Physiotherapy and hydrotherapy are vital components of managing canine hip dysplasia, reducing pain and maintaining muscle mass and joint function throughout a dog's life.
Dogs with hip dysplasia experience chronic pain that progressively worsens without appropriate management. Insufficient muscle support accelerates joint deterioration and increases pain. Untreated, dogs may struggle to rise, hesitate to exercise, and show behavioural changes including aggression related to pain. Physiotherapy addresses these welfare concerns by building strength, maintaining range of motion, and reducing pain through targeted exercises and manual therapy. The combination of appropriate analgesia, weight management, and physiotherapy gives many dogs excellent quality of life for years beyond their initial diagnosis.