Hip Dysplasia in Dogs: Deep Welfare and Management Guide
Pathophysiology and Welfare Impact
Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) is a developmental orthopaedic condition in which the femoral head and acetabulum develop incongruently, leading to joint laxity, abnormal wear, cartilage damage, and progressive osteoarthritis. It causes chronic pain ranging from mild intermittent lameness to severe debilitating arthritis. Affected dogs show: hindlimb lameness; reluctance to rise; 'bunny hopping' gait; exercise intolerance; pain on hip extension; and behavioural changes associated with chronic pain.
Diagnosis and Screening
OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) or BVA/KC Hip Scoring radiographs provide standardised assessment. Hip scoring is performed from 12-18 months under sedation/anaesthesia. Norberg angle, acetabular coverage, and femoral head morphology are assessed. PennHIP distraction radiography can be performed from 16 weeks and measures passive hip laxity (distraction index), providing early prognostic information. Genetic testing for associated variants is available for some breeds.
Conservative Management
Conservative management: weight optimisation (reducing load on affected joints); controlled, consistent exercise (swimming, lead walks — not forced rest or explosive activity); physical therapy and hydrotherapy; NSAIDs (carprofen, meloxicam, grapiprant) for pain management; joint supplements (omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine — modest evidence); pentosan polysulphate injections (anti-osteoarthritic, licensed in some countries); and newer biologics (anti-NGF monoclonal antibody — bedinvetmab — showing strong evidence in clinical trials for OA pain).
Surgical Options
Surgical options for appropriate cases: triple/double pelvic osteotomy (TPO/DPO) — best results in young dogs (<10 months) with laxity but minimal arthritic change, improves coverage and reduces progression; femoral head and neck excision (FHNE) — salvage procedure creating a false joint, good results in smaller dogs; total hip replacement (THR) — gold standard for severe OA, restores near-normal function; juvenile pubic symphysiodesis (JPS) — only at 3.5-5 months, improves acetabular development.
Breeding and Prevention
CHD has moderate heritability (~0.25-0.45). Hip scoring programmes (BVA/KC in UK) require only dogs with scores below breed mean be used for breeding, reducing prevalence over generations. Many breeds have shown significant improvement in mean hip scores over 20 years of scoring. Breeders and buyers should insist on hip scored parents; veterinary guidance at puppy vaccination on body weight management, appropriate exercise, and early joint health monitoring provides additional welfare protection.