these symptoms in your dog? What steps have you taken to help manage joint pain in your pet? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments below!

Hip dysplasia typically shows up in dogs between six and 12 months of age, but signs can appear as early as a few months old, or even later in a dog’s life, depending on the severity of the condition and development of secondary arthritis.

Hip dysplasia in dogs is diagnosed through a combination of a physical exam, where a veterinarian looks for signs like stiffness, lameness, pain, or abnormal gait, and radiographs (X-rays), which definitively confirm the condition by revealing the health of the hip socket. A physical examination under sedation or anesthesia may also be performed to assess joint laxity and range of motion, and advanced screening methods like PennHIP and OFA protocols use specific X-rays to evaluate hip conformation.