Treatment for Hip Dysplasia in Dogs

While hip dysplasia is a very complicated disease, it can easily be cured with today’s modern medicine. However, hip dysplasia can only be corrected through surgery. There are no external or oral medications that can cure the problem, nor there is expected to be one in the future.

It is quite comforting to know that there are several types of surgery to treat the problem. Veterinarian surgeons can choose from different procedures to help canine patients. Usually, their choice is dependent on the severity of the dog’s condition and its age. Certain procedures can only be sustained by older dogs, while some are most effective when done on the younger dogs.

Triple Pelvic Osteotomy, or TPO, is one procedure effective for younger canines. If your pet is ten months old or less, this is the preferred surgery type. TPO is most effective for dogs that have severe laxity in the hips but have no observable damage in the joints. In the procedure, the pelvic bones are surgically broken down so that certain parts are realigned accordingly. While this type of surgery is very expensive, it is also one of the most successful procedures your dog can go through to correct the problem.

Canine hip dysplasia is a degenerative disease. This means that it can get worse over time. If your dog is diagnosed to suffer degenerative hip dysplasia, it may have to undergo total hip replacement. This type of procedure aims to eliminate the pain and the degeneration of the hips.

The hip joints of the dog will be removed and prosthetics will be put in its place. When done successfully, the pain associated with this disease will be gone and the functions of the joints will greatly improve. However, only dogs weighing 20 pounds or more can undergo this procedure. Smaller and lighter dogs will not be cleared for it.

Aside from totally removing the hip bones, it is possible only the femoral neck and head to be removed to solve the problem. This is yet another surgical choice for vets. The procedure is usually done on pets that are not qualified for total hip replacement. While this procedure is mostly prescribed to lighter dogs, the larger breeds can also benefit from it.

The newest way of treating hip dysplasia is through Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis. This is also a type of surgical procedure, although it isn’t as invasive. This surgery calls for the infusion of two hip bones. It is normally done to so that the problem joints will develop normally and correctly. The procedure is also known to lessen your dog’s risks of developing arthritis due to hip dysplasia.

Proper diagnosis is very important. By submitting your pet to regular check-ups, the vet will know the severity of the condition and devise the most effective way of correcting the problem. With all these surgical choices, the only way your pet can be treated accordingly is if you submit it to the necessary diagnostic exams.

Next article: Canine Hip Dysplasia Causes