The short answer to the question ‘Can hip dysplasia be cured in dogs?’ , is yes but only by surgery. However, depending on the severity of the hip dysplasia and the clinical signs shown by your dog, conservative treatment can keep your dog active and healthy.
Degrees of Hip Dysplasia
The severity of hip dysplasia and the clinical signs shown by your dog, go a long way in deciding the course of treatment. Your vet will perform x-rays to give a diagnosis.
Mild Hip Dysplasia with Little to No Clinical Signs
This type of hip dysplasia can usually be managed conservatively.
- Medication from your vet
- Hydrotherapy to strengthen the muscles supporting the joint
- Physiotherapy
- McTimoney Dog Chiropractor Treatment and massage to minimise negative compensation.
- Exercise modification
- Weight management
These measures can allow your dog to lead a relatively normal life but care must be taken to ensure the problem doesn’t get worse and regular checkups are a must.
Severe Hip Dysplasia with Pain
This type of hip dysplasia requires surgery. There are various types of surgery depending on the severity and age of your dog.
Juvenile pubic symphysiodesis (JPS) – only performed on dogs under 5 months and aims to correct the hip joint minimising the problem.
Triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO) – the pelvis is cut and realigned then pinned to improve hip joint function. This can only be performed if the joint is healthy and no arthritis has developed.
Total hip replacement (THR) – the ball and socket joint is totally replaced. This is effective but expensive.
Femoral head and neck excision (FHNE) – This is when the head of the femur is totally removed allowing a false joint to form. Joint function is reduced and extensive physiotherapy is required.
Although hip dysplasia cannot be cured in dogs, there are luckily a lot of options that will allow your dog to live a healthy, happy, pain free life.
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Areas covered in UK: Worcestershire and surrounding counties.
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