Todayโs path rounds are on ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ ๐๐ฒ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐ฌ๐ข๐!
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
๐๐ข๐ฉ ๐๐ฒ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ is an extremely common condition in large and giant breed dogs, and results in ๐ฅ๐๐ฑ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ (looseness) of the hip joints.
๐๐ก๐จ ๐ ๐๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
As mentioned, we most commonly see this condition in large and giant breed dogs. Typically, this disease first begins to cause issues around 1 year of age.
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
Hip dysplasia is considered to have a ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ญ๐ข๐๐๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐ฉ๐๐ญ๐ก๐จ๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ฌ, meaning it occurs based on the interplay of several different factors. In general, the disease is considered to be ๐ข๐ง๐ก๐๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐๐, with the severity of the disease being modified by different environmental factors as the puppy grows. Known contributing factors to this disease include excessive growth, increased exercise and nutritional imbalances.
๐๐ก๐ฒ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฆ?
The exact biomechanical cause of hip dysplasia varies between animals, however the ultimate result is joint laxity. Typically, this laxity is due to a flattened ๐๐๐๐ญ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ฆ (the divot in the pelvis) that is inadequately covering the ๐๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ซ๐๐ฅ ๐ก๐๐๐ (the part of the femur that fits into the pelvis). Over time, the body responds to the joint laxity by depositing new bone in the area, in a desperate attempt to try and stabilize the joint. This causes ๐๐๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐ฃ๐จ๐ข๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐๐๐ฌ๐, where the joint is on a slippery slope to developing severe arthritis that is extremely painful for the animal. Ultimately, this causes lameness and pain during motion of the joint.
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐ง๐จ๐ฌ๐๐?
X-rays are the standard for diagnosis, as it allows for evaluation of the bony structures and any new bone that has been deposited. Standardized X-ray procedures can be used to identify puppies at risk of developing hip dysplasia, by looking at the degree of coverage of the acetabulum around the femoral head.
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐๐?
There are two main treatment options: medical and surgical. For dogs with less severe lameness, medical management can be successful. Usually this involves long term pain control, weight loss and physiotherapy. For more severe cases, surgical options are available, including ๐ญ๐จ๐ญ๐๐ฅ ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ ๐ซ๐๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ.
๐๐ก๐จ๐ญ๐จ๐ฌ
1) An X-ray of a young puppy with hip dysplasia. Notice how the acetabulum doesnโt cover the head of the femur very well!
2) An older dog who has developed arthritis from hip dysplasia. Note the bony proliferation!
3) A dog with a total hip replacement, shown on the right. You can also see signs of arthritis in the hip on the left.
4) A normal dog to compare with the other X-rays!
5-6) Examples of what that bony proliferation looks like at necropsy.
๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ
Maxie, G. Jubb, Kennedy and Palmerโs Pathology of Domestic Animals, Volume 1. Sixth Edition.
Harari J. Hip Dysplasia in Dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual, 2022.
Photos 1-4 ยฉ Wikimedia Commons contributor Joelmills licensed under CC 3.0 International.
Photos 5-6 ยฉ Noahโs Arkive contributors Ward, Jakowski licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
