Recognizing Trouble: 5 Warning Signs of Hip Dysplasia in Dogs

As a dog owner, you want to make sure your pup’s health stays in peak condition so that the two of you can enjoy an abundance of happy, healthy years together. That’s why it’s so important to keep a close eye on any warning signs that may hint that your dog could be experiencing or developing any unwanted health condition, including dog hip dysplasia. By knowing the right symptoms to look out for, you can stay proactive in promoting the well-being of your canine companion and take the proper dog health measures and treatment options to seek professional help if necessary. Canine hip dysplasia is one dog health issue that owners of specific dog breeds should stay aware of. If left untreated, this condition can cause pain and lasting damage. But worry not: in this article, we’ll explain 5 of the biggest red flags that may signal moderate and severe hip dysplasia in old or young dogs and break down what you can do to prevent this condition and what treatment options you have.

What is Hip Dysplasia?

Canine hip dysplasia is a skeletal condition that negatively impacts the anatomy of a dog’s hip joint and hip function over time. You may already know that the hip joint is designed to function like a ball and socket, where the two parts of the joint work in tandem by sliding smoothly together. In a healthy hip joint, this cohesive function allows for a wide range of movements to be executed easily and comfortably so that your dog can bound around playing fetch, chasing squirrels, or getting their zoomies out without feeling any pain. But when a dog suffers from hip dysplasia, the ball and socket elements that make up their hip joint rub and grind unpleasantly against one another, resulting in hip function deterioration over time.¹ The medical condition hip dysplasia can afflict dogs of all shapes and sizes, but it’s known to show up most in large dog breeds such as:

• Labrador Retriever
• Golden Retriever
• Great Dane
• German Shepherd
• Rottweilers
• Saint Bernards

It’s also important to note that the abnormal anatomical development that results from severe hip dysplasia can lead to osteoarthritis—a progressive degenerative joint disease—down the road. Since dog arthritis has no known cure, it’s absolutely vital to practice early prevention by nipping dog hip dysplasia symptoms in the bud whenever they are noticed.² If a case of hip dysplasia worsens to the point of negatively impacting your dog’s quality of life on a severe level and causing degenerative joint disease, treatment option methods can include intensive processes such as:

• Physical therapy
• Medication
• Hip dysplasia surgery

For more moderate cases of hip dysplasia, veterinarians often recommend implementing simple lifestyle changes to help your dog maintain optimal health and get their paws back on the road to recovery. Read on to learn more about what specific factors can influence hip dysplasia, as well as the positive lifestyle shifts you can make to help relieve your dog’s hip pain.

What Causes Hip Dysplasia in Dogs?

Like many medical conditions that impact both humans and canines, the origins of hip dysplasia can be traced back to a mix of natural and environmental factors. In other words, multiple elements play into the development of this condition, two of the most notable being genetics and nutrition.³ You may not have the power to determine the hereditary traits your dog is born with, but you can control the food they consume and the level of physical activity they’re able to enjoy. By making these two factors top priorities in your pet care routine, you can give your dog the best shot at success when it comes to avoiding hip dysplasia:

• Nutrition – Just like humans need a variety of healthy foods to grow big and strong, dogs function best when their diets are well-rounded and abundant in nutrients. As such, nourishing your dog’s body with the right ingredients can help their bones and joints develop well and stay strong over time.
• Exercise – Obesity is a health issue that can exacerbate hip dysplasia in dogs.¹ To that end, making sure your dog enjoys a proper amount of regular physical activity is key to keeping them in good shape. However, overdoing exercise can lead to problems as well, so it’s important to strike a healthy balance that works best for your dog.

When you take good care of your dog’s body, it can serve them well for many years. Give your dog the helpful boost they need to remain in peak shape by nurturing their nutrition and upkeeping their exercise.

Signs of Hip Dysplasia in Dogs

Now that you understand more about the nature of canine hip dysplasia and what factors can instigate this condition, let’s shift our focus and take a look at five telltale symptoms of this joint issue. Dogs displaying the following behaviors may be suffering from a case of hip dysplasia:

1. Difficulty standing up – Stiffness is a trademark symptom of hip dysplasia. As such, simply rising off the floor can be a hassle for dogs with this condition.
2. Reluctance to jump – Dogs rely heavily on their hind legs when they want to jump. But without healthy joints to support them, a dog won’t be able to jump comfortably or to their full physical ability.
3. Hesitancy with climbing stairs – Ascending a staircase can be an intimidating prospect for a dog experiencing hip pain. If you observe that your dog is suddenly or gradually gaining a strange aversion to stairs, it might be a sign of underlying trouble.
4. Lameness in the hind legs – Weakened hip joints can lead to a dog developing an awkward gait as their back limbs struggle to work properly. Consequently, pets who are experiencing hip dysplasia sometimes develop enlarged shoulder muscles as their front limbs try to compensate for the weaker back legs.¹
5. Decreased activity levels – Dogs suffering from hip problems such as dysplasia may exhibit a lower range of motion than normal. If you notice that your dog seems particularly sluggish or limps when they attempt to engage in activity, this may be a sign that hip problems are causing them pain.

It’s important to address any of these warning signs as soon as they present themselves. Some long-term ramifications of untreated hip dysplasia in dogs can include⁴:

• Cartilage loss
• Scar tissue development
• Bone spur formation

When to Seek Help From a Veterinarian

If you notice one or more of the aforementioned signs of hip dysplasia in dogs manifesting in your own canine companion, it’s a good idea to seek a professional opinion. That way, you can take the guesswork out of your dog’s health and gain access to the answers you need to help your pet recover. Your vet will be able to determine if your pet falls under the diagnostic criteria of hip dysplasia by performing a physical examination. When in doubt, it’s always best to play it safe and take your dog to a qualified animal doctor.

The Role of Nutrition in Preventing Hip Dysplasia

Unbalanced nutrition and improper weight are two of the main factors known to contribute to the risk of canine hip dysplasia.¹ For this reason, one of the smartest steps you can take as a conscientious dog owner is to invest in your pet’s health and wellness with high-quality foods and supplements. But with so many options available to you, where do you start? Consider choosing one powerful, trusted supplement that supports bone, immune, joint, and cellular health (and more) all in one convenient formula—Vetericyn’s ALL-IN multifunctional dog supplement. Here at Vetericyn, our expert team developed our advanced ALL-IN supplement to provide dogs with all the vitamins, minerals, omegas, prebiotics, and probiotics they need to thrive. Plus, because our supplement is paired with a protein-based delivery system and features innovative absorption technology, you can be sure that your four-legged companion is nourished with the ideal amount of key nutrients they need for:

• Muscle support
• Bone and joint health
• Skin health
• Gut health
• Immune support

You can give this clinically proven, natural solution to your dog if you want to proactively encourage your pooch’s overall wellness. It’s available in formulas for dogs of all ages, and the supplements themselves can be ingested whole or crumbled over food. If you’re determined to maintain your dog’s health and vitality, Vetericyn’s ALL-IN supplement is a great place to start. For larger breeds that are at risk of joint and mobility issues, we recommend starting joint supplements as early as 3 months of age to give their joints and cartilage some much-needed additional support.

Promote Your Dog’s Hip Joint Health with Vetericyn

When handled improperly, canine hip dysplasia can lower a dog’s quality of life. But if the right steps are taken to bolster your dog’s joint health, you can set them up for success and years of running, fetching, jumping, and playing to their heart’s content. Ensuring that your dog lives the most healthy and comfortable life possible starts with optimizing their nutritional intake—and for that, Vetericyn is here to help. With our ALL-IN dog supplement, you can treat your puppy, adult, or senior dog to the nutrients they need for joint, bone, immune, cellular, and digestive health support.

Reviewed by C. Scott Van Winkle

Scott has been with Innovacyn for the past 11 years and has been working within the Burlingame portfolio of companies for the past 23 years. Scott brings a diverse background to Innovacyn. With an upbringing as the 5th generation on his families cattle ranch, Scott has a passion for animal health and the continuous improvement surrounding agricultural practices. Scott earned marketing and business management degrees from the University of Idaho and holds an Executive MBA from Pepperdine University.

Sources:

1. American Kennel Club. Hip dysplasia in dogs: causes, symptoms, and treatment. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/hip-dysplasia-in-dogs/
2. American Kennel Club. Osteoarthritis in dogs — signs and treatment. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/osteoarthritis-signs-treatment/
3. Texas A&M University. Canine hip dysplasia. https://vethospital.tamu.edu/small-animal/orthopedics/orthopedic-services/canine-hip-dysplasia/
4. American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Canine hip dysplasia. https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/canine-hip-dysplasia/