Photo by Jane Vans35.
[Editor’s note: We got it backward! On August 1, Treatment of Hip Dysplasia was posted in the Pets section and this article about the symptoms was overlooked. Cluttered cyberdesk and all that. However, if your dog is showing any of the following signs, click on the link for treatment. And best wishes! KK]
Signs of lameness can develop in a growing puppy that may be afflicted with dysplasia. Pain and stiffness in one or both rear legs might be seen as early as 3 or 4 months of age, or they may not be apparent until the puppy is 1 year or 2 years old.
You may notice a shortened stride in the rear legs and a “bunny hop” in which the pup hops with both rear legs at the same time when speeding up from a walk. Intermittent or consistent lameness in one of the rear legs could also be an indication.
Some dogs tire easily after a walk, or they do not complete the walk and sit down part of the way through it. Getting up slowly after a rest or moaning while rising are also possible symptoms. A puppy might lie down on its stomach with its rear legs outstretched behind it.
Diagnosis is based on the above history during a physical exam. The vet will perform an orthopedic exam and gently manipulate the rear legs and pelvis. The knee will also be checked, since symptoms of luxating patella, in which the kneecap is displaced, and cranial cruciate disease —a torn ligament in the knee joint—are similar.
Radiographs will be taken, often while the dog is under sedation for proper orientation, since these procedures can be painful. Two views will be taken to check the spine, pelvis, hip sockets and femurs.
These hips are normal, and there is no sign of hip dysplasia.
These are dysplastic hips. The hip sockets are not well formed and the heads of the femur do not fit tightly into the hip socket as they should. This makes the socket loose and leads to the symptoms.
The arrows point to osteophtyes. These are arthritic areas that have formed out of the abnormal hip sockets. They are adding to the pain of the loose hip sockets.
Photos courtesy of LBAH.
Most dogs are spayed at around 6 months of age. Since they are anesthetized for this procedure, this is a good time for the larger-breed dogs to have their hips radiographed to get an indication of this serious problem.