Information on HIP DYSPLASIA-Treatment and Medication

The abnormal growth of your dog’s hips, or hip dysplasia‚ will often lead to dog arthritis in later years. This condition is widespread in dogs of larger breeds such as Rottweilers, Great Danes and German Shepherds and is best treated when they are young because there is no cure for arthritis once it has taken hold.

Hip dysplasia occurs when the ball and joint connection of the hip separates due to an abnormality in the ball and joint structure and the laxity of the joint muscles, connective tissues and ligaments. Genetics, obesity, rapid growth and over exercise are factors that increase your dog’s risk of developing this condition.

While the condition can start in a dog’s early years, most dogs are able to go about their activities without showing signs of pain until arthritis sets in. Some dogs may limp, run or move differently or avoid extending the rear legs, most owners may mistake these as normal signs of aging.

This is a less invasive option that must be done before the dog reaches 5 months of age and before arthritis sets in. In this procedure, two pelvic bones are fused together to allow the other pelvic bones to grow normally. This changes the angle of the hips and improves the movement of the joint, lessening the likelihood of developing dog arthritis.

In TPO, a specialist surgeon will realign the hip socket so that it will properly cover the ball of the joint. TPO is a major surgical procedure that has high success rates in preventing arthritis for young animals usually less than 10 months of age.

For older dogs with some signs of joint degeneration, this procedure is often resorted to as a way to salvage the joint by removing the femoral head or ball portion of the joint and the femoral neck to form a scar tissue that allows the joint to function without causing pain. Small dogs weighing less than 20 pounds are ideal candidates for FHO.

This procedure, which must be done by a specialist surgeon, involves the removal of the hip joint and replacing it with an artificial one or prosthesis. THP works well for older and bigger dogs with chronic hip dysplasia but which don’t qualify for FHO.

A fairly new and controversial bone grafting procedure. This procedure rebuilds portions of the dog hip (dorsal acetabular rim) using bone grafts, but the long term results are unclear. A specialist is required for this surgery.

Non-surgical treatments for dog arthritis resulting from hip dysplasia is still possible using a multi modal treatment plan which combines: