HD In Dogs – What Are The Treatment Options?

Large-bred dogs in particular have an increased risk of developing HD. HD: That means hip dysplasia, a malformation of the hip joint.

Or to put it another way: the joint socket and femoral head do not fit together correctly. The animals suffer pain with every movement and the condition can even worsen due to incorrect nutrition or exercise. Basically, HD – as far as it has been researched – is of genetic origin and cannot be cured.

However, the quality of life can be significantly improved through therapeutic measures and medication.

What causes hip dysplasia?

Science currently assumes that the cause of HD can be found in genetics. It has not yet been possible to adequately determine which genetic defect is precisely responsible for this. What is certain, however, is that the risk for a dog is significantly increased if the parent and sibling animals also suffer from hip dysplasia.

In addition to the hereditary disposition, nutrition and species-appropriate husbandry also have a significant influence on the course of the disease. Since dysplasia is mainly manifested by instability of the hip joint and subsequent arthritic changes in the bone structure, the right treatment methods can start at this point and at least delay or minimize wear and tear.

Which animals are affected by HD?

Hip dysplasia was considered a unique selling proposition for breeds of the German shepherd dog for some time. Due to the intentionally lowered hips as a breeding goal, HD has established itself as a health risk here in particular and was first recognized as a disease here. But all other dog breeds can also be affected, as well as some cat species.

The maldevelopment is passed on from generation to generation. In some breeds, the occurrence is even up to 50 percent. The number of unreported cases in mixed breeds, on the other hand, is difficult to assess or to assign to one of the breeds. Measured by the frequency and severity of the clinical picture, however, large dog breeds are considered to be particularly at risk.

HD in dogs

Careful selection during breeding should minimize the risk of HD. Such preventive measures are the best way to tackle genetic defect. In other words, dogs that have hip dysplasia are no longer used for breeding.

In return, of course, the dog owners and potential buyers must pay attention to such problems and, if necessary, not buy the dog or at least reduce the price so much that the breeder is forced to strive to ensure that his animals are HD-free.

Not all breeders have internalized this goal yet. At least not as long as the demand for, for example, lowered hind legs as a breeding goal brings in more money and conformation is given more value than actual health. The following breeds in particular have a high proportion of HD sufferers due to neglect during breeding and a lack of controls:

• German shepherd dog
• Golden retriever
• Bernese Mountain Dog
• Boxer
• Newfoundland
• Labrador Retrievers
• Saint Bernard
• English and Gordon Setters

The areas in which these breeds are used are striking. Dogs that run short distances, or short distances at high speeds, appear to be more likely to develop hip dysplasia. On the other hand, sled dogs such as the husky, which is bred for lifelong performance, are almost HD-free.

However, anyone who already owns a dog that suffers from HD knows what problems the four-legged friend has to contend with. The malformation develops in the first 15 months. Over the years, it changes to the point of arthrosis. The wear and tear of the joints progresses, there is limping, paralysis up to the refusal to stand up at all.

But now that dogs have to go out regularly, every walk becomes a challenge. At the same time, every animal has a different perception of pain. A slight misdevelopment is already associated with limping, while other dogs with severe HD have developed their own running technique to avoid pain and thus hardly show anything. In any case, it is up to the dog owner to help his darling as much as possible.

HD in cats

The HD in cats is often underestimated. Not only the breeding cats are affected, but also street cats that may have crossed with breeding animals released into the wild and have thus more or less acquired the risk of joint malformations.

In contrast to a dog, a cat rarely goes for a walk, so that the owner does not immediately recognize difficulties walking or being lame. Therefore, most findings for cats are already at an advanced stage.

However, certain species also appear to have an increased risk of HD in cats; Maine Coon and British Short Hair, for example, are predominantly affected.

What are the symptoms of HD?

Hip dysplasia, also known as hip dysplasia, usually occurs on both sides and can reach different degrees of severity, each of which is accompanied by different symptoms and can be treated accordingly.

In principle, the maldevelopment is already evident in puppyhood. Large breeds also grow very quickly, which puts additional stress on the joints. In this phase, the animals, which are still clumsy anyway, tend to “wobble” in their gait. In particular, the looseness of the hip joints causes problems and leads to instability of the hip. It is also manifested by pain, primarily after lying down for a long time, when it is time to get up and the muscles are not yet warm and stretched.

A reluctance to move is often observed first. Cats do less gymnastics, avoid high jumps and only climb very carefully. If they are in severe pain, they also neglect grooming.

Dogs in their overzealousness and will-to-pleasure tend to temporarily suppress their pain, especially when playing. Some also howl at a movement that causes them surprising pain. Lameness, limping and other pain symptoms set in later during the rest phase, for example on the way home from the playground. The dog may sit down more often, slow down, or refuse to climb stairs.

The most important symptom is the change in gait. The body no longer springs easily, but rather tenses up in anticipation of the pain. Many animals then develop a shortened gait. As a result, the soft tissue structures (tendons, muscles) harden to compensate for the instability. For a while, the HD may hardly be noticed. Internally, however, the joints wear out more and more. Arthrosis inevitably develops, which in turn leads to renewed pain and, especially in old age, can progress to lameness of the hind legs.

Diagnosis HD – How the vet tests

The trained eyes of the veterinarian recognize the first signs of hip dysplasia based on the gait. For a precise assessment, the joint is loaded, stretched, and tested for mobility.

A special test for external examination is the Ortolani test. The thigh is positioned at right angles to the spine and, starting from the knee, is pushed towards the spine under strong pressure. If there is hip dysplasia, there will be a brief dislocation or subluxation, i.e. the joint will be dislocated. Since this causes significant pain, the test is preferably performed under anesthesia.

Another diagnostic method is X-ray. Not only is this far more reliable, it is also more insightful, especially when it comes to assessing severity. Here, too, anesthesia is used, because the joint has to be overstretched for the recording, which can also cause extreme pain.

Based on the results, the veterinarians differentiate between 5 different degrees of HD:

A: Means HD-free, i.e. the finding is unremarkable and there is no further need for treatment.
B: Stands for suspected HD with slight irregularities and should at least be observed and checked regularly.
C: Classified as light HD. The joint is uneven, there may be slight arthrosis.
D: Classified as medium HD. The maldevelopment is clearly recognizable and is accompanied by partial dislocations. Arthritic changes are already present.
E: Considered the severe form of HD. The hip joint shows noticeable changes, the socket edge is clearly flattened and there are various arthritic changes.

In some cases, the classifications are further divided into subcategories in order to specify the diagnosis more precisely.

HD freedom for breeding approval

Increasingly, breed clubs require a test of the HD degree for dogs and cats that are to be approved for breeding. At the same time, the breeder issues an animal passport to the buyer. It contains essential information on vaccinations, chip number, origin and what degree of HD was determined by the veterinarian. In some cases, however, it is up to the buyer to request such proof.

Theoretically, breeding with HD-infected animals contradicts animal welfare. Nevertheless, grades of severity up to C are approved as suitable for breeding for many breeds. The findings of the parent animals are rarely taken into account, but their genetic material is also carried on.

Treatment options for HD

Regardless of breeding, HD cannot really be prevented, but it can be significantly reduced by taking appropriate measures. Above all, nutrition plays an important role. For example, puppies and young animals that gain weight too quickly are more likely to develop severe HD.

Diet for dogs with HD

Basically, of course, breast milk is the best start in life and should be allowed to be tasted for as long as possible. The task of the breeder or the owner then begins with the supplementary feeding, to feed his beloved four-legged friend in a way that is as easy on the joints as possible and supports it.

Calcium has been shown to promote maldevelopment and should therefore not be added to the feed. Vitamins and trace elements, on the other hand, generally promote the health of dogs and cats, but cannot really have a demonstrably positive effect on hip dysplasia. Supplemental feeding of glucosamine sulfate may relieve the pain somewhat.

At the same time, a lot of secret recipes and feed additives are circulating, which are supposed to support the growth of the joints or can possibly alleviate joint diseases such as arthrosis. The most well-known preparations include:

• Green-lipped mussels contain said glucosamine sulfate and are used to build cartilage;
• Fish oil and linseed oil with a high proportion of omega-3 fatty acids are said to have an anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effect. Nettles counteract water retention and detoxify;
• Grain-free food should be preferred as a species-appropriate diet, especially since gluten would further fuel inflammation in the body;
• Some swear by devil’s claw for arthrosis. It is also used for large animals such as horses.

Unfortunately, hip dysplasia cannot be stopped by diet alone. However, a healthy body weight and generally good health enable the four-legged friend to lead a largely beautiful life in which he can feel comfortable.

Species-appropriate attitude with special consideration for the joints

For dogs and cats with HD, it is more important to keep them in a species-appropriate manner, paying particular attention to the stresses on the joints, primarily the hip joints. Therefore:

• Avoid being overweight;
• move regularly without great strain (no jumps, prefer relaxed walks);
• Compressions, great exertion, tricks, etc. do not have to be;
• Be careful when swimming, dogs put a lot of strain on their hind legs, which further wears them down;
• Stairs should be avoided;
• Access to the trunk can be solved with a dog ramp, for example;
• If necessary, help with grooming before the animal twists unnecessarily;
• Offer orthopedic sleeping places that relieve the joints when lying down.

Drug and surgical treatment options

In addition to the many measures that the owner can take, further therapies may be necessary to at least eliminate or stagnate the pain, inflammation and deformation.

A wide range of antibiotics and painkillers can restore a bit of quality of life through their anti-inflammatory effect. The veterinarian always makes the choice individually according to the needs of the dog.

Surgical interventions are sometimes the last option before a final decision has to be made. In the so-called PIN operation, the pectineus muscle is severed, if necessary completely removed, and the edge of the joint capsule is recut. The pain-conducting nerve fibers are thus interrupted.

Capsule tightening is only used on young animals. Surgical tightening of the joint capsule largely prevents subluxations and further wear and tear.

The pelvic bones are realigned using an osteotomy. Veterinary medicine has even gone so far as to implant artificial hip joints, but this proves to be very expensive. Alternatives can include stem cell therapy, gold implants, and femoral head resection.

Some successes could also be observed with physiotherapy, which is used specifically for pain relief and muscle building.

Ultimately, breeding, healthy nutrition, and the right exercise are the key factors to successfully treat HD in dogs and to enable both four-legged friends and two-legged friends to get along well together.