Deciding which tests to use when evaluating a dog for CHD depend significantly on the patient's age.  As mentioned, younger dogs with CHD, tend to have notable laxity without much arthritis.  Therefore, with younger dogs, the primary goal toward diagnosing CHD is detecting hip joint laxity.  Palpation, or careful manipulation of the hip, is an extremely important tool.  There are certain manipulation tests that are very sensitive at identifying laxity of the hip joint.  Often the patient needs to be sedated, or anesthetized, in order to permit careful and gentle manipulations.  Radiographs (x-rays) can also be very helpful when trying to identify laxity in the hip joint.

The Older Dog (over 1 year of age)

As mentioned, older dogs with CHD, tend to have arthritis, and less notable laxity.  In these older dogs, the primary goal toward diagnosing CHD is detecting evidence of hip joint arthritis.  Radiographs are the best method and the routine view, with the legs pulled straight back, provides a sensitive indicator for even the earliest signs of arthritis.” http://www.grr-tx.com/resources/hipdys_overview.htm

Whether younger or older, the clinical consequences of CHD are extremely variable from dog to dog.  For example, some young dogs with laxity never develop arthritis, and some old dogs with severe arthritis never show signs of soreness.

Most veterinary orthopedic surgeons agree that if signs of limping or soreness are very mild, or absent, then treatment probably isn't necessary.  Some owners worry about their pet being sore, yet not showing any signs.  It is true that some dogs are more stoic than others, like people.  But most dogs that are significantly uncomfortable, even the toughest, will show one or more of the signs listed earlier.  In general, a dog with CHD that performs well, and can run, jump and play normally, probably does NOT need treatment.

Some owners, may request a surgical treatment because they would rather do the surgery on their pet when it is young and healthy, than later when the pet is older.  Most of the surgeries are safely and routinely done on older pets.  The modern anesthetic drugs are extremely safe, and anesthetic complications occur very rarely.  Additionally, most of the surgeries, especially for the older dogs, do not become more difficult to perform with time, and some actually get easier.  Remember, if your dog is not showing signs, there's no need to put him/her through a surgery now, that he/she may never need in the future.

Conservative therapy can be a good option for many dogs, especially the younger ones, who may do well for years once they get over their first bouts of soreness.

Weight control is extremely important.  Obesity causes excessively high forces to be transmitted through already abnormal hips.  Soreness may be exacerbated, and arthritis accelerated, in dogs that are overweight.  The appropriate weight and diet program for your dog can be obtained from your veterinarian or from a veterinary nutritionist.

Anti-inflammatory medication is an important part of conservative therapy especially when soreness flares up.  Aspirin is the most commonly used drug, however there are other oral medications or injections that can be very effective.  Consult your veterinarian, or veterinary orthopedic-specialist, for the appropriate doses, medications and prescriptions.  DO NOT treat your dog yourself.  Drugs such as aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can be extremely toxic to dogs when given an incorrect dose.  The metabolism and dosages of some drugs are much different in dogs as compared to people.

Exercise must be controlled for conservative therapy to be effective.  "Full-out" running, jumping and roughhousing should be prohibited as much as possible.  Extended walks or jogs, on a leash, can be beneficial.  When soreness flares up, exercise should be extremely limited for a few days.  Often cage or kennel rest works best.  Some owners mistakenly believe that their pet knows his or her own limits, and will restrict themselves as needed.  In general this is not true.  It could be argued that many people don't recognize their own limits, and will 'over-do-it' exercising, even though they're likely to regret it the next day.  Most dogs are like these people.  If allowed, they will run, jump or play to their fullest ability, even though they are likely to reinjure themselves.  Owners must take responsibility for limiting the exercise for their pets.

The three most common surgical treatments of CHD have three differing objectives.  One objective is to save the dog's own natural joint by eliminating the laxity and preventing the progression of arthritis.  This objective is usually reserved for the younger dogs who still have a joint worth saving.  A second objective is to remove the source of the soreness by removing part of the joint itself.  The arthritic femoral head and neck are removed and a 'false-joint' made of scar tissue and muscle eventually provides, relatively, pain-free movement.  The third and final objective is to remove and replace the arthritic femoral head and acetabulum with an artificial joint.  With joint replacement, dogs maintain normal movement and mechanics of the hip joint, and are pain-free very soon after surgery.

Triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO) is a surgery designed to save the natural joint by reducing or eliminating the laxity, or looseness.  If the laxity is eliminated then the arthritis, which would follow, can be prevented.  With TPO, the pelvis is cut in three places ('triple osteotomy' means 'three cuts in bone'), so the acetabulum, or socket, can be rotated over the head of the femur to prevent it from slipping out of the socket or subluxating.

The TPO is not appropriate for all dogs and works best in dogs that have no arthritis present in their hips.  Dogs are usually younger (5-10 months old) when this surgery is performed, before arthritis has begun.  Usually both hips are operated in two separate surgeries, 4 - 8 weeks apart.  Most surgeons reserve this surgery for dogs that are significantly sore, and showing many, or all, of the signs consistent with CHD described earlier.  Exercise must be severely restricted, for 2 - 3 months, to allow the pelvic bones to heat after surgery.

The TPO surgery has a good success rate if it is performed on an appropriate candidate; many dogs are improved clinically and arthritis is effectively prevented in some dogs.

Femoral Head and Neck Ostectomy (FHO) is designed to eliminate the source of discomfort by removing part of the hip joint.  The femur is cut so that the head and neck of the femur are removed ('ostectomy' means' bone is cut and removed').  Scar tissue forms between the femur and acetabulum, where the femoral head and neck used to be; this is called a 'false-joint' because motion, between, the bones, is maintained without the 'true' ball-and-socket joint.  Eventually, this scar tissue provides enough support to permit use of the limb without causing significant discomfort.

The FHO surgery is usually performed on older dogs, which already have significant arthritis.  Usually one hip is operated on at a time, although some surgeons prefer to do both hips at the same time.  One major advantage of the FHO is that exercise restriction is only needed for a few days after the surgery.  After 10 - 14 days, exercise is even encouraged to accelerate formation of scar tissue.

The FHO surgery has a variable success rate.  It can take up to 3 months for the dog to start using the leg well.  Additionally, almost one-third of owners report that their dogs continue to limp or have trouble jumping, and 50% of owners report muscle atrophy (thinning) in the leg that was operated.  Many surgeons feel that large or giant breeds do more poorly than smaller breeds, with FHO.

Total hip replacement (THR) is designed to eliminate the source of discomfort by replacing the arthritic joint with an artificial joint or hip prosthesis.  The THR surgery is a state-of-the art procedure, very similar to the operation in humans.  The arthritic femoral head and neck is removed and replaced with a metal head and stem (head- cobalt chrome metal; stem- titanium metal).  The arthritic socket is removed and replaced with a plastic cup (high molecular-weight plastic).  The metal head and plastic cup fit together like the original ball-and-socket joint, providing support and pain-free, mechanically sound movement almost immediately after surgery.

The THR surgery is performed on dogs 9 months of age or older, which have arthritis.  Only one hip is operated on at a time, because most dogs will only ever need one hip replaced.  The smallest-sized implants are often too large for dogs under 30 pounds.  Exercise restriction must be enforced for 2 months, following the surgery, to allow all the tissues to heal around the prosthesis.

Total hip replacements have been performed in canine patients since 1974, and have enjoyed excellent results.  Over 95% of patients return to normal function after the surgery.  Over 80% of dogs-do NOT need a second surgery despite the presence of arthritis in the other hip.  Animals will run, jump and play as they did before the discomfort hindered them.  Working animals, including police and hunting dogs, have successfully returned to their duties after THR.

Other surgeries have been reported as beneficial in the treatment of CHD.  These surgeries, designed to reduce soreness and eliminate the laxity associated with CHD, include Intertrochanteric osteotomy (ITO) and pectineal myectomy.  Although there may be occasional indications for these procedures, nether has been shown to reliably prevent the progression of arthritis.  Therefore, any improvement noted post-operatively with these procedures, may be short-lived.

Canine hip dysplasia is a common disease, however, many diseases can mimic it's signs and complicate diagnosis.  Canine hip dysplasia is also a complex disease with numerous treatment alternatives.  Deciding which treatment is best for your dog depends on numerous factors, including: severity of the signs, the dog's age, your pets purpose in life (i.e., pet, hunting or police) and financial concerns.  The surgical procedures, if needed, are difficult to perform and often require the services of surgeons with advanced training.  If you have questions about CHD, your first step should be to call or schedule an appointment with your local veterinarian.  If additional help is needed, your veterinarian can schedule a consultation with the nearest veterinary orthopedic specialist.