Hip dysplasia causes chronic pain in many large and giant breed dogs. Modern management combining weight control, exercise, and analgesia significantly improves quality of life.
Hip dysplasia welfare management illustrates how chronic orthopedic disease requires a comprehensive, lifelong approach rather than a single intervention. The pain of hip dysplasia accumulates with age as secondary arthritis compounds the original developmental problem. Young dogs may show surprisingly few signs despite significant radiographic changes; older dogs with established arthritis show clear pain that impairs movement, play, and social engagement. The welfare case for multimodal management is strong: weight control reduces mechanical load on painful joints; physiotherapy builds muscle support that reduces joint instability; NSAIDs and other analgesics directly address pain; and surgery eliminates the underlying structural problem in suitable candidates. Breeding screening programs prevent future generations from suffering the condition entirely.