The term dysplasia means abnormal. Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) is abnormal formation of a dog's hip joint. The cause of CHD is unknown but there are many theories, one being that CHD can be passed along genetically.
Simply put, the hind leg is connected to the body by ligaments forming a sort of ball and socket joint that rotates freely. As a puppy begins to grow, for whatever reason, the joint begins to develop abnormally. Either the right or left, or in some cases both sides, can be affected. The hip joint begins to loosen creating wear and tear which in turn causes pain and can cause arthritis. In some instances, the hind leg can become dislocated altogether.
Signs to watch for include the dog being less active than normal, beginning to have problems going up and/or down stairs or getting in/out of a car, not jumping as much, having problems rising and/or laying down, running with a strange gait almost like a bunny rabbit, exhibiting pain with extending the rear legs, or a popping noise coming from the dogs hip.
CHD is a common hip disease in dogs, particularly of large and giant breeds. Although any dog, or even cat, can be affected, dogs are more susceptible, and there are certain breeds with a higher incidence rate. These include but not limited to Bulldogs, St. Bernards, Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers, Chow Chows, and German Shepherds.
Contact your family vet as soon as you notice any of these signs or have any concerns about your animal. Early detection and intervention can help in the prognosis and on-going treatment of Canine Hip Dysplasia.
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