Hip dysplasia is one of the most common and most studied skeletal conditions in dogs. It affects millions of dogs worldwide — particularly large and giant breeds — and is a leading cause of hind limb pain, mobility loss, and reduced quality of life. Despite being a lifelong condition, hip dysplasia is highly manageable with appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

If your dog is showing signs of hind limb stiffness, difficulty rising, or reluctance to exercise, contact Walker Lake Veterinary Centre at (587) 786-6771 for an assessment.

Hip dysplasia does not always cause obvious symptoms in puppies. Many dogs develop signs gradually as the secondary arthritis progresses — making regular wellness examinations important for early detection in predisposed breeds.

What Is Hip Dysplasia?

The hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint — the rounded head of the femur (thigh bone) sits within the acetabulum (socket) of the pelvis. In a normal hip joint, these two structures fit together snugly, allowing smooth, stable movement through a full range of motion.

In hip dysplasia, the joint does not develop correctly. The femoral head and acetabulum are poorly matched in shape and size, resulting in a loose, unstable joint. This abnormal joint laxity causes the femoral head to move excessively within the socket, producing abnormal wear on the joint surfaces, inflammation, and pain.

Over time, the body attempts to stabilise the loose joint by producing new bone around the joint margins — a process called remodelling. While this stabilises the joint to some degree, the new bone formation (osteophytes) contributes to osteoarthritis — the progressive, painful joint disease that causes the chronic signs seen in affected dogs.

Hip dysplasia is a developmental condition — it develops as the puppy grows. It is not present at birth but develops during the rapid growth phase, typically becoming apparent between 4 and 12 months of age in severely affected dogs, or not until middle age when the arthritis becomes significant in mildly affected dogs.

Which Dogs Are Most Affected?

Large and Giant Breeds

Hip dysplasia is predominantly a disease of large and giant breeds, though it can affect any breed including small dogs. The highest prevalence is seen in:

German Shepherds
Labrador Retrievers
Golden Retrievers
Rottweilers
Great Danes
Saint Bernards
Bernese Mountain Dogs
Mastiffs
Bulldogs and French Bulldogs

Genetic Influence

Hip dysplasia has a significant hereditary component. Dogs with affected parents are at higher risk. Responsible breeding programmes use hip scoring schemes — such as the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) scheme in North America — to assess breeding dogs and reduce the prevalence of hip dysplasia in subsequent generations.

However, genetics is not the only factor. Rapid growth rate, excessive body weight, and certain nutritional imbalances during development all influence whether a genetically predisposed dog develops clinical disease.

Factors That Influence Development

Rapid growth — large breed puppies fed high-calorie diets that promote excessive growth rate develop more severe hip dysplasia
Obesity — excess body weight during development and throughout life significantly worsens hip dysplasia
Overexercise during puppyhood — high-impact exercise on developing joints
Nutritional imbalances — excessive calcium supplementation in puppies disrupts normal bone development

Signs and Symptoms of Hip Dysplasia

The signs of hip dysplasia vary considerably depending on the dog’s age, the severity of joint laxity, and the degree of secondary arthritis present.

Signs in Young Dogs (4–18 Months)

Young dogs with significant hip dysplasia show signs related to joint laxity and inflammation rather than established arthritis.

Hind limb lameness — often worse after exercise and improving briefly with rest before worsening again
Bunny hopping gait — using both hind legs together when running rather than alternating
Difficulty rising from a lying position
Reluctance to climb stairs, jump, or run
Swaying or rolling gait
Reduced muscle mass in the hindquarters compared to the front end
Audible clicking from the hip joint in some cases

Signs in Adult and Senior Dogs (Arthritis Phase)

In older dogs, the signs are primarily those of chronic hip osteoarthritis.

Progressive hind limb stiffness — particularly after rest
Difficulty rising — taking several steps to warm up before moving normally
Reduced exercise tolerance and willingness
Muscle atrophy (wasting) of the hindquarters — the hips appear narrow compared to the chest
Obvious lameness on one or both hind legs
Behaviour changes — reduced activity, irritability, reluctance to be touched around the hips
In severe cases — inability to rise without assistance

It is very common for hip dysplasia to affect both hips — bilateral hip dysplasia. When both sides are similarly affected, dogs may not show an obvious limp on one particular leg. Instead they appear generally stiff, reluctant to exercise, and slow to rise — signs that owners often attribute to normal ageing rather than a treatable condition.

Diagnosing Hip Dysplasia

Physical and Orthopaedic Examination

The veterinarian assesses gait, muscle symmetry, range of motion of the hip joints, and the presence of pain on joint manipulation. The Ortolani test — a specific manipulation that detects hip laxity in young dogs — is a useful clinical tool for identifying loose hips in puppies and young adults.

Radiography (X-Rays)

X-rays are the definitive diagnostic tool for hip dysplasia. Radiographs are taken under sedation or anaesthesia to ensure complete muscle relaxation and correct positioning — essential for accurate assessment.

X-rays reveal the degree of joint laxity, the fit between the femoral head and acetabulum, and the extent of secondary osteoarthritis — new bone formation, joint space changes, and femoral head remodelling.

Hip dysplasia is graded based on X-ray appearance — from mild (minimal joint laxity, minimal arthritis) to severe (significant joint incongruity, advanced arthritis, femoral head deformation).

Advanced Imaging

In some cases — particularly when surgical planning is required — CT scanning provides more detailed three-dimensional information about joint anatomy than standard X-rays.

Treating Hip Dysplasia

Treatment depends on the dog’s age, the severity of the disease, the degree of pain, and the owner’s preferences regarding medical versus surgical management.

Medical (Conservative) Management

For many dogs — particularly those with mild to moderate hip dysplasia, older dogs with established arthritis, or dogs whose owners prefer non-surgical management — a comprehensive medical management programme is effective at maintaining comfort and quality of life.

Weight Management

The single most impactful intervention for any dog with hip dysplasia. Reducing body weight reduces the mechanical load on painful, poorly formed joints. Even a 10 to 15% reduction in body weight in an overweight dog can dramatically improve mobility and reduce pain medication requirements.

Exercise Management

Controlled, low-impact exercise maintains muscle strength — particularly of the hindquarter muscles that support the hip joint — without overloading the joint. Short, frequent leash walks are preferable to occasional long or high-impact exercise. Swimming and hydrotherapy are ideal for maintaining fitness without joint stress.

Avoid high-impact activities — jumping, running on hard surfaces, sudden changes of direction, rough play with other dogs.

Pain Management

NSAIDs — non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the cornerstone of pain management for hip dysplasia. They reduce inflammation and provide meaningful pain relief. Long-term NSAID use requires regular bloodwork monitoring to assess kidney and liver function
Gabapentin — an adjunct pain medication useful for neuropathic pain and as an addition to NSAIDs for more severe chronic pain
Adequan (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan) — an injectable joint support medication that may slow cartilage degradation and reduce inflammation in the joint

Joint Supplements

Glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega-3 fatty acids support joint health and have anti-inflammatory properties. While not replacements for prescription pain medication in moderate to severe cases, they form a useful component of a comprehensive management plan.

Physiotherapy and Hydrotherapy

Physiotherapy improves muscle strength, range of motion, and body condition. Hydrotherapy — swimming or underwater treadmill exercise — provides significant fitness and muscle-building benefits without the impact stress of land exercise. These modalities are increasingly recognised as valuable adjuncts to medical management.

Surgical Treatment

Surgery offers the potential for more significant long-term improvement than medical management alone — particularly in young dogs with joint laxity before arthritis has developed, and in dogs with severe disease not adequately controlled by medical management.

Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis (JPS)

Performed in puppies under 20 weeks of age before hip dysplasia has fully developed. A minimally invasive procedure that alters pelvic development to improve hip joint coverage. Only suitable for very young puppies identified through early screening.

Triple or Double Pelvic Osteotomy (TPO/DPO)

Performed in young dogs — typically under 18 months — before significant arthritis has developed. The pelvis is cut in two or three places and rotated to improve the coverage of the femoral head by the acetabulum. Highly effective in appropriately selected candidates — young dogs with significant hip laxity but minimal arthritis.

Femoral Head and Neck Ostectomy (FHO)

The femoral head and neck are surgically removed, eliminating the painful bone-on-bone contact. A fibrous pseudo-joint forms in its place. Most appropriate for smaller dogs — generally under 20kg — where the pseudo-joint provides adequate function. Results in larger dogs are less predictable.

Total Hip Replacement (THR)

The gold standard surgical treatment for hip dysplasia. The entire hip joint is replaced with a prosthetic implant, restoring normal joint mechanics and eliminating the source of pain entirely. THR provides the best long-term outcomes of any surgical option — most dogs return to full function.

THR is a specialist procedure performed at referral centres. It is appropriate for dogs of sufficient size — generally over 15 to 20kg — with significant hip dysplasia not adequately managed medically.

If your dog is showing signs of hip pain or stiffness, book an appointment at Walker Lake Veterinary Centre. We can assess your dog, take X-rays, and discuss the most appropriate management plan. Call (587) 786-6771 or book online. Located at 5109 22 Avenue SW, Southwest Edmonton.

Living With a Dog With Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a lifelong condition — but with appropriate management, most affected dogs live comfortable, fulfilling lives. The keys to long-term success are:

Maintaining lean body weight throughout the dog’s life
Consistent low-impact exercise to maintain muscle mass
Regular veterinary monitoring and pain assessment
Adjusting pain medication as the disease progresses
Providing a comfortable sleeping area — orthopedic beds reduce pressure on painful joints
Ramps or steps to help dogs access furniture or vehicles without jumping
Non-slip flooring — many dogs with hip dysplasia struggle on slippery surfaces
Regular physiotherapy where available and appropriate

Book an Appointment at Walker Lake Veterinary Centre

Walker Lake Veterinary Centre provides orthopaedic examination, hip X-rays, pain management, and comprehensive care for dogs with hip dysplasia across Walker Lake, Summerside, Ellerslie, Heritage Valley, and Southwest Edmonton.

Call us at (587) 786-6771 or book online. We are located at 5109 22 Avenue SW, Edmonton.

Clinic hours:

Monday, Tuesday & Thursday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday & Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age does hip dysplasia show up in dogs?

Signs can appear as early as 4 months in severely affected puppies, but many dogs do not show obvious clinical signs until the secondary arthritis develops — often between 1 and 2 years of age in large breeds, or not until middle age in dogs with milder joint laxity. Regular wellness examinations in predisposed breeds allow earlier detection.

Can hip dysplasia be prevented?

The hereditary component cannot be fully prevented, but the severity of clinical disease can be significantly influenced by management during development. Keeping large breed puppies lean, feeding an appropriate large breed puppy diet, avoiding excessive high-impact exercise during growth, and avoiding calcium supplementation all reduce the risk of severe disease in genetically predisposed dogs.

Is hip dysplasia painful for dogs?

Yes — particularly during the joint laxity phase in young dogs and the arthritis phase in older dogs. The degree of pain varies considerably between individuals. Some dogs with radiographically severe hip dysplasia show surprisingly few clinical signs, while others with milder changes show significant discomfort. Pain assessment by a veterinarian is more reliable than radiograph appearance alone.

My older dog has been diagnosed with hip dysplasia — is surgery still an option?

Total hip replacement is appropriate for dogs of any age provided they are otherwise healthy enough for anaesthesia. For older dogs with established arthritis, medical management is often the preferred initial approach — with surgery considered if medical management does not provide adequate quality of life. FHO is also an option for older smaller dogs. Discuss the options with your veterinarian based on your individual dog’s situation.

How do I know if my dog’s hip dysplasia is getting worse?

Signs of progression include increased stiffness, greater difficulty rising, reduced willingness to exercise, muscle wasting that progresses over months, and reduced response to pain medication that previously provided good control. Regular veterinary assessments — every 6 to 12 months for dogs on long-term management — allow objective monitoring of progression and timely adjustment of the management plan.