Hip Dysplasia in Dogs: UK Guide to Symptoms, Treatment and Costs
Hip dysplasia is one of the most common developmental orthopaedic conditions in dogs, causing abnormal development of the hip joint that leads to arthritis and pain. It affects medium, large and giant breeds most commonly, though any dog can be affected. Early intervention, weight management and the right treatment plan can significantly improve quality of life.
Key takeaways
- Hip dysplasia is one of the most common orthopaedic conditions in dogs — early diagnosis opens more treatment options including corrective surgery.
- Surgical options range from corrective pelvic osteotomy in young dogs to total hip replacement (£3,500–£6,000 per hip) at referral orthopaedic centres.
- Weight management is one of the single most effective and cost-efficient ways to reduce pain and improve function in dogs with hip dysplasia.
What Is Hip Dysplasia?
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint: the head of the femur (thigh bone) fits into the acetabulum (socket) of the pelvis. In a healthy hip, the ball sits snugly in the socket, allowing smooth movement. In hip dysplasia, the joint develops abnormally — the ball and socket do not fit together properly, leading to laxity (looseness), abnormal wear of the joint surfaces, inflammation and eventually osteoarthritis.
The condition is polygenic (controlled by multiple genes) and also influenced by environmental factors, particularly growth rate and diet during puppyhood. Breeds with the highest prevalence include German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Rottweilers, Great Danes, Saint Bernards and Bulldogs. Selective breeding using hip scoring schemes — run by the BVA/KC in the UK — is the main tool for reducing incidence over time.
Symptoms
In young dogs (typically six to twelve months), signs include reluctance to exercise, difficulty rising after rest, a bunny-hopping gait (moving both hindlegs together rather than alternately), reduced hind limb muscle mass and pain on hip extension. Some affected dogs remain surprisingly active despite significant radiographic changes.
In middle-aged and older dogs, the progressive osteoarthritis that results from hip dysplasia causes stiffness — worst after rest and in cold weather — reduced range of motion, pain on handling the hindquarters and gradually reduced exercise tolerance. Clicking or grinding in the hips may be audible or palpable. Progressive muscle wasting of the hindquarters is common. Because dogs are stoical about pain, many owners only seek advice when mobility is significantly affected.
Diagnosis and Hip Scoring
Clinical examination — assessing gait, muscle mass, range of motion and eliciting pain responses — gives useful information. Definitive diagnosis requires X-rays under sedation or general anaesthetic to visualise the degree of joint laxity and osteoarthritic change. X-rays for hip evaluation typically cost £150–£300.
The BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme provides standardised hip scoring for breeding dogs — each hip is scored 0–27 (27 being most affected), giving a total from 0–54. Lower scores are better. Breed mean scores are published, and breeding from dogs below the breed mean is advised. Specialist orthopaedic assessment using PennHIP methodology is available at some referral centres and provides a distraction index that gives a more sensitive assessment of joint laxity.
Treatment Options and Costs
Management of hip dysplasia is tailored to the dog's age, severity of changes and whether arthritis is already established. Young dogs with painful joint laxity but before arthritis sets in may be candidates for juvenile pubic symphysiodesis (JPS, up to 20 weeks of age), triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO, up to nine months) or double pelvic osteotomy (DPO) — all surgical procedures that alter the pelvic geometry to improve joint cover. These surgeries cost roughly £2,000–£4,000 per hip at a referral orthopaedic centre.
Total hip replacement (THR) — replacing the entire joint with a prosthesis — is available for dogs of any age and has excellent long-term outcomes; costs are approximately £3,500–£6,000 per hip. Medical management using anti-inflammatory pain relief (NSAIDs), joint supplements (glucosamine, omega-3 fatty acids), physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and weight management is appropriate for less severe cases or where surgery is not possible. Weight management is particularly impactful — even modest weight reduction in an overweight dog with hip dysplasia significantly reduces pain and improves function.
Find a Vet Near You
Hip dysplasia treatment ranges from ongoing medical management to specialist surgery. Use CompareMyVet at app.comparemyvet.uk to compare prices at local practices and find a vet who can discuss all the options for your dog.
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Common questions
It cannot be fully prevented, but risk can be significantly reduced through selective breeding from parents with good hip scores (below breed mean), appropriate diet and growth rate management during puppyhood, avoiding excessive exercise on hard surfaces in growing dogs and maintaining a lean body weight.
Clinical signs can appear as early as five to six months of age in severely affected dogs. However, many dogs are not diagnosed until they develop osteoarthritis as adults. Screening X-rays can be performed from around twelve months of age for initial assessment.
Total hip replacement has excellent outcomes even in older dogs, provided they are otherwise healthy and a good surgical candidate. The procedure provides the most definitive pain relief and functional improvement. A specialist orthopaedic surgeon will assess suitability and discuss realistic expectations.
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