FOR YOUR PeT CommonConditions (many are less than 1 year old), 1year but of age than any less (many are dogs young very affect can It . both or one affect can andand progressive painful is disease The Signs? the Are What of disease. the signs for early any screened by puppy been aveterinarian the has that (if parents do known) notthe have problems and sure make to , to predisposed be known apuppy, adopting is it if abreed that is especially pronebe or to when it.reason, purchasing For this of may dogs or breeds families certain that meaning to . leading on joint the tear , and wear causes looseness this out time, In of its socket. rotateeven partially of joint the may part jointthe “loose,” ball is the and from dysplasia, hip tightly.fit together suffering In dogs and socket” joint. In healthy dogs, the ball and socket and breed. any size dogs of affect can are particularly prone to hip dysplasia, but the disease ones, larger especially breeds, Certain exercise. and nutrition, weight gain, as such factors, by environmental debilitating arthritis. Its progression becan influenced to lead can jointand hip the of disorder mental develop­ inherited year. It of an each dogs is millions affects that disease apainful is hip dysplasia Canine Canine Hip Is Dysplasia? What • • • • • Canine Hip Dysplasia progression. disease slow sometimes can exercise regular and management weight of aprogram and recognition Early required. often is surgery but medically, treated be sometimes can dysplasia Hip predisposed. are breeds Certain factors. lifestyle by influenced be can that problem ahereditary is dysplasia hip Canine hip. the of joint socket” and “ball the affects It arthritis. debilitating to lead can that disease apainful is dysplasia hip Canine Canine hip dysplasia is an inherited problem, inherited an is hip dysplasia Canine hip joint the a“ball is dogs in humans, in Just as

including a in their breeding program: program: breeding their adog in including before one systems at of least these breeders use Responsible hip dysplasia. with dogs and/or diagnosing Two developed for been screening have also systems signs, physical examination, and radiographs (x A diagnosis of hip dysplasia is made based on clinical Diagnosis can be affected. Clinical signs include: signs Clinical affected. be can • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Breeds that are most commonly affected include: most affected commonly are that Breeds German The OFA System: System: OFA The Muscle atrophy (wasting) in the hip area the in Muscle atrophy (wasting) Lameness position or lying asitting in Discomfort out of vehicles and in getting or stairs climbing Difficulty hopping” a“bunny gait with Running exercise after or uponwaking lameness or Stiffness rising Difficulty Saint Bernard Saint Golden Great Dane Rottweiler retriever Labrador level activity Decreased has been in use since 1966, since developed a use in has been has The OFA’s database. registry which system, (OFA) amultibreed oversees for hip Animals The Orthopedic Foundation The Orthopedic - rays).

Common Conditions

standardized evaluation system and radiographic A proper diet that helps maintain an ideal weight, test to help breeders and owners assess the hip combined with a veterinarian-approved, regular exercise health of prospective parents as well as any puppies plan, can help slow the progression of hip dysplasia they may produce. Dogs must be 24 months for some dogs. In less severe cases, medical management of age or older to be included in the registry. can also include providing pain medications as needed • The PennHIP System: The PennHIP system, under veterinary supervision as well as administering which was developed at the University of oral or injectable joint supplements or medications. Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, has “Comfort care,” such as keeping dogs out of cold been in use since 1993. It uses a series of three weather and performing massage or physical therapy, radiographs to assess a “distraction index”—or can also help keep affected dogs comfortable and DI—for each dog. The greater the DI, the higher slow progression of the disease for as long as possible. the chances that the dog has or will develop hip In severe cases, surgery may be indicated. Surgical dysplasia. The PennHIP analysis can be performed options include surgery, reconstructing in puppies as young as 4 months of age. the hip joint, or removing the abnormal part of the joint and allowing the surrounding structures to Treatment form a “false joint” over time. Your veterinarian will Canine hip dysplasia is a serious, progressive disease, discuss the best methods of management with you and better outcomes are typically achieved when it and whether surgery is an option for your dog. is diagnosed as early as possible and management and treatment measures are initiated promptly. Risk NOTE: Canine hip dysplasia can be an expensive factors for the development of hip dysplasia in dogs disease to manage and/or treat. Before purchasing that are genetically prone to the disease include or adopting a puppy, be sure to find out the hip obesity and overfeeding large-breed puppies during “status” of the parents. If that is not possible, be growth phases. sure to have your puppy’s hips evaluated by your veterinarian as soon as possible. FOR YOUR PeT © 2011 Vetstreet Inc. Created and peer-reviewed by Vetlearn. Brought to you by Vetstreet. Vetlearn grants permission to individual veterinary clinics to print and distribute this handout for the purposes of client education. Posting on an external website without written permission from Vetlearn is a violation of copyright laws.