Canine Hip Dysplasia

Canine Hip Dysplasia or CHD is usually diagnosed with an X-ray of the hip joints.  In severe cases it can be diagnosed using clinical signs.

Dogs who have CHD can display any one or combination of symptoms.

* Pain in hips
* Cannot tolerate much exercise
* Abnormal walk or gait
* Using a bunny hop type movement while running
* Muscle atrophy in thigh muscles
* Is hesitant to or won't climb stairs
* Hips produce a clicking sound while walking
* Points of hips appear wider than normal

The above signs alone aren't absolute evidence that a dog has CHD as there are other conditions that may have some of the same symptoms.  The definitive diagnosis is an X-ray that will be a more accurate piece of evidence as to the integrity of the dog's hip joints.

How Do Dog's Get Hip Dysplasia?

Canine Hip Dysplasia is a genetic defect that is passed on within a blood line.  It normally occurs in the larger breeds such as German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Saint Bernhard's, Rotweillers, and Mastiffs. The best way to insure your dog will not suffer from dysplastic hips is to make sure the breeder has not bred a dog with hip dysplasia.

Hip Dysplasia Screening

It is common practice among responsible breeders to pre-screen dogs prior to breeding to make insure that they do not show signs of dysplasia.  This is done with an X-ray.  It is the best way to discover if that dog will be a suitable candidate to pass on well conforming hips.

To help reduce and eliminate the perpetuation of canine hip dysplasia, the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) provides a screening grading process for the hips of dogs before they are bred.  This process uses X-rays of the dog's hips that are reviewed by OFA.  They are examined for hip joint irregularities using specific guidelines.  There are seven different classifications that are used to identify the condition of the hips.  They are:

   1. Excellent
   2. Good
   3. Fair
   4. Borderline
   5. Mild
   6. Moderate
   7. Severe

Hips that are graded excellent, good and fair fall within the "normal" limits and are then issued OFA numbered certificates.  Any dog who's hips who are graded below fair should not be bred due to hereditary risk.

Information about canine pain relief therapy.