Hip dysplasia is a common genetic condition that affects dogs of all ages and breeds. The condition occurs when the ball and socket joint of a dog’s hip does not develop properly, causing pain and mobility issues. While there is no known cure for hip dysplasia, there are several ways to manage the condition and improve a dog’s quality of life. A multi-modal approach is often the best way to keep your pet active. This could mean physical rehabilitation, monitoring a dog’s weight, daily joint supplements to promote joint health, and even mobility aids to support the joint.
In the early stages of hip dysplasia, a dog’s symptoms are minimal and often go unnoticed. However, it is important to focus on supporting joint development and keeping the hips healthy. Simple changes such as avoiding strenuous exercise, keeping your puppy at a healthy weight, regular vet visits, and giving your dog a daily joint supplement are beneficial at this stage. Joint supplements can aid active joints, support joint structure, and help support overall mobility. The best joint supplement for a young, active or growing dog will contain ingredients such as green-lipped mussel that provides Omega-3 fatty acids to ease occasional joint stiffness, glucosamine and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine that provide essential building block components of cartilage to help support and maintain joint structure, and hyaluronic acid that helps to lubricate and cushion the joint.
Dogs with mild to moderate hip dysplasia are still active and able to walk without assistance. However, they may have slight changes in their mobility, such as being slower to rise off the ground or favoring one hind leg over the other. In such cases, a lightweight neoprene hip support is an effective solution. The support wraps around the hip joint to combine a sense of lift in the leg with compression to ease discomfort and make it easier for your dog to stay active. Any dog unable to stand or bear weight on their back legs is in more advanced stages and will need a dog wheelchair for support. Hip braces are best for dogs who can still walk and support themselves on all four legs.
In advanced stages of hip dysplasia, a dog is unable to walk or stand on its own and shows visible signs of hip pain. A wheelchair is the best option in such cases since it supports the hind end to encourage the dog to walk and reduces the weight the dog places on its back leg, but still allows them to use their hind legs and get exercise. A mobility cart is a great way to keep your dog active and prevent unnecessary muscle loss. Once a dog has progressed into a more advanced stage of mobility loss, it will show visible signs of hip pain, and its gait will have changed. The signs that your dog’s hip dysplasia has advanced to the point where they require a wheelchair include dipping of the hips when they walk, arched back, significant difficulty getting its back legs under them to stand, and struggling to walk without pet parent’s assistance.
In conclusion, hip dysplasia is a challenging condition that can significantly impact a dog’s mobility and quality of life. However, with the right care and management, including physical rehabilitation, weight management, joint supplements, and mobility aids, you can help your furry friend maintain an active and happy life. It is essential to work with a veterinarian to develop a personalized treatment plan that is tailored to your dog’s specific needs and condition. With the right care and support, your dog can enjoy a full and active life, regardless of the severity of their hip dysplasia.
