Is There A Surgery for Hip Dysplasia in Dogs

Hip Dysplasia Is Treatable

So, your dog has been diagnosed with hip dysplasia. Even though there is no cure for hip dysplasia in dogs there are some treatments that can be effective. These treatments can provide pain relief for your pet and living an active life too. These treatments can prevent further damage in puppies and make life easier for adult dogs. However, the most basic treatment you can do for your dog is maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine.

Below, we will try to answer some of the basic questions dog owners have concerning hip dysplasia.

Hip Dysplasia Video

This is an excellent video that presents information about hip dysplasia in dogs and all the surgeries available to pet owners and their approximate costs. It is worth your time looking as this video, especially if your dog breed has a history of hip dysplasia.

What Are The Types of Surgery For Hip Dysplasia?

For your dog to have surgery for hip dysplasia he must have a severe case and be a candidate for surgery. There are two types of treatment; surgical and non-surgical. Let’s review both of these options.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options

Canine Normal Hip Joint

Canine Normal Hip Joint

Your veterinarian may recommend any of the following non-surgical treatments for a non-severe case of hip dysplasia.

  • Weight Reduction (reduces stress off hips)
  • Exercise Restriction
  • Physical Therapy
  • Joint Supplements
  • Anti-Inflammatory Medications
  • Joint Fluid Modifiers

Your vet will probably give you some suggestions as to which of the above treatments are best for your dog.

Surgical Treatment Options

If your dog should qualify for surgery, your vet may prescribe any of the following surgeries:

  • Double or Triple Pelvic Osteotomy (DPO/TPO)
  • Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO)
  • Total Hip Replacement (THR)
  • Juvenile Public Symphsyiodesis (JPS)

Each of these options are explained below. The descriptions below are from the American Kennel Club.

DPO/TPO

DPO/TPO surgery is usually performed in young dogs less than 10 months old. In this surgery, the function of the ball and socket joint is improved by selectively cutting the pelvic bone and rotating the segments.

FHO

FHO surgery can be performed on young and mature dogs. The surgery involves cutting off the femoral head, or “ball,” of the hip joint. This results in the body creating a “false” joint that reduces the discomfort associated with hip dysplasia. While FHO does not recreate normal hip function, it can be a successful pain management strategy.

THR

The most effective surgical treatment for hip dysplasia in dogs is a total hip replacement (THR). The surgeon replaces the entire joint with metal and plastic implants. This returns hip function to a more normal range and eliminating most of the discomfort associated with hip dysplasia.

JPS Surgery

This surgery can be performed as early as 14 to 16 weeks old and no later than 20 weeks old. This is a short window of opportunity. The public growth plate is cauterized to stop growth at the bottom of the pelvis. The top of the pelvis continues to grow allowing the acetabulum to better cover the femoral head. In 85 to 90% of cases, these dogs will have little or no arthritis in later life. Check with your vet for the clinic that performs this type of surgery near you.

As you can see, these are options that are available for you to choose from if your dog should be diagnosed with hip dysplasia and is a candidate for surgery.

How Long Do Dogs Live with Hip Dysplasia?

Most dogs can live comfortably well into their golden years with hip dysplasia. If your dog is over 7 years old, he may need some additional support as they get older. You vet can be very helpful in this area.

If your dog receives treatment and is well taken care of at home, he should go on to lead a full active life. Your vet can help you with specific treatments you can do for your dog to help ease the condition. Some of these non-surgical treatments were mentioned above.

You can also shorten your dog’s life by feeding him too much thereby gaining weight and becomes obese. Obesity plays a vital role in increasing his hip dysplasia condition. You want to control his weight gain especially if your dog breed has a heredity condition of hip dysplasia.

What Happens If Hip Dysplasia is Left Untreated?

If hip dysplasia is left untreated, dogs develop osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease or DJD) or arthritis. Some of the common signs of hip dysplasia are hind limb lameness, pain, and muscle wasting or atrophy.

It will also cause the disease to worsen over time. Osteoarthritis is a progressively worsening inflammation of the joint caused by the deterioration of cartilage.

If you should suspect your dog has hip dysplasia, contact your vet right away. If your suspicions are accurate, preventive treatment can be done. The earlier it is detected, the better.

How Can I Slow Dow My Dog’s Hip Dysplasia?

Since there is no cure for a dog’s hip dysplasia, all you can do are treatments that are recommended by your vet. These treatments can help slow the condition so it doesn’t get worse. Report to your vet any changes your dog may show while performing the treatments.

Some decisions you can are; provide an orthopedic dog bed, healthy food, control his weight, and exercise that the vet recommends your pet can do. Doing these will go a long way in helping your dog cope with hip dysplasia.

By slowing your puppy’s growth rate, and bone growth rate, you can reduce his chances of hip dysplasia by 30 to 40 percent. This means feeding him only puppy food especially made for his breed. Also, limit his strenuous exercise activity for the first year of life.

What Is Best for Dogs with Hip Dysplasia?

You can give your dog some joint support supplements. If you are going this route, here are some key points to look for: ingredient safety, effectiveness, and value. Some of these supplements come with huge price tags. Some of the supplements do not require a vet’s subscription as they are over-the-counter medications.

If your dog does suffer joint pain providing them supplements can bring some lasting relief.

Finally, you can check with your vet to determine if the joint supplement is on his recommended medication list.

Benefits of Joint Support Supplements

Look for quality joint supplements that contain ingredients glucosamine, MSM, or chondroitin that are essential component of canine joint care. They provide nutrients to bring pain relief, improved flexibility, reduced inflammation, and strengthened cartilage and joints.

Quality joint supplements that contain ingredients like glucosamine, MSM, or chondroitin are an essential component of canine joint care, providing nutrients to bring natural pain relief as well as improved flexibility, reduced inflammation, and strengthened cartilage and joints.

  • Relieves Joint Discomfort & Stiffness
  • Supports Strength & Flexibility
  • Enhanced Joint & Bone Health
  • Promotes a More Active Lifestyle

Check out our supplement picks in the shop section below.

 How does A dog With Hip Dysplasia Walk?

If your dog has hip dysplasia you should see him shortening the length of their stride of the hind limbs when walking. This is to reduce the pain. Also it places stress on other parts of the body like the spine.

You should notice your dog having a difficult time in walking and placing weight on their hindquarters. Water exercises make for ideal cardio choice for pets suffering from hip dysplasia. The water buoyancy lifts up your dog so no significant pressure is placed on their hips. Many dogs will find the water to be soothing.

Finally, hip dysplasia can lead to delayed walking or other walking issues. That’s because a dislocated hip can cause pain that is worse during weight-bearing.

Can Hip Dysplasia Correct Itself In Dogs?

Unfortunately, the answer is no. Once a dog has been diagnosed with hip dysplasia, there is no way to correct it. As we mentioned above, there is currently no cure of hip dysplasia in dogs. The only solutions are surgical or non-surgical treatments. These treatments help to ease the pain, but do not get rid of the disease. There are some medications you can give your dog as well. Your vet will recommend which ones are best.

Common Symptoms of Hip Dysplasia

 To assist you in identifying if your pet has hip dysplasia, here are some of the most common symptoms. You should be able to observe these and they are mentioned below:

  • Decreased Activity
  • Decreased Range of Motion
  • Difficulty or Reluctance Rising, Jumping, Running, or Climbing Stairs
  • Lameness in the Hind End
  • Swaying, “Bunny Hopping” Gait
  • Grating in the Joint During Movement
  • Loss of Thigh Muscle Mass

If you your observe any of these symptoms, contact your vet right away. The sooner your pet is diagnosed with the disease, treatment can begin right away.

Conclusion

There you have it. Lots of information to take away concerning hip dysplasia in dogs. As a pet owner, you owe it to your pet to make his life easier especially if he has been diagnosed with the disease. We shared valuable information that you can use for your dog using non-surgical treatments.

We shared some of the symptoms you dog may exhibit so you can take the appropriate action.

We shared some of the surgeries that can be done for dogs that suffer from dysplasia. The bottom line is; what is best for your dog and can you afford it? Only you can answer that question.

Our main purpose was to inform you about hip dysplasia and I think we made an excellent presentation about the subject.

Finally, you must decide what is best for your dog. Ultimately, you have the final say in the matter. Now, you know what you can and cannot do if your dog has hip dysplasia.

Shop Dog Joint Supplements

Our recommended supplement picks are below. You will be sent to Amazon where you can place the order.

Extend Joint Care Supplement
PupGrade Joint Support

 
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