Hip Injuries in Dogs

The two most common types of hip injuries that dogs suffer from are known as hip dysplasia and hip dislocation. The latter is associated with trauma and generally occurs when the pet has been in an accident. Hip dysplasia on the other hand, is a condition that occurs due to improper growth of the hip joint. Pets suffering from both conditions undergo a lot of pain and while dogs belonging to any breed are at risk of suffering from hip dislocation, hip dysplasia is more commonly seen in certain breeds like Labrador Retrievers, Rottweiler’s and German Shepherds.

Symptoms of Hip Injuries in Dogs Include:

• Altered gait
• Difficulty walking
• One of the pet’s limbs appears shorter
• Pet finds it difficult to sit and stand up
• Reduced playfulness
• Dog won’t jump or climb stairs
• Dog will stagger while walking 
• Pet will refuse to put weight on the affected limb

Diagnosis of Canine Hip Injuries

To find out the type and severity of the hip injury that’s present the vet will have to perform radiological examinations of the pelvic area. The vet will also take a chest X-ray to rule out other conditions and examine the hip joint for sings of swelling. Since the dog may not cooperate during physical exams, he may require mild sedation. If the dog is aged, the vet will also perform a series of other diagnostic blood tests to assess the pets overall health.

Treatment of Dog Hip Injuries

Once the diagnosis is complete and the vet has determined the cause of the condition, the dog will be given medications to get relief from the pain. Corticosteroid drugs may also be prescribed to keep the inflammation under control. In most cases dogs suffering from hip injuries require surgery. During the surgery, the vet will attempt to put the dog’s hip joint back into position. He will use sutures to hold it in place. Some of the surgeries that are recommended for dogs suffering from hip dysplasia include total hip replacement surgery and triple pelvic osteotomy.

Post Surgical Procedures

If the dog has undergone surgery for any sort of hip injury, he will require rest and supportive care in the following weeks. In some cases the pet may have to be kept at the hospital for a few days after the surgery is performed. Dogs that have been operated upon may experience pain, discomfort and may show no interest in food. It’s best to make note of all the instructions you need to follow if you intend to take your pet home with you. All medications should be administered on time and the pet should not be allowed to roam about indoors or outdoors.

Dos and Don’ts:

• Don’t feed your pet any foods that may cause gastrointestinal intolerance. Discuss the pet’s diet with the vet before bringing the dog back home.
• Don’t allow your pet to come in contact with other animals living in the same household. Children should also be kept away from sick pets.
• Do consider administering vitamin supplements to help your dog recover quickly but make sure you obtain vet approval for the same.
• Take your pet for follow up vet checks to determine his progress. He may require physical therapy to come back to normal.

Since the cost of the surgery involved is quite high, find out all the details about the expenses you will have to incur and make sure you do what’s best for your pet’s health and happiness.