Hip dysplasia is among the most common orthopedic conditions in dogs, causing chronic pain that significantly impairs quality of life and requires active management throughout the affected dog life.
Hip dysplasia causes chronic pain that dogs mask until it becomes severe — the same evolutionary pain-concealment strategy that delays recognition in many canine conditions. Dogs with hip dysplasia may appear merely slower or less enthusiastic about exercise when they are actually managing significant joint pain. The welfare tragedy is that hip dysplasia is substantially preventable through responsible breeding programs, yet prevalence remains high in affected breeds due to the widespread use of dogs without hip certifications. Active welfare management — pain medication, weight control, physiotherapy, and appropriate exercise modification — can maintain good quality of life for many years. The alternative — under-treatment of chronic pain because owners underestimate its presence — condemns affected dogs to years of unnecessary suffering.