Hip dysplasia is the most commonly inherited orthopedic disease in dogs. Hip dysplasia in our companion dogs is prevalent, especially in the medium to giant breeds.Mixed breeds along with pure bred dogs can have this condition.Hip dysplasia means that the hip ball and socket aren’t or haven’t developed properly causing hip laxity or subluxation.This laxity is the abnormal movement of the femoral ball out of the hip socket.Ideally this ball and socket joint is tight.

The laxity (inappropriate movement) in the hip joint causes pain, dysfunction and arthritis.In some cases puppies are lame/limping as early as 9-12 weeks of age.Complaints by the owner are that the puppy is unable or unwilling to jump up or go up stairs, that the puppy has an abnormal gait in the hind limbs and/or that the puppy is in pain.Early detection of hip dysplasia is essential for lifelong decisions for the puppy and the owner.Diagnosis of dysplasia is determined through clinical signs of lameness, pain and with x-rays.Many puppies are hip guaranteed by the breeder so some puppies will go back to the breeder if hip dysplasia is detected early.Puppies as young as 16 weeks of age are candidates for surgical intervention that will slow the progression of the dysplasia.After 10 months of age these early surgical interventions aren’t recommended.If you have a puppy of any breed that will be medium to giant sized please ask your veterinarian about hip dysplasia.