Welcome to the Pupster passion dog lovers blog.
In this post, we will answer the question, how long can dogs live with canine hip dysplasia?
What is the Life Expectancy of Dogs with Hip Dysplasia?
Fortunately, the disease of hip dysplasia is not in any way directly life-threatening to your dog.
So if you and your vet can find ways to treat and manage the condition so that your dog still has a good quality of life, then there is no reason at all to think it would shorten his or her life span.
If you are worried that your dog might have this debilitating hip condition, at least you do not have to worry about losing your dog early.
Let’s take a deeper look at the condition, so you understand it fully and know what to expect for you and your pet.
So, what is Canine Hip Dysplasia?
It is an inherited genetic disease affecting dog’s hips joints. The ball and socket joint is not formed properly, and this causes wear and tear and inflammation issues for the dog.
It usually affects larger and/or older dogs, but any dog of any age, size, or breed can be affected.
It can cause anything from a slight limp in the dog’s back legs to full disability.
As responsible, caring dog owners, one of the best things we can do is keep a close eye out for any telltale signs of the condition.
Early Signs of a Dog with Hip Dysplasia
- Issues when moving legs.
- Hopping up and down stairs instead of walking normally.
- Finding it difficult to get comfortable when sleeping or lying down.
- A different walking or running gait to usual.
- Loss of interest in energetic or playful activity.
If you notice any of these behavior traits in your dog, then we suggest you go to the vet and get it checked out as soon as possible.
Medical Treatments for Dysplasia
- Anti-inflammatory and painkilling medication
- Treatment with joint fluid modifier
- Physical therapy and massage
- Hydrotherapy
- Various types of surgery on the hip joints
Obviously, your vet will be able to let you know which of these treatments is the best option for you and your dog.
The goal should be to help you live with hip dysplasia as happily and healthily as possible while still being affordable for you regarding vets bills, etc.
Thing You Can Do to Help Your Dog
So what can you do alongside the veterinary treatment to help your dog live a long, happy life while coping with the hip problems?
- Consider a Wheelchair for Dogs or Other Mobility Aids
- Buy Your Dog a High-Quality Orthopedic Dog Bed
- Help them to Lose Weight.
- Give them a Specific Diet.
- Please make Sure They Get Regular Gentle Exercise
Consider a Wheelchair for Dogs or Other Mobility Aids
If your dog becomes increasingly disabled due to dysplasia, then there are some great mobility aids you can use to help them get around.
From purpose built wheelchairs for dogs to dog slings and dog hip braces, there are some great ways to give your dog physical support to help them get around.
Buy Your Dog a High-Quality Orthopedic Dog Bed
If you can invest in a high-quality dog bed, this will help ease the dog’s discomfort.
By keeping the dog’s joints well or the floor, warm and fully supported will allow the joints to rest with no pressure on them
Help them to Lose Weight
This can make a huge difference. If your dog is overweight, by helping to lose weight, you will notice the symptoms and issues of the dysplasia significantly reduce.
Note – This post about preventing hip dysplasia in puppies might also be of interest to you).
Give them a Specific Diet
Dogs with dysplasia can benefit from a diet right in Omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin. This will help the dog by reducing inflammation and repairing damaged cartilage. Read this post about supplements for hip dysplasia in dogs for more info.
Make Sure They Get Regular Gentle Exercise
As vets like to say, “motion is lotion”! So try to get your dog out every day for one or two short, slow walks and firm but soft surfaces.
This will activate the body’s natural mechanisms to help ease the tightness and pain in the joints.