Fall 2007 • V ol. 42 No. 3 - San Diego Humane Society and SPCA

Ask Doctor B
THE LOW-DOWN ON HIP DYSPLASIA
Q: I am planning on adopting
a larger-sized dog and have heard
that bigger dogs can be effected
by a condition called Hip
Dysplasia. What is Hip Dysplasia
and what kind of effect does it
have on dogs? Also, what are the
treatments available for dogs with
Hip Dysplasia?
– Eager to adopt in Alpine, CA
A: Thank you for your question.
Although Hip Dysplasia (HD) is a
common condition and can occur in any
size dog and sometimes even cats, you
are correct in that the condition is most
prevalent and problematic for larger
dogs (dogs weighing 40-pounds or more).
A dog’s hip joint is made up of a
ball (femoral head) and a socket (pelvic
acetabulum). Normally, the bone
structure of the socket and the soft
tissues of the joint (ligaments, tendons,
and joint capsule) tightly hold the ball
inside the socket, allowing for normal
rotary action of the hip when a dog
walks, runs or jumps.
In a dog with HD, the joint is
dysplastic or “too loose.” In a
dysplastic joint, the ball does not
fit tightly in the socket, allowing for
too much movement in the joint, which
in turn, creates abnormal “rubbing”
between the bones that make up the
ball and socket. Over time this rubbing
causes degenerative changes in the
joint and leads to the development of
Osteoarthritis. It is the arthritis that
creates the symptoms that we see in
dogs with HD, including difficulty
rising after sleeping, lameness, pain
when the hind legs are manipulated
and a reluctance to play or move
quickly. Unfortunately these symptoms
are often progressive, meaning that
they worsen with age and time.
While HD is known to be a genetic
condition, the exact mechanism of
the genetics is still not understood.
However, the condition is definitely
more common in certain breeds of
dogs. German Shepherds, Labrador
Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and
Rottweilers are all breeds commonly
affected by HD. Of the large breed dogs,
Standard Poodles and Greyhounds are
two breeds that appear to be affected
least often by the condition.
The good news is that if a dog
develops arthritis as a result of HD,
there are a number of treatments that
can help manage the dog’s pain and/or
stiffness. For example, Non-Steroidal
Anti-Inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),
such as Rimadyl or EtoGesic, are
commonly used and make a marked
difference in the quality of life for a dog
with HD. The downside to prescribing
NSAIDs is that they can cause side
effects; however, the incidence is very
low and for the vast majority of pets
that take the medications their quality
of life is greatly improved.
Nutritional supplements like
glucosamine, chondrotin, and omega-3
fatty acids may have some long-term
beneficial effects for dogs with HD. In
addition, homeopathic treatments such
as physical therapy, swimming and
canine massage can also be helpful in
easing a dog’s stiffness and pain. Lastly,
controlling a dog’s weight and keeping
him on a consistent exercise program
can also be beneficial in reducing some
of the effects of HD.
In addition to medications,
nutritional supplements and weight
loss, there are a number of surgical
treatments available for dogs with HD.
Some of these surgical procedures are
used with young dogs whose HD has
been diagnosed by Xrays, but has not
yet caused arthritis or secondary
degenerative joint disease. Other
surgical procedures are utilized to
alleviate pain and discomfort after a
dog has developed arthritis.
Although Hip Dysplasia can be a
very significant health issue for a dog,
during the last decade, medications and
even surgeries have been developed to
allow dogs with HD to live pain free for
many years.
Sincerely,
Jim Babbitt, D.V.M.
San Diego Humane Society and SPCA
For more interesting and informative
articles on caring for your pet, please
visit www.sdhumane.org. Or, if you
have a veterinary question or issue
you would like to see addressed in this
column, email info@sdhumane.org with
“ASK DR. B” in the subject line.
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AnimalFare • Fall 2007