Hip Dysplasia in Dogs

Hip dysplasia in dogs is a genetic disease, common in the Weimaraner. Canine hip dysplasia is most common in large dog breeds, and it is associated with canine arthritis.

In some cases, dog hip dysplasia is preventable...

Without getting too technical, here we will discuss canine hip dysplasia symptoms, prevention, and treatment.

What is Dog Hip Dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia in dogs, also referred to as CHD, is a degenerative joint disease caused by genetic and environmental factors. Without getting into all the technical terms, it is easy to understand what dog hip dysplasia is simply by looking at these illustrations.

Normal Hip Joint	Dysplastic Hip Joint

In the illustration of a normal hip joint, you can see how the femur and pelvic bones fit nicely together, like a puzzle. In the illustration of a dysplastic hip joint the femur and pelvic bones do not fit together. This results in wear and tear on the bones which turns into arthritis and can be painful.

Hip dysplasia in dogs can be present in any breed, of any age, and in varying degrees of severity. It is more common in larger breeds and in dogs older than 7 years.

Symptoms of CHD

Canine Hip Dysplasia symptoms are very similar to those of arthritis. Keep an eye out for the obvious symptoms:

• Limping
• Bunny-hopping (legs moving together when running rather than swinging alternately)
• Difficulty getting up
• Reluctant to stand on rear legs, jump up, or climb stairs
• Loss of muscle tone
• Stiffness/pain/discomfort after exercise

Treatment of CHD

If you suspect that your dog is showing signs of this disease please talk to your Veterinarian about dog hip dysplasia treatment options. There are many drugs available that could help reduce pain and inflammation. There are also various surgical procedures that could be done which depend on the dog's age and severity of the bone degeneration.

Weight management plays an important role as well. An overweight dog will have even more stress on its joints which will contribute to more pain/discomfort. If your dog is overweight try reducing the amount of treats, make sure you are feeding the recommended amount of food at meal times, and exercise your dog regularly (walks are ok…you don’t have to be a marathon runner to get your dog to lose weight).

Daily exercise is important to maintain a good range of motion as well as muscle tone. Low-impact exercises such as walking or swimming can be good for your dog. But too much exercise can be harmful. You might want to consult with your Vet to find an appropriate exercise routine for your Weimaraner.

Tips to Help Make Your Dog’s Life Easier:

• If your Weimaraner dog has trouble going up and down stairs or getting in and out of the car, consider buying or building a ramp to make it easier for him/her.
• Cold weather tends to worsen the pain of arthritis. Keep your pet warm by adjusting the temperature in your home or providing a blanket or sweater.
• Provide an orthopedic bed for your Weim to relax on. A firm/supportive bed should evenly distribute the weight of your dog which will reduce the stress on his/her joints.
• You can massage your dog to help relax his/her sore muscles.

Prevention of Canine Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia in dogs is primarily a genetic disease, so there isn’t much that can be done to prevent it. As with any genetic disease, the best way to reduce occurrence is by selective breeding.

Ethical Weimaraner breeders will have OFA or PennHip certifications to prove their dogs do not have congenital hip dysplasia. If you are buying a Weimaraner puppy be sure to ask the breeder to provide copies of the OFA certificates for the puppy’s parents.

OFFA.org (the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) is an excellent resource for more information on dog hip dysplasia. They are a non-profit organization founded in 1966 with the purpose of limiting the disease of hip dysplasia in dogs. Their mission is to provide radiographic evaluation, data management, and genetic counseling for canine hip dysplasia.

PennHIP.org (the University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program) is another non-profit whose method of evaluation of hip dysplasia in dogs is certifiable.

Hip Dysplasia in Dogs to Common Dog Health Problems

Hip Dysplasia in Dogs to Weimaraner Puppies