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joint and this results in pain as the disease progresses. Many young dogs exhibit pain during or shortly after the growth period,
then to return when arthritic changes become obvious.
Dogs with hip dysplasia appear to be born with normal hips and then to develop the disease later. This has led to a lot of dogs
with the genetic tendency will develop clinical signs and the degree of hip dysplasia which develops does not alway seem to
correlate well with expectations based on the parent's condition. Multiple genetic factors are involved and environmental factors
also play a role in determining the degree of hip dysplasia. Dogs with no genetic predisposition do not develop hip dysplasia.
At present, the strongest link to contributing factors other than genetic predisposition appears to be to rapid growth and weight
gain. In a recent study done in Labrador retrievers a significant reduction in the development of clinical hip dysplasia occurred
in a group of puppies fed 25% less than a control group which was allowed to eat free choice. It is likely that the laxity in the hip
joints is aggravated by the rapid weight gain.
If feeding practices are altered to reduce hip dysplasia in a litter of puppies, it is probably best to use a puppy food and feed
smaller quantities than to switch to an adult dog food. The calcium/phosphorous to calorie ratios in adult dog food are such
that the puppy will usually end up with higher than desired total calcium or phosphorous intake by eating an adult food. This
occurs because more of these foods are necessary to meet the caloric needs of puppies, even when feeding to keep the
puppy thin.
If clinical signs of hip dysplasia occur in young dogs, such as lameness, difficulty standing or walking after getting up,
decreased activity or a bunny-hop gait, it is often possible to help them medically or surgically. X-ray confirmation of the
presence of hip dysplasia prior to treatment is necessary. There are two techniques currently used to detect hip dysplasia, the
standard view used in Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) testing and X-rays (radiographs) utilizing a device to
exaggerate joint laxity developed by the University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program (PennHIP). The Penn Hip
radiographs appear to be a better method for judging hip dysplasia early in puppies, with one study showing good predictability
for hip dysplasia in puppies exhibiting joint laxity at 4 months of age, based on PennHIP radiographs.
Once a determination is made that hip dysplasia is present, a treatment plan is necessary. For dogs that exhibit clinical signs at
less than a year of age, aggressive treatment may help alleviate later suffering. In the past a surgery known as a pectineal
myotomy was advocated but more recent evidence suggests that it is an ineffective surgical procedure. However,
administration of glycosaminoglycans (Adequan Rx) may help to decrease the severity of arthritis that develops later in life.
Surgical reconstruction of the hip joint (triple pelvic osteotomy) is helpful if done during the growth stages. For puppies with
clinical signs at a young age, this surgery should be strongly considered. It has a high success rate when done at the proper
time.
Dogs that exhibit clinical signs after the growth phase require a different approach to treatment. It is necessary to determine if
the disorder can be managed by medical treatment enough to keep the dog comfortable. If so, aspirin is probably the best
choice for initial medical treatment. Aspirin/codeine combinations, phenylbutazone, glycosaminoglycosans and corticosteroids
may be more beneficial or necessary for some dogs. It is important to use appropriate dosages and to monitor the progress of
any dog on non-steroidal or steroidal anti-inflammatory medications due to the increased risk of side effects to these
medications in dogs. If medical treatment is insufficient then surgical repair is possible.
The best surgical treatment for hip dypslasia is total hip replacement. By removing the damaged acetabulum and femoral head
and replacing them with artificial joint components, pain is nearly eliminated. This procedure is expensive but it is very effective
and should be the first choice for treatment of severe hip dyplasia whenever possible. In some cases, this surgery may be
beyond a pet owner's financial resources. An alternative surgery is femoral head ostectomy. In this procedure, the femoral
head (ball part of the hip joint) is simply removed. This eliminates most of the bone to bone contact and can reduce the pain
substantially. Not all dogs do well following FHO surgery and it should be considered a clear "second choice".
Hip dysplasia may not ever be eliminated by programs designed to detect it early unless some effort is made to publish the
results of diagnostic tests such as the OFA evaluation or PennHIP evaluations, openly. This is the only way that breeders will
be able to tell for certain what the problems have been with hip dysplasia in a dog's ancestry.
When an older dog is exhibiting signs of pain associated with this condition it is often possible to help them dramatically
through medication and simple steps like providing a warm bed or warm spot to rest during the day. There is no advantage to
pain and steps should be taken to ensure that the older dog is not in pain. Regular exercise can be very helpful and weight
loss can have dramatic effects on the amount of discomfort a dog experiences.
Working with your vet to come to the best solution for your dog and your situation will enable you and your dog to enjoy life to
its fullest, despite the presence of hip dysplasia.
Mike Richards, DVM
then to return when arthritic changes become obvious.
Dogs with hip dysplasia appear to be born with normal hips and then to develop the disease later. This has led to a lot of dogs
with the genetic tendency will develop clinical signs and the degree of hip dysplasia which develops does not alway seem to
correlate well with expectations based on the parent's condition. Multiple genetic factors are involved and environmental factors
also play a role in determining the degree of hip dysplasia. Dogs with no genetic predisposition do not develop hip dysplasia.
At present, the strongest link to contributing factors other than genetic predisposition appears to be to rapid growth and weight
gain. In a recent study done in Labrador retrievers a significant reduction in the development of clinical hip dysplasia occurred
in a group of puppies fed 25% less than a control group which was allowed to eat free choice. It is likely that the laxity in the hip
joints is aggravated by the rapid weight gain.
If feeding practices are altered to reduce hip dysplasia in a litter of puppies, it is probably best to use a puppy food and feed
smaller quantities than to switch to an adult dog food. The calcium/phosphorous to calorie ratios in adult dog food are such
that the puppy will usually end up with higher than desired total calcium or phosphorous intake by eating an adult food. This
occurs because more of these foods are necessary to meet the caloric needs of puppies, even when feeding to keep the
puppy thin.
If clinical signs of hip dysplasia occur in young dogs, such as lameness, difficulty standing or walking after getting up,
decreased activity or a bunny-hop gait, it is often possible to help them medically or surgically. X-ray confirmation of the
presence of hip dysplasia prior to treatment is necessary. There are two techniques currently used to detect hip dysplasia, the
standard view used in Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) testing and X-rays (radiographs) utilizing a device to
exaggerate joint laxity developed by the University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program (PennHIP). The Penn Hip
radiographs appear to be a better method for judging hip dysplasia early in puppies, with one study showing good predictability
for hip dysplasia in puppies exhibiting joint laxity at 4 months of age, based on PennHIP radiographs.
Once a determination is made that hip dysplasia is present, a treatment plan is necessary. For dogs that exhibit clinical signs at
less than a year of age, aggressive treatment may help alleviate later suffering. In the past a surgery known as a pectineal
myotomy was advocated but more recent evidence suggests that it is an ineffective surgical procedure. However,
administration of glycosaminoglycans (Adequan Rx) may help to decrease the severity of arthritis that develops later in life.
Surgical reconstruction of the hip joint (triple pelvic osteotomy) is helpful if done during the growth stages. For puppies with
clinical signs at a young age, this surgery should be strongly considered. It has a high success rate when done at the proper
time.
Dogs that exhibit clinical signs after the growth phase require a different approach to treatment. It is necessary to determine if
the disorder can be managed by medical treatment enough to keep the dog comfortable. If so, aspirin is probably the best
choice for initial medical treatment. Aspirin/codeine combinations, phenylbutazone, glycosaminoglycosans and corticosteroids
may be more beneficial or necessary for some dogs. It is important to use appropriate dosages and to monitor the progress of
any dog on non-steroidal or steroidal anti-inflammatory medications due to the increased risk of side effects to these
medications in dogs. If medical treatment is insufficient then surgical repair is possible.
The best surgical treatment for hip dypslasia is total hip replacement. By removing the damaged acetabulum and femoral head
and replacing them with artificial joint components, pain is nearly eliminated. This procedure is expensive but it is very effective
and should be the first choice for treatment of severe hip dyplasia whenever possible. In some cases, this surgery may be
beyond a pet owner's financial resources. An alternative surgery is femoral head ostectomy. In this procedure, the femoral
head (ball part of the hip joint) is simply removed. This eliminates most of the bone to bone contact and can reduce the pain
substantially. Not all dogs do well following FHO surgery and it should be considered a clear "second choice".
Hip dysplasia may not ever be eliminated by programs designed to detect it early unless some effort is made to publish the
results of diagnostic tests such as the OFA evaluation or PennHIP evaluations, openly. This is the only way that breeders will
be able to tell for certain what the problems have been with hip dysplasia in a dog's ancestry.
When an older dog is exhibiting signs of pain associated with this condition it is often possible to help them dramatically
through medication and simple steps like providing a warm bed or warm spot to rest during the day. There is no advantage to
pain and steps should be taken to ensure that the older dog is not in pain. Regular exercise can be very helpful and weight
loss can have dramatic effects on the amount of discomfort a dog experiences.
Working with your vet to come to the best solution for your dog and your situation will enable you and your dog to enjoy life to
its fullest, despite the presence of hip dysplasia.
Mike Richards, DVM