Signs of Hip Dysplasia in Dogs

Hip Dysplasia is a condition that is the result of malformation of the hip sockets. The severity of this condition can range from minor to severe, crippling the dog and leading to painful arthritis of the entire hind-end. This condition is often known to affect mainly large breeds of dog such as the Great Dane and St. Bernard. It can affect mid-sized breeds, but rarely happens in toy breeds of dog. There are several symptoms associated with this painful condition.

Hopping

The dog will use both of its hind legs together and run with a hopping motion, as opposed to moving them one after another. This is what usually occurs while the dog is trying to run or trot.

Sitting Sideways

The dog appears to sit lazily with its legs to the side, instead of tucked closely to its body. However, some dogs do this as a normal part of their behavior.

Limping

The dog appears to limp while it's walking, especially in the hind quarters. This is probably due to the pain associated with a hip condition such as Dysplasia.

Inactive Puppy

If your puppy is often inactive and doesn't appear to be as playful or rambunctious as normal puppies can be, this may be a sign or either Hip Dysplasia or some other serious issue. Ruling out Parvo, distemper and other puppy diseases can be the first step in diagnosing Hip Dysplasia in a young dog or pup.

Climbing

The dog will appear to climb up on furniture instead of jumping. This is often a sign of Hip Dysplasia as the dog is choosing not to put pressure on its hind quarters, usually out of pain in the region.

References

• The Pet Center
• Understanding Hip Dysplasia
• Ped Education

Resources

• Breeds Prone to Hip Dysplasia