Like all large breed dogs,
German Shepherds are at serious risk of hip dysplasia.
According to the Orthopedic Foundationfor Animals, 19% of
German Shepherds will develop hip dysplasia, but some cases are
worse than others.
Hip dysplasia is a congenital disorder wherein the hip
sockets are too loose and the femur causes damage. Dogs inherit
the condition from their parents, but it can be made better or
worse through training and activity levels. Usually, hip
problems have already developed by 4 months and worsen over
time. In some cases, a hip injury can also start the process of
dysplasia, even if the dog didn't have the hereditary
predisposition. Because they are such active dogs, German
Shepherds are at particular risk of incurring these injuries.
Warning Signs of Hip Dysplasia
There are several signs you can look for in your German
Shepherd to see if they may be experiencing pain or joint
laxity. They are very active and playful dogs, so being
uninterested in play may mean they are in pain. Warning signs
include:
- Rapid weight gain
-
Hip injury
- Trouble standing up
- Limping
- Favoring one leg
- Running or walking with a “bunny hop,” using both legs
together
- Trouble or hesitation running
- Reduced activity
- Hesitation on stairs
-
Aggression, especially if the
hip area is touched
If you see one or more of these symptoms, contact your vet for an x-ray to
examine your dog's hips. Your dog will likely have to be
sedated for the procedure, but an x-ray is the best way to
diagnose dysplasia.
Prevention of German Shepherd Hip Dysplasia
If you have a German Shepherd, especially a puppy, there are
steps you can take to reduce their risk of hip dysplasia, or at
least the severity. Taking good care of a puppy's joints can
make a tremendous difference.
The first step is finding a responsible or certified breeder.
German Shepherds with hip dysplasia should never be bred, so
hip certification is available through OFA and PennHip. These
certifications are based on x-rays of dogs' hips to determine
if they are viable to breed. Trainers of police dogs, for
example, are always very careful to select lineages without
dysplasia.
When puppies grow very fast, often by eating too many calories,
their hips are less likely to grow at the same rate as
everything else, leading to dysplasia. It's important to always
control portions and your vet may recommend using adult food instead of
high-calorie puppy food. Throughout their life, be sure to keep
your dog’s weight in a healthy range since obesity complicates joint issues.
There are also some behaviors you can control to avoid joint
damage. German Shepherd puppies need a lot of moderate
exercise, but most people only have time to for one strenuous
outing per day. Try to limit puppy activity to several short
walks and avoid rough play or long periods of running. Jumping
can also cause problems, so don't let puppies jump directly up
and down for a treat or in and out of the car. You may even
want to carry your puppy up and down stairs (until they are too
big), to avoid joint damage.
Treatment
Since dysplasia gets worse over time, treatments try to slow development, ease
pain, or improve mobility.
- The best first step is to help your German Shepherd lose
weight with a low calorie diet — this puts less strain on
joints.
- Moderate exercise is best for dogs with dysplasia. Short
walks and swimming are great ways to develop muscles to support
loose joints. Since German Shepherds are so intelligent, don't
forget training to keep their minds active.
- Your vet may prescribe anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving
medication.
- A special diet with supplements to support joint health can
make a big difference.
- A heated bed may help your dog sleep and relieve pain.
- If you have slippery floors, you may need to provide some
traction so that your dog doesn't slip and re-injure their hip.
- In some cases, surgery is the best option. Some puppies
with severe dysplasia may be recommended for less-intensive
corrective surgery. In other cases, adults with severe
arthritis and joint damage may need a hip replacement or
surgery to remove the top of the femur.
German Shepherds are wonderful, active dogs and often have a
great quality of life, even with hip dysplasia. If you watch
for warning signs and use some preventive strategies, you
should be able to avoid the worst symptoms of dysplasia.
Hip Dysplasia in Puppies? It Happens, Here's What to Do
Hip dysplasia is a painful
condition that occurs as a result of improperly formed hip
joints. When the hip joints are malformed, the hind legs are
able to move around loosely in the hip socket, leading to
uncomfortable wear and tear. This condition can affect any
breed at any time, though it is most common in larger, older dogs. However, hip dysplasia
in puppies can also
develop as young as five months old, and it is important to
identify and treat the condition before it gets worse.
Hip Dysplasia Causes in Puppies
The primary cause of hip dysplasia is genetics. A puppy born to
parents with hip dysplasia is twice as likely to develop the
condition. However, it is also possible for the condition to
skip generations. This means that a puppy with affected parents
will not always develop hip dysplasia, but they may carry the
gene and pass it on to later generations.
Diet and exercise can also be factors in the development of hip
dysplasia. A high-calorie diet during puppyhood can cause
rapid weight gain and
place stress on the hip joints. Because of this, puppies should
be fed a quality
diet that is appropriate for their age and size.
Improper exercise during the period when bones develop can also
exasperate a predisposition. Puppies and young dogs should be
discouraged from jumping and landing on their hind legs, and
they also shouldn’t run on pavement, as these actions cause a
pounding effect on the hip joints.
Hip Dysplasia Symptoms in Puppies
Dogs who have hip dysplasia are born with hips that appear to
be normal, but as the dog grows and the muscles and skeleton
develop, joint abnormalities result in structural problems.
The symptoms of hip dysplasia in puppies can vary, and some
puppies may show no symptoms at all until the condition has
progressed. Keep an eye out for the following:
- Limping, waddling, or unsteadiness when walking
- Swiveling hips when seen from behind
- Running or jumping with hind legs together in a “bunny hop”
- Clicking sound when walking or running
- Difficulty getting up, lying down, or going up stairs
- Reduced activity
Diagnosing Hip Dysplasia in Puppies
The first step in diagnosing hip dysplasia in a puppy is a
physical examination. Your veterinarian will most likely extend
your puppy’s hind legs to check for pain, watch them walk
around the room, and check for a “pop” when the dog is on their
back and the leg is moved away from the body. If your
veterinarian suspects hip dysplasia, x-rays will be ordered to
confirm the diagnosis. In most cases the puppy will need to be
sedated to minimize the discomfort caused by this procedure.
Hip Dysplasia Treatment for Puppies
While there is no cure for hip dysplasia, there are ways to
make your puppy’s life more comfortable:
- Feeding a healthy diet, maintaining a normal weight, and
avoiding activities that put pressure on the joints can keep
the condition from getting worse
- Massage, joint supplements, warm bedding, and anti-inflammatory and
pain-relieving medications can manage day-to-day symptoms and
improve mobility
- In some cases, surgery may be appropriate, especially for
puppies who are within a certain growth window
Your veterinarian will help you decide on the course of action
that is right for your puppy.
More on German Shepherds
German Shepherd Information:
Health
How to Care for a
German Shepherd
Healthy Eating
for a German Shepherd
This information is for informational
purposes only and is not meant as a substitute for the
professional advice of, or diagnosis or treatment by, your
veterinarian with respect to your pet. It has, however, been
verified by a licensed veterinarian for accuracy.
