Hip Dysplasia in Dogs
Hip Dysplasia in Dogs
Dogs that develop hip arthritis in middle and older age will usually have had hip dysplasia as a youngster which may have gone completely unnoticed.
What Is Hip Dysplasia?
Hip Dysplasia is a common complaint in animals, and usually occurs when the hip joint has not developed perfectly, so the ball & socket do not match up. It is often associated with large breeds of dogs and can start when they are only a few months old. Any non-alignment will result in abnormal wear, and can lead to osteoarthritis.
How Do We Treat Hip Dysplasia?
The role of Physio Vet is to offer options to alleviate the clinical signs and provide a better quality of life for your pet with reduced pain. In patients with hip dysplasia, we help control the pain, stimulate healing and build muscle to support the affected joints. Most will not require surgery.
Our treatments also help pets who have had joint replacements as a result of hip dysplasia. Physiotherapy treatments, such as laser or manual therapies can help control pain and repair joint surfaces, whilst maintaining or even increasing the range of motion in the affected joints.
Non-surgical interventions for dog hip dysplasia include weight management, exercise control, and medication. Weight control is crucial as the less weight the dog carries, the less pressure there is on the joint. We have an underwater treadmill that can help dogs with hip dysplasia to exercise. Of course, these are complementary to any medications that a vet prescribes.
Please note, if your dog shows any sign of lameness, it is important to seek veterinary advice. The vet will be able to advise on treatment and prescribe pain medication. Hip dysplasia in dogs can be treated surgically or non-surgically.
