Companion Animal Welfare

Dog Hip Dysplasia Surgical Welfare

Hip dysplasia is a painful orthopaedic condition in large dogs - surgical options provide pain relief and improved mobility when medical management is insufficient.

Key Facts

Total hip replacement (THR) achieves near-normal function in 90%+ of cases
Triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO) is most effective in young dogs before arthritis develops
Femoral head and neck excision (FHNE) is a salvage procedure suitable for smaller dogs
Post-operative physiotherapy significantly improves surgical outcomes
Genetic screening programmes reduce the incidence of dysplasia in susceptible breeds

Welfare Considerations

Hip dysplasia causes progressive, often severe pain. When medical management fails to maintain quality of life, surgical intervention provides real, lasting pain relief. Early intervention before arthritis develops offers the best long-term outcomes.

What You Can Do

Screen breeds susceptible to hip dysplasia before purchase using BVA/KC schemes
Seek specialist orthopaedic opinion when medical management fails
Invest in post-operative physiotherapy to maximise surgical outcomes