Symptoms of Canine Hip Dysplasia

The main symptoms of canine hip dysplasia include:

Decreased activity Dogs with hip dysplasia become less active than before. Owners may notice that their dogs are not as enthusiastic as before and are unwilling to interact with them. They may also sleep and rest more.
Inability to stand or unstable standing As the condition worsens, dogs may be unable to stand or stand unstable after long periods of lying down. They may also walk with a hunched back or sway from side to side.
Intermittent or persistent limping Abnormal wear and tear on the joint can cause bone spurs, followed by inflammation and pain, leading to intermittent or persistent limping in dogs. When manually moving the hip joint, dogs may whimper or even bite out of pain.
Hating to jump and climb stairs Dogs' hind legs play a crucial role in their ability to jump and climb stairs. In cases of hip dysplasia, dogs often experience severe pain due to accompanying joint inflammation, causing them to habitually refuse these activities.
Bunny hopping The bunny hop is considered a way for dogs to alleviate hip joint pain. By using both legs simultaneously during loading and movement, the force on each hip joint is halved. Therefore, dogs with hip dysplasia may exhibit "bunny hop" behavior while walking.
Hip pain and sensitivity When owners touch their dog's hip area or when a veterinarian performs a physical examination, dogs with hip dysplasia usually feel uncomfortable and become sensitive due to hip pain, showing resistance, growling, or aggressive behavior.

If your dog shows any of these symptoms, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian for a DR examination. For young dogs, conservative treatment such as medication is necessary. Once the dog reaches adulthood, surgical treatment can be considered.