Hip dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a painful, crippling orthopedic disease. It’s usually caused by sloppy breeding of two parents prone to the disease.

Larger breeds most often suffer from hip dysplasia, but smaller breeds also are susceptible.

Hip dysplasia occurs in the “ball and socket” joint when the “ball” does not fit tight in the “socket.”

That poor fit then causes friction, inflammation, cartilage damage, and pain. The condition often causes crippling arthritis.

The disease is labeled as acute and chronic. Acute or early-onset is seen in young dogs and is marked by severe pain and limited mobility. Chronic is diagnosed in older dogs. But it also can appear in dogs less than a year old. The condition is painful and limits the dog’s range of motion and has caused arthritis to set in.

Surgery often can help correct the condition.

Warning signs: lameness or limping after exercise or walks, waddling or swaying gait, difficulty standing up, stiffness especially on cold, damp days, moodiness, unenthusiastic to move, protective of the hip area, and decreased range of motion around hips. Being overweight adds extra pressure to the hips and can exacerbate the condition.

Breeds prone to hip dysplasia

Akita

Alaskan Malamute

Australian Shepherd

Beagle

Bearded Collie

Belgian Malinois

Bernese Mountain Dog

Border Collie

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Chow Chow

Dalmatian

Golden Retriever

Great Dane

German Shepherd

Keeshond

Komondor

Labrador Retriever

Pembroke Welsh Corgi