As dedicated pet owners, we like to do everything in our power to keep our dogs healthy and active, especially as they age. Sadly, hip dysplasia is a common orthopedic condition that affects many dogs, causing discomfort, pain, and mobility issues.
Because hip dysplasia is so common, there’s a good chance you’ll have to deal with its effects at some point. Learning what hip dysplasia dog treatment involves, and how you can provide your dog with the best possible care, is important for all dog owners.
In this guide, we’ll explain how to treat dog hip dysplasia and give you some tips for helping your dog live their best life, even as the years start to catch up with them. Whether you're a seasoned pet parent or a first-time dog owner, keep reading to learn how to best care for your dog’s hips.
Overview of Canine Hip Dysplasia
Before we discuss hip dysplasia dog treatments, let’s look at the condition itself. Here’s an overview of canine hip dysplasia, including the symptoms, causes, and diagnosis.
Symptoms
Recognising the signs of hip dysplasia is so important for early intervention. Dogs affected by this condition often show symptoms such as lameness, reluctance to walk and move, difficulty rising or climbing stairs, and a noticeable decrease in their hind limb muscle mass.
Some dogs may display an altered gait, favouring one hind leg over the other. Chronic pain and discomfort (learn how to tell if a dog has joint pain here) are also common indicators, leading to changes in your dog’s behaviour, including irritability or reluctance to be touched around the hip area.
Causes
The main cause of hip dysplasia is the hip joint becoming malformed, where the ball and socket do not fit together properly. This leads to increased wear and tear, eventually causing pain and impaired mobility. But what causes this malformation?
Hip dysplasia is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. While genetics play a significant role, other contributors include rapid growth, improper nutrition, excessive body weight, and certain environmental conditions during a dog's developmental stages.
Diagnosis
Accurate diagnosis is the first step toward hip dysplasia dog treatment. Vets employ a combination of physical exams and diagnostic imaging techniques, such as X-rays, to assess the hip joint's structure and detect any abnormalities.
Dogs at a higher risk, including certain breeds predisposed to hip dysplasia, may undergo routine screenings, as early detection allows for proactive measures and a tailored treatment plan. Also, vets assess a dog's medical history, clinical signs, and other factors when arriving at a diagnosis.
How to Treat Dog Hip Dysplasia At Home
Once diagnosed, a big part of managing your dog’s condition is learning how to treat hip dysplasia at home. Next, we’ll explore a range of strategies aimed at alleviating pain, promoting joint health, and enhancing the overall quality of life for dogs dealing with hip dysplasia.
Pain Management Strategies
While prescription medications are an option and can provide effective pain relief (more on that later), they aren’t always safe for long-term use, as even canine-specific drugs can cause kidney and liver issues for your dog if relied on too heavily.
A safer long-term dog joint pain home remedy is a natural treatment for dog hip dysplasia, with physical therapy and rehab exercises to strengthen supportive muscles and improve joint stability. Talk to your vet about massage, acupuncture, and other pain management options.
Dietary Modifications for Joint Health
Nutrition plays a pivotal role in learning how to treat hip dysplasia at home. The best dog food for joint health is often enriched with glucosamine and chondroitin, and can aid in reducing inflammation and promoting cartilage repair.
Weight management is also important, so it’s essential to make sure your dog isn’t eating too much, and you’re sticking to healthy treats that are only given occasionally. You can also invest in one of the best dog food toppers to give your dog an extra nutrient boost with each meal.
Natural Joint Supplements
Natural dog joint supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin can mitigate inflammation and support dog joint care. In many ways, these are the best products for dog joint pain because they’re safe to use long-term, natural, and extremely effective.
At what age should you start giving your dog joint supplements? While many pet owners see supplements as a solution for senior dog joint pain relief, you can learn how to improve dog joint health at any age with supplements.
Because hip dysplasia can be caused by hip malformation and growth that occurs in your dog’s earlier years, it’s a good idea to start your dog on the best joint supplement for dogs in Australia as soon as you can.
As well as supplements specifically designed for joint care, you can also learn how to treat dog hip dysplasia with other dog supplements, including collagen for dogs and fish oil for dogs, which reduce inflammation, protect your dog’s joints, and reduce the pain that comes with hip dysplasia.
At Mighty Munch, we have all the supplements you need for dog hip dysplasia home treatment, including the best collagen for dogs and the best probiotic for dogs in Australia. Our supplements are backed by vets and made here in Australia from premium, natural ingredients.
Not sure how to choose the right supplements for your dog? Reach out to our team! We’re always happy to share insights and help you find exactly what you need to keep your furry friend living their best life - it’s our mission!
Environmental Adaptations for Comfort
Modifying your dog's environment is another important step in hip dysplasia dog treatment. Provide soft bedding, an ergonomic bed that supports your dog’s joints, and create easily accessible resting areas to minimise stress on their hips.
Ramps can aid dogs in navigating elevated surfaces, reducing the need for strenuous jumps or bending to climb stairs. Also, slip-resistant flooring can help your dog move without sliding, and an elevated food and water bowl makes dinner time much more comfortable.
Exercise Management and Low-Impact Activities
Tailoring exercise routines to accommodate the limitations imposed by hip dysplasia is crucial. Low-impact activities, such as swimming and slow walks on a leash, promote joint flexibility without excessive strain.
Avoid activities that involve jumping or rapid direction changes. Your vet can guide you in developing an exercise plan that strikes the right balance between maintaining mobility and preventing your dog’s symptoms from getting worse.
Regular Veterinary Monitoring
Consistent vet monitoring is essential for tracking your dog's progress and adjusting your dog hip dysplasia home treatment plans accordingly. Scheduled check-ups allow for early detection of any changes in the condition, allowing you to adjust accordingly.
Your vet may recommend periodic X-rays to assess your dog’s joint health and the effectiveness of the dog hip dysplasia home treatment strategies you’ve implemented.
Professional Hip Dysplasia Dog Treatment Options to Consider
While learning how to treat dog hip dysplasia at home is an important first step, there may come a time when more invasive options become necessary. Here’s a look at some of the professional senior dog hip dysplasia treatment options out there.
Prescription Medication
Effectively managing pain is a cornerstone of hip dysplasia treatment. Your vet may prescribe pain medications, anti-inflammatory drugs, or other analgesic options to reduce pain. Note that you can’t use Ibuprofen for dog joint pain or Aspirin for joint pain - the medications must be canine-specific.
These medications aren’t only suitable for hip dysplasia dog treatment, they provide dog joint pain relief for a dog’s swollen leg, dog hip clicking when walking, and dog carpal joint swelling. However, as we mentioned earlier, these drugs aren’t a great solution for long-term use.
Corticosteroid Injections
In cases where oral medications aren’t effective enough, corticosteroid injections directly into the affected joint can be administered. These injections aim to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain more effectively.
While providing rapid relief, the frequency of injections may be limited due to potential side effects. They’re typically reserved for senior dog hip dysplasia treatment and dogs with severe symptoms.
Stem Cell Treatment
Stem cell therapy is an innovative approach gaining popularity in the treatment of hip dysplasia. This regenerative therapy involves harvesting and injecting your dog's own stem cells into the affected joint, promoting tissue repair and reducing inflammation.
While research on the long-term effectiveness of this treatment is ongoing, it shows promise in providing lasting relief for dogs with hip dysplasia. However, it’s an expensive option, and not one to jump into without understanding all the details and risks.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy harnesses the healing properties of your dog's own blood. Blood is drawn, processed to concentrate platelets, and then injected into your dog’s affected joint.
The growth factors released from platelets stimulate tissue repair and modulate inflammation. PRP therapy is considered a safe and minimally invasive option, with potential benefits in managing hip dysplasia symptoms.
Surgical Treatment
In more severe cases of hip dysplasia, surgical intervention may be recommended. Procedures such as femoral head ostectomy (FHO), total hip replacement, or triple pelvic osteotomy aim to address the malformation of the hip joint and improve function.
Surgical options are typically considered when other senior dog hip dysplasia treatments prove insufficient, and the choice of procedure depends on factors like your dog's size, age, and the severity of their condition.
Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
If you’re looking for a more natural treatment for dog hip dysplasia, physical therapy can be an effective choice. Canine physical therapists design tailored exercise regimens to strengthen supporting muscles, improve range of motion, and enhance joint stability.
Hydrotherapy, massage, and therapeutic exercises are employed to promote overall physical well-being. Integrating physical therapy as a natural treatment for dog hip dysplasia can make a big difference to your dog’s functional recovery and long-term joint health.
Final Thoughts on Dog Hip Dysplasia Treatment
Understanding how to treat dog hip dysplasia and recognising the early signs of this painful condition is important for all dog owners. By intervening early, you can work with your vet to develop a treatment plan that’s safe and effective for your pup.
Being proactive and protecting your dog’s joints early in life is a great way to stay on top of a range of joint conditions, including hip dysplasia. One of the best ways to protect your dog’s joints from a young age is with natural, effective dog joint supplements.
At Mighty Munch, our vet-formulated supplements are made from all-natural ingredients, free from fillers and unnecessary additives, and safe for all breeds and ages. With key ingredients like glucosamine and chondritin, your dog’s joints are in good hands with Mighty Munch.
Help your dog live a long, pain-free life doing what they love best. Shop our joint supplements and keep hip dysplasia away with Mighty Munch!
